1862-1865

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of George F. Thomson, field and staff, 38th regiment, Massachusetts, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .32]

Letters of an assistant surgeon in the 38th Massachusetts primarily written from Louisiana. Twenty-nine of the letters are written to his mother.

GLC02743

7 April 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are camped in the city opposite New Orleans.They've been having pleasant food like green peas, new potatoes and lettuce. Two large mules will be arriving from New Orleans. Written in the neighborhood of Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana.

GLC02743.17

10 April 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are now near Berwicks. They suffered some losses with 6 killed, 91 wounded.

GLC02743.18

29 April 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

At Red River they plan to cut off the Rebel's supplies through Texas. He writes that he finds the place, where they are now, despondent. He talks about the risk of illness.

GLC02743.19

26 May 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They had two killed and one wounded the other day. Letter includes rough sketch of the Rebels' movements.He includes a whole catalogue of items he wants his mother to send including handkerchiefs and socks.

GLC02743.20

6 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are in Carrollton again and they are camping in a very beautiful spot. He mentions an Eliot Bundy and a Capt. Hopkins.

GLC02743.21

7 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

A fellow friend and soldier was shot and killed by a sharpshooter. Capt. Hopkins is sick. He has about 150 patients in his care currently.

GLC02743.22

11 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are getting ready to march. He wants Charley to send a powerful glass, like an opera glass but large and with a leather case.

GLC02743.23

17 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He would like to stay in the field but he may be ordered to establish another hospital in which case he won't be able to write. He asks her to save the Plymouth Paper.

GLC02743.24

20 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are in New Orleans and will probably go to Carrollton four miles away to camp.

GLC02743.25

26 June 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He has not slept in a house in some time and he has no sleeping clothes. He talks about a fellow surgeon of his.

GLC02743.26

12 August 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

There are a lot of crickets lately and he is afraid they will eat through everything. They are camped about a half-mile from the river. He would like to have 500 dollars.

GLC02743.27

16 November 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He weighs more now than he did when he left home. He does not see much chance of a promotion right now. He encloses photographs (not included here)

GLC02743.29

8 September 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He gives her instructions on how to divide his property in case he doesn't return.

GLC02743.01

11 November 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He writes he is on one of the finest steamers.

GLC02743.02

2 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They have orders to sail this morning. He promises to write as soon as they arrive somewhere. He describes a small beach in the distance. He mentions Aunt Elisabeth.

GLC02743.03

4 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They might be going to Texas and if so, good times are in store. They have plently of provisions , enough to last six months. He is in great health.

GLC02743.04

10 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are now off the Tortugas. They got to see Fort Tyler. The trip has been pleasant. He says he has never enjoyed a trip so much in his life. There is no fighting in the near future.

GLC02743.05

11 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

At one point they went off on an alligator hunt and had a great time. He mentions another story concerning a horse but the details are illegible.

GLC02743.06

27 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are still on the desert island, en route to New Orleans. He mentions McClellan.

GLC02743.07

29 December 1862

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are now on the Mississippi River. The trip was, for the most part, uneventful but the night was rather rough and uncomfortable.

GLC02743.08

February 2, 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They have orders to move somewhere else but have not gone anywhere else. He has a cousin that works for Adams Express and he will make sure "N" is forwarded. He was in a sugar mill the other day and got to see the whole process of making sugar and molassess.

GLC02743.09

January 18, 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He talks about how much each of the newspapers are worth, depending on their region. He talks about the cost of living. He reiterates that he is in excellent health. They say the army is demoralizing but he is drinking no more than before he joined.

GLC02743.10

February 6, 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He has decided to sell all his stock except the white heifer and the cults. He sold his horse. Recently he went to New Orleans and spent time with Charley.

GLC02743.11

February 15, 1863

Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He was ordered to go on the boat in charge of the Generals' bodyguard. He describes his experience and the bayou.

GLC02743.12