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to John Adams

Later copy of the original. Notifies Adams' that a founder named Mr. Byers is on his way to Philadelphia to make cannons for the artillery. Seeks Adams' support. Also emphasizes the importance of working copper mines in New Jersey. Adams was then...

GLC02437.00403

to Elizabeth Smith

The unit is still under heavy marching orders. Rumor says they will go to Pennsylvania. He is not looking forward to the long, hard march. He does not want his son to be hired out. Written at Fairfax Court House.

GLC04189.47

to Elizabeth Smith

A description of the old Bull Run battlefield. He describes trees cut in half and open graves. "We passed over an old Battle Field they say it was one of Bull Run Battles. I saw a number of Graves Some with legs out. Some with arms out & Some...

GLC04189.48

to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the Battle of Gettysburg. Smith was stationed in the Union center near a stone wall. Smith's regiment may have missed the first day's battle because he writes Pickett's Charge occurred on the second day. "We was in the front & center for...

GLC04189.49

to Family

He reports that Marylanders act more friendly toward the troops than the people in Pennsylvania. News concerning the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.

GLC04189.50

to Elizabeth Smith

His legs are bothering him again. He hopes to either get a job as a blacksmith in the brigade or get a transfer to the invalid Corps. Currently his regiment is guarding the supply train [wagons] against guerrilla attacks.

GLC04189.51

to Elizabeth Smith

The regiment is once again on picket duty. He discusses losses to the regiment and the Battle of Gettysburg, "but I hope that we shall never get into another fight like that at Gettysburg Pa for it was awful beyond Discription I cannot discribe it...

GLC04189.52

to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses the problem of locating Confederate guerrillas. He is very ill and his legs are swollen. He predicts that the war will be over soon.

GLC04189.53

to Elizabeth Smith

His right leg is getting worse. He believes Lee may attack them near Alexandria. The regiment now totals 343 men out of the 984 men who enlisted one year ago. In a section addressed to his wife, Smith indicates someone wrote him a note, on one of...

GLC04189.54

to Elizabeth Smith

Envelope without letter. Addressed to Stamp. Post mark has been removed.

GLC04189.59

to Owen Horsfall

Complains to his son that business is "very dull" and everyone is "disappointed at the actual conditions when compared with what they had expected." Comments on lowered prices for items such as bread, flour, and lumber. He had stomach cramps and a...

GLC05245.01

to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son about everyday matters in Alaska concerning his work and the weather. Encloses a letter for Haslam and Mullen, and sends these letters with Jerry Langford, who surprised him by calling that afternoon. Mentions that the town's...

GLC05245.02

to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]

Writes to his son that he and other men bought a sail boat for $700, and he has made some money by transporting passengers to the U.S. Transport "Lawton," and charging "$1.00 pr head." He found that the currents "are quite a factor in boating...

GLC05245.03

to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]

Writes to his son about a blizzard "4º below zero, wind blowing from N.E. at the rate of 60 miles an hour, and sand and snow cutting the skin off one's face in going against it." Comments on the brilliant northern lights. Plans to mush with Jim...

GLC05245.04

to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son stating that many men lost their lives from starvation or exposure as they were stuck with their dogteams on the trail to Teller, Alaska. He was talking to a friend, who told him that last summer at the local saloon and gambling...

GLC05245.05

to Owen Horsfall

He describes his daily morning chores. There was ice on the beach 10-15 feet high that morning. He would give $50,000.00 if he had it to be able to spend Thanksgiving at home with his family.

GLC05245.06

to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son that at times he becomes discouraged not knowing what the coming season will bring. The days are short, the sun rises at 9:30 am and sets at 1:45 pm. "The camp is quite civilized this winter compared to last…" The Editor of the...

GLC05245.07

to Owen Horsfall

Wants his family to spend the winter with him after they find land. Feels he has to make up for his past drinking and gambling, and states, "All my best endeavors for the rest of my life shall be put forward to atone for my neglect during the past...

GLC05245.08

to Owen Horsfall

Describes doctoring Pearson for badly frozen toes, wrists, and cheeks,using carbonized water and vaseline. Complains about the long winter. "March has come in like a lamb and will probably go out like the proverbial lion."

GLC05245.09

to Owen Horsfall

He's leaving camp for the hills for a few months. His hair is turning white, he says he's "not cut out for a miner or prospector especially to commence it so late in life." See GLC05245.11 for a note that was included with this letter.

GLC05245.10

to Owen Horsfall

A list of words which Owen spelled wrong on his last letter, the corrections, and a note that Charles is sending a book of views under a separate cover. Written on a report form from the Alaska Gold Mining Company. (See GLC 5245.10 for the letter...

GLC05245.11

to Owen Horsfall

He started out on a prospecting trip and went as far as Teller, but returned to his cabin because, "his chicken had enough of prospecting in such beastly weather." When he returned home he found his cabin had been broken into, and all of his clothes...

GLC05245.12

to Owen Horsfall

As he writes, he hears "the sound of Sirrash kids enjoying themselves on the ice covered river." He lost two dogs and now only has nine. He's going to apply to construct a bridge across the Nome River.

GLC05245.13

to Owen Horsfall

He did not go on the 31st because there was not "gold enough in Alaska" to tempt him out during "the worst blizzard of the season." He enjoyed exercising two of the dogs who ran to town when untied. He hopes to get a position with a big company as...

GLC05245.14

to: "my dear boys."

Describes the blizzard last night. Discusses his work building a suspension bridge across Nome River at the expense of about $5,000 but storms are delaying the construction. Afterwards, he expects to work for the North American Trading and...

GLC05245.15