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to Mary "Mollie" McLean
January 23, 1861
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
He sends a picture of Neil Wheeler and tells her to get an album for the different pictures he has sent. He will leave for New Orleans shortly.
GLC02161.006
March 29, 1862
McLean, William, fl. 1854-1862
He met Norman Macneal in Alexandria when he got off the Washington boat. He has sent money to Father for her. He is sorry she is so disatisfied at home. He knew their living together would one day end and that Mollie could not follow him into enemy...
GLC02161.019
to mother
February 23, 1863
He asks her to send some flannel shirts and socks. Soon he will go to Washington and get paid and he will be able to fix things financially.
GLC02161.074
to sister
15 April 1863
He assures her he will see her as soon as possible and offers condolences.
GLC02161.079
13 June 1863
Capt. Cornfield has died, charging at the head of his command. Unfortunaetely he was unable to pay his respects.
GLC02161.083
15 November 1863
He arrived Friday morning and everyone was glad to see him. He is hard at work now and will remain so until the middle of December.
GLC02161.100
13 December 1863
He says the captain and the other officers are very down to earth and do put on airs. They sleep with him and he kicks them out of bed in the morning. They are a family.
GLC02161.105
December 1863
He wants her to come visit, especially since Cassie will probably come in the winter.
GLC02161.107
30 December 1863
He complains that Cassie only writes him once a month and says Christmas was a dreary day
GLC02161.110
February 4, 1864
He sent her $20. He apologizes for being neglectful. It is only because he has so many business letters to write.
GLC02161.113
March 30, 1864
He mentions several friends and acquaintances. One of the lieutenants is sick. Charley is in command of the 27th.
GLC02161.117
[orders for Orville S. Dewey]
20 April 1864
Hall, James, A., 1750-1819
Dewey is ordered to Washington on guard patrol.
GLC02161.121
to Angeline M. Bennett
1852-1902
Bennett, Samuel H., fl. 1852-1902
Dated 26 December. He describes his dinner. He asks what regiment her brother is in because he wants to write him.
GLC02161.180
to daughter
30 September 1861
Reese, David
The letter has a green New York stamp that includes the New York State seal. Lets his daughter know he is well. Moved from Washington to Aliten [Alton?] Heights last Saturday. Are within eleven miles of the battlefield. "Do not know what minute we...
GLC02164.10
to his sister Sallie
1 July 1862
Davis, William B., fl. 1861-1862
GLC02160.04
30 May 1861
He was promoted to first lieutenancy and is trying to arrange for her and the children to come visit him. He expects their destination to be Harper's Ferry or Richmond.
GLC02161.007
1 January 1862
McLean, R.J., fl. 1862
Harry is ill with pneumonia. He worries about Harry because he has a slight build and doesn't think he'll be able to endure this "rough world."
GLC02161.012
to [Harriet W. Dewey]
9 June 1862
He has been receiving compliments on his work. They are camped on the battlefield and as he writes the Rebels are throwing shells into their camp.
GLC02161.025
18 July 1862
Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.
GLC02161.035
22 July 1862
He requests photos of mother and father. He is also enclosing a sketch from an illustrated newspaper depicting the cavalry battle that Will fought in. Not included here.
GLC02161.037
to [Norman R. Dewey]
23 July 1862
He wants his father to stop working so hard. He should be as comfortable as possible. He warns his father it may be a year before he can visit him.
GLC02161.038
25 July 1862
He sent money to father and told mother to send him some things. Capt. M.went down to Fort Monroe. It is hot and uncomfortable.
GLC02161.039
28 July 1862
He has been working hard in the hot sun. He is looking forward to Will's release. She should go to Michigan to visit an uncle of theirs.
GLC02161.040
1 August 1862
The Rebels attacked the night before and he describes how the sky lit up because of the flash of the artillery. His theory as to why is that the attack drew their gunboats out, thus allowing the Rebels to follow them.
GLC02161.042
to his mother
10 August 1862
Everyone is happy about the "drafting order." He knows Lincoln wants to end the war. He has not received any boxes yet. He wants a position in one of the conscript regiments.
GLC02161.048
21 August 1862
Will is in the hospital and he is hoping he can get a leave because he will need lots of home care if he is to be fit for duty again. They leave for Newport News tonight. He is afraid the new movement will break the army up.
GLC02161.051
to William McLean
7 September 1862
He tells a story in which a lot of soldiers and cavalry were standing around and someone asked, 'Where's Gen. Pope?' And someone else answered: 'In his headquarters.' Upon asking where his headquarters were, the reply was: 'In his saddle.' Written in...
GLC02161.055
27 September 1862
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...
GLC02161.058
5 October 1862
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
13 October 1862
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
23 November 1862
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
6 April 1863
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
22 July 1863
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
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
to father
27 October 1863
He is finally to be mustered for his back pay He acknowledges all Al Wheeler is doing for him by offering him lieutenancy in his battery. He wishes Uncle S.P would offer him a commission in the regular army.
GLC02161.098
1 November 1863
The mustering officer has not shown up yet. As soon as he comes, he can start for New York. He heard that head quarters approves of his new appointment.
GLC02161.099
25 April 1864
He was assigned to the 10th army corps. He asks if a fellow lieutenant's body was received by the military.
GLC02161.123
20 May 1864
Written "in the field." The "Johnnies" have been skirmishing with their infantry and artillery. They have a strong position. They have three regiments of colored troops but they have not been let in yet.
GLC02161.127
to Harriet W. Dewey
19 June 1864
He is very healthy and there is no sickness in the army. They are all full of fight for the campaign that will decide whether this "nation is one or two."
GLC02161.132
[1864 diary]
1864
In April, he notes that he does not like working under Butler which corresponds to one of his letters. In May he describes some very animated fighting occurring near their pickets. Later on the 28th he gives details of Henry's (a fellow soldier)...
GLC02161.146
to John R. Sherman
4 March 1898
Chase, Horace G., fl. 1898
He has enclosed the bill against his mother's estate. It includes all fees and monies he advanced in defending suits against the stockholders of the First National Bank.
GLC02161.169
[Photograph of William E. Brewster]
3 June 1862
William H. Brewster in military dress, seated.
GLC02161.172
[Photograph of John Parker Gould]
30 July 1864
Wyman, & Co., fl. 1864
John Parker Gould in miltary dress.
GLC02161.173
[Envelope addressed to Carrie Wadlington]
Dated 24 March.
GLC02161.177
He writes he is homesick without her. He read to grandma twice.
GLC02161.184
to Esther Ann Kinney
31 May 1863
Blanchard, John, fl. 1862-1864
re: Blanchard writes about how "Gen Hooker got whiped the Boys are feeling down hearted." He also writes about his view on the Confederate cause, saying that he would rather let the rebels have their rights than be led by inept Generals. He also...
GLC02162.09
to Fannie Schoonmaker
23 April 1862
Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862
Printed with a red white and blue stamp of a woman clad in the American flag. Received her letter a day ago. Many have been wounded since he last wrote. Will give a short account of what has happened. Rebels spotted two miles from camp. When they...
GLC02164.08
1815-1860
GLC02164.13
to Mary Ann Davis
4 January 1862
Holly, William H., ?-1864
Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Talks of mutual acquaintances, (including a death, one in an "insane retreat" and one who goes down town and returns "pretty tight"), Christmas (when he hears a sermon by an African missionary on "what shall be done...
GLC02165.01
16 August 1862
Written at Camp Hubbard to a friend. Talks of the departure of "Doctor" for whom Holly most likely works and whom Holly is sad to see go. A man comes along and asks for whiskey; describes his practices of "prescribing" whiskey. Comments that though...
GLC02165.08
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