2 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He thanks his family for the letters and food they've sent. Complains that Uncle Sam owes him eighty dollars but thinks that he will get paid some of the amount tomorrow. Mentions to his family that they should set out an orchard on which they could live and still keep a place in the village. Reports that Companies A and I have been sent down the railroad towards Nashville after hearing that rebels were tearing up the railroad tracks. Addresses Darius (his brother-in-law) specifically and tells him that he will be moving to better quarters. Writes that he had been sick but is now better.

GLC07460.023

17 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha

Writes that he would like to hire Welly (his nephew Wellington Spohn) at five cents a day to help with the harvest. Reports that rebels are camped nearby and that he is anxious toget rid of them. Discusses the feeling of brotherhood amongst the soldiers even though some regiments, such as the 79th Ohio are not necessarily liked. Writes that while commanding a post, a negro informed them that some rebels were cutting down telegraph poles. As a result, General Paine sent out six companies from the 70th Indiana and all of the mounted regimental scouts. Discusses another rebel raid in…

GLC07460.024

15 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry [incomplete]

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says she is sorry she sent her last letter, which reported that Henry's resignation was accepted and that another surgeon was being sent to replace him. Says it is not true. Says Admirals Lee and De Clymer both intervened in Washington to keep the resignation from going through. Wonders where he is and says "how I would like that wonderful trunk of the Danish storyteller Anderson to carry me to China and in ... the Wyoming." Says their father is still anxious about his resignation and that he would "just [be] throwing away what is most valuable, a…

GLC03523.21.52

28 March 1866

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry. Makes reference to Henry's sister Anna returning from Washington where bureaucratic infighting involving Henry's resignation was taking place. Says reports of intemperance were stated against him. Says "Do my dear boy quit the poison I believe I once before went to you on the subject. It will destroy soul and body, distress fathers[,] sisters[,] and brothers." Envelope marked by Henry stating that the letter was received in Hong Kong on 5 May 1866.

GLC03523.21.54

27 February 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Makes reference to the resignation and their father's disapproval again. Says she left Baltimore yesterday and has been ill since January and is taking cod liver oil. Mentions that the price of corn is 60 cents/bushel. Says the old town (probably Martinsburg) looks as usual and that "the railroad is its life." Claims that "Prices are high here, marketing and everything so the country people ought to have some money. Pa has rented the home next door for 250 dollars. the brick house ... for 375 and the small house ... for 75 dollars." Most of the letter…

GLC03523.21.51

27 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Relates the story of the bureaucratic infighting involving his resignation. A man named Horowitz wanted to take Henry's place, but Admiral Lee intervened to keep the resignation open. There were accusations of Henry smuggling liquor on board and that he was "a drinking man." His honor was defended though and says "no one will ever say one word against you if I can help it." Creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.53

6 November 1851

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Sarah Gibson

Randall worries over their father's "daily sacrifices" since their mother's death (see GLC04501.100) and expresses concern for his well being. He has been elected to deliver an oration on behalf of the Southern Literary Society at an event in which two Northern Societies will also speak. He also discusses a possible trip south. Randall writes from Yale University, from which he would graduate in 1853.

GLC04501.001

26 February 1852

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Randall tries to explain falling grades in his junior year and emphasizes that a warning letter sent to his parents was due to excessive absence due to sickness, not to poor scholarship. Written from Yale University.

GLC04501.002

23 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Informs his father that his unit has just left New Orleans. They are the first regiment to receive orders to leave the state. Discusses local benefits given to raise money for his regiment, and the health of his brother Claude, who also commands a regiment. Claude Gibson suffered from consumption (tuberculosis); he died of the ailment in 1863. In part: "I am glad to tell you that my regiment is so well organized that I well feel no concern and henceforth will have but little to do beyond supervision. I had a long talk with Genl Ruggles to whose Brigade I belong...He is a very nice…

GLC04501.010

24 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Writes that he is on the way to Columbus, Kentucky. He also stopped in Memphis to visit relatives. Discusses his sister Louly's health.

GLC04501.011

30 April 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister Louisiana Gibson]

Randall writes to his sister once a week, hoping that one of his letters will break the blockade and make its way across the Atlantic. He also hopes that John Slidell will be able to secure the recognition of the French government. He includes news of family and friends and stresses the importance of learning to spell correctly. Kin (a nickname for his brother John McKinley Gibson) is now his aide de camp. [excerpt] [3]…I hope Mr Slidell may be able even yet to get the French Government to appreciate our Cause and to help us. I have no doubt but that he has secured the friendship…

GLC04501.022

27 November 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Kin (John McKinley Gibson) is unwell. Randall assigned him duty in Mississippi, where he would be out of the winter weather and the line of battle.

GLC04501.032

14 January 1865

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Louisiana Hart Gibson

Addressed to "Louly" Louisiana Gibson's nickname. He tells her to send her letters through John Slidell. [Louly is studying in Europe.] He was pleased to hear her account of the bazaar in Liverpool. He expects his command to be sent to Louisiana soon. Signed "Lee."

GLC04501.033

3 December 1868

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Discusses sending an old man and his daughter to work at Live Oak plantation. Mentions purchasing articles for his wife. The family's poor financial circumstances continue. A heart felt letter in which Randall discusses family quarrels and jealousies arising from his financial success and his ability to help the family. Written on "Gibson & Austin, Attorneys at Law" letterhead from Randall Lee Gibson's law office.

GLC04501.038

9 November 1856

Gibson, Louisiana Hart, fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to her father Tobias Gibson]

Author inferred through content. Both Sarah and Claude intend to write him by the same mail. A land deal between Mr. Scott and Mr. Taylor has gone bad. Mr. Taylor claims that the land falls short one-third of the area that he agreed to buy. The end of the letter is missing.

GLC04501.040

19 March 1845

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Sarah Gibson]

A touching letter in which Tobias declares he will always have a special place for his oldest child, Sarah. The letter also contains Gibson family genealogy since before the revolution.

GLC04501.044

25 November 1845

Humphreys, D.C., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Joseph Humphreys]

Recipient inferred from content. He encourages his son to get the best education possible. He speculates on all the different occupations he could have had.

GLC04501.048

January 30, 1846

Gibson, Gibson, fl. 1846-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

Gibson has gone to Louisiana to try to build his fortune. The letter discusses parenting and education at great length.

GLC04501.049

7 March 1846

Shelby, Virginia, fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

She describes her trip from New Orleans. Also discusses news of family and friends.

GLC04501.051

13 July 1846

Shelby, Virginia, fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

Extends an invitation for Tobias to visit. Writes news of family and friends. She adds the rather intriguing remark: "Mrs. Fishback I think has forgotten her fathers [sic] land, her Lincoln kin."

GLC04501.053

30 May 1853

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Hayden

He has been so busy getting his affairs in order to leave for Washington that he hasn't had time to reply to Hayden. Writes that Wendell Phillips properly named McLean when he called him the "Western Miscreant." Possibly refering to John McLean, an American jurist and politician who served in Congress, as U.S. Postmaster General, and as a justice on the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts. Wendell Phillips was an American abolitionist, Native American advocate, and orator.

GLC07483.18

26 August 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

Written by Lewis to his sister Mary. Continues the letter on 30 August and 5 September. Disparages where he is stationed, saying it is desolate and lacks civilized life. Says he has been made an executive officer again, due to personnel changes on the ship. Says he is at St. Andrews Sound because the "Alabama" has been under steam for over a year and cannot be trusted to make the trip north to be overhauled. Therefore they are waiting in Georgia for the machinery to come to them. Says the repairs are needed as dry rot is everywhere. At St. Simons three weeks before he "had the pleasure of a…

GLC03836.37

4 May 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

Writes to his sister. Says nothing has occurred since the battle at Charleston except their capture of a schooner at Bull's Bay. In frustration says "I have now given up all hope of the Ladona ever doing anything. She is now so covered with grass and barnacles, as to reduce her speed, never great, to five knots an hour, under the most favorable circumstances, and when the wind is ahead, to three." Says the per annum pay of the crew of the ship is $88,000 and that the money might as well be thrown overboard. Says they have given up chasing steamers and only make captures "by vessels running…

GLC03836.47

29 May 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he has not written because he has been busy with the absence of Mr. Carr and the discharge of their master at arms, both of whose duties he has to see to. Says the blockade is as bad as it has usually been, with ships running it every day. Says the navy needs double the amount of vessels and a more energetic commanding officer. Tells of talking to a captured British captain who ran the blockade 20 times. Says the blockading fleet is suffering from "The ram fever," as ramming ships are everywhere. References a letter from his sister Mary from 23 April. Written while aboard the USS "…

GLC03836.48

19 July 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary West [incomplete]

Written by Lewis to his sister Mary. References receiving her and Weir's joint letter. Says he will "not be altogether satisfied" if Lee is allowed to escape across the Potomac. Wants to know who General Meade is. Hopes to add Charleston to the column of victories soon, but says they have expended a thousand troops and more will probably have to go. Says he will probably not see much action as a blockader. Says an English ship tried to run the blockade without realizing Morris Island was in Union hands and received a devastating fire, sinking the ship. Says he has heard of "a grand copperhead…

GLC03836.53