19 April 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Mary

He has not forgotten her but he reiterates that there is nowhere he can write a proper letter. He sometimes sees a relation of hers. He remembers a Mr. Prue, whom he spent pleasant times with in St. Louis.Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.36

25 April 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Mary

There has been little change but you never know what might happen. She will probably read about it in the papers. He asks how his lady acquaintances are. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.37

26 April 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Gal (Mary)

He says one day she will wake up and read the paper and find out where they are and what they they are doing. He has only had two letters since being in the field. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.38

29 April 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

A Dr. Powers is mentioned. Jeff Banarsky is also mentioned as someone he does not like or admire. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.39

2 May 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He encloses a note, not included here, to be given to his mother in the event he killed. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.40

24 May 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He says they never know the movements and are never told where they are marching until they get there. He thinks they will move tonight. The weather is warm.

GLC02830.42

16 June 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

There was a big battle going on at Fair Oaks but they did not have the opportunity to participate. The summer is warm, warmer than any place he has been before.

GLC02830.43

4 July 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

They have been in 2 battles since he last wrote. They fought gallantly but suffered a lot. Was written near Jamestown, Virginia.

GLC02830.44

29 July 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He is sending her some valuable papers to look after until he returns. If anything happens, she should give them to his mother.

GLC02830.45

9 August 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He is sending her a package to look after until he asks for it. If anything happens, she should give it to his mother.

GLC02830.46

19 October 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

They carry no reporters with them, and thus there is nothing about them in the papers. He heard a good sermon in church. He sent her some music.

GLC02830.51

15 November 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He received a letter from his sister consoling him over the loss of his younger brother who was killed in battle. The removal of Gen. McClellan has caused some excitement. He finally got the locket from her.

GLC02830.52

26 November 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He wishes he could see her play the harp or the piano. He wishes he could spend Christmas with her. Many of his juniors have been promoted but he remains a captain. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02830.53

7 December 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He wrote to her mother telling her how much he has enjoyed spending time in their home. He fears there is no chance for promotion. It seems Miss R does not dislike him anymore.

GLC02830.54

17 December 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He just fought in the battle of Fredricksburg but came out well. Her cousin David Hancock joined the regiment just before the battle. He heard her brother has joiend the navy. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02830.55

28 December 1862

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

He is trying to get a leave of absence to see her but feels his chances are very slim. He wants to know what people are saying about Fredricksburg because he thinks they fought nobly.

GLC02830.56

17 January 1863

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mary

Tomorrow they leave for a destination unknown. He applied for a leave of absence. Includes a picture showing the profile of a woman in a yellow dress.

GLC02830.57

1865

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Diary

Title: 1865 Diary of John O'Connell

Begins in Fort Trumbull. Records the weather and daily army business. He visits Elmira in February and then goes to Hart Island where he is in charge of a prison camp. Goes to Springfield, MA in April, followed by Dover, DE.Went to Richmond, VA in May followed by Wilmington, DE in July. Goes back to Hart Island in August. Leaves for California in November. In the back there are random drawings of ancient Japanese figures.

GLC02830.58.01

January 1866 - June 1866

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Diary

Title: 1866 (Jan.- June) Diary of John O'Connell

Most entries in Fort Yuma. There is a photocopy of a description about Yuma inserted inside the front cover. Describes the weather and landscape. Mentions fellow officers. On April 4th, one of the officers was killed by the Apaches. Back features letter to the captain in which McElhone is recognized for his gallantry in the battle of Gains Mills, VA. He recommends a promotion.

GLC02830.58.02

July 1866 - December 1866

O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866

Diary

Title: 1866 (July - Dec.) Diary of John O'Connell

Begins in Fort Yuma. Describes weather and what he and officers do in their leisure hours such as play cribbage. Goes to San Francisco in September. Then boards the Steamer Constitution. Lands in New York in October and goes to Brooklyn. Talks about mother and Johnny. Does some accounting in the back.

GLC02830.58.03

9 November 1862

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He describes his journey from the Cedar Rapids all the way down to Davenport. From the houses they stayed in to the boats they took. He likes camp life.

GLC02831.01

3 March 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

Everybody wants a furlough. 4 were granted one, then three more wanted one and left without saying anything. 2 were caught before they had gone fifteen miles.

GLC02831.02

14 April 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They turned a hotel into a hospital. He has a terrible toothache and will get it pulled soon. They've caught a lot of chickens and turkeys.

GLC02831.03

7 June 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They got paid but someone stole his money right out from under his head where he slept on it. They are now camped on a prairie between the Sioux and Mississippi rivers. Written at Camp Cook

GLC02831.04

9 June 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He was happy to hear from his brother, Uriah. He gives her a breakdown of his daily routine and says he likes soldiering as long as it is in pleasant weather.Written at Camp Cook

GLC02831.05