January 23, 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Homesick, marching stopped by heavy rains. Regarding stopped attempt of 9th Corps to cross the Rappahannock: "...I think myself that it would have ended the war and that is the opinion of all the soldiers here, for we should undoubtedly would have got cut into mince meat and then the folks at the North probably wouldnt have stood it any longer." Mentions reorganization of regiment and his own plans.

GLC04558.064

6 November 1850

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife Louisiana B. Gibson

He writes that due to the heat and a recent dry spell, the river is not high enough to let boats pass therefore, Louisiana will not be able to join the family. The younger boys are learning the "sugar business". He has heard from Randall, who is at South Hampton, but not from Hart. He sends his love to Sarah and Loula.

GLC04501.060

18 May 1857

Gibson, Alfred, fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

Hailstorms ruined some of the cotton crop. The cotton gin processes about 12 bales a day. Sickness on the plantation has taken the lives of five slaves, all under the age of four. Albert lost two slaves, one 17 years old and the other 20. A monument was erected at the grave site of Tobias Gibson, the first Methodist Preacher in Mississippi, who has been dead for 50 years. The citizens of Vicksburg are having a reception for Colonel Jeff Davis.

GLC04501.082

10 November 1861

Harlow, Charles D., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by Harlow to his cousin Asa Smith in the Union Army. Harlow and Smith were not close before Smith joined the army, but Harlow hopes they will get to know each other through writing. Harlow claims he heard Smith was in good health through Homer. Says the family is well and that 2 regiments will soon leave the area for Washington. Reports that there are 800 soldiers at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. Claims "They have come from most all parts of the Union; they are men of Secession principles, who have said and done to[o] much, but they are in safe quarters now." Says a severe storm last…

GLC03742.03

2 March 1862

Smith, William Wallace, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by William Wallace Smith to his brother Asa Smith. Mentions high winds that blew through camp recently. Says in less than a half hour half the tents in camp were down, and by evening there were only 10 left standing. Says they were ordered to pick up and march to Harper's Ferry, Virginia to assist General Banks, but another division was sent and the order was countermanded. Says they were mustered in for pay recently and might get it soon. Says they might move soon and all the men who could not carry knapsacks were carried off today, emptying the hospitals. Says they buried a German…

GLC03742.09

29 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Advises his wife on how to cope with a long drought and offers some remedies for her illness. Details a letter from Louisa, encloses a recipe for condensed milk with a request for a sample. Still has not been paid. Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.150

18 August 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

A flash flood prevented GWT from joining his regiment at the front and swept away many people's belongings. 40 bodies were found after the flood. One sutler offered a $3000 reward for the return of his cash box. After the regiment returned, their camp was moved to the position formerly occupied by the 9th Corps. Worried about Georgiana's health. Written near Petersburg, Virginia.

GLC04558.156

7 July 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports an unsuccessful raid on Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia. The marching is very difficult due to the extreme heat and that several have died or been maimed by sunstroke. Though none of the men were wounded while they attempted to take the bridge, several were taken prisoner while straggling behind during marching. Mentions that General Getty commanded the expedition, General Harland commanded Coit's division and that Colonel Stedman commanded Coit's brigade.

GLC03603.246

5 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his thankfulness at being able to have shelter in the mansion during a snowstorm. Writes that he has filled out a Quarterly Return of Deceased Soldiers. There are reports that a soldier from the 21st Regiment froze to death in the night. Requests a pair of field glasses for Christmas. The letter is written on the back of a draft of a letter to General Thomas. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC03603.170

22 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his mother for sending the newspapers and clippings. Writes of experiencing a very bad snow storm and the poor conditions of the enlisted mens' shelters. Whiskey was served to the entire regiment for warmth. Believes that his regiment is there merely to hold the land that has been captured. Gives a summary of what has happened to the men who were wounded at Antietam. Requests more photographs to trade. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.212

2 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He arrived in Columbus, Kentucky in the midst of a winter storm. He is not impressed by the discipline of the Confederate troops. He has gained 15 pounds in 2 months and visited relatives in Vicksburg. In part: "Well you see we are at last in the face of the enemy...I have not yet had an opportunity of making an examination of our position but so far as I have seen it is exceedingly strong, Nor do I know how many men are here about - fifteen thousand perhaps including all the reinforcements. I am ignorant of the strength of the enemy either at Cairo or Paducah. From what I hear…

GLC04501.012

January 18, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that many men have been receiving discharge papers, particularly those who are disabled. Reports that the mail has been irregular due to a heavy storm that washed away the tressel work of the train tracks. Relates the news that Captain Warner has tendered his resignation.

GLC07460.011

3 January 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to friends from Camp Douglas. Discusses a terrible storm and the cold weather. Comments he does not believe he has seen colder weather. Writes the soldiers are freezing and the prisoners are suffering, and many of them have died. Reports it is the coldest weather that the West has seen. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.03

31 July 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports they buried a man yesterday who was killed in battle. They marched 30 miles to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Discusses visiting the Michigan Museum, the law department, and the medical department while in Ann Arbor. Notes seeing fleas, elephants, sea shells and animals, birds, a human skeleton, and various kinds of pictures. Request she sends him postage. Writes about a bad storm that brought lots of rain and hail. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.05

30 August 1863

Wirt, I.D., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libby Kessler

Reports that it is very cold this August and they just had a big frost. Expresses her sympathy about Henry Kessler's death. Writes that their neighbor's 12-year-old boy died yesterday from a diving accident. Addressee name taken from envelope.

GLC03523.52.09

24 July 1862

Davis, Samuel H., ?-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dolly Davis

Writes to his wife. Discusses his farm and the drought back home (Blackwater, Mississippi). State is not listed; however, Davis mentions being about 30 miles from Boonville, Mississippi. A draft transcript is available.

GLC02738.06

11 April 1881

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

It has been snowing and raining. This winter has been hard because there has been a lack of fuel. He is sorry to hear that his parents are unwell. He is critical of Hayes but grateful for his administration.

GLC02167.55

1953-1963

International News Photos

Photograph

Title: [Children Row Down a Flooded Street]

One photograph by International News Photos not dated. Shows a flooded street, with two boys in a row boat in the middle of the picture, and one boy standing on a platform to the side rowing. The back of the photo is stamped with International News Photos information.

GLC09677.75

January 16, 1961

United Press International

Photograph

Title: Winter Lashes City

One wirephoto released by United Press International dated January 16, 1961. Shows a sidewalk covered in snow. On the left of the photo is a blur of lights possibly from passing cars. The attached press release reports that New York City was hit by a severe winter storm with freezing rain, sleet and hail. The wind reached 40 MPH and three people were killed due to icy highways. The back of the photo is stamped with United Press International information.

GLC09677.60

1952-1963

Header Record

Title: [Collection of wire photographs, 1952-1963] [Decimalized .01 - .88]

76 wire photos with 8 larger wire photos, many with International News Photos handstamps and/or typed dated descriptions affixed on verso. Most dated 1952-1963.

GLC09677

21 December 1835

Krepp, B., fl. 1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Wordin

Apologizes profusely for not writing sooner. Describes a wagon journey he took to Jackson, Mississippi. Explains that they crossed the river, entered the Choctaw Nation, and reached the prairie where the roads were almost impossible to pass because of rain. Remarks that the prairie was beautiful and called it, "one of the grandest sights in nature." Reports that when they entered the woods, they encountered many problems because of the swamps. They finally arrived at Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. States that Jackson is thriving and describes the railroad being built there.…

GLC04601.14

11 December 1801

Smith, Calvin, 1768-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jedediah Smith

Begins by saying how happy he is to know Jedediah is alive. Tries to convince him to move to the Mississippi territory where the soil is so much more fertile than the stony ground of Massachusetts. Describes in detail all the advantages he would have if he moved. Gives him instructions and directions for the best way to make the journey. Talks about the mail for a bit. Mentions that the wife of Philander Smith, their brother, has died. Calvin informs that he and his wife have had a daughter. Discusses another brother named Luther who lives within the boundaries of Spanish territory and…

GLC04601.02

December 7, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

References receiving her latest letter. Says "For the first time since I have been in the service I feel thoroughly discontented. I fancied in coming here I was at length going to see active service but find just the reverse." Says they witnessed the sinking of the USS "Weehawken" in bad weather. Says four engineering officers and 29 men, half the crew, died in the sinking. No cause is known yet because of poor communication during the storms. Heard about General Braxton Bragg's defeat in the Confederate newspapers. Says the Union ships fired their guns in a salute. A court of inquiry found…

GLC03836.60

26 March 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

References her letter of 14 March 1864. Says her opinion that he is "decidedly blue" is correct. Says it is depressing to have spent 3 years as he has at the age of 35. Speaks positively of the "change of feeling that has been wrought in public opinion as regards the colored troops." Before they were "looked upon with utter contempt and the idea that they would stand fire was thought ridiculous." Says they are now thought of as equal to white troops. References the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts compared to the disloyalty of the New Yorkers who rioted in July 1863. Says that the black…

GLC03836.63

December 9, 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

Says there is a northeast gale blowing and that the ship is lying with both its anchors down and all their ordinary occupations suspended. Says it is "peculiarly comfortable and cosy" writing to her in a heavy gale. Says they are all excited for Sherman to appear on the coast. Hears that the Charleston-Savannah railroad has been cut and that he is 40 miles from Savannah. Says he sent a scout boat up the Midway River and discovered there were no pickets on it as is usual. Believes most of the troops are being redirected to Savannah. Says "The sky was lit up brilliantly last night by a very…

GLC03836.81