5 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry beyond Union Town, Virginia. He was unable to write because they have been marching for several days, they are now camped not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Notes that there have been some skirmishes and that the Union will soon overtake the Confederates. Writes that they are commanded by General Ambrose Burnside and that he will show the rebels "how to fight." He has been promoted to company sergeant. Notes that he has no gun or knapsack, rides almost all the time, does less work, and has someone cooking for him. His pay is only a little…

GLC03523.13.064

14 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes a short note to his wife explaining that he has just mailed her a letter and that the bearer of this note is from the 2nd regiment.

GLC03523.13.066

22 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that they have marched fifty miles and are now one mile from Fredericksburg, Virginia. He lacks confidence in his ability to handle his new rank. Thinks that the great battle will take place near Fredericksburg. Notes that the country is beautiful and there was a fine hotel but General Franz Sigel had it burned down to prevent the Confederates from shooting at the Union forces. The pickets for both Confederate and Union forces are on opposite sides of the Rappahannock River and are often heard talking to each other but they never shoot. It appears the men have a better…

GLC03523.13.067

26 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he holds her and their baby in the highest esteem. He is also greatly saddened that he may not be able to come home during the winter. Tells her of his dreams about going home and being with her and the new baby. Because he is the company sergeant it will be harder for him to get a furlough. Captain [Hendy] resigned and went home. States that he will bring home a "fine colored boy" who is currently his cook. Likes the new General, Ambrose Burnside, better then General George McClellan who he says was "too slow to accomplish anything."

GLC03523.13.068

10 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is sorry but he will not be able to come home this winter because there is going to be a great battle. Every soldier has been ordered to take a gun and go into the fight. Reports that he has been promoted to lieutenant. He has increased responsibility now and if he dies he will be facing the enemy. If General Ambrose Burnside proves himself to be a great fighter the war will be over by July and he will return home. Since he fell off of his horse his right arm is in a sling and therefore he must carry his sword in his left hand.

GLC03523.13.069

19 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife after he crosses the Rappahannock River to let her know that he is still alive after the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. His regiment was involved in a "desperate fight" but could not force the enemy from the heights. Reports that all the troops from Ann Arbor, Michigan are either dead or wounded. Has had his arm in a sling the entire time he was in Fredericksburg. He will not tell his wife much about the battle as Dr. Stone will return home and tell her. Wishes he could be at home with her.

GLC03523.13.070

28 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to is wife. His arm is still very sore from last week but he is glad to hear that she and their baby are doing so well. It appears very doubtful that he will come home this winter. The army is unsure of what it will do next. The regiment has built log huts for the coming winter. Gives some details describing what the log hut is made from. States that he has built a large hut in case she comes to visit him. States that the battle plan of General Ambrose Burnside was good but they failed to carry it out. Explains that it was neither the army nor…

GLC03523.13.071

4 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Notes that a year ago today he started for home. Writes how much he misses her and wishes he could be with her. Is thankful that God has continued to spare him through so many battles.

GLC03523.13.072

5 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he hopes she does not think his previous letter foolish for being a love letter. Thinks that most men give all their affection before marriage and then after marriage the wife is the one who professes affection. Enjoys the picture of the baby. Wants to know what his mother thinks of the baby. He has not been paid yet but expects to receive it soon. Thinks it is more honorable to earn a commission near the battlefield then to go home and get one. Hopes he will soon be made first lieutenant. States that he did not join the army to get promotions but to fight for his…

GLC03523.13.073

February 24, 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Thanks Shiras for the money she sent from friends Sunday school children. Discusses his missionary work and his desire to convert his Indian countrymen. Copy of GLC02429.16.

GLC02429.17

12 May 1872

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Apologizes for not writing and explains how various chores have kept her too busy. Notes that Cecelia, the half-Indian girl living with her has gone to live with Reverend James Cook. Discusses separation from her husband Daniel. Apologizes for not naming their baby after Frances. Mentions Paul, who is sick and attempting to recuperate. Notes that Convocation is coming up.

GLC02429.23

5 June 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses his wife's trip to the Santee Agency to visit relatives, his growing son, and sick Paul's attempt to build a log cabin on his land claim. Mentions the health of other Indian clergy. Discusses his income in the face of high prices in Yankton vs. Santee. Indicates he will make a map to answer her question about the spatial relationship between the Santee, Yankton, and Ponca agencies (see GLC02924.03 and GLC02924.04).

GLC02429.24

9-12 June 1872

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses a visit from Daniel's aunt and the porcupine quill moccasins she had made for Frances. Comments on her sister, a visitor named Mrs. Rumney, and her husbands adoration for their baby. Continues the letter on 12 June, comments on intervening chores, and a visit to a sun dance. Gives the Dakota word for mother and explains that she speaks English to her baby daily. Mentions that Daniel, her husband, sometimes speaks to her in English. Comments on her husband's pay.

GLC02429.25

21 July 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Reports than his family will leave the Yankton Mission for the Santee Mission. Explains that the Yanktons are sorry to see him leave, but he must go because of health problems related to his work on Sunday and the opportunity to make a prayer book in Santee.

GLC02429.26

17 September 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Mentions starting work at Santee and his growing son. Discusses the health of Paul and Christian Taopi, a fellow Indian preacher, whose death seemed imminent. Taopi expressed no fear in dying, but regretted not having more time to preach. Sends congratulations for a recent engagement.

GLC02429.27

7 October 1872

Hinman, Samuel D., 1839-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Reverend Hinman, who presided over the Santee Agency, writes to Reverend Shiras about Daniel Hemans. Notes Daniel is in good health, "is doing splendidly," and might be made a Presbyter. Thanks him for care of his boys. A postscript indicates Paul is not well and Christian Taopi has died.

GLC02429.28

17 October 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Indicates he has not written because he was sick. Informs Shiras that Christian Taopi has died. Discusses a recent visit by bishops Whipple and Clarkson, and William Welsh to all the Indian missions, their ordinations and assignations of missionaries. Indicates Reverend Hinman gave him charge of the Santee Mission that month. Comments on other Indian clergy, Paul Mazakute and Luke Walker. Indicates his wife might write about their son.

GLC02429.29

21-22 November 1872

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her son, who was sick recently, and her husbands work as the sole clergyman at the Santee Mission. Notes they are currently living in Reverend Hinman's house, until they can have their own built. Discusses her housework, which interrupted the writing of this letter. Thanks Shiras for things she sent her. Comments on a problem with mice eating cloth. Recounts a story in which her small son Joseph accidentally locked himself in a room. Discusses her desire to get her picture taken, if not for a want of money.

GLC02429.30

13 December 1872

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses his improved health, noting that he has not had any spitting of blood since August 1871. Notes that the formerly healthy Mr. Luke, at the Yankton Mission, had started spitting blood. Reports the receipt of wrappers Shiras sent and to who they would go (including Deloria). States that all packages should be sent through Mr. Hinman, then explains that he has no winter clothes nor money to buy them. Notes two Santees, John Wapaha, and William Hemans (his cousin) will be ordained next spring. Notes that Mrs. Hinman is sick.

GLC02429.31

15 December 1872

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses Mrs. Hinman's illness and other ill women at the Santee Mission. Indicates she is making a dress and that her husband and son are in need of new clothes. Comments about how she should be thankful to God at Christmas for living another year. Discusses her need for a thick shawl. Also comments on the death of Christian Taopi. Notes her receipt of Shiras's photo, and her want of a similar one of herself, in a post script.

GLC02429.32

January 22, 1873

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Thanks Shiras for the clothes his family and other Indian clergy have received. Discusses eating with Reverend Hinman and his missionary duties at Santee. Notes his son has started speaking. States that Paul is very sick but still walking around his house.

GLC02429.33

15 May 1873

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses the death of their friend Paul Mazakute, an Indian clergyman who long-suffered from consumption. Explains how their buggy broke down after the funeral. In a post script, indicates that they might get photos taken.

GLC02429.34

15 July 1873

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses building a house and garden on his land in Bazille, his health, and his work. Mentions a possible transfer to the Chapel at Bazille Creek, on the recommendation of Bishop William Hare. Comments on the growth of his son, who he speaks to in both English and Dakota.

GLC02429.35

23 July 1873

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her garden and her growing son, comparing his dark skin to "a little niger." Indicates they will move to Bazille Creek, but will soon come back for the Convocation Meeting. Discusses money problems and a shawl she has yet to receive from Shiras. Reports conflicting stories about whether or not Reverend Hinman was killed by "wild Indians."

GLC02429.36

5 October 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request]

Requests 12 pounds of bread for General Henry Knox's family. Directed to a Mr. Province.

GLC02437.09766