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to Nancy E. Jones

He does not regret joining the army "for it has bin a blessing to me, and I think it wil work out for good to us all in the long run." He will never desert but does not blame anyone for deserting as "our men is meaner than the rebbels."

GLC02739.039

to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042

to Nancy E. Jones

"The rebbels is failing in evry sense of the word." The Confederates attacked their pickets but his regiment held them off and will "slay them by the thousands if they try to take this place."

GLC02739.043

to Nancy E. Jones

He is glad she received the 30 dollars he sent. He is sorry for her hardships and "would do anything for you if I could."

GLC02739.044

to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed and had to leave the 79th to work a twelve pound brass cannon in the 20th Ohio Battery. He does not feel in any more danger as "I can dodge a shell or canon ball some times but a musket ball I can not." The battery consists of two...

GLC02739.045

to Nancy E. Jones

He cannot pray at night in the 20th Ohio and must rely on secret prayer. All the prisoners "that we get say that the rebel armey is both starveing and getting naked for the want of clothes."

GLC02739.046

to Nancy E. Jones

The men and officers of the 20th are all "persecutors of religion" but he will persist in his prayers. They expect a battle soon, "one of thee hardest battles ever fought in America."

GLC02739.047

to Nancy E. Jones

"If general hooker is successful at [Fredericksburg] I think that will end the war." They get good news from the armies of the Mississippi and the Rappahannock every day. He wants a likeness of her and the children. He closes discouraged, having...

GLC02739.048

to Nancy E. Jones

The men of the 20th are by "far mutch the hardest men that I have ever bin with" but they treat him like a gentleman. They no longer expect a fight and he has no doubt "but that our forces have gained a complete victory at fredricksberg."

GLC02739.049

to Nancy E. Jones

"I feel as mutch assured that I will git home alive as mutch as I feel assured that this war will end in the distruction of the southern confederacy." He believes that they will soon have Vicksburg and hopes to move to Fort Donelson soon.

GLC02739.050

to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks the war may end soon but wouldn't be surprised if it lasted a year or two more. Their latest news from Grant is favorable. He will rejoin Company F of the 79th.

GLC02739.051

to Nancy E. Jones

They drove 40,000 Confederates towards Chattanooga and several corps are advancing behind them. Some Confederates say "they want to quit fighting that they have bin deceived long enough by the leaders of the south." He fears the letter will not...

GLC02739.052

to Nancy E. Jones

He has terrible pain in his head and had a tooth removed. He is still with the battery but will be with the regiment soon. "A man cannot git a discharge here until he is four days dead if he wanted it ever so bad."

GLC02739.053

to Nancy E. Jones

He expects the Union to take Vicksburg soon. He must sneak out to prayer meetings in town every night and could be punished if caught.

GLC02739.054

to Nancy E. Jones

He is still with the battery. Mr. Shorter will hand deliver the letter and tell her more in person.

GLC02739.055

to Nancy E. Jones

He has a shelter or dog tent which he stretches out on sticks to cover about five feet of ground. He fashioned a bedstead from an old stable door and uses his oil blanket and dress coat as bedclothes and his knapsack as a pillow. It would be worth...

GLC02739.056

to Nancy E. Jones

They have been marching and fighting and drove the Confederates from the mountains and through Liberty Gap. Moving and placing the cannons in the mountains is difficult and the rain makes it more so.

GLC02739.057

to Nancy E. Jones

The Confederates are retreating towards Chattanooga. The road is so muddy that they can barely get through. The 79th of Illinois and 77th of Pennsylvania defeated nine Confederate regiments. "The rebs having al advantages in the mountains we have...

GLC02739.058

to Nancy E. Jones

They took 200 prisoners from Bragg's army and Grant took 200,000 at Vicksburg. He believes Banks will be "good for port Hudson." Meade defeated Lee at Gettysburg and Lee is retreating with a loss of 30,000 men. "There is no doubt but that lee's...

GLC02739.059

to Nancy E. Jones

He believes "Morgan the [guerilla chief] is neer his last end." The whole army is working well together toward a quick end to the war. The Union has control of Port Hudson and Bragg has left Tennessee. "His Armey is very mutch Reduced" and...

GLC02739.060

to Nancy E. Jones

He received the children's likenesses. She should not write to the captain asking for a furlough. He believes he has fought his last battle; "this armey may have a hard battle yet with brag but I don't expect to be in the engagement."

GLC02739.061

to Nancy E. Jones

He encourages her to go to Indiana with the children and Phebe Jane Walker. He is sending her 21 dollars inside a book of his writings with Lieutenant Williams.

GLC02739.062

to Nancy E. Jones

He has the opportunity to change his terms of service by being mustered out and then sworn in again but awaits her opinion. The new terms would offer him a furlough and a change in pay and length of service.

GLC02739.063

to Nancy E. Jones

Mentions that he has atteneded prayer meetings led by Black church members. Refers to the educational disaparity between Black and White children. Writes, "if they had the schooling and chance that we have they could take care of their selves and be...

GLC02739.064

to Nancy E. Jones

He describes the march from Tullahoma, Tennessee through the mountains. They may follow Bragg to Georgia.

GLC02739.065

to Henry Knox

"Agreeable to your Desire I embrace the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you to the Rate of exchange upon France." Gives details of the rate of exchange of bills. Also notes that the destination and time of sail for a certain Dutch ship is...

GLC02437.00759

to Edward R. Archer

Response to Archer's letter explaining reasons for his resignation from the U.S. Navy, expressing sadness over Archer's resignation and wishing him good luck.

GLC01896.042

to Isaac Toucey

Archer's formal resignation request. Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.043

to Edward R. Archer

Acceptance of Archer's resignation from the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.044

to Robert W. Jeffery

Duplicate of Gideon Welles' letter acknowledging Jeffery's resignation as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.047

An Opinion delivered 23rd May 1780 to His Excellency General Washington.

Title from docket. Details his opinions and analysis on military strategy and tactics in response to George Washington's questions. First discusses provisions, stating they "are the main savings of an army, and unless they are in perfect order...

GLC02437.00809

to Roberta Jeffery

Written by Roberta's sister. Regarding the death of Roberta's baby and the ordeal she had to undego as a result. "...[A]nother of our band of dear little ones is foreve safe from the trials, dangers & temptations of this wicked world!...[You] must...

GLC01896.039

to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received from Toucey orders to report for duty in Philadelphia, and decision to decline promotion in order to resign from service. "...I respectfully decline it, having determined to engage in private business, I therefore...

GLC01896.040

to Samuel Archibald

Explaining reasons for his resignation to the Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy, and pride felt of serving in the Engineer Corps. "Since my return from the East Indies, in the "Powhatan", I have determined to pursue a private life with a view of...

GLC01896.041

to Aaron Jeffery

Expresses his disapproval of a possible appointment to office from Abraham Lincoln who has been elected president, the conflict between North and South, his advice to prepare for the worst and to hold above all else the fundamental principle of self...

GLC01896.045

to Aaron Jeffery

Expressing strong sympathies to Aaron for the death of Aaron's mother, Anne Woodlief Jeffery.

GLC01896.046

to George Eldridge

Regarding: Hardships and suffering of military life, poor mail delivery as he does not receive letters sent from home very often and vice versa, and an anecdote about a young boy originally a Yankee [from New Jersey] who joined the regiment after the...

GLC01896.048

to Aaron Jeffery

Has decided to leave Greensborough and go to Wilmington to "attend the sick" in that city, acknowledging that he is leaving his post without permission but rationalizes his behavior with the contention that his request must have "miscarried" in the...

GLC01896.049

to Fanny Timberlake

Roberta describes her family's nighttime escape from Norfolk to Petersburg, aboard a baggage car, and then there further traveling to Richmond, Lynchburg and Buchanan. Includes a description of accommodations and prices of goods in Petersburg and an...

GLC01896.050

to Aaron Jeffery

Richard reports on his arrival in the city of Charleston and finds it "...much more quiet than I supposed they would be." He asserts that the people believe that the Yankees will not attack the city and that they are going about "their ordinary...

GLC01896.051

to Aaron Jeffery

Concerning information about his unexpected transfer from Charleston to Savannah where "...my responsibilities are greater & the means of meeting them less..." Discusses the anti-climactic Union attack on Charleston including the unimpressive...

GLC01896.052

to Aaron Jeffery

Positive analysis on the ability of General Pemberton to command at Vicksburg, the defense of which is, maintains Richard , "...a defence of the obstinacy of the President..." He consequently tears into the newspaper editors and the gulible...

GLC01896.053

to William Knox

Discusses an upcoming visit from William Knox and gives thanks for an offer to take care of some business. Writes concerning further business ventures. Author of the letter possibly Leendert de Neufville, most likely related to the de Neufvilles of...

GLC02437.00807

[Receipt of money paid]

Receipt of money paid for the services of a servant (likely a black servant) of General Henry Knox. Witnessed by Nabby Crocker and signed with Cato Beal's mark. Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.00808

[Return of tools in the Ordinance Department at Fredricksburg]

Lists tools by type and number, including blacksmith, carpentry, wheelwright tools and "Work in Hands." Post signs as Captain of Artillery.

GLC02437.00810

to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Congratulates General Lincoln for field fortifications and sends his regrets in not being able to meet with him. Noted as "Directed to Lincoln at Philadelphia."

GLC02437.00812

to Lucy Knox

Updates Lucy on his arrival in Ramapaugh and states that the enemy is "in the vicinity of Phillips Manor and Kings-bridge ... " Reassures her that he loves her and sends his love to the rest of the family.

GLC02437.00813

[Return of Shells Shot & Powder in Possession of the Continents & the Places where they are deposited, composed with an Estimate of those presented to the Committee of Congress with the Army - 27th June 1780 for sixty Days Service. ]

Lists number of shells and powder requested and their deficiencies by size and place. Includes an explanation of the numbers in Knox's hand at the end. Noted as a copy, "one presented to the Commander in chief, and one transmitted to the board of...

GLC02437.00814