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to Norman R. Dewey

A dispatch from Grant came saying he had taken Johnson's whole division. One of the batteries from Camp Barry was lost but then retaken by the 13th division. He is afraid Charley will have a hand in the fighting.

GLC02161.126

to father

Yesterday the whole command except for one division was ordered to embark to reinforce Grant. Gen. Lee assumes he will save Richmond. No one really likes Butler, the commanding officer.

GLC02161.129

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The infantry has been behaving badly. At a seven infantry engagement with the "Johns", the men got inside the mark as soon as possible. In other words, they ran at the first fire.

GLC02161.130

to Norman R. Dewey

He has enclosed the key to his trunk. He gives instructions on what to do with the items inside.

GLC02161.131

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He feels sorry for Burns. All the old officers are gone from the old 5th. The new ones are strangers. The captain of his old company has been dismissed.

GLC02161.133

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is kind of sick. He sent a photograph of Gen. Binney.

GLC02161.139

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He received the badge and put it on top of the cap he wears.They get paid this week. He saw Tom McCabe but couldn't get to Charley.

GLC02161.141

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He wishes he could stop working and be idle. He longs to just sit and think of nothing.

GLC02161.150

to Harriet W. Dewey

They will be going South via Richmond. He tells his mother she works too hard and to take it easy.

GLC02161.153

[Certificate of ownership of cemetery plot]

This is to certify that Dewey owns a cemetary plot.

GLC02161.163

to Nathan Curtice

His demand against the recipient was left by Joseph Moulton for collection

GLC02161.165

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge writes to Ann predicting what is going on at home. He writes, "you are setting by the table a sewing Grandmaron is bizy…mom making shugar and uncle James is sleep." He also wishes that he would have had another shirt made before leaving for...

GLC02162.02

to unknown

re: Dodge writes about the balloon the Union dispatched over the Confederates as well as sickness and despair that has befallen the soldiers. He also writes about the prices for food: "butter is .40cts a pound…potatoes…are 1.25a bushel and shugar is...

GLC02162.08

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: After the battle of Locust, or Orange Grove [November 27, 1863], John Blanchard sustained a "Gun Shot wound in the left arm between the elbow and Shoulder." He spent more than six weeks in the hospital, promising to see the war out "if I have to...

GLC02162.11

to Abel Wood

re: Wheelock writes about the prices for food in the army. He likes the salted pork and says that things are expensive. He describes his work days, saying some days are busy "onloading botes & helping to load up teames with all sortes of stuff,"...

GLC02162.13

to Clement Wood

re: Eldredge writes to his friend Clement, saying he feels sorry for him because Carolina, the focus of Clement's attention, left him for another man. He also writes about camp life, remarking about the daily drilling routine, and saying that his...

GLC02162.15

to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, in camp near White Oak Church. Comments that Colonel Russel expects a commission (possibly David Allen Russell). One of Edwards's men, Charlie [Hurd?], was recommended...

GLC02163.04

to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Comments on his location, noting that although he ordered his men to establish comfortable quarters, he does not think they will spend the winter there (possibly at...

GLC02163.14

to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.14

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Laments camp accommodations ("you are at Church listening to a good sermon while I am seated on a wash basin and writing on a Camp Kettle") and not being able to spend "the last Sunday in Brookfield that perhaps I...

GLC02165.03

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Mentions going into New Orleans and meeting many acquaintances from home, noting that the people "seemed to behave themselves very well." Wounded acquaintance, William, returns to service, and William, the writer...

GLC02165.05

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. First mentions a skirmish near Lake Pontchartrain. Visits a nearby plantation, visiting its sugar house, and conversing with former enslaved people who say they would rather be there than in the camp. Describes...

GLC02165.07

to Harriet W. Dewey

Mark hasn't arrived in Washington yet, but his baggage arrived. He is off to visit Col. Alberge and doesn't have time to write. Written at Camp Rogers.

GLC02161.011

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He mentions the irony of celebrating Independence Day when they are no longer a unified country. They are having bad luck with officers and cannot afford to lose any more. He saw Henry Hale.

GLC02161.085

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He asks her for pillows, sheets and a quilt for Christmas.

GLC02161.104

to father

He shipped a trunk home yesterday. They will march today or tomorrow to Fort Monroe.

GLC02161.122

to Harriet W. Dewey

He thinks the "Head of the Nation" is frightened by the raid into Maryland and want to protect Washington. He would like to hear that the Johnnies are burning Buffalo.

GLC02161.134

[Commissions to Second Lieutenant]

Partially printed. The adjutant general officiallly offers Dewey the commission of 2nd lieutenant.

GLC02161.156

to Mrs. Dewey

He talks about his future marriage with Mary. He needs her support. Even though he has bad habits, Mary tends to indulge him. He asks Mrs. Dewey for best wishes.

GLC02161.002

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They heard that Gen. Johnson was going to attack them with 20,000 men. They met them with 15,000 men. He describes some skirmishes. Later his promotion meant he was moved to B company.

GLC02161.008

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He was worried for Mollie since he hadn't heard from her in a while. But she was fine. He predicts Major Whittany will go far in his profession. He likes him a lot. Written at Camp Niagara

GLC02161.015

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They are advancing with an army of 100,000 men. He expects their there to be a "dreadful battle in a day or so". He applied to be on Gen. Smith's staff. There will be terrible slaughter sioon.Written at Fort Monroe

GLC02161.020

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He heard that Will was captured at Old Church. He is not that worried and feels he will be released unharmed. He himself is doing well. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.029

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Her husband informs her he has been taken prisoner. He assures her, however, that he is very comfortable.

GLC02161.030

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is angry because it seems like everyone else has been home at least once if not twice already. He has also been there about five months longer as well.

GLC02161.043

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a rumor that Smith's Division had been taken from the army of the Potomac and assigned to the central department. Four months ago they came to this same place with 780 men. Now they only have 400.

GLC02161.052

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They arrived in Bull Run only to find out they had been whipped. He lists the names of the officers that were wounded. He had a letter written to her which he tore up, for fear the Rebels would get it if he were wounded or killed.

GLC02161.053

Honorable discharge of O. S. Dewey

Officially gives Orville Dewey an honorable discharge from the military.

GLC02161.069

to father

He has been appointed 2nd lieutenant of Capt. Eaton's battery. He has decided to accept it.

GLC02161.071

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Charley arrived early in the morning and he was very glad to see him. He wrote to the general describing his case in a very favorable light, but has heard nothing yet.

GLC02161.095

to sister

He mentions Will and Al Wheeler. Capt. Eaton has made him promise to come back as Jr. 1st lieutenant. He asks about Cassie.

GLC02161.097

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The 19th corps from N. Orleans have been pressing up the river for the last couple of days. If Sherman gets Atlantis, they should have some real fighting ahead of them.

GLC02161.135

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

It is very hot and he is writing on cheap paper. The 9th corps made a bad name for themselves and ruined their reputation and position but he doesn't elaborate.

GLC02161.136

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is concerned that if the chances aren't good enough in Buffalo, he will have to go somewhere else. Written at Fort Pocahontas

GLC02161.137

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There is no real news today. Everyone is sleeping in the fields. He has his tent up.

GLC02161.143

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The cavalry division was badly whipped. The Johnnies followed and attacked their line. They (Dewey and regiment) smashed their artillery in turn.

GLC02161.144

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Sounds as if he could be her fiance. He thanks her for all the things she has made him. He acknowledges her new sister and hopes her parents are well.

GLC02161.148

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He won't be able to dance at her wedding unfortuately. He is heavily in debt and won't be able to send her more money than what he already has. He has sent as much as he can afford to Cassie as well.

GLC02161.152

to Harriet W. Dewey

He met several of his mother's relatives in Natchez. The Carpenters, mainly. He and Mrs. Carpenter had a grand time.

GLC02161.158

to Harriet W. Dewey

He asks her to pay the enclosed. He will send the balance later.

GLC02161.159