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to: Wife, Daughters & Son.
[n.d.]
Armstrong, Halleck, fl. 1865
Marked "No 1"; seemingly first letter sent to family while on post. Reports on news about Sherman & Charleston having fallen.
GLC06734.001
to: Mary [Armstrong, his wife].
1865/02/24
Reporting on his arrival at the headquarters of the 9th Corps.
GLC06734.002
to: Wife.
Reports that he is now at the front, describes conditions at front & shells bursting in air around him, spreads news of capture of Wilmington.
GLC06734.003
to: Mary [Armstrong].
1865/02/27
Describes being under enemy fire, ill health due to cold.
GLC06734.004
1865/03/01
Describes how he felt being under fire.
GLC06734.005
to: [?wife?].
[1865]/03/02
GLC06734.006
1865/03/04
Reports on rumor that Sherman has been defeated, hopes it isn't true, talks about great number of dead and burial procedures, remarks on slavery as the sin of the South.
GLC06734.007
1865/03/05
Discusses his commanders & their religiosity, his preaching & religious ministering at the camp.
GLC06734.008
1865/03/07
Talks about systematic pilfering of the Sanitary Commission by high ranking soldiers; also reports on seeing black troops: "Today for the first time I saw whole regiments of black troops…They appear quite as well on parade as their more thoroughly...
GLC06734.009
1865/03/08
Reports various rumors about Sheridan's maneuvers. Also reports on nearby black uprising: "Our allies, the darkies, are evidently burning out their beloved Masters…"
GLC06734.010
1865/03/09
Describes army medic routines & ambulances, describes desolation of landscape due to war.
GLC06734.011
1865/03/10
Reports on troop maneuvers, Sheridan's whereabouts, etc.
GLC06734.012
1865/03/12
Reports on rumors that "Sherman, & Schoield, and Sheridan are working up, & Grant has Lee by the throat." Also describes in detail his work as a Chaplain & what it consists of.
GLC06734.015
1865/03/13
"I keep no diary of events, so I guess I had better send my diary home in the form of letters."
GLC06734.016
to: Mary [Armstrong]
1865/03/14
Describes battle in detail. Also: "…The good news from Sheridan was read to the boys at inspection in the form of a dispatch from Gen. Grant. It was received with loud cheers. Surely the end draws nigh…"
GLC06734.017
1865/03/15
Describes impending battle plans .
GLC06734.018
1865/03/16
Describes feeling of impending battle. In part: "…Everything is quiet this morning, but it may be the calm before the storm. Sheridan is here, & his wonderful cavalry are not far off…"
GLC06734.019
1865/03/17
Describes widespread desertion by Confederate troops, intra-troop Confederate violence.
GLC06734.020
to Elizabeth Smith
1863/9/26
Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863
He is very ill. Written from Stanton General Hospital.
GLC04189.56
to John Smith
1863/10/21
Starz, Edward L., fl. 1863
Informing him that private D. V. M. Smith died on October 10th, 1863. Also informs him where Smith was buried.
GLC04189.57
1863/10/22
Smith, John M., fl. 1861-1863
He found her husband's body and has sent it home by express. He warns her not to open the coffin because the body is "in an advanced state of decomposition."
GLC04189.58
to mother
1866/3/25
Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?
Plans to attend a big government auction in Macon, Georgia. Before he goes home, he must stop in Washington and settle his old quartermaster accounts. He advises his mother on financial affairs including rent houses, and an oil well.
GLC04662.121
1866/5/2
His quartermaster paper work is being inspected. He has met many of his army friends in the city.
GLC04662.123
1862/9/13
He has been sick since he joined the Army and now believes that his illness is due to bad food which "the devil can not eat." He describes how the regiment left New Jersey and traveled via railroad to Maryland. His regiment captured three of...
GLC04189.01
1862/9/24
The Confederates camped twenty miles away in Frederick, Maryland. He has "Inflamatory Rheumatism" in his legs. The regiment's officers think that they will all be discharged by Christmas. Smith begs his wife to write him more frequently and adds...
GLC04189.02
1862/9/26
His legs feel much better. He asks his wife to write him several times a week and he hopes to do the same. Written from Camp Johnson.
GLC04189.03
1862/9/31
Smith hopes he will soon be fit for duty. He has not received some letters his wife sent and is dismayed that she will not rewrite the news that was in them. He mentions trains full of soldiers passing by and, responding to her questions about...
GLC04189.04
1862/10/2
He received the letter she mailed yesterday (10/1/1862). He has only received one of four letters she sent. He gives her instructions concerning the "Post Office Matter" and how to file returns for stamps. In response to her complaint that he does...
GLC04189.05
[Certificate of David V. M. Smith]
1862/10/4
Moore, W. Henry, fl. 1862
Certifying that David V. M. Smith is a member of Company D, 12th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers and entitled to the state bounty.
GLC04189.06
1862/10
Describes the capture of a hearse that carried arms for the Confederacy. He found two newspapers lying on the road and mailed them to Anna [his daughter]. He asks Elizabeth to send him a letter detailing all the "impossibilities" she must deal with...
GLC04189.07
1862/10/5
Smith gives his wife instructions for renting out his blacksmith shop. [see also #2, 13] He is dismayed that she rented out part of the house against his wishes. His legs are giving him trouble again. Discusses types of punishments in camp...
GLC04189.08
1862/10/11
He expects to leave for home in a few days. Page 3 and 4 are addressed to Charles.
GLC04189.10
to unknown [fragment]
1862/10/13
The rebels have torn up the road between camp and Frederick, Maryland and are now within 5 miles of the federal camp.
GLC04189.11
to David Sithen or Thomas Sharp
1862/10/21
Sutton, George S., fl. 1862
Gives permission for D. V. M. Smith's wife to have a cord of wood.
GLC04189.12
1862/10/28
The blacksmith shop has been rented out. Mentions rumor that the army will move soon and General Wool has stopped issuing furloughs. Smith begs his wife not to mention his liquor consumption. He assures her that he is now a sober man and it hurts...
GLC04189.13
to Elizabeth Smith & children
1862/11/4
Describes an offer in which ten men from each company would have the "privilege" of being allowed to join the regular army for five years. They have captured quite a few rebels and spies including: "A big nigger that has been watching us and...
GLC04189.14
to Charles
He describes non-stop guard duty to his son Charles. Smith also tells the story of a young drummer boy his son's age, who snuck out of camp in a flour barrel in order to visit town. He advises his son not to become a soldier.
GLC04189.15
1862/11/11
He is still on guard duty. Discloses accounts that he would like his wife to collect. He also wants her to find out whether soldiers have to pay tax and, if so, how much. Briefly mentions the removal of McClellan and his renewed hope for a furlough...
GLC04189.16
1862/11/25
The army is building a General Hospital in town and his regiment has been assigned to guard it. He again asks his wife not to mention the "Rum question," claiming it makes him "feel a little dry until I forget it again." Continues on 11/26 to...
GLC04189.17
to his family
1863/9/14
He has turned in his gun and reported to the doctor. He rode in an ambulance to Culpeper. He mentions the capture of two guerrillas and adds that "woman & children & negroes packed up & left for parts unknown."
GLC04189.55
1865/2/6
He thinks the rebellion will be over by the 4th of July. Reminisces about friends and playing in the snow. Leon must return to his regiment. Confederate peace commissioners came into Union lines while Confederate bands played patriotic union songs...
GLC04662.092
1865/2/24
The capture of Wilmington and Fort Anderson. Worries that Beauregard and Lee will join forces. Many southerners are deserting into union lines and even more are simply going home. He has been ordered to the Department of the South. Describes the...
GLC04662.093
1865/2/29
He has no news to relate. Is anxiously awaiting news about Sherman. The Richmond papers will not print anything about Sherman's march because they do not want to reveal any information the North might not know.
GLC04662.094
1865/3/9
He is looking forward to the end of the war so he can find employment. He writes that he can give a family friend a job as a driver for $30 a month plus rations.
GLC04662.096
1865/3/12
He writes to announce his commission as a brevet major.
GLC04662.097
1865/3/24
The quartermaster is buying the arms of Confederates who have deserted. Walbridge advises his mother on financial affairs.
GLC04662.098
1865/3/31
Order to be the quartermaster of General Turner's division at Wilmington, N.C. His employees at Bermuda Hundred gave him a watch and a chair as a going away present. Written on board steamer "Transit."
GLC04662.099
1865/04/05
He is now Chief Quartermaster of the 10th Army Corps, which gives him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Leon is also stationed at Wilmington.
GLC04662.100
1865/5/12
Mr. Pratt has offered to help George and Walbridge start their own business in Chicago. Walbridge announces he will stay in the army for a few months.
GLC04662.102
1865/05/20
Quick note sent with a check for $100.
GLC04662.103
1865/6/11
Describes the contents of his house as a bunk, table, washstand, chair, and bench all made of unpainted wood. The cooking is done in a small tent in back of the house. He hopes to get a furlough.
GLC04662.104
1865/7/27
He has just returned from furlough and has finally received his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. He is rethinking his intention to resign since his new rank brings with it an annual salary of $2700.
GLC04662.105
1865/8/13
The troops have been paid off and are beginning to desert. He thinks he may resign from the army soon.
GLC04662.106
1865/8/21
He no longer receives the pay of a Lieutenant Colonel. He plans to leave the army in a few days. The 100th regiment is in Richmond and will be mustered out.
GLC04662.107
1865/9/7
He will stay in the South for two or three months. He has borrowed $3000 from Mr. Pratt and is investing in stock [selling horses and mules in South Carolina, see # 68 ] speculation. He has been formally relieved of duty and is anxious to get home...
GLC04662.108
1865/9/15
He has purchased his stock and will start South immediately.
GLC04662.109
1865/10/8
He is on his way to Augusta, Georgia to sell his stock. He thinks Columbia must have been a beautiful city before Sherman marched through. "There are a few fire places left yet, which serve to show what the city was, but most of the buildings are...
GLC04662.110
1865/10/1
His stock is not selling as fast as he had hoped. He thinks Darlington is the wealthiest district in the state and adds, "The people are very sesech in their proclivities and are as 'ugly as sin', as the children say."
GLC04662.111
1865/10/27
He has been renting out his teams, but will now sell them. He received a job offer from Pratt & Co. and plans to accept it.
GLC04662.112
1865/11/12
His stock is selling slowly, but he has already made enough to cover his original purchase and all his expenses. He will hold an auction and hopes to sell of the rest of the teams at that time. Hopes to be home before Christmas.
GLC04662.113
1865/11/23
Describes the damage done by union bombardment and subsequent fires. Hopes to dispose of his stock in auction. Wants to be home for Christmas.
GLC04662.114
1865/12/1
He asks his mother to buy Christmas presents for him to give to the rest of the family. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in Charleston, "But the southern people know nothing about our time honored anniversary. Thanksgiving is pre-eminently a New England...
GLC04662.115
1865/12/15
He has made $3000 in profit in the last three months. Still hopes to be home for Christmas.
GLC04662.116
1866/1/16
Describes the auctions which are occurring throughout the state. Discusses the weather, which is quite warm one day and cool the next. Also discusses the economic stagnation of the south.
GLC04662.117
1866/1/28
Does not think his family needs to worry about an outbreak of small pox near their house. He thinks his vaccination kept him from getting the disease, even though he was in the company of small pox victims on several occasions. He has been delayed...
GLC04662.118
1866/02/13
He has purchased many items at auction, including 257 army wagons. He spilled a mixture of kerosene oil and lamp black all over his face and clothes and had a horrible time trying to clean up.
GLC04662.119
He is feeling homesick. Selling the mules and wagons is taking a long time. He writes of a girl from home, Katie Pratt, whom he is interested in and who his mother thinks would be a good choice for a wife. Yet he will not marry until he is...
GLC04662.120
1866/3/3
He has a 22 hour lay over while waiting for a train. He plans to go to Macon, and Savannah, Georgia before catching a steamer bound for New York. The family oil well has made "a fair show." He can not wait to come home and work.
GLC04662.122
1866/8/8
He writes of the health of family members in the city, discusses repairs made to family property, and attended an organ concert at Henry Ward Beecher's church.
GLC04662.124
1864/12
He encloses $30 and contains a list for the dispersal of the money as Christmas gifts. Date inferred from information in letter # 85.
GLC04662.125
to Minnie
1865/6/10
Writes to his sister about the discharge of troops, including Leon Brown. Mentions the garden back home and that he does not think he will get a furlough.
GLC04662.126
to Owen Horsfall
1909/10/06
Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910
His investment in the "dredger machine" is not going as planned. The heating plant was denied by "the powers that be in Washington" for financial reasons. He received drawing supplies and will use them to continue his correspondence studies. He is...
GLC05245.50
Washington, Martha.
With pencil inscription on verso: "Martha Washigton." Vignette bust portrait. Photograph from engraving. White mount
GLC06391.10
Washington, George.
Vignette bust portrait. Photograph from engraving. White mount.
GLC06391.11
to boys
1906/09/09
Discusses a trail cutting and bridge building job he got through a "dicker" with J.A. Crutteudeu. Wants Ed to choose a profession and find a position in it and advises Owen to take the Saltain[?] job rather than stay in the bakery. He is on the...
GLC05245.33
to my dear children
1906/11/09
Reports there is no snow for sleds so he must use horses to carry the mail. Claims it is difficult to cross rivers with the horses because the ice is too thin to hold them. Rests in a "skookum" log cabin halfway through the six day round trip....
GLC05245.34
1906/11/21
Describes this letter as "Via Valdez and Gokona." Encloses it in this letter due to his "inability to procure the Draft in time." States the weather has been unusually nice recently.
GLC05245.35
1907/02/02
He is sending the Draft for $100 he intended to enclose in his previous letter. He quit the mail service a month ago and is planning to go to Nome by way of Seattle. The winds are strong buildings must be propped up to withstand them. He is no...
GLC05245.36
to My dear boys and girl
1907/09/11
Thinks Owen should do some "rusticating" and worries about his nosebleeds. Thinks last year's strikes are affecting the gold output and that individual mining is coming to an end. He is glad Uncle Jesse Knight is taking care of the holdings....
GLC05245.37
to Children
1907/09/30
Discusses working the night shift at the pump house. Asks about the boys' commencement exercises. Thinks Owen would do well in the educational field. Resumed his correspondence course but has switched into the Stationary Engineers Course....
GLC05245.38
to my dear boys and girl
1908/03/23
Writes that the Paris-New York Automobile Contest will reach Nome next winter. Regrets Roosevelt is not running in this year's presidential election because "he has certainly proved himself to be the man of the hour." Thinks Taft "will be the best"...
GLC05245.40
to Dear ones all
1908/07/11
He has not written because he was busy and waiting for the Ohio which was delayed by the ice until the Thetis went in search of her. He has attended ballgames that begin at 8 pm and end before sundown. He is sending a Draft for $300 to be divided...
GLC05245.41
to My son
1908/08/17
He is proud that Owen has chosen to go on a church mission. He is sending a $500 draft. He asks if Owen will visit any of he family in England or on Long Island. The plant just bought a small steam engine and steam washer. He asks if Owen's...
GLC05245.42
to Owen and all [incomplete]
1909/01/09
Owen's Aunts met him after his trip on the S.S. Republic. He asks about family and the property. He will write to Nancy soon. Dancing, musical entertainment, skating rinks, horse races, and trotting on the ice have become popular. The big Alaska...
GLC05245.43
to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]
1909/03/07
Writes that Owen's mention of denying people religious liberty reminds him of "the old days of bigotry, superstition, and witchcraft." Reminds Owen of the Quaker saying "it is not what thee eats, but what thee digests that makes thee strong." Page 4...
GLC05245.44
1909/03/27
Discusses becoming a vegetarian. Thinks " the race hatred will be a long time dying out." Reports the Quartermaster wants to install "central heating, electric lighting, and water distributing system." Congratulates Owen on the 9th Ward's Sunday...
GLC05245.45
1909/03/30
He is sending the $15 he forgot to enclose with the last letter. He will show Owen's letter to the editor of the local paper for possible publication. Written at Fort Davis
GLC05245.46
1909/06/16
Discusses the family; Owen, who is 24, wrote from Turkey of Constantinople, Adena, and government control of the telegraph; Ed is attending Utah University, where he has joined fraternities; and Carol is in Grammar school where there are two seasons...
GLC05245.47
1909/07/08
He has been busy with emergency work and lodge meetings. Ed has written about his " 'frat' experiences." The money order he sent came back and he filled out a new one. [continued on 9/09] He invested in a labor saving plant but says he is...
GLC05245.48
1909/08/13
He says it might be wise for the mission to withdraw from Turkey because it is so "unsettled." He wonders whether the converts are sincere or only interested in financial gain. He wants Ed to pick a career. His plans have been impeded by lack of...
GLC05245.49
to Ed
1910/03/12
The distilling plant had to run all winter and the high tides removed three piers. He regrets not leaving last year and thinks this winter may be his last. He chides Ed for not realizing that "now is the time to fit yourself for life's battle" and...
GLC05245.51
1910/05/03
Describes how they are prone to get winter mail in June. States he will supervise work on the water pipe line, which will be 1600 feet long, but is not confident. [continued on 5/10] Regrets he did not leave in the fall and go into real estate....
GLC05245.52
Administracion general de rentas reales marítimas [In Spanish]
January 26, 1839
Partially printed. Bill of lading for the schooner Amistad la Guanaja (a bay island of Honduras in the Caribbean). Lists items to be shipped for Don José de Armas including books. Numbered "7" on verso.
GLC05636.49
The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 38 (March 28, 1863)]
March 28, 1863
Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863
Editorial examines identity of perennial writer of letters to the editor, "Nuff Ced." Commentary on cavalry, cost of war. Diagnoal floral pattern in white, gray, and cream.
GLC06208.22
Carte de visite of George W. Curtis
Anthony, Edward, 1819-1888
Anthony label on verso. Half length seated portrait of a middle-aged man in civilian dress.
GLC06391.02
Carte de visite of Wendell Phillips
Half length seated portrait of a middle-aged man in civilian dress, with arm resting on table.
GLC06391.03
Carte de visite of Charles Sumner
Anthony imprint on verso. Half length standing portrait in civilian dress, facing proper right.
GLC06391.04
Carte de visite [Unidentified]
Gutekunst, Frederick, 1831-1917
Three quarter length seated portrait of a woman in shawl and bonnet. Related to image #1.
GLC06391.07
"Longfellow Children."
Image of three young girls embracing one another. Photo from painting or engraving. White mount with "Longfellow Children" inscribed on verso in pencil.
GLC06391.08
Carte de visite of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Half length seated portrait of an older man in civilian dress, facing proper left. White mount.
GLC06391.09
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