15 November 1863

Bartlett, George O., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Andrews

He quickly writes that he is in acceptable health and that enclosed with the letter is a check for $40. Noticing the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, he ends the letter lamenting that he "should like to be with you all on Thanksgiving but I must eate my Pork and hard Bread as usual." Marked "Camp Battery B." Note in blue ink on verso, "Mr. [Anras] D. Smith 3d State Commissioner Providence, RI."

GLC02158.21

11 November [1861]

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. "...I never knew what it was to go hungy till I come here...I was on the sick list when we got here but I shouldered my gun and marched with the Regiment...we have had one meal of bull soup, we slept in the sand 3 nights all I had to eat in 30 hours was 1/2 pint of rice." "...10 guns boats but we did not get but one of the boats...the Rebel's genarl was kild and then the rest run and flung their things away...we did at Bull Run..." No year on letter.

GLC02159.01

2 December 1861

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friend Bennett

"...plenty of cotton here and sweet potatoes, peanuts, oringes, rice, Niggers, rattlesnakes coper heads glass snake mocins and another cind about 18 feet long...alligators..." "...the Rebel's boats fired 2 or 3 round and run up the creek...Rebels fought well but their guns was ranged too high..." "... the stars and stripes was floating over the R Battery and we was the first regiment that went ashore. We went in the fort...came to a plantation and found plenty of knapsacks ...100 or more knapsacks in the woods..." "...we asked the Niggers whair thar masters was and they said lord Jesus…

GLC02159.02

14 September 1862

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. States James's (his brother's) regiment went by but he did not get to see him. Tells her to direct letters to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, 18th regiment [CV]. Written in pencil.

GLC02159.03

17 September 1862

Blackman, James A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. Speaks of the heavy load they have to carry; knapsacks, water, their guns and rounds. Stationary of the Headquarters 7th reg. R.I. Vol., Col. Z.R. Bliss. With an image of the United States Capital. Written in pencil.

GLC02159.04

14 January 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Dora Johnston

He is sorry she did not get any gifts for Christmas. They agree on Spencer's situation. He is awkward and lame and not used to society. They must make allowances.

GLC02167.08

22 January 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He received correspondence that one of his men is in the hospital. He tried to go to meeting but was unable to do so. He wants to get to know Charley better.

GLC02167.09

28 January 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He received a package which someone else opened ('strange hands"). But he was able to find walnuts and butter untouched.

GLC02167.10

29 January 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He talks about all the food he has received, including jam, apple butter, cake and cookies.

GLC02167.11

31 January 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They are all detailed to go to Savannah but but will not leave until morning. He picked up his new coat.

GLC02167.12

5 February 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They are on Aiken's Island and the weather is very nice. He heard some shots one day. It turned out to be the general who had been unable to get their attention. He gave orders to move back into the tide.

GLC02167.13

7 February 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friends at home

They will make a diversion in favor of another movement under Gilmore. Her will let her know where they move as soon as possible.

GLC02167.14

19 February 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He took a walk on the beach for the first time in a long time. The weather has been very cold.

GLC02167.15

5 May 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He sent for the Eclectic Magazine. One of the gunboats was there the other day but he didn't know until it had left. Had he known, he would have gone aboard.

GLC02167.16

13 May 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

Charlie came to visit and he is well. All the things they sent arrived in good condition. The new Colonel arrived. Unfortunately he is profane and drinks too much.

GLC02167.17

18 May 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

One of the Colonels placed a truce flag on enemy lines today. He heard that the left wing of Grant's army was whipped. 17,000 men were taken prisoner. He refers to Banks' defeat.

GLC02167.18

13 June 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

He describes a rainstorm in which they set up tents. He talks about how they dealt with it and every mishap along the way.

GLC02167.19

29 June 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They have been ordered to go somewhere on boats with nine days rations. He saw Henry. Elliot and Charles are well.

GLC02167.20

4 July 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They marched for three hours before coming to a house that had been used by the rebels as a picket post. Some of the men destroyed furniture they found in the house. It was very hot.

GLC02167.21

6 July 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They marched for three miles until 2 companies were sent forward on skirmishes. They continued until they came to a bridge. After their skirmishes they drove some of the enemy from fence behind which they had become intrenched.

GLC02167.22

16 July 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He is no longer confident the war will end soon. Everyone is in good spirits mainly because they have been signing the payroll.

GLC02167.23

17 July 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

He met with Capt. Griffith and told him they ought to have regular prayer meetings. Several other agreed.

GLC02167.24

circa 17 July 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They have regular meetings now and they are well attended. He saw Charlie and Elliot there. St. Graves' wife is ill. He heard the Rebels had over a hundred killed on July 8th.

GLC02167.25

1 August 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He bought a camp chair which he is hoping he can take with him. He sees Henry snd Gilbert every day. Everyone is well and going to prayer meetings.

GLC02167.26

2 August 1864

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Sue Johnston

They started drilling on the big guns again. The colonel has the authority to bring the regiment up to 1200 and if he does, they will stay where they are for some time.

GLC02167.27