24 March 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

south of Petersburg. yesterday there was a review of the 2nd corps. very rainy and windy weather.thinks they're better situated then they were last summer.

GLC08311.16

25 August 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

went out in a picket line and saw several hundred shots fired but not one hit a man. saw about 15 prisoners brought in yesterday. lists the goverment prices for rations sold to officers. Written at a camp near Hall Town

GLC08311.17

28 August 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

they took near 200 prisoners and killed how many he doesn't know. if the Rebels do not leave they may stay there for a couple more days.Written in Bolivar Heights, near Harper's Ferry

GLC08311.18

10 September 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

17 miles from Harper's Ferry. artillery going on 2 or 3 miles away. one of the boys shot an adder in the tent the other day. it was a foot long. if he had gone to Harrisburg, he would have gotten $500 local bounty.

GLC08311.19

14 September 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

has sent her $150. bought a gum blanket. writes about his friend and complains about a clerk who is very lazy and pretends to cook. . rumored that if it had not been for the Harper Ferry's raid, Virginia would not have seceded.

GLC08311.20

1 October 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

sent back in the wagon train from Woodstock to attend to the loading of the supply train. describes Martinsburg as a lively town.

GLC08311.21

3 October 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes that his wardrobe is suffering and it would be handy to have a woman about. writes the place they are now is much more "human."

GLC08311.22

8 October 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes that she is a very good business woman. read in the paper that they will repair the Orange and Alexandria railroad. has been sleeping on the ground in the open air. his stomach has been acting up. Written at Fisher's Hill

GLC08311.23

21 October 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

"I have seen the dark and the bright side of a battle..." describes the battle of Cedar Creek. heavy artillery. one of the colonels was shot by a man in their uniform. very eloquent in his battle description.

GLC08311.24

30 October 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

waiting for his friend Levi to get a leave of absence. talks about his cook. writes that his ankles are bad and has had a doctor look at them.

GLC08311.25

7 November 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

assures her that non combatants are rarely exposed to death or capture, their trains are guarded by over 1000 men and many have artillery with them. actually prefers army life to home because there is no rent to pay and no taxes (except income).

GLC08311.26

11 November 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annis, Lida and Master Johnny

assks Annis to knit him a new pair of socks. describes the scenery to Lida and Johnny.

GLC08311.27

11 November 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

the infantry has left Cedar Creek and moved within 8 miles of Winchester. Father Abraham is reelected by a heavy majority.

GLC08311.28

20 November 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

a quarter of the company is on train-guard. describes his dinner. notes that the price of gold is coming down. warns her not to count the days until he comes home or else it will seems lomgrt.

GLC08311.29

24 November 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

asks her what she had on Thanksgiving. tells her what a friend had on Thanksgiving. the men captured two teams. the Rebels are in force about 30 miles up the valley.

GLC08311.30

2 December 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi has rooms in Winchester now and expects Helen to join him in a few weeks. the railroad is finished within four miles of WInchester. Written at Camp Russell

GLC08311.31

29 January 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi's family arrived from Martinsburg. when the brigade was disbanded, Levi retained his two clerks and they were ordered to Beverly where all but a hundred were captured. does not know where they will go next.

GLC08311.32

31 January 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes they may go to Savannah. describes the town of Cumberland. says there is not much to say but writes four pages.

GLC08311.33

5 February 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

heard that Hannah Grant is married with a baby. the news that the president went to meet with the Rebel peace commissioners has everyone excited.

GLC08311.34

26 February 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Sherman has been making another successful march in the South. tells her he has been in California since he last wrote. describes the town he is currently in.

GLC08311.35

18 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

General Grant is in the area. has a paper giving a full account of Sheridan's actions but has no way to send it right now. Written at City Point- now named Hopewell

GLC08311.36

20 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi left his trunk on boat of City Point. heard that Capt. Manville was relieved of duty but does not know who will succeed him. thinks hoops must be going out of style because his cousins aren't wearing them.

GLC08311.37

27 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

the enemy attacked the 9th and 2nd corp. describes the Comissary Quarters. believes that men can live more comfortably apart from women than women can by themselves.

GLC08311.38

31 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

had to sleep under a canvas instead of a tent one night. General Sheridan is operating with them with 25,000 cavalry. saw a black band that he enjoyed. the battle continues.

GLC08311.39

16 April 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi was a prisoner for over 24 hours. tells this story and of his escape.describes the details of Lee's surrender.w rites that the government is enlisting and hiring many blacks in Richmond.

GLC08311.40