8 March 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He expresses dismay that reports have not been prepared during his leave. He mentions several impending court martials for delinquents. He includes comments on the Confederacy and "butternuts" in the West. Written from the headquarters of the 5th Corps, in the Rappahannock Valley near Falmouth, Va.

GLC04195.08

6 April 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Lincoln and his wife arrived and presided over a grand review of the troops. He comments on the case of Gen. McClellan. They believe the rebels are significantly fortified across the river and hope to cross soon. Written at the headquarters of the 5th Corps. "Abe looks careworn. No wonder. He has a large contract on hand."

GLC04195.09

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

12 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes working with 30,000 prisoners to process their paroles. He praises General Meade particularly for the defeat of Lee, stating "I consider Meade one of the best soldiers in the Army of the Potomac." Also observes that despite "That charming attachment between master and slave, so often spoken of by advocates of the institution[, a]ll gentlemen and ladies of African descent, on the day following our entry into the city either left their overseers or stipulated for fixed wages."

GLC04195.15

15 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has been unwell and deems Vicksburg an unhealthy country: "It never was designed for Christians to live in." He praises Gen. Meade, and refers to some dear friends who fell at Gettysburg, including Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed and the injured Brig. Gen. A.S. Webb.

GLC04195.16

26 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Mentions John Hunt Morgan's raids and Gen. Lewis Wallace's attempt to capture Morgan. (Morgan and his men surrendered in Ohio on this same day.)He praises Meade: "his army is an honor to the country, to do such terrible fighting after so many reverses." He describes the death of Gen. Weed. "I am glad to learn that your town was not visited by your friend J. Morgan. When I saw from the papers that Lew Wallace was in the field I felt confident that John was 'gone up a spout', but I was somewhat surprised to hear afterwards that he got into Ohio…. Seriously speaking, I think if Wallace found he…

GLC04195.17

6 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

About 20,000 troops are to be sent to Natchez to build a fortification for a march in the fall. He encourages her to invest in U.S. five-twenty bonds. He asks her to send his bankbook to Alvern P. Hyde in Tolland, Connecticut.

GLC04195.18

14 August 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Many men are sick due to the poor climate, and he has sent many of the ill to northern hospitals. Local women have come into camp to ask for food. A Black man tells him about the marriage of their brother Robert, who had been there in Vicksburg two months previously. Robert served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

GLC04195.19

21 September 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has received a letter from Hyde about his investment with the Tolland County Bank in Connecticut. They have passed through the season without a yellow fever epidemic. The dismissal of the Surgeon General may affect his own orders. Dr. William A. Hammond was court-martialed on a trumped-up charge initiated by Edwin Stanton and was dismissed from the army in 1864 (later exonerated). "This will probably affect my position here as the Surg.-J. Mills[?]-who was here before me, is in favor with Stanton and will probably be sent back to spite Gen Hammond, as the latter after ordering him away…

GLC04195.20

27 October 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

New orders assign him to the Department of the Tennessee under Grant, who will command from Chattanooga. Grant's bold plan to break the Confederate siege of Chattanooga had gone into operation on the previous day. Moore looks forward to his new assignment at General Sherman's headquarters. "He is an excellent officer, and I hope to find him a pleasant man to serve with."

GLC04195.21

4 January 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They marched to Huntsville in the extreme cold, arriving on New Year's Day and taking over Sherman's comfortable headquarters. He describes the home of a wealthy rebel in town with paintings removed, now turned into a hospital.

GLC04195.22

18 April 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He arrived with only 2 or 3 hours delay due to derailed freight trains, a common occurrence. He sends stockings, handkerchiefs, and shoes.

GLC04195.24

May 16, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

After three days of intense fighting in a rough area from Dalton to Resaca, they have subdued the rebels. Both Union and rebel wounded will remain there in field hospitals. He hopes the rebel forces will stand and fight. In the days preceding this letter, Sherman had tried to break Johnston's defenses around Resaca. Confederate forces pulled back on 15 May.

GLC04195.25

25 July 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has just witnessed his bloodiest battle to date (the Battle of Atlanta, July 22), with 3,000 Union casualties and between 12-15,000 wounded. Local blackberries and peaches have been a great source of food. Most capable local people have left before the army arrived, leaving only the very poor. "I think I have not seen so severe and brilliant a battle during the war. I wish Mr. Hopkins had been here, as he came down to see war, he might have seen it on the 22nd to his heart's content."

GLC04195.26

October 31, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Sherman prepares for a large raid (the March to the Sea began Nov. 15). Moore left Atlanta to supervise the transfer of the sick to hospitals further south. He is currently at a garrison 60 miles from Atlanta, near Rome. Written on letterhead from the Medical Director's Office, Headquarters, Department and Army of the Tennessee. "I hear that Jesse Alexander is engaged in making copperhead speeches. It would be beter for him if he had been killed in the trenches while fighting, before ruining himself in this way."

GLC04195.27

December 24, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They arrived in Savannah ready for an assault but found the rebels had run away, leaving their artillery of a large number of guns. "The number of guns left is larger than we have ever found in any one place before; - it has not yet been ascertained, but is probably from 150 to 200. About 1000 prisoners were taken, but the Army left is so demoralized as to be but little reliable." With news of the victory near Nashville, the Confederacy may be close to ending. He mentions staying in furnished homes compared with usual outdoor lodging, but writes that "I find I can still sleep in a house,…

GLC04195.28

February 2, 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

After 2 days' march the army is now 35 miles from Pocotaligo, South Carolina. He describes the field where he writes, with two or three recently killed rebels, and that he has captured geese, turkey, and chickens to eat. Written on letterhead for the Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi.

GLC04195.29

February 27, 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes their march through South Carolina, wading through swamps, repairing roads, and taking Columbia. Although they were welcomed by the townspeople, drunk Union soldiers set buildings on fire, and the wind carried flames throughout town. Homes were disgracefully pillaged. He describes the surrounding area and its Revolutionary War history. "I can't get up much sympathy of the Columbians for I believe both they and the people of Charleston deserve to have their cities blotted out of existence. The next day we went to work on their public buildings, such as Arsenals, Armorys, depots…

GLC04195.30

5 August 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He is busy finishing reports from the field which could not be completed while they marched. The local people remain rebellious, and he has enjoyed the flirtatious company of two married women from New York.

GLC04195.36

11 August 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He plans to make a trip up to Chicago and will see them soon. He describes his social events. He has sent the history of Sherman's march to the sea, probably Sherman's Official Account published in 1865.

GLC04195.37

17 September 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Grant has visited the past few days. He reports the troubles his unwise friend had with thieves in town. Written on letterhead for Head-Quarters Military Division Mississippi, Office of Medical Direcuor.

GLC04195.38

4 October 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He comments on neighbors from home. Written on letterhead for Head-Quarters Military Division Mississippi, Office of Medical Director.

GLC04195.39

February 2, 1866

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He refers to the explosion of a steamboat on the Mississippi, killing 100 with many mutilated survivors, the third such accident this week. He comments on acquaintances in Bloomington.

GLC04195.40

25 April 1866

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has just returned from New Orleans, where he reminisced with army friends. He comments on people from Bloomington and family.

GLC04195.41

June 5, 1866

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The rain has prevented plantations from running as normal. He reports on political events in Europe, and the Fenian uprising indicating the universal desire of people to govern themselves. He refers to people from Bloomington. A meeting will discuss the commemoration of the death of Gen. Scott.

GLC04195.42