January 26, 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from his barracks in Norwich, New York. Year not indicated, but inferred from research and context. Appears to be written in the beginning of his military service as it is quite general in nature. He writes about the food that is available: "as far as food is conceserned we get the best kind, we have roast beef beef steak hash potatoes, butter corn beef pork and beans..." He discusses a possible furlough that he decides against taking and asks to be remembered to his children. He offers encouragement to his wife and tells her "to keep up good spirits." In a…

GLC03523.06.01

28 May 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Alexandria, Virginia that he is frustrated by the delay of being mustered out. Anticipates he will be home no later than 1 July 1865. Informs that the last of the Rebel forces in Texas surrendered and his old commander, General Winfield S. Hancock, now commands the Veteran's Corps. Comments what a terrible fighter General Hancock was. Reports that a photograph of their regiment will go to New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton.

GLC03523.06.12

10 August 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife Sephronia from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. Reports he is ill with fever and dizziness and has little appetite. Says he will be home by 1 October 1865. Comments that his regiment is the last to muster out and they don't know yet where it will occur. He hopes for Albany. The letterhead reads "United States Sanitary Commission."

GLC03523.06.14

1861

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Header Record

Title: Collection of Lewis D. Fairchild [decimalized]

Collection contains 14 wardate letters and 13 envelopes of Lewis D. Fairchild. Fairchild enlisted on 4 January 1864 at Exeter, New York as a private. He was mustered into "L" Co. New York 2nd Heavy Artillery.

GLC03523.06

20 February 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild [incomplete]

Fairchild writes to his wife from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. It appears to be an incomplete letter as there is no signature and the text ends abruptly. Gives a history of his troops movements to date. Complains about the food and blames the government. Bought a coat, bed and blanket with his own money. Complains about the cold weather and illness among the troops. Is sending home ninety dollars. Reports that the company is still scattered along the route from Elmira to Fort Corcoran.

GLC03523.06.03

23 March 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. Reports that he is building roads from his fort to another. States that the coats and guns have arrived and his regiment is learning to use the guns. He offers advice regarding a contractual dispute at home and requests photographs of the children and his wife.

GLC03523.06.04

2 April 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point Hospital, City Point, Virginia. Discusses helping to care for the wounded soldiers after a brief illness: "...I am very grateful that I was afflicted in that way. I think it is a great deal better than to have a bullet put through you..." Makes reference to the taking of Petersburg and the possible surrender of the South. Gives advice regarding one of their sick children, the children's schooling and management of household chores. Describes food rations. The letter is slightly faded, especially at the creases. On letterhead of the "United States…

GLC03523.06.05

5 June 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from Coal Harbor, Virginia. He refers to his survival of the Battle of Coal Harbor, 1 June,1865 and speaks of God and Providence in sparing him. States they are marching on to Richmond and he expects to be there within 60 days. References losses in his company and the lack of mail delivery. Sends his love to the children and tells his wife "...to keep up your courage..."

GLC03523.06.06

10 October 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions they are waiting for General Ulysses S. Grant to bring in reinforcements. Comments that his rheumatism is bothering him and he writes of a possible furlough in order to help his wife prepare for the winter. Expresses sorrow for the new recruits and what they will experience in "this cruel war." States that his hopes are high that the war will soon be over. The letter is four pages with a fifth page written vertically over existing writing.

GLC03523.06.07

30 October 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from camp "right in front of Petersburg," Virginia. Writes about heavy fighting; "our boys mowed the Rebels down like wheat" and took two thousand prisoners. Reports that one hundred volunteers charged and captured a Rebel fort. Comments that the cannon fire intense, noise deafened him for two days. States they are cutting off road and railroad access. Offers his opinion on domestic matters, including the purchase of new chairs and a set of china.

GLC03523.06.08

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point, Virginia says the siege is progressing slowly. Informs that General William T. Sherman captured Savannah. Discusses his wife joining a sewing society to make clothing for the soldiers and he questions what type of clothes they will make. He misses home and tells his daughters, Eunice and Ally, to work very hard on their writing skills, and promises buy his son Charlie a horse when he returns from the war.

GLC03523.06.09

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near City Point, Virginia. Reports that he has been in the hospital with rheumatism and is pleased with his care. Informs he is doing picket duty on the Appomattox River and mentions seeing Rebels. Wishes for a furlough, but knows only wounded men will get one. Advises his daughter Eunice to stay home to study and help her mother. In a postscript, writes he is sending his badge in the letter, "so in case we are wounded or killed they will know to what corps we belong to." A double sided page of the letter is in three pieces. A few lines are missing.

GLC03523.06.10

12 March 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions that men are getting furloughs if their wives are sick. Relates that a deserter was hung, "...it did look awful to see a human being launch in erternity so quick..." Advises his wife to use his bounty if she needs it to make life more comfortable.

GLC03523.06.11

February 9, 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from Elmira, New York on 9 February 1864 and completes the letter on 10 February 1864 from Norwich, New York. Once at Norwich, he states he was made assistant sergeant of the barracks. His health has never been better. His pay is slow in coming, but he hopes to send her one hundred dollars soon. The letter is written in pencil and slightly faded in areas.

GLC03523.06.02