4 June 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Is upset that he does not write more often. Says "I have no one else but you to look to. Pa often tells me he is old and is not able to work as he once did, and cannot live much longer." Goes on to say "you know we we are not well off and tho' I have tried to keep things comfortable as I could on small means we have had to live very, very plainly." Says their father is practicing medicine less because he is pushed aside by the younger members of the profession. Claims their father has 7,000 dollars in government bonds, but that he won't cash them or buy…

GLC03523.21.58

8 July 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says there has been hot weather lately and that their father is in good health. Says he has not answered whether he would like to take advantage of an investment opportunity in a house in Baltimore for 200 dollars. Their father has rented a nice house until 1 October. Says she is putting off all enjoyments until he gets home. Mentions that there are several cases of cholera in Baltimore. Continues the letter on 17 July 1866 -- Says she read in the Sun that the "Wyoming" (Henry's ship) was involved in a collision in Nagasaki, Japan and she hopes it is…

GLC03523.21.59

28 December 1866

McSherry, Willie, fl. 1866

Autograph note signed

Title: to mother

Letter written by Willie McSherry to his mother on one side. Verso has a second letter by one of Willie's sisters (the letter is signed, but the signature is too faded to read). Their mother, probably Eliza, appears to be in Martinsburg visiting her sister Anna McSherry and her father Richard McSherry. Willie says they are going to keep the Christmas tree up for her until she arrives. Asks for a cape or a new pair of gloves from her. Says "saint nicklous" gave him a nice Christmas gift. Wants to know if the boys of "jime" belong to a baseball club. Second letter says they have been keeping…

GLC03523.21.61

30 April [no year]

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Updates him on local marriages. Gives him other local news as well. Ends by saying "Pa does not say anything decided about your staying in China. I believe he thinks the risks are quite a balance to any advantage."

GLC03523.21.64

30 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Thanks his family for the letter and the trunk of food they sent him. He has packed his winter clothing and will be sending it home so as to not carry it around during the summer months. Writes that there is rumor that his regiment will join the main Army in Murfreesboro. In a separate letter dated the evening of April 30th, Wheeler describes seeing "the darkies" dance to the music of his regiment's band. He also writes that General Rosencrans' wife announced that fighting had commenced in Murfreesboro.

GLC07460.026

5 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that furloughs have begun and three men will be allowed to go from each company. His brigade will be kept in Gallatan for the time being, as Gallatan is a very important position to keep. Writes that there will soon be a fight at Murfreesboro and is confident that Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army is equal to and possibly stronger than Confederate General Joseph Wheeler's. Describes an incident in which an escorted mail delivery was attacked by rebels, but the escorts managed to drive the rebels back. Describes seeing an Indiana soldier being carried to his grave, followed…

GLC07460.027

8 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Thanks his sister for sending him a letter and food with a fellow soldier. Playfully writes to his sister that as he is writing he is being distracted by a chunk of maple sugar sent to him by his aunt. He writes that while on picket he has found the perfect place to eat his pie and wishes that his family were there to join him as long as they brought their own food. Discusses the furlough of Charles Siedel, a fellow soldier and friend from home. His furlough was granted on the grounds that his wife was very ill and it was necessary for him to return home. Requests that his sister send…

GLC07460.028

20 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports that nearly fifty thousand men (about 25,000 from each side) were "used up" in the last battle of the Rappahannock. Writes that soldiers unfit for active service will be put in companies for garrison duty. Discharged officers will also be enlisted on certain conditions. In a second letter labeled " 2nd edition", Wheeler writes about stealing…

GLC07460.029

20 March 1850

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Instructions on how to act properly as a young man. Advises his nephew to study, especially history, act with respect and be the protector of his family. Also gives advice on how to act towards girls and reports news of other family members. Written on board the U.S.S. "Franklin" at Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC09099.06

22 February 1853

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Gives advice to his young nephew and relates stories from his travels at sea. Encourages Elbridge to read and learn in coming years to "lay a foundation which will influence all your future prospects." Describes the city of Pensacola, which he is not fond of, and its weather. Mentions his encounters with yellow fever, and inquires how the holidays went in New York.

GLC09099.08

28 January 1854

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Tells his nephew about his various ports of call in Latin America. Says he went on official business in Caracas, gave his advice to the men working on the Panama railroad, and visited St. Thomas. Briefly describes some of his ports of call. Written on board the U.S.S. "Albany" at Greytown, Nicaragua, also known as San Juan del Norte.

GLC09099.09

29 April 1854

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Says he has been on important missions recently, including a trip to observe construction of the Panama railroad. Advises his nephew to study hard in college, build towards his future, and warns of what befalls those who do not apply themselves. Written on board the U.S.S. "Albany" off Pensacola.

GLC09099.11

12 May 1854

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Advises Elbridge to study hard while at college and says this is the best way to assure a bright future. Says he has not been receiving his newspapers, and is having trouble finding good carpenters to repair boats. Written on board the U.S.S. "Albany" at the Navy Yards in Warrington, Florida

GLC09099.12

20 June 1854

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge T. Gerry

Changing times have led to changes in American ways of life and religion. Marvels at the advances of the era, and how much life is changing and advancing. Worries that the "Romanists," meaning Catholics, are trying to take over the country, though he believes they will fail. His own Episcopal parish is building a new church. Hopes he will soon be able to return to sea.

GLC09099.14

25 November 1865

McSherry, Richard M., 1818-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his brother Henry. Says he has not heard from him since he sailed. Tells him that their father and sister Anna have received letter from him though. Says "They were very much astonished at your resignation and Pa seems quite distressed about it. You must be aware that the practice of medicine is a very unpromising field for aspirants, in which success is very slow and enumeration is for the most part, but very moderate." Says it will be more difficult because there are more medical men unemployed after the war. Says he will not make his navy salary again for 20 years.…

GLC03523.21.46

1861-1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. References his letters dated 1 & 8 September. Says both him and his sister Kate sent letters, which appear to have been lost in the mail. Mentions that Henry is going to China and Japan and that he asked what souveniers to bring back. Asks for pretty silk items. Makes reference to his resignation. Writes on 3 November and says Henry's letters from 12 & 15 September and says several letters were sent to him at Batavia, Java. Writes again on 7 November. Says the Navy has received his resignation, but has not acted upon it yet. Updates him on family…

GLC03523.21.47

1861-1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry [incomplete]

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Updates him on friends and family. Says this will be the last letter he sends to Batavia, as he said he would leave in November. Will send next to China. Says their father will sell $1,000 of stock and sell Noble Tabb's house because the taxes are too much. Tells him "there is not so much business since the war. Mr Donnet(?) told Pa he had made a mistake in bringing such a stock of wines." Makes a reference to the citizenship oath in West Virginia. Letter ends mid-sentence on page 2. Unsigned, but creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.48

29 November 1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says their father told him to write in every letter that Henry should not resign from the Navy. He fears that some letters will be lost and wants to make sure Henry hears his views. The resignation has been withheld until he gets home. It appears he wanted to get involved with business with his cousin William. Both Richard and Henry's father say they are not ready and are accustomed to living as gentleman. Fears they won't be ready for the jump. Says "Cousin Wm. is talking of selling his farm and Pa is so afraid that he will let everything slip thro' his…

GLC03523.21.49

24 December 1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says he has not heard from him in some time. Last letter from Henry was dated from Singapore. Mentions that their father wants him to withdraw his resignation. Is worried about him. Makes reference to friends and family members. Says she is going to the opera. Page 4 is dated from 27 December and then 31 December. Says she heard his ship, the USS "Wyoming" will be assigned to the East India Squadron and fears he won't be home for quite some time. Further updates on family and friends. Tells him the nuns have a new convent about 2 miles from Wheeling, West…

GLC03523.21.50

September 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler writes that a few men from his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois are at camp including his brother-in-law Darius Spohn. He reports that while the soldier's wives visit, they mend and alter clothes, and accompany their husbands to the city at night. He reprimands his sister for writing bitter letters to Darius and complaining about Lysander and Darius volunteering. Wheeler expresses that he would rather be dead than "have nothing to do in putting down this accursed Rebellion". In defense of Darius, he writes that his brother-in-law is "engaged in the noblest work he can be next to…

GLC07460.001

21 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler writes that his brother-in-law, Darius has been very ill and has not been on duty since they left Bowling Green, Kentucky. Furthermore, Darius is currently waiting for General Rosecrans to sign his discharge papers. Reports that they have been on the lookout for John Morgan and Kirby Smith. He writes that there are only about four or five hundred Union men at this lookout point while it is said that the rebels are eight thousand strong. In response to being outnumbered he writes that "it seems to be the policy of this war to put but few men in the places that need guarding the…

GLC07460.008

29 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he is anxious to receive a letter from Darius assuring that he arrived home safely. Wheeler expresses tremendous relief for the discharge of his brother-in-law and writes that Darius was very concerned about leaving Lysander behind. Reports that [Confederate General John Hunt Morgan] has not come after them yet and that they are currently building a fort should he attack. Writes that there has been no mail for three or four days due to torn up tracks. Requests that he be sent pepper, saleratus (salt), a bottle of ink, and some tea.

GLC07460.009

30 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

4 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee. Reports that Ruthven Russell has died in the hospital at Gallatin. Writes that some fifty or sixty blacks have run away and come into the camp where General Paine has put them to work. Wheeler writes that a "good many of the Secesh are getting sick of their job and they are sneaking home." Thirteen soldiers from Wheeler's regiment have also…

GLC07460.013

10 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Discusses farm business back home. He describes a "grand foraging expedition" led by Major Dutton. In response to his father's comment about taking Wheeler's place, Lysander states "I couldn't let you have my place under any consideration...I would be ashamed to live in a country I was not willing to fight for." He tells his mother that she must stop worrying about him or he will leave the hardships he encounters out of future letters. Wheeler explains that it is his desire to write these letters as journals and include as many accounts as possible, so that he can read them in the…

GLC07460.014