13 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

As he prepares to treat the wounded from the Battle of Fredericksburg, an attack launched by 50,000 Union troops at dawn on Dec. 13, he discusses the possibility of being hit and makes arrangements for his belongings. He believes heavy losses are inevitable. The spirits of the troops are high. "If you fancy the approach of such a battle depresses the spirits of men or officers you are greatly mistaken. I have never seen more mirth and joking among the hundreds of officers assembled about this building, which is used as the Hd. Quar. of Gen. Burnside, and within range of the rebel guns."

GLC04195.06

20 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The battle of Fredericksburg is over, with little accomplished. He describes the endurance required of the soldiers. The attack was made against the orders of Gen. Hooker. He describes hospital work during and following the battle. Excerpt: "Our troops, in several places got within 50 or 100 yds of the crest of the hill, in fact the division of regulars, got to this point on saturday-night, where they had to lie on their bellies all day sunday and sunday night. Any man rising up or even elevating his arm was shot; 200 of them were killed and wounded while lying in this position; with…

GLC04195.07

8 March 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He expresses dismay that reports have not been prepared during his leave. He mentions several impending court martials for delinquents. He includes comments on the Confederacy and "butternuts" in the West. Written from the headquarters of the 5th Corps, in the Rappahannock Valley near Falmouth, Va.

GLC04195.08

6 April 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Lincoln and his wife arrived and presided over a grand review of the troops. He comments on the case of Gen. McClellan. They believe the rebels are significantly fortified across the river and hope to cross soon. Written at the headquarters of the 5th Corps. "Abe looks careworn. No wonder. He has a large contract on hand."

GLC04195.09

June 29, 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moore

The president of the bank describes the process for handling transactions on Moore's account, requesting his bank book. A note from Moore to his sister Mary appears on the bottom.

GLC04195.11

8 September 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Received a book of deposits for the Savings Bank of Tolland, Connecticut, from John Moore, with specific instructions to invest in bonds.

GLC04195.12

14 August 1863

Hyde, Alvern P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He will send the bond coupons and will take a receipt for them.

GLC04195.13

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

12 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes working with 30,000 prisoners to process their paroles. He praises General Meade particularly for the defeat of Lee, stating "I consider Meade one of the best soldiers in the Army of the Potomac." Also observes that despite "That charming attachment between master and slave, so often spoken of by advocates of the institution[, a]ll gentlemen and ladies of African descent, on the day following our entry into the city either left their overseers or stipulated for fixed wages."

GLC04195.15

15 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has been unwell and deems Vicksburg an unhealthy country: "It never was designed for Christians to live in." He praises Gen. Meade, and refers to some dear friends who fell at Gettysburg, including Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed and the injured Brig. Gen. A.S. Webb.

GLC04195.16

26 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Mentions John Hunt Morgan's raids and Gen. Lewis Wallace's attempt to capture Morgan. (Morgan and his men surrendered in Ohio on this same day.)He praises Meade: "his army is an honor to the country, to do such terrible fighting after so many reverses." He describes the death of Gen. Weed. "I am glad to learn that your town was not visited by your friend J. Morgan. When I saw from the papers that Lew Wallace was in the field I felt confident that John was 'gone up a spout', but I was somewhat surprised to hear afterwards that he got into Ohio…. Seriously speaking, I think if Wallace found he…

GLC04195.17

6 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

About 20,000 troops are to be sent to Natchez to build a fortification for a march in the fall. He encourages her to invest in U.S. five-twenty bonds. He asks her to send his bankbook to Alvern P. Hyde in Tolland, Connecticut.

GLC04195.18

14 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Many men are sick due to the poor climate, and he has sent many of the ill to northern hospitals. Local women have come into camp to ask for food. A Black man tells him about the marriage of their brother Robert, who had been there in Vicksburg two months previously. Robert served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

GLC04195.19

21 September 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has received a letter from Hyde about his investment with the Tolland County Bank in Connecticut. They have passed through the season without a yellow fever epidemic. The dismissal of the Surgeon General may affect his own orders. Dr. William A. Hammond was court-martialed on a trumped-up charge initiated by Edwin Stanton and was dismissed from the army in 1864 (later exonerated). "This will probably affect my position here as the Surg.-J. Mills[?]-who was here before me, is in favor with Stanton and will probably be sent back to spite Gen Hammond, as the latter after ordering him away…

GLC04195.20

27 October 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

New orders assign him to the Department of the Tennessee under Grant, who will command from Chattanooga. Grant's bold plan to break the Confederate siege of Chattanooga had gone into operation on the previous day. Moore looks forward to his new assignment at General Sherman's headquarters. "He is an excellent officer, and I hope to find him a pleasant man to serve with."

GLC04195.21

4 January 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They marched to Huntsville in the extreme cold, arriving on New Year's Day and taking over Sherman's comfortable headquarters. He describes the home of a wealthy rebel in town with paintings removed, now turned into a hospital.

GLC04195.22

21 March 1864

Russel, G. P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moore

Russel was a physican friend of Moore's. He sent the requested hat. He regrets not being able to visit Moore. He mentions using Moore's sorrel pony, formerly owned by Stoneman in Virginia.

GLC04195.23

18 April 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He arrived with only 2 or 3 hours delay due to derailed freight trains, a common occurrence. He sends stockings, handkerchiefs, and shoes.

GLC04195.24

May 16, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

After three days of intense fighting in a rough area from Dalton to Resaca, they have subdued the rebels. Both Union and rebel wounded will remain there in field hospitals. He hopes the rebel forces will stand and fight. In the days preceding this letter, Sherman had tried to break Johnston's defenses around Resaca. Confederate forces pulled back on 15 May.

GLC04195.25

25 July 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has just witnessed his bloodiest battle to date (the Battle of Atlanta, July 22), with 3,000 Union casualties and between 12-15,000 wounded. Local blackberries and peaches have been a great source of food. Most capable local people have left before the army arrived, leaving only the very poor. "I think I have not seen so severe and brilliant a battle during the war. I wish Mr. Hopkins had been here, as he came down to see war, he might have seen it on the 22nd to his heart's content."

GLC04195.26

October 31, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Sherman prepares for a large raid (the March to the Sea began Nov. 15). Moore left Atlanta to supervise the transfer of the sick to hospitals further south. He is currently at a garrison 60 miles from Atlanta, near Rome. Written on letterhead from the Medical Director's Office, Headquarters, Department and Army of the Tennessee. "I hear that Jesse Alexander is engaged in making copperhead speeches. It would be beter for him if he had been killed in the trenches while fighting, before ruining himself in this way."

GLC04195.27

December 24, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They arrived in Savannah ready for an assault but found the rebels had run away, leaving their artillery of a large number of guns. "The number of guns left is larger than we have ever found in any one place before; - it has not yet been ascertained, but is probably from 150 to 200. About 1000 prisoners were taken, but the Army left is so demoralized as to be but little reliable." With news of the victory near Nashville, the Confederacy may be close to ending. He mentions staying in furnished homes compared with usual outdoor lodging, but writes that "I find I can still sleep in a house,…

GLC04195.28

February 2, 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

After 2 days' march the army is now 35 miles from Pocotaligo, South Carolina. He describes the field where he writes, with two or three recently killed rebels, and that he has captured geese, turkey, and chickens to eat. Written on letterhead for the Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi.

GLC04195.29

February 27, 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes their march through South Carolina, wading through swamps, repairing roads, and taking Columbia. Although they were welcomed by the townspeople, drunk Union soldiers set buildings on fire, and the wind carried flames throughout town. Homes were disgracefully pillaged. He describes the surrounding area and its Revolutionary War history. "I can't get up much sympathy of the Columbians for I believe both they and the people of Charleston deserve to have their cities blotted out of existence. The next day we went to work on their public buildings, such as Arsenals, Armorys, depots…

GLC04195.30

28 April 1865

Dayton, Lewis M., 1807-1864

Document signed

Title: Official Field Order No. 68

Headquarters to be moved from New Berne to Alexandria, under the direction of Brig. Gen. J.D. Webster. Moore will join the new headquarters as medical director. By order of Sherman. Written on letterhead for Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi. Dayton was an aide to Sherman. Verso bears ruled list of names, apparently in child's hand, including "John Moore."

GLC04195.32