1862-1902

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Thomas J. Kessler, G company, 1st regiment, Michigan, sharpshooters] [decimalized]

Collection includes several writers. Topics include camp news, the battle before Petersburg, the surrender of Richmond, and the siege at Petersburg. There are extra envelopes that could not be matched up to the letters. Partially cataloged.

GLC03523.52

1 January 1865- 11 August 1865

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Diary

Title: [Diary of a soldier 2nd Brigade Band, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, during Petersburg Campaign]

States that his band played out the old year and in the new 1 January. 2 January, mentions "Rebs threw a shell at us while playing the Star-spangled Banner at Div Hd. Qrs shelling continued for some time afterwards. Notes that his band performs and practices nearly every day. 12 January, notes that a flag of truce has been sent by Confederates, with a sealed communication for General Ulysses S. Grant. 17 January, notes that Fort Fisher, North Carolina, was taken with 1400 prisoners. After celebrating, his band was practicing when they were "astonished By music out-side of the tent, which…

GLC04562

February 6, 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary L. Kessler

Writes to his mother from Camp Douglas. Reports they may be heading to Mexico within a month. Notes they will go to New York City and connect with General Ambrose E. Burnside's expedition. Comments no furloughs are to be granted to their regiment. Signs with his middle name Jefferson.

GLC03523.52.33

19 May 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Reports there will be a grand review of the entire army next week and a review of their division this afternoon. Hopes troops will be sent home after the review. Writes it may be some time before he gets to go home. Discusses his colts back home. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.55

17 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports it is quiet in camp. Notes they are still waiting to hear from Washington, D.C. regarding their case. Discusses his fathers offer to take his place in the war. Comments he does not believe his father would be happy here and when he leaves the army he wants it to be permanently. Requests he send his boots by mail.

GLC03523.52.65

5 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Expresses his joy in hearing about the copperheads getting drafted. Comments about the wages being less when one is drafted versus volunteering. Notes he would like to see "some of them Baby Boy's" get drafted from Washington. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Addressee name and year taken from envelope.

GLC03523.52.70

26 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Reports after marching 50 miles from Annapolis, Maryland, they finally arrived in Alexandria, Virginia. Writes, "it was Hard for us not doing anything for so long a time I am not able to walk today as my feet are one blister all over…" Says they are heading out tomorrow, most likely to join the Army of the Potomac where a battle is expected. Describes falling out of yesterday's march and not catching up with the regiment until early morning. Notes thousands of soldiers fell out of march and several men died. Comments, "this was the Hardest work I ever…

GLC03523.52.51

3 May 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends. Describes being in some hard fighting. Writes, "the shells came poring in like Hail stone only had more affect than a hail stone would have…" Reports driving the enemy back and capturing their artillery. Complains about the bad food and small rations. Informs them the band members are all spread out, some are working in the hospital.

GLC03523.52.54

12 June 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are employed as nurses in hospitals. Writes they have plenty of rations and just received new clothing. Comments his new clothes are making him sick; he has a headache. Request he sends him a newspaper and a day book. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. A small fragment of paper is included.

GLC03523.52.56

2 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Informs him he received the memorandum book, paper, envelopes, and stamps. Discusses the hot weather. Notes they have plenty of ice water, lemonade, and a sutler who supplies almost everything. Reports they are preparing for a siege and have received considerable shelling. Describes a cellar he has dug out to protect himself from the shelling. Comments he would like to get out of the army but does not believe his lawyer will succeed. Complains about the lack of respect and mistreatment of soldiers. Writes, "I always thought I was as good as any one of the…

GLC03523.52.57

5 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has cured it with cheese ginger snaps and brandy. Reports he was within 30 rods of the rebels line this morning. Writes they trade tobacco and coffee with each other and they all bathe in the same creek. Believes the two sides struck a deal not to fire at each other. Requests she writes him with all the news.

GLC03523.52.58

July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Writes his regiment was ordered to the front last night but nothing happened. Describes their lieutenant getting shot in the face. Reports his old colonel is back in command and things are better. The envelope is dated 15 July but the day is not listed.

GLC03523.52.59

10 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports it is very hot and many men are sick. Comments his regiment was relieved from the front lines and they are now camped out in an open field without any shade. Complains about not having any luxuries and every day being the same as the next. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Part of the letter is address to his father and mother.

GLC03523.52.60

13 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends. Reports some artillery firing and little picket firing. Discusses what his life would be like if he never enlisted. Writes, "we live to much on the heathen style Here have not much respect for each other especialy [sic] the soldiers quarrel and curs each other to a great extent." Discusses his band's drummer who is sick in the hospital and expected to die soon. Signs letter "from your affectionate brother and son."

GLC03523.52.61

5 August 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Expresses his loneliness and boredom with the army. Reports on the fighting in Petersburg, Virginia. Describes soldiering and what a waste war is. Writes, "It is just calling young men from home and Bringing them here for slaughter and fast as they can kill them off call for more. A mans life is value nothing here and is not Respected By any one, is all for himself…" Comments he has not had a change of clothes for two months.

GLC03523.52.63

16 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments he has been sick but is now doing better. Reports it is quiet in camp and there has not been a lot of action for the last couple of weeks. Writes of being homesick. Notes he only weighs 120 pounds.

GLC03523.52.64

27 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. States it is quiet in camp but they are under marching orders. Describes being in the masters department where he cooks for six and has first rate living. Discusses the possibility of his father visiting him this fall. Explains he is on the move a lot and it may be difficult for him to catch up with them. Informs him he will be sending $60 home. Mentions his colonel believes some of the band members will be discharged and he will be one of them. Expresses his doubts on receiving a discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.67

3 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses skepticism of getting out of the army since his colonel was taken prisoner. Request they contact Mr. Kilbourn immediately and see if he can urge their case along. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.68

10 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on his way home. Discusses his band's discharge case against the government for non-payment of their musical services.

GLC03523.52.71

13 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders today. Mentions they are expecting an attack somewhere along their lines. Comments the rebels tried charging one of their forts three times but was repulsed every time. Request they write him back with the latest news. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.72

16 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to A. P Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Complains about enlisting in the army and what a mistake it was. Writes, "I will loose the Best part of my life By staying in this Hellish place of Discontent…" Discusses the war and how he does not believe it will be over in a few months. Requests some stamps. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. The letter has an image of an anchor printed in red.

GLC03523.52.73

3 January 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to friends from Camp Douglas. Discusses a terrible storm and the cold weather. Comments he does not believe he has seen colder weather. Writes the soldiers are freezing and the prisoners are suffering, and many of them have died. Reports it is the coldest weather that the West has seen. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.03

1 January 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Reports not hearing any news from Washington, D.C. yet (possibly regarding a discharge). The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.28

February 14, 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from Camp Douglas. Discusses his and other soldiers' requests for a discharge. Notes they have most of the officers signature on a petition and their lawyer is still waiting to hear from Washington. Comments they should know the outcome within a few weeks. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.37

31 July 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports they buried a man yesterday who was killed in battle. They marched 30 miles to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Discusses visiting the Michigan Museum, the law department, and the medical department while in Ann Arbor. Notes seeing fleas, elephants, sea shells and animals, birds, a human skeleton, and various kinds of pictures. Request she sends him postage. Writes about a bad storm that brought lots of rain and hail. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.05