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to parents

Writes from camp outside of the city of Petersburg. References General Ulysses S. Grant's suggestion to consolidate regiment into six companies. Describes, in detail, the troops' five-day march from Cold Harbor to present location. Expects hard...

GLC03523.18.14

to mother

Reports that he is under fire nearly everyday. Describes capture of the 4th Regiment and one battallion of the 11th Vermont Regiment. Also mentions the consolidation of 6 companies.

GLC03523.18.15

to mother

Mentions a 45-day drought, dust-filled marches, and destruction of rebel-held facilities. Discusses General W. F. Smith's advance on Fort Clifton: "we marched out to Reams station on the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. Destroyed a large machine shop, tore...

GLC03523.18.16

to mother

Mentions his work on muster rolls. Discusses general operations, including the landing of 19th army corps at City Point, Virginia and reinforcements from the 13th corps. Prays for the end of the rebellion, mentions inconsistency of mail, and...

GLC03523.18.17

to parents

Discusses George B. McClellan's oration at West Point. Describes Edwin M. Stanton's lack of respect towards McClellan, and Lincoln's efforts to "allow it to be so." Recounts fighting and near death experience during the Battle of Spotsylvania...

GLC03523.18.18

to parents

Reports on a delay in getting mail, and mentions marching in extreme heat: "I never saw so many men sun stroke in any one during all my service... I hear there were 7 men of the 11th regiment died in consequence of hard marching and the excessive...

GLC03523.18.20

to parents

Reports on his first day of service as 1st Lieutenant of Company "C" of the 2nd Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Encamped near Brickeystown, Maryland. Mentions Captain [Nathaniel] Wales' injury during the Battle of the Wilderness. Discusses a delay in...

GLC03523.18.21

to parents

Written from camp near Cedar Creek. Reports that extreme heat is causing deaths on marches, and that springs and brooks are dry. Prays for General Ulysses S. Grant's success in his campaign against Richmond, Virginia: "I want this war to close as...

GLC03523.18.22

to parents

Written from camp near Charlestown, Virginia. Discusses John Brown and treason. Expresses concern over mother's health and father's business affairs. Discusses the burning of resources during a recent retreat. Describes citizen guerrillas and their...

GLC03523.18.23

to parents

References battle of Charlestown, Virginia. Provides full account of being shot in the leg by "Johnnie Rebs." Describes the circumstances surrounding the shooting and deaths of other members of the Union army. Provides a description of the hospital...

GLC03523.18.24

to mother

Discusses the nomination of George McClellan. Denounces the Copperheads and comments on the peace platform.

GLC03523.18.25

to mother

Discusses his furlough home, his travels to New York to visit with family, and his stop in Brooklyn to hear "Mr. [Henry Ward] Beecher preach." Mentions that over 3,000 people came to hear Mr. Beecher preach. Comments on the importance of church, the...

GLC03523.18.26

to sister Mamie

Mentions his return to the hospital and his trip to New York, including seeing "Mr. Beecher" [Henry Ward Beecher] preach.

GLC03523.18.27

to mother

Mentions recent victories and discusses General James Longstreet's command of the enemy at Fisher's Hill. Talks of a trip to rejoin his regiment after injury. Also includes reference to the fight at Middletown, and General Philip H. Sheridan's...

GLC03523.18.28

to friends at home

Recounts battles occurring on 19 October, most likely the Battle of Cedar Creek. Mentions General Philip Sheridan's influence on the morale of troops and Horatio Gouverneur Wright's inability to command. Recounts retreat of rebels: "...they broke...

GLC03523.18.29

to mother

Writes from camp near Newtown, Virginia. Discusses election results received in camp on the previous Tuesday. Says the 2nd Regiment gave General George McClellan & George H. Pendleton a majority of 32, but the brigade voted for Abraham Lincoln and...

GLC03523.18.31

to parents

Writes from camp near Winchester, Virginia. Discusses those back home going to church on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings. Envisions friends back home in the "vestry" praying for the defenders "…engaged in deadly strife but our cause is holy and we...

GLC03523.18.32

to mother

Writes from Camp Russell, near Winchester, Virginia. Explains that the camp's namesake, General David A. Russell, was killed in action during General Philip S. Sheridan's campaign in the valley. References Sheridan's orders for the 2nd Vermont to...

GLC03523.18.33

to father

Discusses uncertainty of where his troops will go next: the West, the coast, or Petersburg. Comments on financial matters with his father. Reports that he will not be paid until next January; he is out of money and it is costing him a dollar a day...

GLC03523.18.34

to mother

Writes from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions being part of Brigade Grand and having tea in camp. Thanks people back home for their interest in his welfare. Discusses movements of 5th Regiment into an old camp previously occupied by...

GLC03523.18.35

to mother

Written from Camp in front of Petersburg, Virginia, "near Fort Hell." Rejoined the Army of the Potomac. Discusses travels from Camp Russell, including twenty-five hours of "severe" suffering, many of which were spent traveling through the snow in...

GLC03523.18.36

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Requests letters from home, "now that trains run into camp every evening." Reports that he is positioned in front of "Kershaw's (rebel) division," a division he has met several times before: in the valley...

GLC03523.18.37

to Mamie

Written from camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Encloses lyrics to a song sung by "ladies when we were encamped at Strasburg..."

GLC03523.18.38

to mother

Written on U.S. Christian Commission letterhead from camp near Petersburg. Mentions desertion of rebel men on picket including 10 officers and 250 men.

GLC03523.18.39

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Mentions purchase of "sheet iron stove for which I paid the little sum of $7.50." References ordnance returns. Describes feast of roast turkey and chicken for Christmas, and oysters for New Years. Reports that board...

GLC03523.18.41