February 14, 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [valentine to Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher writes that "Sure as the grape grows round the vine I chose you for my valentine in hopes it may your sweet attention gain or else in vain in vain." He goes on to say that, "the rose is red the violet blue Sugar is sweet and So are you my fun is had my ink is pale my love to you shall never fail."

GLC03523.40.32

25 June 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

Times are dull and lonesome, and Swisher has not received any news from home for the past two months. His regiment has continually been on the march, and has not stopped long enough for him to write a letter. He would like to know how Bishoff is getting along with her school. He is encamped four miles from Manassas Junction, but will not stay for long. He believes he will then go to Washington to rest for a while.

GLC03523.40.27

December 21, 1861

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher reports that he has the measles, and is still in the hospital in the city. He expects to go to camp in a week or ten days. Swisher is sorry to hear that his [brother] Jim has fallen ill. Swisher tells Bishoff that he is also sorry to hear that she cannot have any fun without him. He claims to have been away from home for so long that he does not think about home anymore. Although Bishoff has told him that she wished the war were over, he does not think it will be over very soon. Swisher tells Bishoff that he received a letter from Sam, who is doing duty in Romney. Swisher…

GLC03523.40.06

4 March 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher describes his surprise upon receiving his most recent letter from Bishoff. He had not heard from Bishoff for a long time, and had resolved not to write until he did hear from her. He now understands Bishoff's reason for not writing: she was ill with the mumps. Swisher explains that he is currently under marching orders and expects to go first to Martinsburgh and from there, on to Manassas or Winchester [as previously noted, the 7th Virginia Regiment marched to Winchester on March 4-15]. He tells Bishoff that she will soon hear of the "Bloodyists Battles Ever was fought on the…

GLC03523.40.07

12 July 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher reports that since the last time he wrote, there has been a "Considerate Skirmish" and that the "3rd and 4th of July Did not go off as nice as it did Last year." On the 4th of July, Swisher's regiment suffered one casualty and three wounded. Swisher remarks that he would have liked to have gone to the party Bishoff hosted on the 4th, and to have seen "all the pretty little Girls step around over the floor," for he has "not seen a woman for so long it is almost a show To see." According to Swisher, if his regiment happens to march through a town, the women all go into their houses,…

GLC03523.40.11

24 September 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher tells Bishoff of the great battle that took place on the 14th of September. His Regiment was in the fight and was "Terribly cut to pieces Taking in to The fight 340 and Brought out 200. getting 112. wounded. and 28 Killed." There were three men killed and seven wounded in his company (5 pretty badly and two slightly). John C. Foglesong was one of the killed, dying instantly of a shot through the head. Bishoff's and Kate's likenesses were buried with him as he had requested while traveling on the James River with Swisher. Swisher reports that there was "many a poor soldier put out…

GLC03523.40.14

19 October 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher traveled towards Winchester to follow the Rebel army. They wiped them out of Charlestown and came back to camp again. He is tired by hard marching in the rain. Swisher tells Bishoff he would come home if he could, but he can't. He then explains that he is waiting to see whether "Mr Abram" is going to put his proclamation into effect, for if he does, Swisher is "not agoing to stay." But "as long as I am Fighting for the right Cause I would Rather Die at the point of the Enemys Bayonets than to Have the name of A Deserter," he says. He and Dick are tent mates and have agreed that…

GLC03523.40.17

13 November 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher tells Bishoff he has undertaken a long, fatiguing march since he last wrote. He is now 22 miles south of Manassas Junction in camp until his regiment receives some clothes. He believes that his regiment will then take up the march for the rebel capital, which he expects the Union army to capture before many months elapse. Swisher reports that there were many little skirmishes on the recent march, but that there was seldom anyone hurt. He was surprised to hear of his friend Daniel H. Wagoner getting married. Dick is sick and at the hospital, but was not bad when Swisher last saw…

GLC03523.40.19

16 December 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bishoff Jr.

Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as…

GLC03523.40.20

20 April 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

Swisher tells Bishoff he supposes the man she loves is Major [David] Stemple [Jr.] He says that if she marries him, he will make her a happy home as he is well-off and a man of principle. But he reminds Bishoff that she is a young woman while Major Stemple is an old man (probably 50 years of age), and that while she ought to be living her happiest days, she will have to be caring for him. But Swisher adds that he has no objections to her marrying Stemple, because he always likes to see people "work out their own salvation at what ever they undertake." He asks Bishoff to tell him who she…

GLC03523.40.25

February 9, 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher plans to send Bishoff a valentine [see # 32 for text of the valentine].

GLC03523.40.21