26 August 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses sending his ill wife away to convalesce, referencing an essay by Montaigne in which he mentions being fonder of his wife after they have been apart. She will be "Sea Bathing, which I believe to be the most powerful restorative we have." Praises a man named George Straham. Describes the business being opened, and problems encountered, by a man named Jonathan Gardiner. Mentions other news of friends and family, and describes a letter from "J: Robertson" as "a proof what powers the fair Sex have over us poor mortals." Partial seal intact.

GLC02549.13

9 October 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Extends wishes for their mother's recovery, comments on his wife's improving health from sea bathing, and provides other family news. Reports hearing that Lord North received a message about Lord Cornwallis being attacked by General Horatio Gates. Explains news that Cornwallis repelled the attack, killed many, took 1,000 prisoners, and captured American artillery equipment. Suggests that "Gates thinking to circumvent him as he had done to Genl Burgoign [Burgoyne] had detached 1500 to attack him in the rear, they were received by Col Tarleton...who totally defeated them." The battle…

GLC02549.14

December 11, 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Discusses contested parliamentary elections in the south, remarking that "from the eagerness to get into Parliament, one would think that more Patriotism prevails now than ever." Notes that there is great expectation for news from Admiral Darby and Admiral Samuel Hood, particularly "how many French Admirals are brought into Portsmouth." Discusses the potential meeting of two fleets (apparently building on earlier comments in the lost part of the letter). One of the fleets was British, which Dundas describes as "dreadfully inferior in numbers yet there are many people who...think that even…

GLC02549.15

20 July 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses information about their brother George and letters he has been sending. Describes the fleets at Portsmouth and compares them to the locusts of Egypt. Asks James to obtain a "Seal Cutter two scales with our Arms Cut upon a good Cornelian, of a moderate seise, & handsomely set in Gold." Also comments on the loss of Tobago and the danger of losing Madras.

GLC02549.16

24 May 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Mentions the marriage of D. Erskine and the parliamentary elections. Describes his first visit to the opera, which he detested. Compares listening to songs in foreign languages (he does not understand) to "those poor bigots who say their prayers in latin, which they know nothing at all of." Describes the performance, particularly the pantomine, which he considered an absurd spectacle.

GLC02549.17

20 November 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses some family news, commenting on his separation from his wife. Thanks James for his work on a seal (also discusses in GLC025490.16), but asks him not to send it until after the lottery, fearing it might be stolen. Comments on the status of their brother Ralph Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, in America. Notes that in his last letter, Ralph was at Yorktown preparing for battle. By the time he is writing this he expects the battle to have been decided but does not know the outcome. Indicates that "people here differ much in opinion about what may be expected. I rather…

GLC02549.18

26 May 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Manuscript document

Title: [Unattached address leaf of a letter from David Dundas to his brother James Dundas]

GLC02549.57

19 September 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written immediately following the battle of Antietam (17-18 September 1862), after Lee's troops had withdrawn across the Potomac. They rested after the previous battle before pursuing the rebels, overtaking their rear as they were crossing the water. He has worked with the rebel wounded left in the surrounding farm houses. "They probably lost 15000 men in wounded and killed. Our own loss is perhaps more than half that. It was one of the most magnificent battles of the war. The invasion of Maryland has thus ended ingloriously and their Army has left very greatly demoralized...No men ever did…

GLC04195.04

3 November 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The Army of the Potomac has been crossing Harper's Ferry. He describes an engagement with Rebels, as well as the surrounding land and supplies, including local horses. He has suffered from jaundice. "There was a gap in the Blue Ridge here which was necessary to seize…Our troops had not been there more than an hour or two before ten or fifteen thousand Rebs were seen marching up to take possession. They were allowed to approach within easy cannon range, when our batteries pitched in and scattered them...In the mean time the army is advancing towards the country south-east of Winchester, where…

GLC04195.05

13 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

As he prepares to treat the wounded from the Battle of Fredericksburg, an attack launched by 50,000 Union troops at dawn on Dec. 13, he discusses the possibility of being hit and makes arrangements for his belongings. He believes heavy losses are inevitable. The spirits of the troops are high. "If you fancy the approach of such a battle depresses the spirits of men or officers you are greatly mistaken. I have never seen more mirth and joking among the hundreds of officers assembled about this building, which is used as the Hd. Quar. of Gen. Burnside, and within range of the rebel guns."

GLC04195.06

20 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The battle of Fredericksburg is over, with little accomplished. He describes the endurance required of the soldiers. The attack was made against the orders of Gen. Hooker. He describes hospital work during and following the battle. Excerpt: "Our troops, in several places got within 50 or 100 yds of the crest of the hill, in fact the division of regulars, got to this point on saturday-night, where they had to lie on their bellies all day sunday and sunday night. Any man rising up or even elevating his arm was shot; 200 of them were killed and wounded while lying in this position; with…

GLC04195.07

8 March 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He expresses dismay that reports have not been prepared during his leave. He mentions several impending court martials for delinquents. He includes comments on the Confederacy and "butternuts" in the West. Written from the headquarters of the 5th Corps, in the Rappahannock Valley near Falmouth, Va.

GLC04195.08

6 April 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Lincoln and his wife arrived and presided over a grand review of the troops. He comments on the case of Gen. McClellan. They believe the rebels are significantly fortified across the river and hope to cross soon. Written at the headquarters of the 5th Corps. "Abe looks careworn. No wonder. He has a large contract on hand."

GLC04195.09

June 29, 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moore

The president of the bank describes the process for handling transactions on Moore's account, requesting his bank book. A note from Moore to his sister Mary appears on the bottom.

GLC04195.11

8 September 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Received a book of deposits for the Savings Bank of Tolland, Connecticut, from John Moore, with specific instructions to invest in bonds.

GLC04195.12

14 August 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He will send the bond coupons and will take a receipt for them.

GLC04195.13

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

12 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes working with 30,000 prisoners to process their paroles. He praises General Meade particularly for the defeat of Lee, stating "I consider Meade one of the best soldiers in the Army of the Potomac." Also observes that despite "That charming attachment between master and slave, so often spoken of by advocates of the institution[, a]ll gentlemen and ladies of African descent, on the day following our entry into the city either left their overseers or stipulated for fixed wages."

GLC04195.15

15 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has been unwell and deems Vicksburg an unhealthy country: "It never was designed for Christians to live in." He praises Gen. Meade, and refers to some dear friends who fell at Gettysburg, including Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed and the injured Brig. Gen. A.S. Webb.

GLC04195.16

26 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Mentions John Hunt Morgan's raids and Gen. Lewis Wallace's attempt to capture Morgan. (Morgan and his men surrendered in Ohio on this same day.)He praises Meade: "his army is an honor to the country, to do such terrible fighting after so many reverses." He describes the death of Gen. Weed. "I am glad to learn that your town was not visited by your friend J. Morgan. When I saw from the papers that Lew Wallace was in the field I felt confident that John was 'gone up a spout', but I was somewhat surprised to hear afterwards that he got into Ohio…. Seriously speaking, I think if Wallace found he…

GLC04195.17

6 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

About 20,000 troops are to be sent to Natchez to build a fortification for a march in the fall. He encourages her to invest in U.S. five-twenty bonds. He asks her to send his bankbook to Alvern P. Hyde in Tolland, Connecticut.

GLC04195.18

14 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Many men are sick due to the poor climate, and he has sent many of the ill to northern hospitals. Local women have come into camp to ask for food. A Black man tells him about the marriage of their brother Robert, who had been there in Vicksburg two months previously. Robert served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

GLC04195.19

21 September 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has received a letter from Hyde about his investment with the Tolland County Bank in Connecticut. They have passed through the season without a yellow fever epidemic. The dismissal of the Surgeon General may affect his own orders. Dr. William A. Hammond was court-martialed on a trumped-up charge initiated by Edwin Stanton and was dismissed from the army in 1864 (later exonerated). "This will probably affect my position here as the Surg.-J. Mills[?]-who was here before me, is in favor with Stanton and will probably be sent back to spite Gen Hammond, as the latter after ordering him away…

GLC04195.20

27 October 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

New orders assign him to the Department of the Tennessee under Grant, who will command from Chattanooga. Grant's bold plan to break the Confederate siege of Chattanooga had gone into operation on the previous day. Moore looks forward to his new assignment at General Sherman's headquarters. "He is an excellent officer, and I hope to find him a pleasant man to serve with."

GLC04195.21

4 January 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They marched to Huntsville in the extreme cold, arriving on New Year's Day and taking over Sherman's comfortable headquarters. He describes the home of a wealthy rebel in town with paintings removed, now turned into a hospital.

GLC04195.22