4 December 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports that his new boots and stockings fit perfectly. Discusses how long a man named Knap will be able to stick it out in the services. Believes that Knap will have a hard time getting out of the service once he is ready to quit. Writes of different people back home. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.27

8 December 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Sayles

Writes to his father from camp. Informs him that he sent ten dollars home. Complains about how long it has been since he has received any letters from the Silases family. Writes that a man named Knapp is a fool for trying to recruit all the "little boys" into the army. Notes that he cannot wait for the war to be over and hopes that Wash never has to see it. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.28

22 December 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments that she looked quite lean in her picture, but he has never been fatter. Reports that the lieutenant bet five dollars that the war will be over soon and that they will be able to go home by June and that most of the officers agree. Writes that they have more bread than they can eat. Informs her that he received a pair of socks in the mail. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.29

2 January 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Informs her that it rained and snowed on the last day of the year and that it has been cold. Describes having a "first rate" oyster dinner for Christmas. Notes that everything has been first rate since they have nothing to do but guard duty. Teases her about wearing the britches in the family and if she has had any "love spats" yet. Inquires after people back home. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.30

February 17, 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he is no longer with his company, that he has been detached to guard ordnance stores. Writes that he prefers it over staying with the company. Comments that he is not surprised that it takes two stoves to keep her and her husband warm since they are both very large and it probably takes a stove each to warm them. Complains about all the women getting married and says that there will not be any ladies left for the "poor soldiers." Discusses some of the men's drinking. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.31

19 January 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Speaks of a friend named John choosing to "serve god." Comments that he is fond of Professor Waldon and believes him to be a "clever honest fellow." Says that they recently purchased a stove that smokes a lot and built a "Shebang" out of logs. Reports that some of the boys have been court marshaled and that he has been subpoenaed to testify. Describes there being hard feelings between some of the boys from Athens and Smithfield. Mentions that Captain Daniel Bradbury just lays abed swearing about his leg. Says that the Captain, "uses the most…

GLC03523.49.07

15 February 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Don

Writes from Camp Pierpont. Wants Don to visit and see what camp life is like. Tells of the different kinds of societies that exist in camp. Inside the tents he states that there is usually gambling and card playing, even amongst the officers and with those who are under arrest. Discusses the Lieutenant Forrest trial. Says that some of the charges against him were sustained; however, they [the army?] were not satisfied and have brought more charges against him. The first court-marshal resulted in a reprimand from General George McCall. The Lieutenant was found guilty of using…

GLC03523.49.09

1 July 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that they have been heading up the James River since last Saturday. Reports that the rebels broke through General George McClellan's right and came upon them. They did not have enough force to defend that point and were ordered to leave. They torched what they could not carry and escaped to the boats right before the rebels fell upon them. Writes that it will now take them three to four days to make it to Richmond, Virginia because the rebels got between them and the main body of the army. They have to go down the York River, into the Chesapeake Bay, and up the James River.…

GLC03523.49.10

23 November 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Writes about the preacher at camp. Comments that he is a good man but is not very smart. Says that he went to the preacher last night and was given a prayer book. States that he reads a chapter in the testament out loud every night before retiring. Reports that Captain Daniel Bradbury is to be court marshaled tomorrow for leaving his post while on picket duty. He has heard that the Captain might have to hand in his resignation. Assures his mother that she does not need to worry about him wasting his money on liquor, as he has never spent a cent on it in his life. Describes an older…

GLC03523.49.11

circa 12 September 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to sister from Rappahannock Station. Comments about it being so dry that it is difficult to get water. Says that there is a spring nearby but there is hardly enough water to supply the regiment. Says that he misses home and looks forward to his service expiring. Talks about how there will be rejoicing among the soldiers when it happens but hopes the rebellion will be over by that time; he saw the beginning and would like to see the end. Writes of an engagement between his father and another man. It was stated that his father did not keep his flank protected or his reserve in…

GLC03523.49.12

27-28 September 1863

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Writes to his sister from Culpepper Station. Talks about the boys making fun of a man named Greenleaf who recently arrived in camp. Comments that he likes Greenleaf and finds him an "honest fellow." Tells his sister that she is foolish for thinking of marrying at such a young age. Writes, "Money is not what we should look at in selecting a partner for life. You are foolish girl for thinking of marrying or being engaged so young you had not right to think of it for seven or eight years. You have not fairly got your cloaks off yet."

GLC03523.49.13

21 October 1863

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Describes leaving Rappahannock and having the rebels close on their heels. Says that the rebels continued to follow them until they crossed the river. Writes that they were not able to cross back over the river until the next evening. They sent the cavalry out and were able to chase the rebels back to Culpepper and "made them skedaddle for dear life." Afterwards, they crossed the river again and continued their march to Fairfax, Virginia. The rebels followed closely behind them up to Bull Run. The rebels managed to plant a battery half a mile from them without being discovered and…

GLC03523.49.14

February 15, 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday. Reports that Fort Donelson was just captured and a lot of prisoners taken. Among the prisoners was the notorious traitor, [Sue] Floyd. Speaks of the captain yelling and swearing at people all the time. Says that he tried to get a furlough to come home but was denied. Writes that that he is sending $46 home and hopes to send $1000 over the…

GLC03523.49.15

circa June 1, 1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister and parents

Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Fremont. Comments about General Ord being their old Brigade General and that everyone hated to see him leave. Writes that he sent home a new dress coat and $18. The letter is dated 1 June but a year is not given.

GLC03523.49.16

circa 10 August 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Writes to his father from Harrison's Landing. Informs him that he sent twenty dollars home with a man named C. B. Riggs. Instructs his father to use the money to "the best advantage." Letter is faded. Letter has an image of a soldier printed on the top left hand side. The letter is dated 10 August but a year is not given.

GLC03523.49.17

circa 15 July 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes to his mother from Harrison's Landing. Comments about the warm weather that they are having. Says that it is thundering and he hopes that it rains so they will get water. Reports that Lieutenant Forrest is at home and does not believe that he will return. Believes that the lieutenant will resign once he finds out the news. Feels that they now have good new officers in their camp. Writes that the new lieutenant is not nearly as difficult for him or the rest of the camp to get along with as Lieutenant Forrest was. Requests that she send him some cheese through Adams Express. Says…

GLC03523.49.18

circa December 1861

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter

Title: to Hannah E. Russell and friends

Writes to wife that they are preparing to march. Describes leaving Mansfield, Ohio and traveling by train to Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes that they traveled by steamboat to Kentucky where they camped out at the edge of Louisville, Kentucky. Says that they will remain there until tomorrow; then they will travel further where they expect to run into rebels. The letter is dated December 1861, no day is given. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

GLC03523.50.01

11 December 1861

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife. Wishes that he could visit home but says that the colonel will not allow any furloughs. Comments that they now have their arms and equipment. Wants her not to fret about him and to take care of his "Dear little babes," and not to forget to pray for him "with a singer hart." Inquires about money, and requests that she not send any but to use it to make the family as comfortable as possible. Sends his love and asks for her to write him back immediately. Letter is slightly damaged causing minor text loss. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo…

GLC03523.50.02

1 January 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes that he is over 400 miles from home and is in the heart of the enemy. Reports that they marched for four days in hot weather with their knapsacks on their backs and their guns on their shoulders. On their third day, over 100 men fell out of ranks and laid beside the road. Whenever they stopped to rest the men would lay in the mud. States that he is satisfied and would not leave the army if he had the chance. Sends his love to his parents and friends. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

GLC03523.50.03

8 January 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Chastens wife for her thinking that he is going to die and wanting him to cover transportation cost if it were to happen. Mentions that it is unreasonable for her to think that any man would go to the expense of paying 100 dollars to have his "lifeless" body sent home when his is alive. Tells her that he is alive and well and expects to come home at the end of the war. Reminds her that she has "got plenty to eat drink and to ware. So please be Contended." Reports that the rebels have fell back 30 miles and have yet to fortify themselves. States that they have 150 thousand Union troops in…

GLC03523.50.04

18 January 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to wife from camp. Describes marching through snow, rain, and mud for three days. Comments that there were dozens of men who fell beside the road and laid in the rain and mud. One person did not make it and died on the way. Informs her that he had a cold and a slight fever but that he feels fine now. Writes that they will be heading towards Cumberland Gap, Kentucky in a few days. Sends his love to his wife, children, and parents. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

GLC03523.50.05

27 January 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to wife from camp outside of Somerset, Kentucky. Admonishes wife for making fun of his living conditions. Informs her that their living conditions have not improved and that they are upon hard times. Describes having to march on three crackers per day and two different times they had to march on only a cup of coffee without cream, bread, meat or anything else. They had to lay on the cold ground with only a single blanket. Another time they went eight to ten days living off coffee and half cooked mush. Discusses a battle that they fought in Somerset, Kentucky. Writes that Union…

GLC03523.50.06

5 February 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife listing everywhere they have been. They marched out of Bargetown, Kentucky on 13 December heading for Lebanon, Kentucky. Around 80 soldiers fell sick and had to stay behind. Writes that he fell sick and was told by the doctor to stay behind and head out with the sick, he had refused but the doctor took down his name and he was ordered in the wagon. The next morning he joined the ranks again and did a three day march to Lebanon, Kentucky. They remained in Lebanon, Kentucky for ten days then continued to Louisville, Kentucky. Writes that they marched passed Stanford,…

GLC03523.50.07

11 February 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs wife that he is not well, says he has a bad cold and dysentery. Comments that he was able to march everyday carrying his gun while sick but could not carry his knapsack. The doctor had it carried in his wagon. Writes that he does not have any money to give her and informs her to send a man named Pete to Ashland, Ohio to get money. Tells her to be careful with money and to send him a list with the cost of groceries and feed. Believes that they will fight against General Simon Buckner in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "…

GLC03523.50.08

21 February 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Reports that he is not well and has been suffering from lung fever for the past eight days. Writes that he is slowly mending and can now walk around and eat a little. Comments that he is not in the general hospital but in a private house with 18 others. Notes that they have good nurses and doctors but often poor food for sick people. Believes that he will remain there until he is well and expects the regiment to remain in place too. Tells her not to fret about him but to be as content as she can be and to take care or herself. Hopes to be home sometime in July. Writes that he was…

GLC03523.50.09