19 October 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher traveled towards Winchester to follow the Rebel army. They wiped them out of Charlestown and came back to camp again. He is tired by hard marching in the rain. Swisher tells Bishoff he would come home if he could, but he can't. He then explains that he is waiting to see whether "Mr Abram" is going to put his proclamation into effect, for if he does, Swisher is "not agoing to stay." But "as long as I am Fighting for the right Cause I would Rather Die at the point of the Enemys Bayonets than to Have the name of A Deserter," he says. He and Dick are tent mates and have agreed that…

GLC03523.40.17

9 February 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher plans to send Bishoff a valentine [see # 32 for text of the valentine].

GLC03523.40.21

20 April 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

Swisher tells Bishoff he supposes the man she loves is Major [David] Stemple [Jr.] He says that if she marries him, he will make her a happy home as he is well-off and a man of principle. But he reminds Bishoff that she is a young woman while Major Stemple is an old man (probably 50 years of age), and that while she ought to be living her happiest days, she will have to be caring for him. But Swisher adds that he has no objections to her marrying Stemple, because he always likes to see people "work out their own salvation at what ever they undertake." He asks Bishoff to tell him who she…

GLC03523.40.25

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: Lines to my Husband

The poem describes the feelings of a wife as she contemplates being replaced by another after her death. "The love which once I called my own/To her will then be given," Bishoff writes, later describing how "My children will then be taught/ To call her mother dear." Presumably, Bishoff is referring to her own familial situation, as she was Major David Stemple Jr.'s second wife, and took over the duties of mothering the seven children Stemple had by his first wife, Elizabeth Wotring (who died in 1862).

GLC03523.40.29

1861-1877

Jeffreys, Mary Stemple, fl. 1861-1877

Pamphlet

Title: Mother, 1841-1914

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Lydia A. Bishoff, as well as a list of all of Bishoff's children.

GLC03523.40.34

1861-1877

Jeffreys, Mary Stemple, fl. 1861-1877

Pamphlet

Title: David Stemple, 1816-1906

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Major David Stemple, Jr., as well as a list of all of Stemple's children.

GLC03523.40.35

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Luther Startzman]

Photograph of Luther Startzman, cousin of Major David Stemple, Jr.

GLC03523.40.44

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of William Startzman]

Photograph of William Startzman, cousin of Major David Stemple, Jr.

GLC03523.40.46

28 December 1851

Richison, George W., fl. 1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Erastus McKinney

re: his poor health, difficult financial situation, and the recent death of his son.

GLC02179.01.001

31 October 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] Companies A, C, and D marched to Newport News and saw white flags in house windows and a house on fire. The "great expedition" sailed, and he saw it in the paper and in person. Yesterday [October 30] there was a grand review, and Col. Wyman was in good shape. He received a bundle of papers and a letter from Wallace. A Lieut. Hagg [a friend from Massachusetts] told him that his letters were being read at the lyceum, and "if you [his mother] don't stop doing so, I am afraid that I shall have to stop writing." Numbered in pencil "21." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.07

18 October 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] He thanks his mother for the food she sent. His regiment may move forward soon, and he hopes the Pennsylvanian troops are not put on picket duty as they are incompetent: "The soldiers of the 16th fear them more than they do the enemy." He sent ten dollars to Natick on the last payday. His men have named his tent the "Smithsonian Institute," although he says "(though I doubt if it does much for the arts and sciences)", and he is proud that he has the men's respect. Numbered in pencil "17." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.09

February 2, 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] The men took up a collection to replace the twenty-three dollars he lost, and he says, "It came unexpected but was welcome and shows a good feeling towards me that pleases me much." He sent fifteen dollars home to avoid losing it again. He responds to the news of Carrie's death [his sister] and the receipt of a book from home. Rum in camp caused a scuffle between some soldiers. He notes the movement of some military ships. Numbered in pencil "47." Written at Camp Hamilton/

GLC03696.11

April 7, 1875

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Friend

She regrets not being able to respond promptly. She comments on the weather and flood damage to her husband's dams. She refers to family members and asks for news about them, hoping that all will come visit her.

GLC00687.250

14 November 1864

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

a visit from his mother, the request of writing paper and envelopes, report of conversation with Confederate soldier who, after being taken prisoner at Vicksburg, joined the Union Army; also includes a brief reply to his sister's letter. Written on Hart Island

GLC02180.09

20 January 1865

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

viewing the monuments and public buildings of Baltimore, Fort Federal Hill replacing Fort McHenry as the Regimental Headquarters, promises to send his picture, and acknowledgement of the receipt of his mother's fruit cake.

GLC02180.19

25 February 1865

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

a shipment of coats and blankets to his father, news that the 91st Regiment will be leaving for City Point, and anticipation of service.

GLC02180.23

22 April 1865

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

hardships of camp life, the surrender of Johnston, family matters, and Chris Skelton's letter from Hart's Island.

GLC02180.27

2 February 1862

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

father [ C. Parrott] He is very upset to hear that Sophia is seriously ill and will try to get a leave of absence so he may visit her. He encloses money and will send more later.Written at Camp Wood.

GLC03858.01.03

8 February 1862

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

father [ C. Parrott] "Is Sophia better? Answer today. Unable to get home." John is unable to return home and anxiously inquires if his sister is improving.

GLC03858.01.04

16 June 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

sister [Margaret Parrott] John is proud of his sister and he reminds her to be respectable and honorable, for he wants her to feel equally "as good as those who are we[a]lthy…And if you conduct yourself properly you will soon be a great deal more respected than some of those who look on you with scorn…honesty and industry are the shurest capital any person can have." He believes he will be well enough to rejoin the army soon.

GLC03858.01.16

8 July1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

John is sorry to hear that their sister is so sick and he hopes to be able to visit her in the nest few days. A verse follows in another hand and Sophia's name appears below it.

GLC03858.01.17

17 October 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He was almost killed by Bushwhackers on his way back from visiting Henry with the 75th and "had to run the gauntlet" for four miles and "just before I got through I was compel[l]ed to leave my horse & take to the mountains" and walk over 15 miles. The 75th is just 50 rods from the Confederates, "the two Armies lying so near each other and no firing by eather and at the same time each doing every thing to conquer the other but such is war." He believes the Confederates will fall back to Rome, Georgia in which case his department would not have to fight, only to open communications…

GLC03858.01.20

3 November 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

father [C. Parrott] John's health is not good. Henry is now camped at Jasper, Tennessee. John's regiment is guarding a pass in the mountains and will remain there until the river is opened. He was nearly captured returning from Chattanooga; "the Rebs got after me and shot my horse from under me and I was compelled to take to the woods. Two of the men with him did not escape and were taken prisoner. He describes his trip to Chattanooga in detail. Written at Anderson's Cross Roads.

GLC03858.01.21

14 November 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

His brother has sold his farm and will settle in Minnesota. Their father has also sold his farm. John instructs his brother regarding money, telling him if their father does not need it, to send it to him care of N. Thompson so that John may use it in building his house in Sterling. He intends to return to the building business when he leaves the Army.

GLC03858.01.23

31 October 1862

Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

It is difficult to find water on march as the streams have all dried up; the river they are camped by is the first running water he has seen since they crossed the Ohio. He read a letter from his father to John and found it most encouraging. The regiment was "pretty badly cut to pieces at Perrysville;" "the boys fell around me as fast as grass before a scythe." He is now Orderly Sergeant.

GLC03858.02.02