2 July 1863

Powell, William Henry, 1823-1879

Telegram signed

Title: to James L. Botsford

"Wm Spence a subject of Queen Victoria residing at King salt works for a year just in reports two Regts & a battalion near sand works two Regts & a battalion at Lewisburg...thinks the 45th is at the salt works" Written in Camp Piatt.

GLC02414.342

2 July 1863

Powell, William Henry, 1823-1879

Telegram signed

Title: to James L. Botsford

"Cook & Longdon have passes signed R Hastings...I regard them suspicious characters & upon close investigation am inclined to spies...." Written in Camp Piatt

GLC02414.343

3 July 1863

Graham, fl. 1863

Telegram signed

Title: to Thomas

In code. Docket reads "...Col. C.B. White/Enemy's scouts seen"

GLC02414.344

5 July 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"Col Harris repulsed the Enemy at Beverly yesterday and is now pursuing him on the Huttonville road no particulars"

GLC02414.348

15 July 1863

Coates, Benjamin F., 1827-1899

Telegram signed

Title: to James L. Botsford

"A man calling himself C Clark came into our lines this evening representing himself as a conscript rebel deserter but papers found on his person identify him as a Lieutenant of the 8th Va Cavalry. I believe him to be a spy of the most dangerous character & shall hold him as such. All quiet in our front the Lewsiburg road well blockaded"

GLC02414.350

10 September 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"It is believed the enemy are concentrating their forces some where in the mountains for a raid keep your scouts well out & on alert Your cavalry will leave here tomorrow with the horses They escort Brigadier General Duffie...."

GLC02414.351

11 September 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"Capt Harrison at Sutton Reports three or four hundred (400) of Jacksons men having passed through Braxton Co be on the alert your cavalry leaves today"

GLC02414.352

12 September 1863

Tomlinson, A.A., fl. 1863

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

A scout reports that "Jenkins, Imboden & Jackson are concentrating at Greenbriar Bridge Pocahontas County & will soon move in the direction of Ripley & Genl Jones with his forces will move simultaneously on Fayette There was a rumor the morning he left that three thousand cavalry had arrived at White Sulphur Springs..."

GLC02414.354

7 December 1863

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Orders him to attack Lewisburg and hold it until December 17-18: "The object of this is to engage the attention of the enemy while Brg. Gen. Averell is completing his expedition against the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad at Salem..."

GLC02414.358

27 June 1865

Johnson, J.N., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

With 3rd Regt. U.S. Colored Troops. From Virginia; when war broke out, "was ordered by one Henry A. Wise a rebel leader to join my Regt which I refused to do and was arrested and my property seixed. I was released in June 1861...I then joined Gen Coxs division army of the Kanawha as a scout and guide...."

GLC02414.390

3 June 1867

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

[Former CSA Secretary of War] Answering Alfriend's request for information about Jefferson Davis for a biography. He relates some of Davis' career in U. S. politics (from 1845 - 1860), including his time in the House of Representatives and Senate, his service in the Mexican War, and as Secretary of War. He also tells Alfriend of a few written sources he might check but notes: "No other sources of information occur to me at this time, as I suppose the Archives of the Late Conf[ederate] Gov[ernmen]t would not be accessible to you."

GLC05344.05.02

11 August 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Caldwell near Mt. Hope. Has just commenced his work as chaplain for the 3rd Regt. Excelsior. A committee of two colored men from the nearby church asked him to preach at 3PM, but he puts it off till next Sunday as he feels unwell from the hot weather. He finds it very difficult to be away from his wife and children but believes that it is God's will for him to be in the Army. Writes that he has now given one service and hopes to do more when they get their Chapel tent. He has a health problem with his bowel so he…

GLC09006.01

12 December 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Realizes that life is short and flying by so he deeply regrets being separated from his wife. Writes that he feels disconnected from his wife because they have been apart for so long. Wishes that the Union will soon be reunited and never part again. Hopes that he will return home soon and relieve his wife of the outdoor work and other chores. Keeps healthy by praying to God and being thankful for the food he eats. The band is serenading Mrs. Colonel Graham of the 5th Regiment. Asks if Mrs. Grant has…

GLC09006.09

30 March 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Received food from his family, which pleased him greatly as it means that they are "as comfortable as when" he left. Discusses an unnamed woman who has passed away. He will continue to think of her as a happy and joyful spirit. States that they were a family on Earth for a short time but now one has gone to the "better land." Recently, they have been building better graves, with large wooden slabs. Writes about a plan they thought of: Captain Millard and 100 men would lead a night scout into Virginia.…

GLC09006.10

23 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Visited the Washington Navy Yard yesterday evening with Dr. Sam. Entered through Latrobe Gate, which has a large eagle placed on top of the gateway. Comments that the yard contains other devices which have been "specifically adapted to the naval character of the place." Sentinels are walking around the yard in their neat uniforms. Inside near the entrance are four huge cannons. Two of them came from Algiers and the other two were cast at the same place and time in France. Afterwards, one was sent to an unnamed area in the…

GLC09006.12

5 September 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Writes from Camp Caldwell. In the morning, he received a blue overcoat that has a state of NY button. They received the usual orders again today, so he concludes that the orders they received last night only need to be ready if any important attack is made on forces on the other side. He tells his wife that if she knew how many troops the Union had, her fears would diminish. The Federal force stretches from Alexandria Well to Harpers Ferry. Troops have been improving daily and the average for ten days has been 2220 and about 10 rifled cannons. He writes that if the Union succeeds in the…

GLC09006.02

6 September 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Rode horse-back with the Colonel through several gates and came across a large open field. Writes that the Colonel asked him to take care of Capt Stewart, a prisoner, for the evening; offers him peaches and makes him feel at home and happy. They became close in a short amount of time. He finds Capt Stewart to be a gentleman and scholar and a better man than those who arrested him, who are from the 1st Regt. of this Brigade. Capt Stewart directs "a company of patrols to look after nigger stealers." Tells his wife that she judged rightly about the battle; it was quiet, there was no fuss or…

GLC09006.03

22 November 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Hopes the war will be brought to a speedy close so he can see Old Virginia. The general impression at Camp Wool and at Camp Caldwell is that secession will be over soon. About 100 men are on the sick list. He went to the 1st Regiment to bury a man who died the previous day. Started walking on a by-path for the Potomac River about 3PM. Approached the picket guard, which lines the Potomac for two miles, and saw a two-masted schooner coming up the river. Does not want to stay down in Maryland for the winter…

GLC09006.07

21 September 1865

Clark, W. I., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Writes that Harding's kind and appreciated note on 17 September came today and he wants to reply quickly to Harding's kind sentiments. Writes that if he has been of service to Harding, which it was certainly in his power to be on the occasion that Harding refers to, Harding has "more than repaid the slight obligation by the manliness with which you at once entered upon your new position - by the honor in which you always maintained the good name I had given you and last but not least by the honest fruitfulness with which you have always stood by me through evil and good report: fighting for…

GLC02178.12

27 December 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes the letter on board ship, and proceeds to recap the events of the past few weeks in depth, including details of leaving the island, life on board the ship, and even incidents of combat on board ship. Written en route to the Philippines

GLC09120.556

4 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All is well, hoping this letter finds her in the same condition. Sailed out of Washington to go to City Point, where he is writing from now. Sailed down the Potomac River and out into the Chesapeake Bay, arrived at a Union fort at midnight. Stayed there until morning, and then started for City Point, arriving there at 4:00 AM. Currently fourteen miles from Petersburg. Expects to begin drilling soon. Hopes to see her soon; expects "that after a short time I will see you all." Quite warm in Virginia. Put up his tent yesterday. Caught sight of Petersburg. "Will soon have Richmond and Petersburg…

GLC09273.03

14 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "kicking about." Has not had much to do. Joseph has gone with some men along the railroad to guard some men, but he will be back tonight. Is in the tent with Guernsey. The rest of the companies in the regiment are back in Washington, but they should be arriving here "today or tomorrow." She should be happy that he was not drafted. Draftees and substitutes are sent to the front immediately by the thousands. "They have got Petersburg surrounded and next week they say they will take Richmond and Petersburg both. There [are] some ironclads - 25 - going up to Richmond." Still has yet to…

GLC09273.05

9 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "enjoying good healthy and laying in camp." Not much to do. Wishes he could see her and the rest of his family. Thirty miles from Petersburg. Draftees and substitutes get sent to the front line immediately. Has been "some time" since he heard from her. Wants to know if she has received the money he sent her. Has been cooling down significantly in the area. "It is Sunday, but I can't see [any] difference; it is all the same here." Wants to know if she has dug the potatoes yet. Most of the soldiers in the regiment are from Elmira. There are lots of gunboats on the James River across…

GLC09273.04