January 15, 1862

Gibson, William P., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Randall Lee Gibson

William complains about the boredom of "Backwoods plantation." He announces a good cotton yield of 14,000 pounds, a tremendous corn yield, and his intention to plant wheat next year "so that in another year or less flour will be as cheap as the poorest wish."

GLC04501.021

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

25 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Louisiana Gibson

Confidently predicts a Confederate victory against Sherman's army, which "will be driven back to the borders of the Ohio." His troops are stationed on Peach Tree Road, near the Atlanta railroad. The civilians have evacuated the town. "Louly" is Louisiana Gibson's nickname.

GLC04501.024

27 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

Asks about Kin's (John McKinley Gibson) health and discusses romantic relationships. He also appoints Kin as his aide de camp with military rank and pay. Includes an incomplete letter on a separate sheet labeled as GLC04501.25B, measuring 20 x 12.5 cm.

GLC04501.025

20 September 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

He is unable to send the money requested because he has no means of getting cash. The campaign in Georgia is turning in their favor. The army is between La Grange and the enemy. Written near Palmetto, Georgia.

GLC04501.026

25 September 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

Discusses financial matters, and Kin's loan. "I do not see how you can require more than $100 or $150 -- making $1800 or $2700 in Confederate Money." Also discusses rounding up stragglers, a forthcoming pay, and the state of the Army of Tennessee: "I have faith in Hood. And I believe the President will always do what he thinks is best for the country. This is a defeated army. It is in rather low spirits. Its record is a record of disaster & retreats . . . ."

GLC04501.027

26 September 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

The letter jokingly reprimands Kin *John McKinley Gibson) for his forgetfulness. "You send Thorton all the way to the army to carry your pay accounts & then neglect to give him your pay accounts . . . ."

GLC04501.028

9 November 1864

Cooper, James, fl. 1864

Manuscript document signed

Title: Special field orders no. 144

Signed by Captain James Cooper. Details Lieutenant John McKinley Gibson to the 13th La Vols. for 60 days. Written on a printed form with titled Head Quarters Army of Tennessee, Special Orders form. Docket on reverse signed by Assistant Adjutant General Hugh H [Bien]. Was written near Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC04501.029

17 November 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

His troops are moving out in the morning. He has not received any mail for quite a while. He will apply to have Kin's detail extended for 60 days.

GLC04501.030

19 November 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

A request for sugar and tea. "I prefer good English tea to coffee."

GLC04501.031

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

January 14, 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

January 17, 1865

Cooper, Joseph, fl. 1864

Manuscript letter signed

Title: Special orders no.12

Extends Lieutenant J.M. Gibson detail to the 13th La Vols. for an additional 60 days. 3/16/65 note on verso further extends John McKinley's detail. Written on a printed Head Quartes Army of Tennessee, Special Orders form.

GLC04501.034

21 March 1865

Bekner, P.E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: To the hands employed or expect to be employed on Mr. Gibson's plantations

Letter from the office of the Provost Marshall orders the hands on the three plantations to go to work whether or not they have an agreement. Accompanied by a U.S. Military telegraph envelope addressed to Tobias Gibson with a docket date of October 31, 1862.

GLC04501.035

1 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Lysander recounts how they surrounded and ambushed a suspected secessionist's house during the night, only to find nothing. The secessionist claimed to be a Unionist but admitted his brother is in the Confederate Army and that there were things hidden on the plantation. Reports Lieut. Timothy Wells and Capt. Alexander Warner have been petitioned to resign by all of the officers. Wheeler explains that he signed the petition for Warner because Warner wanted Darius, Wheeler's brother-in-law, to sleep with his negro servant.

GLC07460.010

January 30, 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

February 4, 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

February 21, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

18 November 1863 or 1864

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: To Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to to her brother Henry. Saw by two previous letters that he was in Baltimore and Washington and was sorry he could not come up to visit the family. Asks to be kept informed of his movements. She knows Henry is eventually going to Memphis and she will send letters there. Is sorry he can't stop in St. Louis or Knoxville. Tells him that "I am afraid Memphis is a place of no intrest as to socialty or locality and you will have to look to other cities perhaps for your pleasantri[e]s [and] associations, but it is so much better than going to sea that I am inclined to look in the…

GLC03523.21.25

19 August 1864

St. John, Sister, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by "Sister St. John," who was working at the naval hospital in Memphis. References McSherry's letter of 30 July 1864. Says she is glad he is happy with "the change" - a reference to his apparent transfer from Memphis - and says he is missed. Updates him on several doctors and other friends in Memphis and say she will leave the city on 29 August to go to Washington, but that she expects to eventually return. At the top of first page is written "Blessed be the Holy name of God." Large water stains on all pages.

GLC03523.21.30

18 March 1862

McSherry, Richard M., 1818-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his brother Henry. References Henry's letter of 21 February. Says he heard of him through Mrs. Miller's brother. Reports that "The Balt & Ohio R.R. will probably be open to Wheeling in the course of a week, so that our communication will be [improved] with home." Says he is busy and doing well considering the "general business prostration" in Baltimore (Richard was a physician as well). Reports that "Southern sympathy is as rife as ever here, but the Union party is perhaps on the increase. If Virginia should come in again there would be no more secession spirit…

GLC03523.21.16

28 July 1862

Reifsuyder, J. Henry, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Signed and initialled by Reifsuyder, who was previously the clerk to Captain Donaldson of the USS "Sciota," the ship where McSherry was the assistant surgeon. Asks for his pardon in not writing sooner, but was "totally unable" to respond until now. Says he was ill when he arrived at home, and was also so excited to go home he forgot to pack Henry's previous letter. Has wondered how he got through his sickness (Henry had malaria previously). Hopes he enjoyed himself at his house in Baltimore. Says he has written to Donaldson to be reassigned as clerk to him when he gets a new commission.…

GLC03523.21.17

20 September 1862

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written on letterhead of the USS "Minnesota" by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Lee was previously the commander of the USS "Vandalia," which Henry McSherry served on in 1860-1861. Says he has nearly worn Henry's letter of 3 September "to wadding whilst carrying it in my side pocket." Says he has 50 ships under his command and the "desk work is immense." Says one of the USS "Minnesota's" assistant surgeons, Dr. Dodge, is helping at the Navy hospital that recently opened. Says he would "like it vastly" if Henry was given Dodge's position if it…

GLC03523.21.18

29 October 1862

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Richard. Says they are all well and that Dick stayed with them last night. Says "all we have to do is pray that Almighty God may shorten our trials. we are not in want of anything but mutual peace."

GLC03523.21.19

February 22, 1863

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Reports that it has been snowing all day long. Says she has not heard from him "for sometime." References the military situation around Martinsburg, saying "the cavalry may make a dash at any time, they are all around and captured a picket guard between here and Winchester two or three days ago." Mentions other skirmishes and troop movements and says a railroad in Mercer County is being guarded. Refers to her state as "W. Va." on page 3, about 5 months before it became a state. Says she might go to Baltimore to visit their sister Kate soon. Says one of…

GLC03523.21.20