21 October 1862

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter

Title: to John S. Goold [incomplete]

Writes to his father from camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Thanks his mother and father for writing and for sending papers. Gives an update on his brother Theodore's health, which is improving, although his is still weak and in the hospital tent. Describes sleeping conditions. Writes that he visited the chaplain of the 118th Pennsylvania Regiment and was baptized and partook in the Sacrament. Letter incomplete and unsigned, pages missing. Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.01

11 November 1862

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William D. Goold

Describes sleeping conditions. Mentions that he has given his name for a pair of mittens, as winter is coming and the weather is getting very cold. Tells him that he has not heard from brother Theodore since they left Sharpsburg, Maryland. Describes their long march through a small town, noting a railroad station named White Plains. Apologizes if letter is difficult to read because he wrote on the side margins of paper: "I do not know as you can make this out, I did not think that I had so much to write down. I should have taken another sheet, though I want to be as saving of paper as…

GLC03523.05.02

28 November 1862

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Writes to his mother about all the letters he has recently received, including one from her, Aunt Jane, and Nellie. Describes his duties on provost guard and the differences between being on guard and in the regiments. Tells her of difficulties, including harsh weather, leaking tents, and food shortages. Describes in great detail how the squads are divided into two on the march. Comments "I think that I am well off here, and I thank God for your sake more than my own that I am here as I presume that we are in no great danger of being killed in case of a battle. Do not mark me as a coward for…

GLC03523.05.03

15 December 1862

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Writes to his father describing the beginning of the battle at Fredericksburg, 11-15 December 1862: "The first gun was fired about 5 o'clock A.M., and the firing was kept up with but little intermission until after dark. At times the firing was so sharp that it was one continued roar." Details the battle on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, noting the fighting on Friday was not nearly as bad as Thursday or Saturday. States that "The rebels have fortified these hills as strongly as possible. I have been told that they have 50 batteries there, and I should not wonder if they did, as we can see a…

GLC03523.05.04

18 December 1862

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Writes to his father "by candlelight" because he was so busy during the day and states "I don't like to spare time to write." Informs that he has just come off guard and that they are camped at same place they were before the Battle of Fredericksburg. Details duties, including assembling a big wall of pine boughs to help protect the tent area from wind. Letter written in graphite on blue paper.

GLC03523.05.05

January 10, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Writes to his father about guard duty and thinks that the worst part is how it disrupts sleep. Wishes he had more newspapers to read, although he is "very much obliged to you for sending me a box, whether it ever reaches me or not. I am much obliged to Johnny [his brother] for sending me such a large proportion of his apples..." Comments that "Theodore [his brother] had better stay in Phil. as long as he can, and never mind whether he is reduced or not so long as he is not reduced for misconduct." Letter written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.06

February 2, 1864

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Writes to his mother thanking her for letters, a photograph, and a box which contained dried fruit, corn, beans, cheese, and tongue. Tells her that when she writes to his brother Theodore she "must encourage him to presevere, also to learn to sing and play chess, anything to keep him out of the city, which I am told is full of wickedness." Discusses his parents' decision to move back to Albany: "In the city there will be better church and school privilages, you will be surrounded by friends, and will have a better chance to obtain help in the house. On the other hand in the country you have…

GLC03523.05.20

January 16, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Tells his parents that he received most of his back mail when he went back to the regiment yesterday: "I received by the same mail an envelope from home with pepper in it, though the envelope had been torn and most of the pepper had been spilled." Describes in great detail the mail and newspapers he received. Tells his parents that he received a letter from Sammy, whom he does not "care anything about" and speculates that he is going to be a "bad boy" as there is too much "'Young America'" in his letters. He also tells them that he had a visit from Cousin James, who was looking for a letter…

GLC03523.05.08

January 16, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Johnnie

Tells his brother that he received his letter and apologizes that he has to write such a short letter in return, but he is expecting to march tomorrow. Mentions that he received a letter from Theodore, another brother, and that he is doing well. Describes the windy and cold weather. Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.09

February 2, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes to his brother (possibly Johnny, based on content) about his tent and the people he shares it with: "They are both good natured, and willing to do their share towards making the tent comfortable, but neither of them are such men as I should choose for companions any where else, they both swear, and they are both very vulgar, and in fact these are the two most common vices in the army, there is hardly a man, that I have any acquaintance with, at all, in the army, who is not wholly given up to them." Tells his brother that he prays for "strength to enable me to resist every temptation…

GLC03523.05.10

February 25, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Writes to his parents about the different letters that he has received. Tells them, "I have destroyed all my old letters - burned them up. I had so many that they were in the way. I shall burn all that receive hereafter, as soon as I answer them." He also reports that his brother Theodore was given a sword and revolver to look after by a Lieutenant. Theodore lost the sword and now is expected to pay for it. Describes his visit with a doctor. "The doctor gave me the same kind of medicine that he gave me for the dysentery at Sharpsburgh, - perhaps he leaves it to the imagination, to effect a…

GLC03523.05.12

8 March 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Tells his mother about the temperance book Aunt Jane sent to Cousin James, which was passed along to him. The boys in the guard make fun of him for reading the book, but he doesn't mind as he has gotten used to the teasing. Tells her that he wishes his brother Theodore could go home and help, and that he would be a better worker now that he has been a soldier. Confides to her that he does not like soldiering, and never has: "I must put up with it, and get along the best I can, till the time comes for me to go home." Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.13

21 April 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Reports that brother Theodore has gone back to his regiment. Writes that he is glad Theodore has returned, as he speculates there were many temptations in his life in Philadelphia. Tells her that the weather is nice and "the few peach trees that there are about here are in blossom, and the little grass that remains is quite green and handsome." Also reports on his tent-mates who are trying to become more religious, beginning with their attempts to "leave off swearing." Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.14

21 April 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Tells father that he has enclosed $50, and apologizes for not writing a longer letter. Notes that he and brother Theodore are both in good spirits. Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.15

11 June 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Apologizes for not writing sooner. Details the Guard's march. Notes that his brother Theodore said he is going to be transferred into the New York Battalion when the 25th goes home, and discusses the potential for Theodore's promotion if this does happen. Reports that he is hoping to get a furlough to come home, but cannot at the present moment. Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.16

21 July 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Mentions to his parents that he has been transferred and has a new captain, named Gibbs. Captain Gibbs is a son of Gibbs, the pattern maker in Albany. Reports that he lost his knapsack and that both he and his brother Theodore need clothing badly, "I have an overcoat, but no blanket. Theodore has a rubber-blanket and a poor piece of tent which is all we have to shelter us from the rain." He asks his parents to "have a good fat turkey ready for Thanksgiving, for I expect that we will be there to help eat it." Tells his parents that he and Theodore are tenting together, which is "pleasant for…

GLC03523.05.17

12 November 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Johny

Writes to his brother that part of his division has been engaged in a skirmish at Rappahannock station, and lost four men. Notes that "the second brigade of our division has the credit of helping take the forts near the river..." Informs his brother about the picket, "I was not detailed this time before, Theodore was detailed, but one of the men who was to remain in camp, and had to go on guard that day, wanted Theodore to exchange with him, and he did so, that is Theodore remained in camp, and did the guard duty for this man, and he went out on picket in Theodore's place, and perhaps it was…

GLC03523.05.19

February 29, 1864

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Answers his mother's question about how many men guard a train at one time by stating "it depends on the number of trains, sometimes we only guard one train a day, and from that to six, generally three or four each train takes thirty men; the 11th regulars, and 5th Pa. reserves, also guard the trains." Asks her how the move to Albany is going, and how the children are adjusting. Reports that he and his brother Theodore went to the Methodist Church twice yesterday. Tells her that the "'Dutch Bill' that you sent, is beyond my comprehension, I do not know any use in arthimetic." Informs her that…

GLC03523.05.21