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to home friends

So angry he "can hardly write." Had to wait a long time in the cold. Angry because he has not received favorable news about his box. Instead was advised to get some good boots on because they would be marching the next day. Had his friends done as he...

GLC08913.07

to home friends

Happy to finally have received the box that he had been complaining about in his earlier letter. Box was mostly undamaged, and his boots arrived in good condition; they fit well. Had a particularly good breakfast today of sausage and fried potatoes...

GLC08913.08

to sister

Borrowed a friend's pen to write with, although he has practically forgotten how to use one. Has very poor ink. Wishes he had his own pen so badly that he is thinking of sending for one in his next letter home. Afraid he would ruin the pen while down...

GLC08913.09

to sister

Bell to his sister. Written on 20th Connecticut stationery. Was waiting to be paid before writing this letter. Wants to send some money back to her. Discovered a box last Friday, and found his black hat inside. His new commander is "a grand good...

GLC08913.10

to home friends

Received their letter the night before last; would have answered earlier but has had a lot to do. Had a lot of fun bathing and fishing. Recently fought at Chancellorsville. "Anything but fighting for me" after the horror of his first battle. Soldiers...

GLC08913.11

to home friends

Apologizes for not having written sooner, but has not slept well in days and has not had time to write on account of the battle. Does not think that the Confederates will be returning to Pennsylvania anytime soon after the results of the battle at...

GLC08913.12

to home friends

Would have written earlier, but could not obtain any paper. Had to beg a friend for some. Threw away knapsack at Gettysburg. Lost "everything but a rubber blanket." Asks to send "a lot of things," specifically paper, a pencil, stamps, envelopes, and...

GLC08913.13

to unknown

Paper includes a stamp of a ship with the stars and stripes for sails. Letter is only ½ page long, and looks ripped at the bottom. Asks for a box to be sent including a small silk handkerchief, which is "all that I can think of." Asks to be sent a...

GLC08913.15

[poem] "To the Ladies of Portland"

Inspired by the reception the 20th Connecticut received upon departing for war. The women of Portland, Connecticut gave the men a warm send-off.

GLC08913.16

[Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On...

GLC08914

to Brother

Is healthy and hopes he is too. Camped two miles from the city of Baltimore "on a little hill." There is a large railroad bridge that they have been guarding. Sent some letters and is wondering whether or not he has received them yet. The guards...

GLC08914.001

to Jacob Rifenburgh

Received his letter through Ephraim, "in which I see that you are not dead yet but alive and kicking." Compliments his writing, wishes "they would all write like you do." Will give him a full account of his travels in Pennsylvania in his next letter...

GLC08914.003

to brother

Is well at the present; had a bad cold but feels better now. Got a letter from Lewis Brooks. Misses the cider from back home. Does not want to simply sit out the winter. Has started to get pretty cold at the camp. Written in Camp Millington

GLC08914.004

to father

Is well at present; hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Expects to leave camp "every day." Has received marching orders, but has not left yet. Is not dreading the march, for he likes traveling. Discusses various affairs at home....

GLC08914.005

to Brother

Very glad to have received postage stamps in his last letter. Also glad to hear that all is well at home. Is well at present, but is getting a cold. Just returned from the meal ship, which has a few dents in its side "where the Merrimack balls struck...

GLC08914.006

to Brother

"Well at present;" hopes he is too. Got paid $21 last week, bought himself a pair of boots for $6. His other boots were no good. Will not send any money home this time. Has to make sure he "has enough to eat."

GLC08914.007

to Brother

Letter also includes a small $1 pink ticket for the steamboat A.G. Brown. Left Newport News yesterday for Fort Monroe. Will go to Norfolk to get some coal. Has a "very bad" cold, but is recovering. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC08914.008

to sister

Received her letter today. Cold is getting better; will be fine in a few days. Many on board the ship are still sick. A man in his company took sick, "got crazy," jumped overboard, and drowned last night. Gun boats have gone ahead, and "we expect to...

GLC08914.009

to brother

Is well; hopes these lines find him healthy too. Left Fort Monroe on December 1 by ship. "Out on the ocean eight days out [of] sight of land." Sailed to New Orleans. Could not dock because many were sick with the measles. Heard (falsely) that...

GLC08914.010

to sister

Apologizes for having not kept up contact with her, but sits down to write her a few lines. Letter is stamped with a shield covered with the stars and stripes. Is well; hopes she is too. Has "lots of fun" in New Orleans. Caught a young alligator on...

GLC08914.011

to Nelson Rifenburgh

Stationery includes a stamp of the likeness of General George McClellan. Finally has gotten a little bit of time to write. Is working as a hospital steward. "Could not spend those [leisure] moments in a better way" than writing to him. Supposes he...

GLC08914.012

to sister and brother

Received her letter yesterday. Never has written to Horace Rifenburgh. Has had "good living," and "will tend to that son of a bitch if I ever live to get back." Denies Horace's claim that he charged him for the harness; calls him a "damn liar." Will...

GLC08914.013

to brother

Received a letter from him yesterday. Glad to hear all are well. "They can't kill this Rifenburgh." Tells them not to listen to other people about the money he sent them; there has evidently been some misunderstand about who owes how much money. Does...

GLC08914.014

to sister

Is well at present. Hopes she and the rest of the family are well. Does not know how long he is going to stay here. "Very near all" of the men from Clermont are sick. Brooks is well. John Heinkel and James Healy have enlisted in the artillery in New...

GLC08914.015

To Brother

Received his letter on the 6th. Glad to hear everyone back home is well. Sorry to hear that William's wife is sick. "Darn mad" that his father settled with Horace Rifenburgh, whom he describes as "such a darn rascal." Left Camp Chalmette last...

GLC08914.016