27 September 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is very bitter towards the Buffalonians for their bias toward other regiments. It looks like many regiments will be consolidated since some have lost a considerable number of men. Some officers will be discharged and if he is one, he will not complain.

GLC02161.058

1 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Charley will be a lieutenant in a battery. He read in the paper that the government will allow three years men to fill up the 21st. But if he thinks they would stay any longer than that he is stupid. Even Gen. McClellan thinks they were held wrongfully.

GLC02161.059

5 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They were reviewed by Lincoln on the third. Unfortunately, they've had to wear the same clothes since before Richmond. There is much description concerning their raggedy clothes.

GLC02161.060

10 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

He tells his sister not to worry because his health is first-rate and he always tells her the truth. He discusses his pick for gubernatorial honors.

GLC02161.061

13 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

No one is getting paid. Some of the men have no clothes and few tents. He assures his sister he will send some money the moment he is paid.

GLC02161.062

16 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He does not like how she phrased his current activities. She said he was 'on the retreat' which sounds like he ran away. He mentions the recent raid in Pennsylvania. He doesn't agree with the general's decisions there.

GLC02161.063

28 October 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He is glad Will got a promotion. He will be leaving the 49th and he is glad about that. A soldier named Hancock will have been court marshaled for several offenses.

GLC02161.064

2 November 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

He thinks they will go to Virginia tomorrow where everything is destroyed. They may have big fight soon. McClellan tries to avoid fights, apparently. He afraid of harming his reputation, should they lose.

GLC02161.065

10 November 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

McClellan is gone now. He rather liked him and feels that the new commander, Burnside, may only do better because he is luckier. They may or may not have a heavy battle soon.

GLC02161.066

23 November 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He thanks her for the package she sent. He has rheumatism in his hip, he thinks. Their lieutenant resigned on account of sickness. Written at the Stafford Courthouse.

GLC02161.067

23 November 1862

Dewey, Mollie, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Mollie writes that Tom resigned and is coming home, though he wanted to keep it a surprise. She also writes that when Will comes, he will bring Fanny with him.

GLC02161.068

27 November 1862

Platt, E.R., fl. 1862

Autograph document signed

Title: Honorable discharge of O. S. Dewey

Officially gives Orville Dewey an honorable discharge from the military.

GLC02161.069

4 December 1862

Kate, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Orville "Tom" S. Dewey

He speculates on when the war will end, at one point saying that some think not until the Southern race is exterminated. He asks how he has coped with the change in command, adding that he always like McClellan.

GLC02161.070

16 January 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

He has been appointed 2nd lieutenant of Capt. Eaton's battery. He has decided to accept it.

GLC02161.071

18 January 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He will be unable to visit this week. His new appointment will make him very busy.

GLC02161.072

21 January 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

He thanks his father for the $100 loan. From now on his pay will be $129 per month, an amount they can all live comfortably together.

GLC02161.073

5 March 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has enclosed his photograph. (Not included here.) Will and George gave Mrs. Forbes (the woman they boarded with) a silver urn.

GLC02161.075

6 April 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He wrote to his uncle about Charley's horse. He has since recovered from his illness and feels great. Mrs. Bird and Nellie stopped by and they had a nice visit.

GLC02161.076

4 May 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He says to tell mother he liked the shirts she sent. He notes that she has moved. He wants a description of the new place and hopes they can be together again.

GLC02161.080

22 July 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He says he'd rather shoot copperheads than Southerners because copperheads are disgracing the North. They are in Philadelphia and he thinks Philadelphians are the friendliest people.

GLC02161.087

30 July 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is afraid he will never get his his back pay. Though if he gets mustered back to the 24th of January he'll get six months pay. This will be a big help to the entire family.

GLC02161.088

31 July 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He mentions Charley. He is glad they received the money for the horse. He asks Will Whedon to write his brother Al.

GLC02161.089

5 August 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

They marched from Philadephia to Reading. He heard from Mooney who heard from her. He thinks there might be trouble in this section of the country among the miners who want to resist the draft.

GLC02161.090

13 August 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

They went out among the mines yesterday and enrolled 500 people. Though they had to arrest 7 or 8 for attacking a quartermaster. They will probably have to stay until those men are drafted.

GLC02161.091

15 August 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is extremely grateful for the box of food they sent and knows they must have denied themsleves many pleasures in order to have sent it. They have got the mines thoroughly intimidated.

GLC02161.092