13 May 1864

Martin, R.L., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to family

Mentions Grant's refusal of Lee's flag of truce, the weather, and taking Richmond within a month. On verso of printed poem "The Battle of Gettysburg" by G.P. Hardwick. Written at Camp Stoneman.

GLC08447

16 May 1863

Foote, Francis C., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to F. C. Foote

Written in camp near Brookes Station. Foote writes to his parents in Westport, Connecticut. Informs them that his captain, H. P. Burr, is held as a prisoner in Richmond, Virginia, with a great number of his fellow Union soldiers. Reports "Scofield is dead our ambulances went over to the battle field the other day to the rebbes hospital to get our wounded and to bury the dead our Lutenant Cournel was shot in the eye and is dead on the field... there is a good many of our troops that have died since they have had their limbs taken off and they folks that have come from the hospital say that…

GLC08415.02

3 June 1862

Newspaper

Title: New York semi-weekly tribune. [Vol. 18, no. 1776 (June 3, 1862)]

Richmond battle with map

GLC08429.04

3 April 1865

Eden, R.C., fl. 1865

Newspaper

Title: Grant's Petersburg progress. [Vol.1, no.1 (April 3, 1865)]

Union occupation newspaper announcing the capture of Petersburg: "Petersburg Ours! We are here! Hallelujah!" Prints the official surrender correspondence, describes Black celebrating as the "colored population." Brief report that Union forces had taken Richmond that same morning.

GLC01022

19 June 1864

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

A large amount of mail was captured and burned near Dalton. Apologizes for not writing enough. Mentions a confrontation with the Confederates. "Railroad atrocities." Predicts Richmond will fall soon. Writes about the weather.

GLC05981.46

12 May 1862

Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge admits that he has had dysentery and has "felt not fit to crall." He also writes about the attack on the retreating Confederates, specifically at Williamsburg. He is also suspicious of the rumored attack on Richmond, writing "I think treason is goin down."

GLC02162.03

17 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Time is flying by. Will be home in just over 16 months. Expects the next 4 months of battles will "till loudly on our regiment." They have often been part of the reserves in a battle, and therefore expects to be put in the front line more often this year. Used to feel lucky when put in reserve, but no longer feels that way. More troops arrive at the camp every day. "We shall have an army here over 160,000 strong." Butler is moving up the Peninsula. Burnside is moving to Goldsboro to cut the railroad lines. Grant will move to take Richmond by the most direct route, while the other two armies…

GLC09355.060

29 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

It has been impossible for him to write since he sent his last letter. Does not even know if his last letters reached them. "It has been march, dig, and fight all the time." Has crossed the Pamunkey River and engaged the Rebels on the other side. Is about 18 miles from Richmond. Hopes Sid is unhurt. Captured a few Rebels who had been near Sid's regiment when it was captured. Managed to talk to a Confederate who saw a few of the officers, was able to describe a person who seemed like Sid, and confirmed that that man was unhurt. Elisha hurt his finger and has gone to the hospital to get it…

GLC09355.067

4 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has a few moments to spare while there is a lull in the fighting. "I have weathered the storm unharmed" so far. Fighting starts at dawn and does not stop "for anything" until well after sundown. The Confederates have "quite a strong position here." Looks like the construction of heavy siege works has begun. Has gotten nearer to Richmond. "Burnside's niggers fight well, and I wish they could be made to do all the fighting." Last night there was a massive Confederate artillery barrage. He and everyone else lay "flat on their faces and lay so till after dark." Wishes Father would send him some…

GLC09355.069

8 May 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

They shipped from Gloucester Point and are now in Bermuda Hundreds. There were heavy skirmishes but they are all in good sprits and feel they will have Richmond soon.

GLC02161.125

28 May 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Yesterday the whole command except for one division was ordered to embark to reinforce Grant. Gen. Lee assumes he will save Richmond. No one really likes Butler, the commanding officer.

GLC02161.129

20 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Glad to hear all is well. Sad to hear that [Silphey] had died and "sorry to hear that Charley was wounded." One of his comrade's guns had gone off, shooting him in the leg just above the ankle. The surgeon took the bullet out, and "it did not go through." Has been with the boys the whole time. His leg is rehabilitating quickly. "Can walk some" on the bad leg, but not completely. Still not much to do around camp. Weather is fine. Have not been in any real danger here. Joseph has gained seven pounds since he left. "They have sent plenty of men up to the front and they are going to take…

GLC09273.07

January 24, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are in "tip top health" and hopes she is too. Weather is clear but cool. Has been cooking beef all day. Is "the fattest I have been since we have been married." All the men can eat "like pigs." Does not think he will have to fight much once fighting starts, because his regiment is in the reserve corps. Leg had almost healed when it "began to swell up on my knee and got very sore." The doctor put "some stuff" on it, and it is getting better. Can still walk very well. His work is not too hard. Does not think any of his friends will get hurt fighting. Stopped writing for the night, and…

GLC09273.23

February 25, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Feels "first rate." All are getting along well. Leg is feeling very good. Hopes she and Oscar are also well. Wishes he were home, but is contented to stay out his term. The time until he comes home will not seem so long once the weather gets warmer. It is sunny but cold today. Had to go and draw rations for the company and then cook them alone. This is his only duty now that he has begun to cook. John is still at the hospital at City Point. Fayette received a letter that they think is from him, but they cannot be sure because it is unsigned. Another man moved into his tent, making five…

GLC09273.29

24 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg is back to normal. Has not received a letter in two weeks, but supposes that that is on account of the high water taking out some of the railroad. Weather has been cool and windy for 2 or 3 days now. "We lay here very quiet in camp, and things look very favorable." War looks to be all but over. "Rebels are about ready to surrender Richmond, and that will be the last of them." She must keep good courage until he comes home. Is cooking for the captain for a few days. Will put $5 more in this letter to send to her, which makes $100.50 in total. While this money should help a…

GLC09273.35

16 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Gives a summary of recent events, including the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the pursuit of Lee to Appomattox, and the end of the war. Have been marching back east and north since then; thinks he is headed for Petersburg. Has received seven letters in the past day. If she thinks they should keep both pigs, then they can keep both. Wants to know how much money she has received from him. Feet are sore from marching. If he goes to Petersburg, he will have a chance to write more. Tells her to "have some potatoes planted and do with everything as you think best." Hopes he will be able to come…

GLC09273.40

9 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Harriet W. Dewey]

He has been receiving compliments on his work. They are camped on the battlefield and as he writes the Rebels are throwing shells into their camp.

GLC02161.025

4 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All is well, hoping this letter finds her in the same condition. Sailed out of Washington to go to City Point, where he is writing from now. Sailed down the Potomac River and out into the Chesapeake Bay, arrived at a Union fort at midnight. Stayed there until morning, and then started for City Point, arriving there at 4:00 AM. Currently fourteen miles from Petersburg. Expects to begin drilling soon. Hopes to see her soon; expects "that after a short time I will see you all." Quite warm in Virginia. Put up his tent yesterday. Caught sight of Petersburg. "Will soon have Richmond and Petersburg…

GLC09273.03

14 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "kicking about." Has not had much to do. Joseph has gone with some men along the railroad to guard some men, but he will be back tonight. Is in the tent with Guernsey. The rest of the companies in the regiment are back in Washington, but they should be arriving here "today or tomorrow." She should be happy that he was not drafted. Draftees and substitutes are sent to the front immediately by the thousands. "They have got Petersburg surrounded and next week they say they will take Richmond and Petersburg both. There [are] some ironclads - 25 - going up to Richmond." Still has yet to…

GLC09273.05

October 30, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is well; hopes she is too. He has joined company E of the 42nd regiment. "I just got [here] in time to see a man shot… It was Fred Lammer's brother. He deserted and went to the [Yankee] lines." Another man deserted last night. Two more deserters are to be shot in a few days. Asks for a yarn shirt and a pair of socks as soon as possible. "We are camped 5 miles below Richmond in the woods along the breast works." Union soldiers charged their lines two days ago, but they were driven back with ease. "We can hear [the Yankees] all the time going on wit their music as if they have fine times."…

GLC00653.22.01

November 10, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He got his mother's letter this evening. He is sorry to hear of his brother's injury but glad to hear he is getting better. Also heard that "Pa" had to go to Concord to court, and wants to know why he did that. He got the shirt, socks, and gloves two days ago. He is well "considering the way things are now." He has been on picket duty for a night. W.G. Brown got here last Monday. "The boys are wearing clothes they have been wearing all summer without washing." He asks her to send a box of food as soon as she can by express mail to Richmond.

GLC00653.22.02

November 16, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father and mother

"We are faring badly [here] now," as they are not getting nearly enough to eat. The regiment might have to head home, for "we can't get neither clothes nor money nor provisions here." He does not know how much longer the troops can stand such poor conditions. "I believe we could gain our independence if we had provisions." Brown writes that he would love to be home to help him drink some of "that old Brandy."

GLC00653.22.03

November 20, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father and mother

He has written them several times since arriving here but has only received two letters. He will not write again until he receives another letter. "There was a fight on our lines last night." His comrades killed or captured about 300 enemy soldiers. "No one hurt on our side." The campaign will likely end soon on account of the bad weather. "Artillery can't be moved on neither side." Mud has gotten as deep as the tops of soldiers' shoes.

GLC00653.22.04

November 28, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

George B. Cook got his mother's letter from the 20th. He is happy to hear Frank [Frost] was as close to home as Raleigh, but is sorry to hear he was ill. They must tell Mr. Whitlocks to come visit him when he comes up to Richmond. His current quarters are very nice, but does not know if he will be staying there long, "for we have had marching orders every time it goes to raining." He has left Company E to join Company F. Captain Brown was promoted to Major.

GLC00653.22.05

December 9, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 2nd. "I am not well at this time." Had a difficult march starting the night of the 7th. The marched started at night and continued until 12:00 AM in the middle of a rainstorm. Returned to camp the next day and does not know where they were marching to. Has heard they were going to Petersburg, but has also heard that they were going to Georgia. Would like to go to Georgia; it is warmer there. Last night was as cold of a night as any that the soldiers have experienced. Asks her to send him another box. All of the soldiers, including W.…

GLC00653.22.07