17 September 1862

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Informs his wife that he is using Howard Mitchell's back as a writing surface, as his regiment pauses briefly during a march. Says he has been the corporal of his guard for only twenty-four hours. Ends the letter abruptly because his line has started to move. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.138

17 September 1862

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Notes he and the other soldiers think that they will be "getting in the cars for Hagerstown," but they are not positive. Says he is presently in a field, using his tin plate as a writing surface. Despite talks of Hagerstown, Maryland he believes that his regiment will be doing work until March. Mentions that his sole desire is to throw "these miserable miscreants from our homes."

GLC06559.139

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his "Dear Wife" on his "Way to Hagerstown." Informs his wife he will mail this letter at the "first stopping place" his regiment reaches. Discusses the soldiers' inexperience, wishing that they had more time to drill. Despite their lack of experience, says the men are willing to go into battle and do their best. Writes he has resigned himself to the fact that he may not survive the war, and he asks that she realize this as well. Tells her that he will see both her and "our little ones" in Heaven. In a postscript, he asks that she remember him to Harriet Jacobs.

GLC06559.140

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment completed a march of about twenty miles, and finally arrived in Hagerstown on Friday afternoon. Notes they expected an attack last night from [General Stonewall] Jackson and "several thousand men." Says they spent the night "lying on their arms to receive him, but he did not come." Mentions that Stan's Battery was stationed on a hill, making a human wall across the entire hill and neighboring road. His regiment reinforced their barricade, so that if the rebels attacked, "a warm reception awaited them." Because the rebel troops did not come, they believe that "…

GLC06559.141

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Mentions that his regiment just halted in front of stores in the main street of Hagerstown. Says a battle has been occurring throughout the day on the outskirts of the town. Notes the battle appears to have turned in favor of the Union side because "the rebels are getting badly used up." Says that ambulances are bringing in the wounded, and a Philadelphia man from Anderson's troop was just killed. Letter ends abruptly with a farewell and a wish of love to all.

GLC06559.142

circa 1861-1864

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Necessity. Notes he is presently in the Cumberland Valley, which he says has "high mountains covered with forests." Writes his regiment just finished an "awful march over the most dusty road thee ever beheld," to join [General George] McClellan's lines. Says Rush's cavalry joined their lines, while Murphy's 29th Pennsylvania Regiment occupied the town. Says that when the battle ceased, the results were announced as favorable, because "McClellan has the rebels surrounded." To reach the town, his regiment marched all last night, and all of the morning, with periodical halts…

GLC06559.143

circa 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Informs her of his regiment's arrival in Harrisburg at two o'clock in the morning. Says the regiment is camping with the 23rd Brooklyn regiment, which Ogden describes as "a fine set of men." Knowing that the company is composed mainly of "men of business," he believes that if a six-month term of service is required, most of the men "will return home as soon as the occasion warrants." Mentions General [Robert] Milroy's troops, who have just returned from having "retreated from Virginia," and requests that Ogden not forget "[his] Life Insurance." Sends his love.

GLC06559.144

21 June 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Russell. Says he has not been able to write for a long time, but reports his health is very good and his duty as an orderly sergeant is keeping him busy. Believes his Captain, William Allen, is a "fine officer and the men are all pleased with him." Mentions he and his first and second lieutenants were invited by their Quartermaster, to tea at his father's house in Harrisburg. Says the inhabitants of Harrisburg became frightened and removed valuables from the city, when news of the rebel onslaught was received. Asks she sends him some of his cards in the next letter, so…

GLC06559.145

22 June 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Russell. Says they have had good weather since they left, and he mentions that both Alfred and William are doing well. Notes Private McLaughlin was injured "very severely while bathing in the canal last week, striking his head upon a stone while diving; he was sent home with some friends." Asks her to caution "Perot" because New York troops are arriving at Camp Certain. Explains that men are "compelled" to join the regiment because the duty only lasts for a period of thirty days. He compares this recruiting method to that of Pennsylvania, which requires that men join the…

GLC06559.146

12 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife from camp near Waynesboro. Says after arriving in Waynesboro and "resting for a day, we were sent on a reconnaisance [sic] in force (our whole division) under Sam Smith into 'My Maryland.'" They came within a short distance of Hagerstown, Maryland, where the rebels were evacuating. The men marched through wheat and corn fields, "under a broiling sun," over rocks, through woods, and over creeks. While on the march, they found a group of rebels foraging at a mill. Says he has not had "a change of underclothing for over 10 days, this of course with no convenience for…

GLC06559.147

12 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from a field near the Maryland border. Says his regiment has not received any rations, and they have "been on short allowance" since they left Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The men have been buying their own bread, and they finally got coffee today. He complains that he had bread and mustard for dinner yesterday, but realizes that "such is the life of a soldier." There are presently only a few soldiers who have taken sick, and he feels that Dr. Darrack, their surgeon, is "very attentive and kind." Recently, he called on Dr. Neil who is the Medical Director and Surgeon in Chief to this…

GLC06559.148

14 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from his camp near Hagerstown. Says his regiment left their camp at Waynesboro, [Pennsylvania], and marched "through pelting rain." They arrived just outside of Hagerstown last evening and found that the rebels were occupying the town. Mentions that [General Robert E.] Lee's army has not yet crossed the Potomac, but says that this is merely "the lull before the storm." General [George] Meade's army "is being posted, preparatory to the great struggle approaching." The letter ends abruptly because the regiment has just been ordered to move forward. In closing, Ogden states, "what…

GLC06559.149

circa 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife over a three day period, Sunday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday morning. Sunday afternoon: Writes that the men marched from Hagerstown, Maryland to their present site, "leaving there, last night about midnight, & halting on the route for an hour or two sleep." Says they left Hagerstown because the rebels retreated across the Potomac, so they were "ordered to the old Keystone once more." He describes the scene at Williamsport, Maryland, in which his regiment lay within four miles of the battle site, hearing "flashes & reports of the guns & musketry."…

GLC06559.150

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment has been selected for a term of duty lasting three months, unless they get an earlier discharge. Says his regiment was digging trenches "all last night," while ammunition was being distributed to the soldiers. Notes he is unaware of their destination or their plan, but he is hoping for the best. He closes the letter by giving his love and stating that he will be sending the letter via his friend, W. Jenk.

GLC06559.151

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes a brief letter to his wife informing her they they just received marching orders to an unknown destination. Says there were "many exciting rumors in camp this afternoon," but there is no definite information as to where they will be traveling. Mentions that he is unaware of any recent news because he has not seen a paper since yesterday morning. Promises to write when they reach the next stopping place, "Providence permitting."

GLC06559.152

23 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife from Camp Rest, near Greencastle. Writes that he is anxious to hear from home. Says he has become extremely homesick, and he cannot wait to return to his family. Notes his duty is completed, and he should be sent home soon. Mentions he does not have a lot of spare time and that his daily schedule is: reveille: 5 1/2; camp fatigue: 6; surgeon's call 6 1/2: Breakfast: 7; Morning report: 8; guard mounting: 9; company drill: 9 1/2 to 11; Dinner: 12; Orderlies Call: 1; Battalion drill: 2 to 4; Dress parade: 6 1/2; "tattoo: 8 1/2; taps: 9. Says his personal duties include…

GLC06559.153

circa 1876

Ogden, Sarah Perot, 1831-?

Object

Title: [An aid badge for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition]

A Woman's Christian commission aid badge for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Hand engraved with the name "Sarah Morris Ogden" on the reverse.

GLC06559.155

circa 1876

Ogden, Sarah Perot, 1831-?

Object

Title: [A pincushion]

Pincushion embroidered with flowers on the front and "EHO" on the reverse.

GLC06559.156

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Object

Title: [Name tag]

Brass name tag stamped "E. H. Ogden, Riverton, New Jersey."

GLC06559.157

3 December 1852

Smith, Albert, fl. 1852

Manuscript letter

Title: to Franklin Pierce

Smith writes to Pierce, the newly elected President of the United States, seeking Watson Freeman's appointment as U.S. Marshal. He lists Freeman's qualifications stating, "Mr. F has been, since he was first permitted to vote - for thirty-five years an active-hard working and unwavering democrat - never in a solitary instance having swerved from his fidelity ... and hence the opposition to him of abolitionists - free soilers, & coalitionists." Also describes Freeman's conduct in a recent case where slave owners were arrested for trying to reclaim their slaves. Mentions that Freeman posted…

GLC09028.02

26 February 1853

Hazelton, H.L., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. B. Baker

Introduces his friend Watson Freeman, who is seeking the appointment of U.S. Marshal of Massachusetts. States "He is a very deserving man, & I am sorry to say is a Democrat; but still there is a redeeming trait - he is a staunch Union man..." Mentions Watson's loyalty as Deputy Sheriff and that he was a candidate in a few elections but lost.

GLC09028.03

March 1857

Freeman, Watson, fl. 1827-1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Copy of Watson's letter to Buchanan asking to be reappointed as U.S. Marshal. References his service as marshal for the last four years. Describes the case of fugitive slave Anthony Burns. "...the people of Boston, who witnessed the battering down the door of the Court House, & the murder of one of my deputies, standing by my side, by a mob of two thousand abolitionists in their attempt to rescue from my custody the Slave Burns." States he did not leave his post for eight days and that he has received anonymous death threats. Mentions that his father, a merchant in Boston, invested all…

GLC09028.04

14 March 1857

Suttle, Charles F., fl. 1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Written to President Buchanan to show Southern support for U.S. Marshal Watson Freeman and Massachusetts District Attorney Benjamin F. Hallett. Signed by Suttle, former owner of Anthony Burns, Henry C. Ward, President of the Democratic Association of Alexandria, R. M. Smith, Editor of the Alexandria Sentinel, William D. Massey, Mayor of Alexandria, George P. Wise, Ex Mayor, and D. Funsten. The Southern supporters first apologize for interfering and then ask that the Freeman and Hallett are kept in office. They reference the two men's professional conduct during the Anthony Burns case. "...…

GLC09028.05

16 March 1857

Smith, W.T., fl. 1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Buchanan

Smith writes to President Buchanan as a friend of Charles F. Suttle (owner of fugitive slave Anthony Burns), to support U.S. Marshal Watson Freeman and District Attorney for Massachusetts Benjamin F. Hallett for reappointment. States that Suttle desires an interview with the president. Marked as a copy.

GLC09028.06

25 May 1857

Freeman, Watson, fl. 1827-1857

Manuscript letter

Title: to Aaron V. Brown

Letter to the Postmaster General recommending Colonel Isaac H. Wright to the office of postmaster of Boston. Mentions that Wright upheld the Fugitive Slave law and was one of the first to offer assistance during the arrest of fugitive slave Anthony Burns in 1854. Writes "On the day of the rendition, the 2d of June, Col. Wright's cavalry corps constituted the head of the Brigade column, and by his judicious conduct and unremitted energy he did much to preserve the peace, and prevent the fanatical mob from breaking forth into acts of violence against the posse under my direction." Marked as a…

GLC09028.07