16-17 April 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky. He was very glad to receive her portrait but he was upset to hear that she had such poor things to say about her friends. Suggests that his wife finds another place to live if her friends continue to treat her so poorly. He does not think he will be able to come home soon and will be away until the first of June. Asked several of his superior officers if he could go home for a while and they all said no. He would like to be promoted once more before the war is over, but they are not expecting any battles soon. Reports…

GLC03523.13.093

18 May 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the residence of Mr. [Carlile] to his wife. He has been unwell so he came to Mr. Carlile's and is feeling much better. Writes that he is with one of the best families in Kentucky and they give him everything he requires and take excellent care of him. Reports that the family has two sons; one was a major in the Union Army who was killed and another a colonel in the Union Army who resigned. States that Mrs. Carlile looks like his grandmother. The regiment has marched from the Green River Bridge in Kentucky and he hopes to re-join the regiment soon. The 20th Michigan engaged the…

GLC03523.13.099

19 June 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Haines Bluff, Mississippi to his wife. He is outside of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses S. Grant is laying siege to the city because attempting to storm it would most likely cause a great loss of life and would most likely fail. There have been reports that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston is somewhere on the Black River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A Confederate deserter reported that there are 24,000 troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi but only 15,000 are fit for duty and that the troops in the city have very little to…

GLC03523.13.102

14 January 1861

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

States that there is a growing number of disunionists in the city: "the disease is evidently beyond the control of mortal man." Fears that Washington City will be stormed if Virginia and Maryland secede. Reports that the ship "The Brooklyn" has left for Charleston and is one of the most effective ships in the service. Expresses his dislike for a speech given by Senator William H. Seward which Painter attended. Despite his personal opinion, the speech was well received by the public. Writes that Jefferson Davis is to be the commander of the Southern Army and Senator Hunter, president.…

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10 May 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Believes that the rebel forces at Kinston, North Carolina have moved to assist Lee in suppressing the advancement of the Grand Army of the Potomac. He has heard news that the rebels have "held their ground" in two days of fighting and have captured 5,000 prisoners. Writes "we have just begun to see the rough side of war" and relays the stories of two Southern families whose homes were taken over by Union soldiers and were forced out. Reports that there is rumor of General Hooker re-crossing the Rappahannock River with greater loss than General Burnside. Expresses his concern of the effect…

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12 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has not slept because of the rain. He states that the troops are without shelter and that the mud in the camp is up to his knees. Notes that there are rumors about the army returning to Washington, D.C. in a few days. Explains to his wife that if he does indeed go to Washington, D.C. she should come to visit him there and bring their baby. If the army does not go to Washington, D.C. he will try to obtain a leave of absence. Writes that a rebel deserter surrendered to him while he was on picket duty. The deserter told him that the Confederate army is now on half-…

GLC03523.13.074

1861 circa

Bohn, Casimir, fl. 1849-1861

Map

Title: Map of Fortress Monroe and surroundings

Includes an engraving with hand-written indications of where camp, mill creek, and a bridge are located. The map also indicates where fighting occurred and the course of the soldiers.

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6 April 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Reports on the bombardment of Yorktown, which is about twenty miles from Camp Hamilton. Discusses the second lieutenant's report of Yorktown, stating that the rebels were completely surrounded by General McClellan. Complains of a sore throat, but is otherwise well. Includes instructions to destroy the letter.Written in Camp Hamilton, first named Camp Troy. The Fortress Monroe lies in the same vicinity.

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13 April 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

States that the soldiers were paid recently and that most of the men sent their money home. Describes watching the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) capture three vessels within 200 yards of a land battery. Writes in detail an encounter between the USS Monitor and the Merrimac, where the Stevens Battery opened fire and the Merrimac, after shooting back, retired up the Elizabeth River. Reports that General McClellan may call on General Wool for reinforcement in Yorktown. Feels that the Battle of Yorktown will be the greatest to day with 100,000 men on each army. Written in Camp Hamilton, first named…

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20 April 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Ella]

Reprimands his sister for not answering all his letters and tells her that composition is a very important part of her education. Asks his sister to remember him to a certain Mollie M. whom he feels would make an interesting correspondent for him. Reports that his captain is suffering from boils and is unfit for duty but will be fine in a few days. Also reports that the Merrimac has not reappeared and that the troops at Newport News have been sent on to Yorktown. Wishes that the Merrimac were out of the way so that the Monitor could get to Yorktown and McClellan could storm the rebel…

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30 April 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Kate]

Commends her on her improvement in school under a new teacher. Feels strongly about having his sister properly educated and encourages her to persevere in her studies. Writes that no furloughs for illness or business are being granted for the men in his division. Anticipates a third appearance from the Merrimac when the weather improves. Reports that the steamer Vanderbilt will cooperate with the Monitor to capture the Merrimac and that he will remain at camp until the Merrimac is taken. Complains of the contents of his sister Ella's letters stating that, "there is nothing worth reading…

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4 May 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Writes from Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Virginia (present day, Hampton, Virginia). Letter addressed to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick or Rebecca Frick. Writes that he received an interesting issue of the Danville Democrat. Reports that McClellan was in possession of Yorktown though he feels that the capture could have been more effectively carried out. Also reports that the Merrimac made another appearance but no fighting took place. Says that the body of a captain from the 1st Delaware regiment, was found a quarter of a mile from the picket station with two bullets in his head.

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25 May 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that Suffolk, Virginia is not occupied by the troops yet. The Gosport Navy Yard has been destroyed except for some walls that are still standing. States that the women are becoming more accustomed to the sight of "Yankee soldier boys." Writes that the residents of Norfolk are stronger secessionists than those of Portsmouth. Reports of rumors that Richmond has been captured with 20,000 prisoners. Complains of inaccessibility to news mostly due to General Wool's prohibition of newspapers. Includes instructions to destroy the letter.

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30 May 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that camp has moved from [Gosport Navy Yard] and complains of the condition of the grounds upon arrival. Discusses the number of Confederate prisoners that are being taken and their willingness to take an oath of allegiance to the national government. Describes the prisoners as "ragged, dirty, and half starved" and states that "their appearance is well calculated to draw forth the sympathy rather than the hatred of the well clad Union soldier." Comments on the girls of the village near the camp and points out that the village as a whole…

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June 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia that he received his sister's letter and was happy to hear from her. Also writes that he sent home a sum of thirty dollars in a package sent along with the Captain. Refers to General McClellan as the "Napoleon of America." Describes a recent visit to a local church in Portsmouth where he was impressed by the furnishings but not by the orator of the service. He explains that the orator skipped over the prayer for the president and that he and his congregation were decidedly secessionists. He suspects that the men and boys of the congregation…

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12 June 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that everyone is enjoying good health. Writes that the company has not officially heard from the new chief. States that there are many New York militia regiments who will probably be taking the place of the volunteers. Also reports that a number of regiments from his division have left for Richmond to reinforce McClellan. Writes that the soldiers were anticipating "a little fun" with the rebels but the rebels never showed up. Speaks of the continuous good news of the successes of the Union arms, which gives the soldiers hope that they…

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15 January 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

He has traveled from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe by the steamer "Expounder". Complains that the steamer was unsafe for transportation and that the men suffered from seasickness. The soldiers continued on to Beauford (also known as old Troxel Inlet), boarded another dangerous vessel, and disembarked at Morehead, where they took the railroad to New Bern, North Carolina. States that General Burnside "whiped the rebs so handsomely" that there were hundreds of graves everywhere. Gives a lengthy explanation of a long march through the woods. Reports on a skirmish along the railroad. States…

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27 January 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister]

Discusses the unreliability of the news at camp. He has received word that the mail is in New Bern and hopes it will put an end to rumors of the war ending. States that the rebels want to retake New Bern and Wilmington and capture General Foster. Painter assures his sister that he is not the least bit worried about the rebels. Writes that the rebels fear Burnside and are ignorantly unaware that other generals are "whiping them as soundly on other portions of their confederacy." He mentions that the men do a fair amount of foraging when not on picket duty. Writes that his regiment is…

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5 February 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister]

Reports that three horses, ten Confederate soldiers, and their arms were captured by his company. Expects to spend the winter in North Carolina. Has not heard from Foster's expedition, but expects to soon. Reports that he is now in Colonel Howell's Brigade. Has withdrawn from his duty as regimental dispatcher to take up a post as the Quartermaster's clerk under Lieutenant Jackson. Recipient inferred from content. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

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3 May 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Reports a skirmish with the rebels where one Union soldier was lost. Two companies from his regiment were ordered out after two soldiers had been discovered dead two miles from camp. Seven men, thought to have been responsible for the murders were detained but later released when their innocence was proven. The letter is continued on the evening of May 5th. Writes that refugees from Kinston, North Carolina reported that rebels have left, possibly to Suffolk. Reports that his health is fine. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

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1 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes that he is still in Washington and has not done much fighting recently. Discusses a position for which he applied, stating that he won't be disappointed if he doesn't get it but could use the increase in pay. Reports that General Foster has raided North Carolina and brought in a number of prisoners and horses. States that many Union men in North Carolina are trying to bring the state back to its old allegiance. Feels that if all the rebels are driven out of Virginia, North Carolina will return to the Union. Reports that…

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14 September 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes to reassure his sister that he is well. Urges her to look on a map and trace his trip from the mouth of the Neuse River to the Pamplico River and then onto Washington, North Carolina; a distance of 110 miles. Reports that rebels destroyed the office of the Raleigh "Standard" and in retaliation friends of the editor of the newspaper destroyed the office of the "State Journal"; the latter being considered "the mouthpiece of the Confederacy in this state (North Carolina)".

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29 November 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that although he would like to request furlough for the holidays, he feels it may be wiser to reserve his request for a time when he will really need it. Reports that Thanksgiving day was celebrated by the soldiers with a meal of hardtack and salt horse. Is anxious to receive further news of Grant's victory in the West. Writes that a rebel quartermaster deserter came into the lines the other day and later succeeded in capturing 52 rebels near Washington, North Carolina. Reports that the men of the company are recuperating and that he is also enjoying good health.

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27 December 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that he spent Christmas on a boat in Washington, North Carolina with other soldiers, most of which were drunk. He had Christmas dinner with Phillip Forrester. Has befriended a widower in Washington who is originally from Pennsylvania. Writes that the company has re-enlisted for three years, but is unsure whether he will return. The regiment has taken thirty prisoners with their equipment, arms, and horses.

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17 January 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Explains that the delay in correspondence is probably due to the Northeastern storms occurring in the area of Cape Hatteras. Writes that despite not having any major battle news, the men have weekly encounters with the rebels from Washington and often bring back prisoners. Three to four hundred Confederate prisoners have been captured since Painter arrived in Washington, North Carolina. Discusses writing for a paper, possibly the "Danville Democrat."

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