1861-1877

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Header Record

Title: Letters 1st Cal. Regt. re: camp life; southerners; McClellan; slavery [decimalized]

Collection of 60 ALS by Foot Soldier, in first Ca. Regiment. "It is turned into a war to put money in political pockets and to free the niggers;" Lincoln: "His mind is not able to comprehend the simple game of checkers let alone the war like game of chess." Charleston; Maryland, Winchester; Richmond, Deserter Executed; with 8 collateral letters and gold nuggets (0.2 ounces) accompanying #7.

GLC07164

8 March 1866

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Describes possible plans to travel to Fort Riley or perhaps somewhere further west to build a fortune, and a hope that she not become alarmed if his communications are not often.

GLC07164.61

1862/09/20

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

News of friends known to his sister, along with a plan of the regiment's camp and a description of the battle of Antietam, in which his regiment lost 300 of 500 men.

GLC07164.33

1862/10/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister

Sends thanks for the items which she sent to him, detailing how items can be bartered at camp and their values. He also speaks of life in camp and his hope to be discharged.

GLC07164.34

1862/11/14

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Describes his sickness and how he hopes it will lead to a discharge. Mentions promise former regimental doctor who promised him a discharge, a promise which will not be held by the present doctor. Fearing that his sickness will kill him, Theodore speaks of the plans of a mass desertion.

GLC07164.35

1862/11/27

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: Guardian.

Detailing the loss of his personal effects, and the failure of his efforts at obtaining a discharge, Theodore requests money form the recipient, who is most likely Egbert Millspaugh Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC07164.36

1862/12/07

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Egbert Millspaugh.

Having given up all hopes of a reply from Mr. Millspaugh, fearing that "you care nothing for me," Theodore has decided to desert. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.37

1862/12/10

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

A list of items that he request be sent to him, including pins, needles, towels, handkerchiefs, thread, buttons, food and clothing. Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC07164.38

1862/12/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Details how he will attempt one last shot at a discharge, claiming that if he fails then he will desert. He also describes the "bitter cold" which he is experiencing in the field. Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC07164.39

1863/01/01

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes his need of a proper wash, along with his lack of money which causes him to request that she send some more. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.40

1863/01/23

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes conditions which led to the delay of his regiment's move from their present position, along with its contempt of General Burnside. He mentions the prevalence of desertions, along with news of a possible upcoming battle with the rebels. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.41

1863/01/28

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

He sends thanks for his sister forwarding the four dollars to him, and requests news from home. He mentions how he is contemptuous of Captain Crist, along with his dislike of the bad rations. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.42

1863/02/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: Carrie.

Sends his beliefs of a possible defeat at Falmouth, and that the war will end in a Union victory. However, he believes that all the politicians involved are making bad decisions which have prolonged the war, which explains how he can write "Lincoln is of about the intellectual capacity of a 6 year old . . . his mind is not able to comprehend the simple game of checkers." Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.43

1863/04/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Discussing furloughs, he asserts that he wants his pay before he decides to return home of any length of time. Refers to times of guard duty when the union and rebel picket lines exchange papers across a creek. Discusses training for a regimental move, along with a request for news from home. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.44

1863/05/05

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Discusses the possibility of a regimental move, which has been mentioned at several times and yet has not occurred. He mentions the sighting of a balloonist as a scout, and the new regimental commander. Written in a camp near Falmouth

GLC07164.45

1863/05/24

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Forwards his hopes for a victory based on cavalry strength, along with further prediction on the war. He requests news from home, and mentions that he no longer has any hope of a furlough. Written in a camp near Falmouth

GLC07164.46

1862/08/22

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Carrie.

He discusses the new system of rationing, along with his observation of the execution of a deserter. He states his belief that the end of the war might be in sight, possibly as soon as January of 1864, along with own term of service being nine months from completion.

GLC07164.47

1863/09/07

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Details his experiences on the picket line, including the discovery of a house full of food while on duty on the picket line. Written at Raccoon Ford.

GLC07164.48

1863/12/10

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Details of the town of Stevensburgh and General Meade. Mentions the rumor of a possible furlough, and complains at the lack of correspondence from home. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.49

1863/12/20

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: brother Newton.

Details his experiences in several skirmishes, along with the Battle of Stevensburgh. He mentions news of new regimental officers. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.50

1864/01/03

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

He sends news of camp life, including the visit of the Colonel's wife to camp. Mentioned is the description of life in the tent. He requests news from home. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.51

1864/01/10

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: Carrie.

Explains life in winter quarters, especially how difficult it is to remain warm when the tents are made for shelter and not much in the way of insulation. He mentions his thoughts of possible re-enlistment, but hastens to mention that no one else from his regiment is doing so and he does not wish to be the only one. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.52

1864/01/25

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: brother.

Sends thanks to home for the sending of the box of items which he has just received, along with forwarding an invitation for his brother to come visit the camp. He requests news from home. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.53

1864/03/07

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Lamenting the lack of action being seen by the regiment, he mentions the game of General musical chairs - possibly replacing General Fremont with General Meade, and a possible regimental move. He requests news from home. Written in a camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia

GLC07164.54

1861/07/30

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes his travels with the regiment from Camp Hampton to Washington, along with the daily life in camp.

GLC07164.09