January 13, 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Appears to follow GLC02163.06 (also to his mother). Location inferred from content. Informs her that Lieutenant Colonel Montague (possibly George Montague) will deliver a flag given to Edwards by Mrs. Morewood. Requests that Mrs. Edwards add to the flag (in gold leaf) the names of battles in which the 37th Regiment has participated: Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg. Imparts further instructions regarding the flag to his mother, and inquires as to her health. Notes, "The Regts…

GLC02163.07

January 13, 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Appears to have been written the same day as GLC02163.06 and .07. Notes that he received a letter from his mother upon his return (from visiting his wife, Annie). His comments suggest that Annie will visit his mother (in Springfield, Massachusetts). Remarks, "Every true woman ought to treat with scorn any able bodied young man who stays at home in a safe place to make money while his Country is in peril We have for more to do than to fight for ourselves we must fight to leave the blessing of freedom to our…

GLC02163.08

January 16, 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Reports, "We are to cross the Rappahannock again tomorrow morning, although I am not so foolish as to allow myself to think that in the coming struggle I must die, yet well do I know that deadly as the fight must be; no man can count on coming out of it, and it is proper to make arrangements for what God alone knows may be." Imparts instructions regarding his last wishes: a ladies watch and chain should be purchased for Annie (possibly his wife), his watch and a picture of him shall be kept by his mother, his…

GLC02163.09

January 31, 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Thanks his mother for a box from home, which he received on his birthday. Notes that Mr. Tiffany and a judge from Chicopee, Massachusetts were present for the opening of the box. The package contained oysters, cookies, potatoes "a la Saratoga," pickles, butter, olives, ginger, bread, cherries, gloves, medical supplies, and socks. Items were sent from his family members, and other persons from their community (Springfield, Massachusetts).

GLC02163.10

13 March 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Relates, "If the young man you wrote of is in Hospital the surg must send for his descriptive lists, if not the surg Gen (Dale) of Boston as we have positive orders not to send them with or to the soldiers. We are busy preparing to attack the Rebs and we shall probably have the bloodiest battle on record. Yet I think I shall live to be united to my home." Notes that Annie (possibly his wife) suffers more in Warsaw, Illinois, than she would in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts... I will give you a…

GLC02163.11

16 November 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Written near Culpepper Courthouse. Received correspondence from his mother while at Kelly's Ford, Virginia. Reports that the 2nd Corps (Army of the Potomac) was engaged the previous day: "they took a Brigade of Rebel Prisoners and have possession of the Heights on the south side of the Rapidan. I do hope that it is so..." Thanks his family for making his wife Annie content in Springfield, Massachusetts. Notes that Will (his brother) may travel to Virginia for a visit within the month, and if Annie cares to…

GLC02163.13

9 December 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Comments on his location, noting that although he ordered his men to establish comfortable quarters, he does not think they will spend the winter there (possibly at Brandy Station). Notes that he has not received a letter from his wife, Annie, for one week. Mentions mail received from Carrie and Charlie (possibly his sisters Caroline and Charlotte Edwards). Notes that he may get a short leave before Christmas, and hopes to surprise his wife. Mentions his brother William, and other family members.

GLC02163.14

1861-1865

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Document

Title: [Wrapper that previously contained letters from Oliver Edwards to his mother, Eunice Lombard Edwards]

GLC02163.15

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: The Reveille on the Line of Battle

Marked "Plate 1." Contains two images. Top half is titled "The Reveille on the Line of Battle," and the bottom half is titled "Tattoo in Camp." Top half depicts the line of battle at daylight. The regimental bugler stands on the crest of the hill playing the reveille to arouse the troops, who are lying on the ground wrapped in their blankets. In the middle distance a battery is seen with cassions and limbers in the rear. Bottom half depicts a moonlight scene. The regimental drum corps is beating "Tattoo," the signal of the men to retire to their tents. "Taps," the song for lights out, follows…

GLC02199.01

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: Commissary's Quarters in Winter Camp

Marked "Plate 2." The commissary sergeant is in the foreground weighing out rations of meat for the company cook. Structure to the left is an improvised stable built of pine boughs. The camp contains a log cabin and is situated on a lake, which is shown in the background. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.4 x 40.2 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title taken from table of contents.

GLC02199.02

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: Through the Wilderness

Marked "Plate 3." Depicts a team of 5 horses being whipped by their riders as they drag a wagon of supplies and a piece of artillery along a muddy lane in the forest. The wagon wheels are caked with mud. The body of a dead horse lies in the lower left foreground. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.8 x 40.2 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible.

GLC02199.03

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Wagoner's Shanty

Marked "Plate 4." Contains 3 separate images. Upper left image is titled "A wagoner's shanty," and shows a winter camp of a wagoner. The wagoner is chopping a log in front of his log cabin, which has an overhang of crossed branches and brush. At the top of the chimney is a wooden barrel where smoke is emanating. Two horses are tied to a post in the background. Upper right image is titled "The Deserted Picket-hut" and shows a desolate scene with a tent-like structure covered in dirt. Bottom image is titled "Mud Huts," and shows several huts with smoke emanating from chimneys topped by wooden…

GLC02199.04

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: The Pontoon Bridges

Marked "Plate 5." Depicts an army crossing two pontoon bridges over a river and closing up into column on a hill. The advance is pushing through the woods, which have caught fire. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.7 x 40.4 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Slight damage at bottom margin, probably from when the image was removed from the binding. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.05

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Thirsty Crowd at the Old Spring House

Marked "Plate 6." Contains 2 images. Top half is titled "A Thirsty Crowd at the Old Spring House," and shows scene on the line of march on a hot day. Most of the men are in Zouave uniforms. Bottom half is titled "Newspapers for the Army - A Race for Camp,"and shows newsboys passing a picket station while on the road to camp with the latest news. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.3 x 39.7 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.06

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: The Leader of the Herd

Marked "Plate 7." Depicts cattle for army use being led by a Zouave butcher. Three other men with whips are riding along the line of cattle, which extends out of the view of the picture. Across the road can be seen the graves of two Union soldiers who died in a roadside skirmish. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.7 x 39.9 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.07

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Rainy Day on Picket

Marked "Plate 8." Contains 2 images. Left image is titled "A Rainy Day on Picket," and depicts a grizzled soldier leaning against a tree and staring off into the distance. He lets his rifle rest in the crook of his arm while his hands are shoved into his pockets. Right image is titled "Washing Day," and shows a hardened soldier marching next to a wagon with his rifle on his shoulder. A shirt and a sock hangs to dry from the rifle. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27 x 40.5 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.08

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Christmas Dinner

Marked "Plate 9." A lonely image of the outer picket line. An off-duty soldier next to a make shift shelter of pine boughs and fence rails cooks a meager meal and is tries to keep his hands warm. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.8 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.09

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Slave Cabin

Marked "Plate 10." Contains 3 images. Upper left image is titled "A Slave Cabin," and shows a shabby wooden shack with a makeshift canopy for a porch. Upper right image is titled "The Old Grist Mill," and shows a large clapboard mill with a very tall waterwheel and a stone foundation. Bottom image is titled "'Got any pies for sale, Aunty?'" and shows a Union soldier straggling from the line of march in a search of luxuries. The cabin the soldier is at has a roof that is caving in. The bottom picture is flanked on one side by the image of an enslaved person named "Sam" and flanked on the other…

GLC02199.10

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: The Newspaper Correspondent

Marked "Plate 11." Shows a rider traveling down a road in a forest with dispatches with news of a battle, ahead of a rival correspondent. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.5 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.11

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: Coffee Coolers

Marked "Plate 12." Shows a party of stragglers from the column which is seen marching over the hill in the distance. These are the men who are most likely to shirk a battle and were to be found with their regiments only when rations were to be served out, at a safe distance from the enemy. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.5 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.12

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: Officers' Winter Quarters

Marked "Plate 13." Depcits officers waiting for dinner after dress parade. In the doorway the sergeant of the guard is seen reporting to the officer of the day. One officer is lounging is a chair with a newspaper in front of the fireplace. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.5 x 40.4 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.13

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Scene on the Roadside Near Summer Camp

Marked "Plate 14." Depicts two calvarymen, who have just returned from scouting, having their horses shod. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.7 x 40.4 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.14

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: Returning from Outpost Duty

Marked "Plate 15." Depicts a winter scene of a squad of troops returning from the picket line and who are seeking their quarters.. Shows snow-covered tents and one has a wooden chimney with a wood barrel at the top. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.7 x 40.4 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.15

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Night March

Marked "Plate 16." Depicts the army going into action through the pinewoods. In the foreground a tree has been fired to give light for the march, and in the distance dense volumes of smoke are rolling up, the underbrush having caught fire from burning cartridges. Actual size of the image without the margins is 28.3 x 40.7 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.16

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Halt in the Line of Battle

Marked "Plate 17." Depicts the lines having advanced and driven the enemy, whose dead are lying in front, from the field. A reinforcing column can be seen coming over the hill in the distance. Shells from the enemy's batteries are bursting in the air. Actual size of the image without the margins is 28.3 x 40.7 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Title and image information taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.17