13 September 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes to Martha about hurting his hand by accidentally falling down six weeks prior to writing -- "it is still swelled some & quite weak." Discusses health of family members and friends; mentions the birth of a grandson. Writes that the mail service has been irregular because low river water prevents easy water travel. Brunt's camp has been "scouting after the Guerillas," recently capturing two guerrilla soldiers who "were pritty saucy at first." The guerrilla soldiers are being held hostage in retaliation for the capture of two Union soldiers. Tells a detailed story of a deserter…

GLC07006.03

2 November 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Weir

Gives details of his movements over the past few days. Brunt has been ordered to "take charge of the Contraband Barracks," where he found and fed freed slaves. He describes the process of enlisting them as soldiers, "how theire eys brighten when they make theire mark to their signatures...No masters whip will ever legally gash theire backs again." Describes his joy at recruiting former slaves as "the privelige of taking one part of the south to whip the rest with yes to take the cause of the Rebellion to crush it with." Mentions the attempts of slave owners to buy back freed black…

GLC07006.04

2 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.

GLC07006.05

23 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Brunt tells Martha how much he enjoys receiving her letters, "for they are full of pure lofty Patriotism." One again, mentions his devotion to the cause of the Union and the emancipated slaves under his command: "I tell them that true manhood lies in the mental worth not in the color of the skin nor in the stature or size of the frame." Writes that his wife is happy at the camp. Expresses his intense anger with draft dodgers and hopes that they "may Each be afficted [sic] with whatever desease they seek to counterfeit." Written at Fort Donelson.

GLC07006.06

17 May 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his regiment has been stationed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the "Topographical Engineer department." Responds to news that some of his correspondence has been lost en route to Martha. Tells about a trip in March to return his wife and children to their home. Replies to news of Martha's loneliness at home "in the society of secesh sympathizers."

GLC07006.07

3 July 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that he has been sent to Clarkesville again in order to command the "Contraband Camp." Describes the work he has been doing to get the camp of "900 Men Women & Children" running smoothly, and the compliments he has received from his superiors for his hard work. Martha is leaving Hawesville soon, and Brunt asks her to "please write as soon as you receive this & I will send you my Photograph." Describes the arrival of a Kentucky slave owner at his camp who offers Brunt $250 dollars in bribe money for the return of his family's slaves. Brunt has the man arrested. "Our camp is…

GLC07006.08

17 September 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Awaits the return of his wife and children to camp. The repair of the direct road to Nashville, Tennessee may make Brunt's camp into a supply station. The camp is connected by boat, train and road. Happily reports that he has gotten two black women jobs as school teachers. Proudly copies two letters from his commanding colonel, both of which praise Brunt highly for his hard work.

GLC07006.09

1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes of living at camp with her husband - "it is so much like Old kentuck." Mentions that it has been a long time since she has been home in Kentucky and asks after various friends. Describes the area around Fort Donelson as a scene of destruction, with "notheing [sic] but old shells of the best houses left now," but finds her own home, with its river view of "steamboats and gunboats" very beautiful. Written at Fort Donelson

GLC07006.10

4 November 1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Olive writes to Martha for her husband, "but I cannot write to you as he would." Writes of how much she misses her home and friends in Kentucky, but enjoys her work at the Contraband Camp. She and one other woman mend the clothing of the entire camp and want "to make this camp a selfe suporting Camp rais the provisions on the farm and get the cloths by exchanging our labor for cotton." Mentions that there are fifteen teachers in the school. The black soldiers have been turned out of their homes to house Confederate refugees, which Olive says she will try not to mind "as long as they don't…

GLC07006.11

1861-1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes Martha about a pledge he has refused to sign - "the tobacco part is all I object to." Reasons that tobacco is necessary for soldiers. Stresses how busy and complicated camp life is. Mentions Robert, who is being discharged from the army after three years of service. Writes about a sixteen year-old boy in his camp who has earned money to care for his family and works as a fifer in one of the black soldiers' regiments.

GLC07006.12

5 August 1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Cook

Brunt has just returned from Iowa with two of his children, Dora and David. Dora, who is sixteen, has just been married to an Englishman. Writes that "while I was gone to Iowa Olive let passion instead of virtue rule her & became inconstant to me - this was indeed painful to bear & I obtained a Divorce." Brunt has custody of his children and property. He has given Olive $100 "& sent her home & henceforth we shall be two persons." Mentions that Olive also cheated on him two years earlier. Brunt's son, David, died of typhoid soon after the divorce. Hopes that Martha's…

GLC07006.13

1861-1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha and Robert Weir

Most of Brunt's letter to Martha is missing. Writes to Robert that "things look rather gloomy for us at preasant [sic] but Clouds & sunshine must alternately follow each other." Mentions that he has little time to read the news. Describes a test he has prepared for the black soldiers under his command, in which he will stage a fake attack on his company in order to prove that they are able to "stand fire." Asks Robert to write a testimonial of William's Union loyalty while living in Kentucky, but "please do it in a way so that it will not create a suspicion of my asking it."

GLC07006.14

30 June 1853

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Describes time at Fort Massachusetts in the New Mexico Territory. Tells of joining the dragoons and their confrontations with Native Americans, including Navajos ("Navhoes") and the Utah nation.

GLC07231.01

10 March 1853

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells news of life as dragoon, and boredom of time at Fort Massachusetts. Mentions the possibility of tracking Utah Indians to Salt Lake, possibility of returning east, of traveling to California. Discusses brother Lemuel's decision to become a whaler.

GLC07231.02

January 25, 1855

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister, Lyddia M. Pierce

Misses family and reminiscences about childhood. Mentions news of cousin marrying Charles Whipple. Discusses possibility of coming home or of moving west. Written at Cantonment Burgwin.

GLC07231.03

28 August 1856

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Discusses conflict over slavery in Kansas, describing it as a "struggle against every species of oppression" (namely slavery). Foresees the probability of violence between 2000 "invaders" and 700 freemen. Laments the interception of mail from Kansas by pro-slavery Missourians who "let nothing pass in the shape of letters that doesn't exactly suit their fancy." Written from Headquarters 2 Regiment Kansas Volunteers.

GLC07231.04

29 April 1857

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Hopes his sister and brother are not "old liners," i.e. that they support his anti-slavery efforts in the "Kansas War." Mentions "Miss Brown" (likely a daughter of John Brown) in reference to his wish that more "yankey" girls would come to Kansas so he could find a wife.

GLC07231.05

29 September 1857

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Gives news of self in Topeka, the free state capital, and Colonelcy in Kansas War with promotion to brigadier general in Kansas "Millishey [militia]." Informs of "tearney [tyranny] … by the proslavery democracy of the United States," and the possibility of revolution to stop slavery. Jokes of society in Kansas that the poorest of men can approach Governor Walker. Requests news from home and hopes to visit at some point. Claims that he has "been going under the name of C Whipple."

GLC07231.06

3 October 1857

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Discusses the upcoming election in Kansas, i.e. the second election over the Lecompton Constitution, the likelihood of free state supporters' defeat, and the influx of border ruffians from Missouri. Was against going into the election. Foresees that the results will lead to violence. Requests for brother to send "degerrotype" of brother and wife. Reminds of taking name of C Whipple.

GLC07231.07

8 April 1858

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph note signed

Title: to his sister

Reminisces about childhood. Gives news of travels "all over New Mexico Kansas Nebraska Iowa and some in Illinois & Indiana." Outlines his commitment to the cause of "Human Freedom," saying "[I] expect to be in it untill slavery is done away in the United States, at least and I hope it will not be long now, untill every slave shall be free if it cost half of there masters." Lastly, mentions that he is also a "woman rights man."

GLC07231.08

2 August 1858

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Elaborates on abolitionist efforts in Kansas. Justifies violence citing the number of slaves who are "murdird" each year. Continues that war is just when in self defense and liberty must be absolute, quoting Patrick Henry: "Give me liberty or give me death." Refers to "trator" Hugh Forbes, who was a foil to Brown's efforts in Kansas.

GLC07231.09

January 18, 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells of his upcoming trial and predicts that he will "receive a free pass to the Spirit world." Mentions receiving many presents and aid, including from Mrs. Spring and Miss Watkins. Expresses his desire to tell her more on his views of religion. Written from Charlestown jail.

GLC07231.10

January 30, 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Describes his wounds at Harpers Ferry: "I received six wounds there [his chest], three in my head, two in my brest and one through my left arm two in my head were the worst." Claims he is enjoying his time in jail, with the help of his jailer Captain Avis and the variety of gifts sent to him by friends, some of whom he lists: "Mrs. R.B. Spring Mrs. L Maria Child, Miss Watkins, Mr. James Redpath and others." Mrs. Spring nursed John Brown, "Capt. B." Discusses his views on spiritualism and his doubt of the Bible, mentioning two books, one by Professor "Robbrt" Hare, the other entitled "Studies…

GLC07231.11

February 23, 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Ponders his sentence and the prospect of death. Hopes for mercy so that he may continue to live, but is doubtful and accepts death calmly. Discusses spiritualism. Written from Charlestown jail.

GLC07231.12

13 March 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Bids his brother farewell, with knowledge of his upcoming death. Encourages Henry to explore spiritiualism and to live rightly: "as you love yourself as you love man as you love woman, as you love god, work with your head heart and hands for the happiness of yourself and all the world." Written from Charlestown jail.

GLC07231.13