February 17, 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul informs his wife that he is well and is glad that she is not working outside of the home any more because he was afraid for her health. He notes that her employers were kind to hire her and treated her well, and that he is glad that she bought herself some new clothes. Paul then asks her to send him a box and reminds her to send it via the Captain because the guard opens all other mail. Paul informs Celicia that he went on picket (group missions scouting for the enemy) for a week and that they suffered muddy conditions. Finally, Paul assures his wife that he will have enough money to…

GLC03058.08

15 March 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to Celicia Paul

Some words throughout the letter are illegible because of water damage. Paul writes that he had a toothache and his badly decayed tooth had to be pulled. He informs Celicia that he will not write some friends in Muncy because they do not write him. He then talks of his friend Thode, and that Thode's wife Margaret is worried that he will be drafted. Paul writes that "the single men must go furst then Comes the maried men," and he does not think that Thode will be drafted. He then responds to his wife saying that she is lonely in their house and that he wishes he could be back with her.…

GLC03058.09

5 April 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul tells Celicia that he enjoys writing to her and that he thinks of her often. He says that he wanted to get a picture taken to send to her, but the paymaster has been held back and he does not have any money to pay for a photograph. Paul then discuses the draft and writes that after men in his regiment are mustered out that they will fill the regiment with drafted soldiers. He said that he expected that folks in Muncy were getting nervous about the draft, and Paul writes that he would like to see single men drafted first. Paul then tells Celicia that he has been eating well because he…

GLC03058.10

18 April 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul describes a visit by President Lincoln to his camp, and is amazed by the amount of men that gathered to see him. Paul also tells Celicia that on Easter they had a big parade that brought them in front of the Rebels in Fredricksburg, and Paul was not sure why his officers put their men on display. He also talks of the weather, the price of goods sold by the sutlers and the items that are scarce in camp. He tells Celicia he wishes he could be home with her, and he tells her not to worry about town gossip. Paul then mentions Thode, writing that he better pay $300 for a substitute if he…

GLC03058.11

October 28, 1862

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: He hasn't heard from her in some time, due to her illness, and he is anxious for full details. He describes his work with the Senate, introducing his "inventions in projectiles" and inventions of portable cots for officers and field hospitals. He includes a poem, "Nearer Home" by Pheobe Cary, with the intent to have Emma publish it.

GLC00687.005

September 18, 1863

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: Many of Emma's letters have not reached George, and he wonders what happened to them. He wants to get his photograph taken, and appreciates the one she sent to him. He plans to come north for a visit, but his future is uncertain, although he would do anything possible to aid her in any way. He mentions plans to build a hospital for soldiers with relics from the battlefield.

GLC00687.006

October 22, 1863

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: He writes to her a "few congratulatory lines" in response to the "Moonlight Musings" in the Prescott Journal, considering it a very fine poem. He expresses feelings of indifference toward an O. Gibbs Sr. Powell's brother has just left for sea again with the Marines. He refers to having his photograph taken in the future.

GLC00687.007

December 21, 1863

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: He has just returned from New York City, where he worked with Secretary Chase to compare excise taxes of the U.S. and foreign countries. He refers to her article, "Caucuss," describing educational qualifications for the elective franchise of states with free schools. He describes his roommate, a past American Consul to Java, Rev. Israel Dichl.

GLC00687.008

February 1, 1864

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: He expresses his belief in prayer, particularly that the will of God may happen. He has not received remuneration for his inventions, but has not lost hope that they will be found valuable in the future. His work with the hospitals, Young Men's Christian Association, and the Union League, as well as the comparison of excise taxes, keep him occupied.

GLC00687.009

August 9, 1864

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: This is the first letter in response to the last letter written by Emma on 31 March. He thanks her for the carte-de-visite and describes his collection. He discusses President Lincoln's plea for peace. He refers to the impending last days.

GLC00687.010

November 18, 1864

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

re: He writes of the power of submitting to the will of God. He describes his month-long furlough spent writing and publishing a speech for the campaign about taxation, "Facts and Figures for the Hour." He refers to the "Iron Brigade," Wisconsin troops organized by McClelland who voted for Lincoln, the Indiana conspiracy, visiting the Army of Potomac and of the James, as well as a new religious interest among army troops.

GLC00687.011

October 12, 1862

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: Jackson writes to tell Bill that he and his brother Henry enlisted in the Army in August and have been fighting the Dakota Indians. He graphically describes the dead left by Dakota attacks on settlers, including a German family and a pregnant woman. He writes about being in two different battles, the Battle of Fort Ridgely and Battle of Wood Lake; he describes combat and how many dead and wounded there were on each side. He declares that the Indian War is over and asks Bill to write him, which he continues to do in virtually every other letter in the collection. Written at Camp Yellow…

GLC00203.01

November 30, 1862

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He discusses the cold weather and the regiment's need to build their own winter quarters. He grumbles about the hardships of the soldier's life (food, work, etc.) and writes about how much the regiment has walked since August, boasting that he is doing very well but reporting that Henry is not. He mentions the 1500 Indian prisoners the army is guarding. Written in camp in Forest City, Minnesota

GLC00203.02

February 22, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He discusses the possible summer plans for the regiment, including why he thinks that Chief Little Crow will not follow through on his promised summer attack. He believes that his regiment will stay with Gen. Sibley, since they have learned how to fight the Indians. He laments the effect the Indian attacks have had on "the Emegration" to the state - fewer people are coming and many people are fleeing. Written in camp in Forest City, Minnesota

GLC00203.03

March 15, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: His brother Henry is getting a discharge due to his poor health; Jackson hopes this discharge will be processed soon. He discusses the school for Indian prisoners, describing it first as an expensive folly of the state but then complimenting the "poor miserable creatures" on their singing. He asks Bill to lend him money, as he doesn't know when they will be paid. He describes proudly how his clean gun passed inspection. He also mentions lady visitors who brought the troops popcorn and cakes. Written in camp in Forest City, Minnesota

GLC00203.04

June 12, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He recounts his visit to a photographer in St. Anthony who has yet to send him his photos after two months; this has sorely "vexed" him. He talks about the trip the regiment is about to make to Devils Lake in the northern Dakota Territory, which will be hard and long. Though others are glad that they are not going south, he says that at least in the South there are hospitals, which is not so on their "Indian hunt." He may not be able to send mail on the plains, but says he will try. Written at Camp Pope.

GLC00203.05

June 14, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He informs his brother to send mail to Fort Abercrombie so it will reach him on the plains. Henry will get his discharge within the next few days. Written at Camp Pope.

GLC00203.06

August 30, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He mentions four fights with Indians in the Dakota Territory and the army's destruction of their abandoned supplies. He complains of the bad water and hard marching, but assures his brother of his continued health. He tells of the birth of Henry's son, named Edwin "by [Jackson's] request." He muses on what the troop will do next. He also reveals that his photographs (see #5) had been sent to someone with his same name in Company C, who threw them away. Contains a separate post script, dated the next day, see GLC00203.07.02.

GLC00203.07.01

August 31, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: The extra scrap, dated the next day, contains a post script mentioning that he received a letter from Harry and "they are all well." A separate post script from GLC00203.07.01.

GLC00203.07.02

December 20, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He describes troop movements across the plains to Fort Thompson, and writes about the cold and stormy weather, which has caused the soldiers to nickname the march the "Moscow Expedition." He discusses food he's eaten (salt pork and "flip flaps"), his weight gain of five pounds, and how he will relax if he gets a furlough at home. He uses the Dakota phrase "wash-ta-do," which he says means "very good."

GLC00203.08

January 31, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: As he has not heard from Bill, he repeats much of what he said in #8 about the "Moscow Expedition"; he talks about the large amount of clothing that he wore during that time and about how his regiment 3,000 freezing Indians at Fort Thompson in the Dakota Territory. His weight gain has now inexplicably risen to sixteen pounds. He mentions a man, possibly from home, named Marshall or Johnny Gaites, who talks about the trapping. Jackson asks his brother to enquire discreetly into trapping around his home, and describes his plans to buy some traps and make some money when he is on furlough.

GLC00203.09

March 14, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He thinks and hopes that the troops will be sent to the South in place of the Minnesota 1st. He implores Bill to get everyone he knows to vote for Lincoln, as he is "stubborn" and the only candidate who can end the war. He waxes poetic on the "God[d]ess of Liberty" looking down upon the country, and tells Bill to visit their friends at home. This folder contains an envelope with two pictures printed on it: the first portrays two Indians with a flag reading "For the Union"; the second consists of one farmer plowing and another riding a horse with "Letoile du Nord" ["The Star of the…

GLC00203.10

May 6, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He informs his brother that he his company has been moved to Pipe Lake, which he dislikes, and says they won't go South this summer, though they may when the Minnesota 8th returns. He explains why Henry is having such a hard time at home with his new family: he was not discharged early enough to plant crops, and so must buy everything. Henry's health is also not well, and Edwin implores Bill to reply to Henry's letters.

GLC00203.11

June 19, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

The regiment is in Cairo, IL, on its way to Helena, AK, where Jackson is happy to be going. He describes a parade they were in, where the regiment's "Silver Band" played and ladies blew them kisses and waved their handkerchiefs. He talks about his emotional departure from his father, but firmly defends his decision to fight for his country and do his duty for the three years for which he enlisted - although he feels that one man per family in the army is enough. He complains about the high prices, specifically of coffee, in Cairo, and recounts how he (maybe) accidentally forgot to pay for…

GLC00203.12

July 14, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: The troops are in Arkansas, and he often has to stand guard duty; however, he would much rather be in the South and "run the chance of being shot and killed out and out" than be in Dakota "and be killed by degrees." He tells Bill not to worry about him, and that he and his fellow soldiers often feel that those at home are in more danger than they are in the field. He sends his patriotic regards to a boy that came home without an arm, and offers to kill a Rebel for him, reminding him that it is better to be wounded or killed than to be a Copperhead. He mentions a letter from Mrs. Thorn…

GLC00203.13