21 June 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Wilkinson writes from Camp W. Scott and is glad to hear his wife is doing so well. In a previous letter to him she had discussed her mother, Hannah, her sister, and Hannah's baby visiting her at her new house. States that he arrived in Washington, D.C. He is glad to hear that Wink, his sister, is to be married.

GLC03523.13.002

7 July 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written from Camp W. Scott. Explains to his wife that he does not know where he is going. Comments that he will go to the Senate and House of Representatives, both of which are in session. Also states that he will see her uncle. Tells his wife that he will be able to send her a little money; but the army owes him two months pay. Is glad to hear that his sister, Wink, is happily married and in her new house. Asks in post script if she is "in a family way."

GLC03523.13.003

10 July 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written from Camp W. Scott. He comments that his regiment will take on its line of march this afternoon. States that he visited Washington and that her uncle was very kind to him.

GLC03523.13.004

22 July 1861

Goodridge, Allen, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Goodridge, Amanda's uncle, writes that her husband is safe after being "engaged in one of the most deadly contests ever known" [possibly First Bull Run]. Explains that Frederick was placed in command of 23 skirmishers who were used in advance of other troops. States that it is wonderful for him to still be alive, and describes the battle in detail. Frederick and his men were fired at from a rebel fort. The only protection were the trees, which were soon "filled with bullets." States that the bark from the trees got into the eyes and face of Frederick but there were no scratches on him.…

GLC03523.13.005

24 July 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

States that he is alive and well. However, he cannot say that about all of the other brave soldiers who died in the fighting. For two days men came from every place and the rebels could mount 25,000 men against them. On Thursday in the afternoon 160 men, including himself, overtook the enemy near Bull Run and commenced the attack. States that 160 could not sucessfully take on 25,000. Once the attack failed the regiment tried again at night and were again forced to withdraw with losses on both sides. Reports that they fought long and hard against three times their number.

GLC03523.13.006

24 July 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Encloses some money to his wife and sends her his love.

GLC03523.13.007

5 August 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Comments that it is very hot and that he hopes his wife will write to him because it is the only luxury he has. Notes that many of the men are sick. States that the new lieutenant works from morning to the evening with the men. Does not like Washington, D.C. calls it a "hot-old hole and makes the men feel more like dead men then live ones." Writes that he would like to go home for a while and see his wife.

GLC03523.13.008

13 December 1874

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her son's broken leg and a visit from her sister and brother-in-law, Indian teacher at Fort Sully in the Dakota Territory. Comments on her husband's good health and expresses Christmas thanks to God for living another year.

GLC02429.37

27 April 1875

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

Discusses the loss of Mary, her child, and takes solace in the idea that Mary will be with relatives in heaven. Mentions prayers and affirms her fidelity to God's will.

GLC02429.38

19 June 1875

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Discusses his wife Nancy's illness with rheumatism, a book he received, and the threat to his garden posed by grasshoppers.

GLC02429.39

27 August 1875

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Discusses the death of his daughter Mary and affirms his belief that it is God's will. Also discusses the destruction of his garden in the night by a herd of cattle. Notes he has a hemorrhage.

GLC02429.40

January 20, 1878

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her husband's declining health and how she recovered her own health, which became bad after her daughter Mary died, while camping. Notes visiting the sick via horseback. Comments on the local school, Christmas, and a visit by whites to Bazille Creek, where they heard a church service in Dakota.

GLC02429.41

14 March 1878

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Discusses her husband's sickness and impending death. Comments on sympathetic visitors, her friendship with the Shiras's, and the tragedy the death will be for their son.

GLC02429.42

3 April 1878

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Reports the death and burial of her husband, Daniel Hemans.

GLC02429.43

5 June 1878

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses all she has had to do since her husband's death and reveals that she is pregnant since three months before his death. Comments on her hope to be a good mother but willingness to die, if it is God's will. Discusses money problems with the Insurance League the, distribution of clothes, and supplies sent. Notes plans to get her son's picture taken and that he does not look like his father. Explains her son's reaction to the death and her inability to leave to live with a sister.

GLC02429.44

8 September 1878

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her loneliness and friendlessness since her husband's death and how a letter from Reverend Shiras lifted her spirits. Notes that her son is growing. Asks Shiras to pray for her "that the evil will not overcome me." Comments that she would like to move away and notes that her niece has consumption.

GLC02429.45

January 18, 1879

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

Thanks them for their letter sent with five dollars. Expresses her praise for God. Notes that her son Allie is going to school at the Santee Agency and her infant son is doing well.

GLC02429.46

January 15, 1880

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Explains that her health and taking care of her new baby has prevented her from writing sooner. Discusses how the baby keeps her up at night and how she and her other son were both sick recently. Compares her son's two schools, preferring the one far away (Rigg's School) but explains that she is not able to spare his help around the house. Notes a collection for a headstone for her late husband. Discusses her insurance money from the Bishop. Thanks Mrs. Shiras for a dress she sent and hopes she is well.

GLC02429.47

4 June 1880

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Thanks Shiras and others for money sent (possibly for Daniel Hemans's grave stone). Thinks the Santee had enough money for a grave stone. Discusses her baby boy, Daniel, and his humorous actions. Comments on her other son's riding activities and his need for his own saddle. Discusses her garden positively, noting her sister's aid. Indicates she will send a picture, and describes how time and grief have transformed her from fleshy and plump to thin. Notes that Allie is now eight years old, can copy letters but not write sentences, and only studies at school. Discusses money she received from…

GLC02429.48

2 December 1880

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Notes that her son, Allie, is at school. Explains that she visited Flandreau, Dakota, for the fall. Comments positively on a pretty clock she received.

GLC02429.49

21 April 1881

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances B. Shiras

Comments on the new spring and the difficult past winter. Discusses her garden. Also discusses her growing children and her older son's school. Informs Shiras she is getting re-married and is worried how she will react. Describes it as a financial necessity, noting that her fiancé is a good Christian who will treat her children as his own.

GLC02429.50

27 November 1881

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Explains that she did not intend to alienate her friends in the east by re-marrying and justifies the re-marriage. Discusses the children, her two and her sister's three, who also live with them, the four oldest of which are in school. Thanks an unnamed woman for money. Indicates that she has not moved from her home, as Daniel and her deceased children are buried there. Inquires about Mrs. Shiras and discusses her own health, which has improved with the coming of winter. Notes that her new husband would like to write a long letter, but cannot write well in English. Two short notes on separate…

GLC02429.51

circa August 1880

Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

Thanks them for Allie's saddle. Discusses going eight miles with her son to "hunt up something" good to eat for her younger son, who had been sick with dysentery and vomiting. On that trip, her son was thrown from his horse, which made her reflect on her late husband as her protector, and how now she feels alone. Notes her plans to talk to the Bishop about insurance money. Comments on her garden. Discusses her plans to go to Flandreau, Dakota, in the fall to sell the acre of land her sister gave her there.

GLC02429.52

12 March 1893

Hemans, Daniel W., fl. 1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Explains that he is the youngest son of Reverend Daniel W. Hemans and indicates that his mother is not well enough to write. Explains that they had a hard winter, his little sister died, mother was sick, and he had to come back from Hope School in Springfield, South Dakota. Notes his father is also sick. Indicates he has two other younger sisters, one of whom is in school. Informs Shiras that they will have their picture taken and send it.

GLC02429.53

21 March 1893

Hemans, Joseph A., fl. 1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Shiras

Explains that he is in school, that his sister died over the winter, and that his mother was sick (but getting better). Notes that they had a picture of Shiras. Mentions the saddle he received from them long ago. Tells him they never forget them. Notes that he plays the organ in church. Provides other family news.

GLC02429.54