26 September 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Maria Damuth]

Thanks his family for a coat they have sent him and gives details about camp life. Talks about sharing a bed with other soldiers, food at camp and various forms of entertainment - "we hav fun all the time." Describes his colonel, Charles Gill, as a very good camp leader. Anticipates that the men will have a chance to leave camp once they are "mustered into service and I expect that to be tomorrow." [Damuth was right - the 29th Wisconsin Infantry was organized on 27 September 1862, the day after this letter was written.] Mentions that he has been re-elected for an unspecified office,…

GLC03523.14.01

7 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in command of twenty-seven men on the look out for guerrilla Rebel soldiers. Tells a story about a Black mule driver who was forced to give up his team and wagon to Damuth's colonel. Mentions that there are "20000 more [men] across the river at Helena and more coming every day." There are few other troops from Wisconsin. Rumors have been…

GLC03523.14.02

9 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are repeated scares throughout the night - one soldier shoots at a man who runs away, and two other soldiers accidentally shoot at an ox. Mentions a foraging expedition led by their colonel from which "20 mules 8 horses 2 greys on a buggi 2 loads of corn 4 Sesech prisoners and lots of traps" were brought into camp. Damuth also goes on a foraging…

GLC03523.14.03

4 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Tells about being on picket duty beside the Mississippi River and his job as a sergeant, keeping watch over the line. Sergeants and officers of the guard "stand twenty four hours at a time in pleasant weather," conditions which prompt the camp orderly to try standing guard - only to find himself rained on. Tells his sister that she should stay at home instead of searching for work and "by your words and deeds make home as pleasant as you can." Also reminds her to "not speak a crass word to eather Pa or Ma." Damuth makes it clear that he has no regrets about enlisting to be a soldier, for…

GLC03523.14.04

18 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from his gun…the other shot his thumb off." The colonel suspects the second man of wanting a discharge, since he has already been ill. Damuth mentions an older man suffering from rheumatism who hopes to get a discharge and opines, "I dot [sic] think the army is any place for such old men I have taken noticed that all the old men in the Regt are sick…

GLC03523.14.05

22 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Mentions that he has not received many letters from his family but adds that most letters that come to camp are from soldiers' sweethearts and "some of the boys had rather write to the girls than to thear own folks but it is not so with me." Reports on the "great Expedition of Gen McClernand" to take Vicksburg. Troops have been passing Damuth's camp but his regiment is not joining them; instead, they are making plans to cross the Mississippi and set up winter quarters. Praises Colonel Gill for his attentiveness towards his men and tells a few stories about the things the soldiers have been…

GLC03523.14.06

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

8 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black servant who cooks for the men and washes their clothing. Discusses more camp health issues and assures his sister that although she might think "the Hospital is a dredful [sic] thing…it is not so here." Colonel Gill is under arrest after an incident in town. Six buildings, including a hotel and a store room of cotton, were set on fire and the…

GLC03523.14.08

January 20, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for war. In St. Charles, the men find the remains of trenches and Damuth reflects that he and all the rest of his regiment probably would have been killed if the Rebels had not deserted the camp. Near Devil's Bluff, Arkansas, there is a brief fight with some fleeing Rebels, who have dragged their cannons to the railroad tracks in an escape attempt…

GLC03523.14.09

January 22, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10

January 30, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all the soldiers they will be home by Christmas. Writes that "the South is most ruined now and will be intirely [sic] if this goes on an other year." Thinks that the Southerners are eager for the war to end. Writes that Grant has gone to Vicksburg and predicts that they will not have to go after all, for which he is grateful - "I am not so ambitious…

GLC03523.14.11

6 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant who does the cooking - "a good fellow but is an exception to his race." Complains about division in the North between Republicans and pacifist Democrats.

GLC03523.14.12

18 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth and another soldier have been caring for Jesse, who is ill. Many of the men in the regiment are in the hospital. Many soldiers are eager to get discharges and complain about their lack of importance in the war. Discusses hierarchy of officers.

GLC03523.14.13

3 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria and John Damuth

Three reports of Jesse Smith's death of typhoid fever and measles, all written out by Damuth. One is for the town newspaper, the other two for Damuth's siblings.

GLC03523.14.14

9 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the regiment is still in Helena, although General Benjamin Prentiss has encouraged the men to be ready to march at any time. The Lieutenant Colonel of the 29th, whom Damuth accuses of thinking "more of the Rebels than he did of his own men," has left and Damuth writes that morale among the soldiers has increased dramatically. Tells an anecdote about Colonel Gill. Describes a trip to visit Jesse's grave in an old Southern graveyard and writes that it "will likely be the last time I shall ever visit his last resting place."

GLC03523.14.15

17 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his brother with little war news. Asks John if he is a member of the Democratic Club and warns him that "I would shoot my own brother as soon as I would a snake if I should see him in the ranks of such a Good forsaken set of trators." Says that any Democrat who speaks or writes to him will be purposefully trying to insult him. Takes pride in enlisting and opines, "thear can be but two parties engaged in it [the war] Patriots & Trators." More of the men are dying of typhoid fever.

GLC03523.14.16

20 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports that more of their friends from home have died. Complains that men are enlisted with "no respect to persons they will kill the strong as well as the weak." Describes some officers in the camp.

GLC03523.14.17

25 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Describes springtime in Arkansas. The Wisconsin soldiers are nervous about the summer weather. Writes that Helena has been attacked "but it is all news to us we dident know any thing about it." Prisoners have been brought into the camp. Tells his sister that the government is "going to arm negros to send north to whip the Copper heads." Confesses that the men usually rest when they are supposed to be at drill.

GLC03523.14.18

4 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Discusses the hurt feelings of a friend and Democrat from back home. Mentions that there is not "much drunkenness down here" since "Gen Prentiss is a temperance man." Asks for packages with items like dried fruit, silk handkerchiefs and cayenne pepper.

GLC03523.14.19

20 December 1862

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Ticknor writes to his family from Nashville. Reports the weather is pleasant. Informs of all the stops he made on the way to Nashville. Comments he has picket duty every four days. Discusses foraging for food and cattle. Anticipates an attack soon. Expects his regiment will move to Richmond any day. Expresses disappointment at Union General Ambrose Burnside's progress. Letter has a Union emblem.

GLC03523.30.09

10 June 1863

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father, mother, brother and sisters

Ticknor writes to his family from camp on Stone River, Tennessee. Reports on the successful battle of Stone River that took place on 31 December 1862. Praises Union General William S. Rosecrans. Comments he is waiting to hear good news from Union General Ulysses S. Grant and his troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Informs that General William Rosecrans has between 50,000 and 75,000 troops ready to move. Mentions they were ordered to put seven days rations in their knapsacks and be ready to march at a moment's notice. Says they drill a little, play ball, pitch quarters and lounge. Expresses…

GLC03523.30.10

5 November 1863

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Ticknor writes to his family from Chattanooga. Reports the rebels are on three sides of them, and the Tennessee River is at their rear. Complains of hard times, living on one quarter rations with very little clothing. Reports very little shelling from the rebels. Says he "...wants no compromise with the rebels..." Mentions he has warm blankets and a gun that never misfires. Expresses longing for a little cider and buckwheat pancakes. States he is still confident the Union will win the war. Letter is faded and smudged.

GLC03523.30.11

20 May 1864

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friends at home

Ticknor writes to his friends from Kingston, Georgia. Reports they are in pursuit of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and his troops. Informs they routed Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston at Dalton, Georgia and again ten miles away. Comments they captured many prisoners and several pieces of artillery. Says they are moving on to Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC03523.30.12

January 22, 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Lyon. Discusses his holiday party and how he "...devoured his share of all the delicate dishes from the North." Complains of the hard crackers used as bread on marches. Informs there are two hundred confederate prisoners in camp that do much of the work. Written in Camp Lyon .

GLC03523.31.01

20 May 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Reports there are 1200 soldiers there. Complains of sleeping on the cold ground with no blanket for a few nights. Says they are divided into squads of eight men who share a tent. Mentions they do their own cooking and drill everyday. Expects his uniform soon.

GLC03523.31.02