1861-1883

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of Franklin W. Fuller, I company, 74th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .01-.70]

Includes several writers, some letters written on attractive patriotic stationery. The first 15 (.01-.15) letters and letters .27, .31, .32, and .33 are written to Franklin W. Fuller by friends and family. Includes homefront and war news.

GLC03523.42

20 June 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written "out on picket" near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The officers are becoming familiar with her hand writing. He is glad to receive letters as it makes him feel that everyone at home cares for and remembers him. Sergeant Potter was recently discharged and is headed home today. He has received some mail from his brother-in-law Henry Stark and notes that the envelope was completely covered with directions. Asks if she can make him a few cotton shirts and send one through the mail. If she is unable to make the shirts she should get the material and ask Sarah to make them for him. He does not…

GLC03523.42.23

29 June 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Manchester, Tennessee. Writes that their most recent march was very bad because of the poor conditions of the roads. It rained so hard for two days that the men were completely soaked. Writes that the troops had to throw away everything they had because the rain had spoiled it. He was the only one who kept his knapsack because it had his paper and writing supplies. Writes that the case containing the picture of Mary and Laura is ruined but the pictures are not damaged. He gave his diary to Lieutenant Warner to carry or else that would have been ruined as well. His feet…

GLC03523.42.24

19 July 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Winchester, Tennessee. He writes that he waited up rather late for her letter and that he received two papers from Henry Clark. The smell of the flower and cinnamon she enclosed in the letter reminded him of her. Writes that the smell also reminds him of his mother. He hopes that he receives some letters from his friends. He is also glad that his brother-in-law writes to him. Writes that in the event of his death she should take all of his effects. Around midnight on 4 July the bugle sounded and the troops were ordered to be ready to march by three in the morning. He…

GLC03523.42.25

31 July 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Winchester, Tennessee. He will try and send a letter home with a lieutenant who is trying to receive a furlough. Writes that he is surprised she is not getting some of his letters as he has received all of hers. He is very upset that she has not been receiving his letters as he knows that she is very anxious about hearing from him. Writes that the flower she sent him is now in his diary and whenever he opens the book he is reminded of her. He is sorry to hear that Fred has been wounded.

GLC03523.42.26

22 August 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Stevenson, Alabama. When the mail came he was busy cutting up some green corn-on-the-cob for dinner. He explains that he has been unable to write because of the constant marching and change of locations. Writes that they had to ascend a road into the mountains which took them quite a while. The troops had to help the wagons and artillery climb the mountain. At night after climbing the mountain they camped on an abandoned plantation called Peach Orchard. The next day they marched through 24 miles of "wilderness destitute of inhabitants." The heat was intense and the 24…

GLC03523.42.28

28 August 1863 - 29 August 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Stephenson, Alabama. They again have marching orders and are liable to leave at any time. Writes that he has received some of the items Low's family had sent him. The boots and socks were most appreciated. He is very thankful for Mary for her years of devotion. He feels that she will be subject to "ridicule and unpleasant remarks by ill natured and unsympathizing people" for helping him so much. He is very grateful for all that she has done for him. He is also thankful for Mary's mother doing all she can to help him. Writes that he will do all he can as Mary's husband and…

GLC03523.42.29

5 September 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp in Wills Valley, Alabama. He thanks her for remembering him in his "soldier life" and for writing him as much as she can. Explains that her letters arrive every four or five days while his take as long as two weeks to be delivered. This is because of the large number of letters leaving camp. He has time to write as they have stopped their march to wait for a train of supplies. He explains that since the troops are unsure of when the mail will leave they must have the letters written and ready to go whenever the mail arrives. Writes of the hardships of marching and being away…

GLC03523.42.30

December 17, 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Writes that her letter was the first he received in four weeks since the regiment left here for Knoxville, Tennessee. He was upset that he was unable to write her as he knew she had written him. Most of the mail had gone to the regiment and the mail will probably not reach him until it first gets to the regiment. He has been surviving on half rations of hard tack. He has received a letter from one of his friends and he has been trying to send him mail as he does not want his friend to think he is dead. He is not surprised that so few letters have reached his family and friends due to all the…

GLC03523.42.35

1861-1865

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Sends her two small knitted "presents" as a small token of his love for her. They are also for all of the wonderful things she has done for him while he as been away. Asks her to wear them and to think of him when she does. Enclosed are two small pieces of knitted yarn. One is red the other is yellow and purple with a star shape. Written underneath them is "The good luck twins."

GLC03523.42.39

30 June 1864 - 3 August 1864

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and relatives and Mary

A series of short diary-like entries for the past few days. There are also three pencil sketches: one of Buffalo Spring at Catoosa Springs, Georgia; another of a bridge at Catoosa Springs; the third is a drawing of a tree. There was no activity until Monday when the Confederates began to shell the Union lines "vigorously." But the damage was light killing a mule and wounding one soldier. Writes that the shelling did not improve the taste of the coffee and made supper difficult to get. There was a letter in the "Freeport Journal" about the death of one of his friends. He has been thinking…

GLC03523.42.50

5 May 1865

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written on the ammunition train of the 2nd Division of the 4th Alabama, near Nashville, Tennessee. He thanks her for sending him money as they have not received any pay yet. There are rumors that they will be paid soon but he does not expect to be paid until he is mustered out. He has sent her a package with some clothing items and a blanket; he asks her to "stow" these items away for him. Thinks only the veteran troops and the new recruits with at least one year to serve will go to Texas. There is little said about returning home but he is "confident" that they will be home by 4 July. Plans…

GLC03523.42.57

August 23, 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Stephenson, Alabama. Thanks her for continuing to write to him while he is at war. Writes that Lieutenant Heuburt [?] returned but he has yet to see him. He has still not received some of her letters and is disappointed. He is sorry that she has so much to do and tells her not to worry about making pants for him. Hopes that Low has sent his boots. Captain Legne [?] has returned with 20 men from the regiment but none from the company. Writes about a few of the soldiers who came back with the captain that he knows. He has sent her father a paper from Nashville, Tennessee…

GLC03523.42.65

January 1, 1864-December 31, 1864

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Franklin W. Fuller]

January: Writes of the cold weather. Perry received his discharge papers. The weather ranges from pleasant to rainy and cold. Has played in parades. February: Describes the weather and notes that they were ordered to be ready to march with eight days worth of rations. Gibbs has started for home and he has played in more parades. He has had a sore throat. Some of the men got drunk. Marched to Culpepper, Tennessee. Turns 23 on 29 February 1864. March: The roads are becoming soft because of the rain. Two years ago they left Camp Griffin. Some of the men got drunk. They had a dance that…

GLC03523.42.70

17 November 1862

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written in Hospital No. 5. Writes that Leow had just arrived safely while he was finishing his letter to Laura. Thanks her and Sarah for the "goodies" she sent. Writes that Hayden has written to his mother. He still feels very weak and has not been able to sit up all day.

GLC03523.42.16

23 November 1862

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at the residence of the men on Bowling Green, Kentucky. He writes that he has been thinking about her and her family frequently. He is sorry for not having written to her more and he has tried to write as much as he could. It was difficult to write her as they were marching so often that when they stopped all he wanted to do was sleep. He has written to Amanda, his first letter to her since arriving in Kentucky. Writes that Amanda has a deep interest for him and that she will soon develop great "love and respect" for Mary. The weather has been very pleasant and warm. States he owes…

GLC03523.42.17

30 November 1862

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

It is raining out so he cannot go for his usual walk. Writes that it is discouraging to be an "invalid" sometimes. He states that his appetite and strength are only a "little better." Writes that he is still having difficulty with his stomach but that it is better then before. Wishes that he could have a few weeks with his friends but does not think that this will be possible. He has a plan to go see his uncle by boarding a train with help of some friends. From there he will be able to see her and then will head back to rejoin his regiment. He has thought of this plan because he cannot get a…

GLC03523.42.18

6 December 1862

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Writes that Hayden is getting better and that his own health is improving daily. He is able to walk much better as well and thinks that he can start to march again soon. States that he will not leave Hayden until he is better or forced to do so. The plan from his previous letter was "given up" and Hayden came down with rheumatism the next day. Explains to her the various reasons why his plan would not have worked. He is very worried about Hayden as every time he manages to get over one sickness another one takes its place. However, since the doctor is unsure what is wrong with Hayden he…

GLC03523.42.19

7 April 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He writes that while he was sewing a letter from her arrived and he was then ordered to go on picket duty. Thinks that her letter writing has improved and that she writes her letters "naturally" as if she were speaking to him. Explains that the troops are very happy when they receive letters because it feels like they are still at home with their loved ones. He is glad that she enjoyed the flowers he sent her. Wonder what Laura thinks of the flowers he picked for her. Gives her his permission to go through his trunk looking for old letters. Writes…

GLC03523.42.20

26 April 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He has enclosed five dollars in each of his last letters for her. He has also mailed her his "likeness" [picture] and a few pages from his diary. Writes that he is feeling well and that he understands why she has so many fears for his health. Explains that his cough is gone and that his appetite is much better. He is more worried about her throat and suggests that she should have it taken care of as soon as possible. Writes that he could use a new rubber blanket as he was stolen last week. He will get another blanket from the Army. He is thinking…

GLC03523.42.21

3 June 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They have received orders to move out. Writes that he has finished Laura's letter and was working on a letter to her when the order came to fall in. The troops were issued seven days rations and left behind all extra baggage. He is unsure where they are going but there is much speculation among the troops. Tells her that he will write again soon.

GLC03523.42.22