21 April 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Cranor reports his return to Chattanooga by train. He came through as a guard and didn't have to march. Despite the comfortable passage he reports that most want to return home but he himself does not with to go: "I would not take a discharge if they would offer it to me[.]" He thinks that he will go to the front soon and reports that he got a Henry rifle.

GLC03791.011

20 May 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Briefly discusses the campaign for Atlanta and his company's role in it: the sabotage of Confederate railroads. He again mentions the state of the corn fields. Though he predicts that the end is in sight "but if it lasts ten years I Shall stay if I live[.] I am going to see it over with[.]"

GLC03791.012

22 May 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: [Written on prepared stationery for a beau at war] Cranor reports from the front lines of the battles in Georgia. He tells Delia that one mutual acquaintance is adjusting well to soldier life and that his messmate was shot at the Battle of Resaca in Georgia.

GLC03791.013

1 June 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

While the Battle near Dallas rages Cranor tells Delia that someone from their neighborhood was shot and wounded and the tale of a few men who spent six days in jail. He asks for clarification of a joke she made about him in her last letter. He has had problems with photographs that he wants to send to her.

GLC03791.014

3 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Written from the frontlines of the Atlanta Campaign Cranor reports that he has seen the worst of fighting, even more so than Stones River and Missionary Ridge. He wrote "that day was the first time ever I thought of getting killed in battel when we was fighting just to look and see men falling like they did." His company sustained heavy casualties: "we had 44 men I beleave, now we have twelve men for duty." He finishes on the topic of the photographs.

GLC03791.015

30 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports on the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20th during the Atlanta campaign. Though he reports victory: ("if ever men melted away it was the rebbels when our Brigade let inoto on them"). He also observes the jumbled changes of command and affirms that his new Colonel is indeed "true blue."

GLC03791.016

5 September 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the trickery that led to the fall of Atlanta. His regiment again worked primarily on the railroads and reports that casualites for the regiment were light. He describes the general love for General Sherman who masterminded the "worst whippin [the rebels] ever got[.]" He tells Delia he will send her a letter he took off of a dead Confederate [not included in the collection.]

GLC03791.017

8 October 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports that his division has been stationed behind the front lines back in Chattanooga, relieving some men who are to be set to the front lines. He supports Abe Lincoln and the prospect of a draft. He mentions some acquaintances who were able to return home for furloughs, including an exchanged prisoner of war who is likely going to stay at home.

GLC03791.018

10 November 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes his march to Pulaski from Nashville, which was overall, pretty lousy. He asks about his fellow soldier just home on furlough. He finishes by describing the social party life in camp.

GLC03791.019

14 December 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Cranor reports his new location and that he is safely out of the line of battle. He complains about the cold weather and tells the story of a mutual acquaintance who had his nose shot off.

GLC03791.020

January 11, 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports getting to ride a horse to get retrieve deserters. He writes that he had a nice Christmas. The rest of the letter is mostly marriage gossip.

GLC03791.021

10 February 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Mentions the cold weather: the coldest that he has had to deal with. He mentions that there are recruiters for the regular army but says that he probably won't join ("I dont want to bind myself into service after this war is over[.]" His present job is guarding the railroad.

GLC03791.022

1861-1877

Slocum, Delia, fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter

Title: to Franklin Cranor

re: The transcript of a love poem probably kept from a longer letter from Slocum.

GLC03791.023

8 March 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Reports that washed out bridges have resulted in no mail delivery for a week. He writes that lack of news has made him "tired and lonesome." After the arrival of the postmaster he closes his letter and reopens it the next day, where he mentions a telegraph dispatch reporting General Sheridan's capture of Confederate General Erling [Early]. He is afraid it is "all most too good to be true."

GLC03791.024

23 June 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent the day before and the continued good health of their brothers with him. He describes the location of regiment in relationship to Atlanta and the rail road tracks and expresses hope that they will be in possession of the railroad soon. He mentions the importance of having possession of the railroad tracks. Chester describes the methods of fortifying the rear of camp at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He reports of heavy casualties suffered by NY regiment and other MI regiments at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He describes preparation of rations. Chester…

GLC03955.01

4 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners.…

GLC03955.02

5 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

All is quite on the front but troops expect to fight again soon. Chester requests that Asa send him a new diary. He mentions the inferiority of camp medical care and fear of comrade's death. A comrade who had a good chance of recovery in last letter is now facing a chance of survival that is less than one in ten. Chester also mentions theft of rations among Union troops. He has received a pay raise to 18.00 per month, "a little better wages, and every little helps."

GLC03955.03

17 August 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester comments on his disappointment at not receiving frequent correspondence from home. Claims to have been kept very busy, "Uncle Samyuel, or his Generals, kept us so busy making strategical movements trying to get around the left flank of the Southern Confederacy." He gives detailed description of daily life in the construction and disassembly of camp fortifications. He explains that he would like to disclose more information in terms of their location but afraid that the letter may fall into Confederate hands.

GLC03955.04

27 June 1863

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Chester M. Slayton [to unknown recipient on piece of scrap paper] "A hard battle is raging Co. B unharmed." C.M.S.

GLC03955.06

1861-1877

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

[Written on scrap paper with no names or date] "Look out for thieves Roch. has lost four or five bushels of wheat lately others have lost oats & - we keep on the look-out- & somebody will get caught- some of these times Il bet."

GLC03955.07

24 June 1866

Slayton, Charles M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Charles remarks on warm weather and describes his schedule at school as the term comes to an end. He debates plans to travel to Detroit or to stay in Lansing, MI before returning home. He had gone to a church service earlier that day saw people baptized. He claims he has not heard of many "important doings" from home. He sends well wishes to Asa and family makes mention of a letter received from Chester.

GLC03955.08

February 24, 1867

Slayton, William J., fl. 1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

William asks for news about home, family, and Asa'a school. He compliments Asa's wife and daughters. William mentions Mr. White of Ann Arbor, MI has sore eyes and seeks advice from Asa as to its cause, cure and cost of medicine. He mentions writing letter to Charles in Grattan. William apologizes for not sending a copy of the legislative journal more frequently and blames weather and flooding. Informs Asa that he plans to telegram his wife Sara to come visit Lansing by stagecoach.

GLC03955.09

1861-1877

Alsalan, fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Mentions death of neighbors Emily Dugal, local foster child, and Armenia [Mason] and whose father must return for NY to have a burial. Mentions farm productivity and that the house has been painted. They describe other improvements and activities on the farm. They instruct Asa to tell Chester that his wife, Sara's apples have been stolen. A cow had baby, but Asa does not want more livestock so other relatives will take it. Request that Asa write to Alsalan in Corneels letters and that he write more frequently. Also requests that this letter and the plan to write to Alsalan in Corneel's…

GLC03955.10

24 May 1863

Rosalina, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Rosaline requests that Asa write more frequently. He describes the illness and eventual death of Edgan Chapman. He describes funeral held at school house and a song sang by one of the students in his honor. He predicts a good fruit harvest. Rosalina questions what to do with Asa's pictures that were left in Grattan at the school house. He reports of a group decision to hang the pictures in the school house, but questions if this was Asa's intent. He compliments the pictures. Rosalina concludes by responding to Asa's question in regards to the best pupils at this school and lists Asa's sister…

GLC03955.11

25 December 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Mary sends holiday wishes. Expresses surprise at the receipt of letter. Gives news of the death of Herman Hunt enlisted in 21st Michigan. Describes funeral of fellow teacher. Reports of good health among Asa's wife, sister, and sister-in-law. Informs Asa of local gossip and news about pupils from the school.

GLC03955.12