16 December 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bishoff Jr.

Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as…

GLC03523.40.20

9 February 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher plans to send Bishoff a valentine [see # 32 for text of the valentine].

GLC03523.40.21

8 March 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He arrived safely at 11 o'clock. He wishes he were home to have a talk with Nelly, and wants Bishoff to tell Elenor Heckert that John Deets arrived safely, but has to go on guard tomorrow. He heard that they caught the horse thief at home and would like to know the thief's name. He asks Bishoff to tell Nelly to write him a "hell of a big letter," and that John Deets said he must not "squeeze his Girl to hard for he want to have a Squeeze at her yet." The mud is about five feet deep.

GLC03523.40.22

18 March 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He got his likeness taken and intends to send it to Bishoff the first chance he gets. But he tells her not to get "Scarred when you se it for it is ugly Enough to Scare the Devill out of his shoes." Swisher suggests that Bishoff hang the likeness up in the cornfield to scare the crows out next summer

GLC03523.40.23

22 March 1863

Shafer, David H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

There has been some confusion over delayed receipt of letters. Even though Bishoff wrote Shafer twice, he only received one letter (in February). He thought she had forgotten her "best friends that are absent from home." Regardless, Shafer promises Bishoff that it was nothing more than a mix-up. Shafer discusses some news he has received from home (that Dan Wagoner is getting married). He then remarks that there are plenty of good-looking girls around, who are nearly all Irish. He explains that there are presently two companies at Sir John's Run. Shafer tells Bishoff he is stealing her…

GLC03523.40.24

20 April 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

Swisher tells Bishoff he supposes the man she loves is Major [David] Stemple [Jr.] He says that if she marries him, he will make her a happy home as he is well-off and a man of principle. But he reminds Bishoff that she is a young woman while Major Stemple is an old man (probably 50 years of age), and that while she ought to be living her happiest days, she will have to be caring for him. But Swisher adds that he has no objections to her marrying Stemple, because he always likes to see people "work out their own salvation at what ever they undertake." He asks Bishoff to tell him who she…

GLC03523.40.25

20 May 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He would like to know how Bishoff and the "Old major" are getting along, and he would like to be informed when they get married. There are about 100 sick soldiers in the hospital. The Colonel has moved his headquarters to Rowlsburg and there are only about six hundred soldiers there now. He received a letter from Dan since the late Battle at Fredericksburg, who said that there was one killed in his company and four severely wounded. He asks Bishoff to give his love to "all inquiring friends especily the girls."

GLC03523.40.26

22 October 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He had a difficult time at St. George and "traveled like the Devil" until arriving at Rowlsburg. He wants Bishoff to tell Dan to come down and visit if he comes home, and he asks how everyone is getting along at the mill. Swisher mentions some gossip he has heard from home (Johnny Whiller told him that "the old woman had left him"). He would like to know how John Deets and Ellen Heckert are getting along.

GLC03523.40.28

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: Lines to my Husband

The poem describes the feelings of a wife as she contemplates being replaced by another after her death. "The love which once I called my own/To her will then be given," Bishoff writes, later describing how "My children will then be taught/ To call her mother dear." Presumably, Bishoff is referring to her own familial situation, as she was Major David Stemple Jr.'s second wife, and took over the duties of mothering the seven children Stemple had by his first wife, Elizabeth Wotring (who died in 1862).

GLC03523.40.29

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: Young Sandy the Sailor

The poem describes the story of a sailor who dies at sea, and who is attempting to console his loved one, telling her that, "The storm is past and I'm at rest/ So mary weep nomore for me."

GLC03523.40.30

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: The Copperhead Song

The poem describes "the southern copper head/It's head is big its heart is black/In treacherous deeds there will nothing lack." The author discusses the possibility of "desert[ing] this glorious union cause and join[ing] the rebel side," but concludes that, "We would rather die than thus disgrace our flag in dicksies land."

GLC03523.40.31

14 February 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [valentine to Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher writes that "Sure as the grape grows round the vine I chose you for my valentine in hopes it may your sweet attention gain or else in vain in vain." He goes on to say that, "the rose is red the violet blue Sugar is sweet and So are you my fun is had my ink is pale my love to you shall never fail."

GLC03523.40.32

1861-1877

Jeffreys, Mary Stemple, fl. 1861-1877

Pamphlet

Title: Mother, 1841-1914

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Lydia A. Bishoff, as well as a list of all of Bishoff's children.

GLC03523.40.34

1861-1877

Jeffreys, Mary Stemple, fl. 1861-1877

Pamphlet

Title: David Stemple, 1816-1906

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Major David Stemple, Jr., as well as a list of all of Stemple's children.

GLC03523.40.35

1861-1877

Envelope

Title: [envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}

Envelope, addressed to Miss Lydia A. Bishoff, German settlement, Preston Co., VA.

GLC03523.40.36

1861-1877

Envelope

Title: [envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}

Envelope from Martinsburg, VA, with the poem, "On Guard" printed on the front, addressed to Miss Lydia A. Bishoff, German settlement, Preston Co., VA.

GLC03523.40.37

1861-1877

Envelope

Title: [envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}

Envelope from Falmouth, VA, addressed to Lydia A. "Bishop," Wolf Creek Mills, VA.

GLC03523.40.38

1861-1877

Envelope

Title: [envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}

Envelope from Rowlsburg, VA, addressed to Miss Lydia A. Bishoff, German settlement, Preston, VA.

GLC03523.40.39

7 March 1865

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Major David Stemple, Jr.]

Photograph of Major David Stemple, Jr.

GLC03523.40.41

1869

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Lydia A. Bishoff]

Photograph of Lydia A. Bishoff

GLC03523.40.42

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Archibald Jerome Stemple]

Photograph of Archibald Jerome Stemple, oldest son of Major David Stemple, Jr., by his first wife, Elizabeth Wotring. "A.J." was killed during the Civil War at the battle of Cold Harbor.

GLC03523.40.43

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Luther Startzman]

Photograph of Luther Startzman, cousin of Major David Stemple, Jr.

GLC03523.40.44

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of Archibald Jerome Stemple]

Photograph of Archibald Jerome Stemple. Oldest son of Major David Stemple ly his first wife. He was klkilled during the Civil War at Cold Harbor, VA.

GLC03523.40.45

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [photograph of William Startzman]

Photograph of William Startzman, cousin of Major David Stemple, Jr.

GLC03523.40.46

1 October 1773

Object

Title: Ten shilling note

signed Jacob Harman, Joseph Allen and Mord Severs

GLC03769.140.01