24 June 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he will get the cotton and send it at along with another item she requested at "first safe opportunity." Does not think Mr. Jameson has come to the city yet. The weather has been "excessively hot." He writes that "the city is dull" except for incoming rumors from Maryland. He describes receiving a note from Woodson Hansbough which "coolly informed" him that he has told Mr. Scammell that he would settle his bill at the Hotel. He does not appreciate Hansborough's ways and expects her to treat him with " much distant civility." He discusses a man and married woman who seem to be "…

GLC06582.27

26 June 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the "roar of cannon & musketry was painfully audible and exceeded the thunder of the fiercest storm." He mentions that General Hill's division fought on his side where his troops drove the enemy three or four miles and captured three batteries. He hopes that God grants that McClellan's army face "total annihilation." He has found that tea costs seventeen dollars despite knowing someone who was able to get the tea for four dollars per pound. He is glad that Pen escaped the battle and that he does not think that the contest will last more than a week or ten days. Writes that in…

GLC06582.28

1 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Tells his wife she should not give way to the gloom she expressed in her letter, and reminds her that their condition is much better than that of others. Explains that he and she are both alive whereas many from the south such as Mr. Daniel and Capt. [Crittenden?] have died, away from their wives and families whom they "had not seen for months." In addition, he mentions the situations of many Southerners, which include eating half rations, "toiling in the marshes of the Chickahominy, drinking its execrable water."

GLC06582.29

8 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Complains about the heat, he has "never known it to be warmer. . ." Writes that he has left all that is dear to him. Although he is exhausted, upon hearing that Maj. Parks would deliver this letter he was determined to write. Informs her that McClellan "lies between the James & Chickahominy river."

GLC06582.30

16 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Asks if she is safe, if there have been any arrests, and the whereabouts of Uncle Jack. He would like also to hear from Greenwood. Claims that the army has received great news from Arkansas & the Mississippi River. The news is that Yankee General Curtis has been captured with eight thousand men and that the army's steel vessel, the "Arkansas" has attacked and destroyed a Yankee ship at Vicksburg. He predicts that New Orleans will be retaken. Describes the weather as sultry with the thermometer at 91 degrees.

GLC06582.31

26 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Reports that "every day brings the most distressing rumors from Culpeper". Most unfortunate, he confides, is that the rumors are in accordance with General Pope's orders so that he believes they may be true. As a result, he fears for his wife and family in Culpeper. He informs her that Addison arrived safely at Richmond with the cattle and that Cousin James advises it would be best to sell at once. He heard that Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Hernden refused to take a physician's oath and as a result people in need of medical help are not getting it. He asks if she would confirm this. He counsels wife…

GLC06582.32

27 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that he is worried about family's safety especially since he has not heard from them. Thinks that General Pope's orders will jeopardize her safety. He informs her that the fifth division of the army is on the march for Jackson and if Pope's troops do not retire there will be a fight in Culpeper.

GLC06582.33

31 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that he spent the day with "C B****." He asks her to kiss the baby, encourage the servants, and to pray to God for his blessings. Explains that it would have been imprudent to mention names in his letters and thus give away valuable information if a letter should fall into enemy hands.

GLC06582.34

1 August 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clayton

Writes that he is suffering from occasional headaches, neuralgia, and a sharp pain in his side. He mentions that he "would give much" to hear from family and even more to see them. He tells her that if possible she should "secure all [his] traps and [her] own valuables for everything is liable to be taken." He mentions that the weather continues to be "warm & sultry" but notes that autumn is only a month away.

GLC06582.35

5 August 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he has not heard a word from home but worse yet he has not heard a rumor. Heard that Greenwood was stripped of everything except 5 barrels of corn and 300 pounds of bacon. He also heard of Parsons Cole being dragged from Church and arrested for praying for the welfare of Confederate authorities. Mentions that the Yankees are becoming "savages" that have forgotten the teachings of civilization. He trusts that God will no longer "indulge them" but destroy them like the Assyrians. He calls Stonewall "the angel of pestilence."

GLC06582.36

11 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions missing travel connections and seeing Uncle Jack and William. He reported to Colonel Deas but because Deas might have to go the field George may have to find another office. He writes of plans following the departure of Deas. He says that he is starved and has not eaten a mouthful since the day before. He claims to be more and more depressed as the separation from his wife endures. He reflects on how when they first married neither one expected this war. He reports news of the democratic victory in the elections and hopes that the war will end soon. He says that he was upset over…

GLC06582.37

12 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he will be home the following week if he is still feeling ill. He tells her to ask Uncle Jack to tell Tom Rixey that the ad failed to reach either the Whig or the Enquirer. He mentions not being able to find a soldier to serve as his replacement. He describes the weather as "hot, damp, and sultry." He says he saw Jacque Wood at Gordonsville. When asked what he was doing there, Wood responded that he was a Yankee prisoner and expected to be hung. He heard that Williams and Browning took oaths to support the Yankee Government. He writes that the Confederates have occupied Maryland…

GLC06582.38

15 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Feels he is a changed man since leaving home. He believes that faith in God is the foundation to domestic happiness and national prosperity. "Equality of rights can only be secured to man . . .by establishing the sovereignty of God." Wants her to get Uncle Jack to see George Thompson. Mentions seeing Montague Wood. He is tired of Richmond and is anxious to leave. Regards Pendleton to be "a man of words & no mind," but hopes that he has not misjudged him.

GLC06582.39

16 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He has been informed by Mr. Brown that Thom Lewis is dead and that Mrs. Shackleford is extremely low. Mr. Brown also informed George of the diseased conscripts that are to report to Camp Lee. He writes that he expects a "large congregation of Culpeper men" to arrive. He describes a spiritual change he feels he is undergoing. He mentions the arrival of Cousin James. He writes that it is too early to make plans for the winter because he may have to go to the field or that the war may be over. He suspects that the latter is most probable because with McClellan in Maryland and Buell in Kentucky,…

GLC06582.40

17 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Hopes that the war ends soon. Asks her to tell Uncle Jack that three of his pieces have been published. Encloses copies of Lee's and Johnson's proclamations to the people of Maryland, and praises Lee's leadership: "Did any General ever give greater evidence of Military genius - It reminds one of the exploits of Napoleon." He tells her to not be sad but grateful that none of her loved ones is dead or injured. He notes that it is the anniversary of "poor Jack's death."

GLC06582.41

19 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes about a "scheme" he has thought of that may allow him to leave the army without fear of conscription. His scheme involves making an arrangement with Mr. Short, the Sheriff of Culpeper, to be a deputy sheriff until his health is fully restored. He will meet with Mr. Short that afternoon. He hopes that Short agrees because George will be able to make more money and would "master of his own time." Encloses a receipt.

GLC06582.42

8 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Wants her to tell Cousin Ella that he is honest enough to pay his own debts. He discusses Jimmy, old accounts, and loans. Describes how grateful he was to be given an "untarnished last name." He writes that he is "always too sanguine." Comments on Jim Bonghan's conceit and simple wife. Informs her that Albert's wife died of diphtheria but that Albert was able to see her before she died and will leave the army to stay at his father-in-law's home.

GLC06582.43

24 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he is staying with Cousin James for a fee of ten dollars a month and that he is suffering from a sore throat. He still has the pain in his side, which he hopes does not augur anything fatal. Informs her that he is "applying for the position of Judge Advocate in one of the Court Martial [sic] about to be organized." He has bought a dress for his daughter Liz. He suspects that his office will close soon and he plans that when he does he will leave for home until "Conscript man [sic]."

GLC06582.44

25 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Asks her if she liked the "old homestead of [his] ancestors." He informs her that he passed most of his childhood there and goes on to describe the beauty of the land. Advises her to get Tom to accompany her to Newman's Hill from which she "can see Greenwood & Capt. Ward's with the country intervening." Writes that the office has been closed temporarily because Colonel Deas is acting as Assistant Secretary of War. He writes that he is staying with Cousin James. He also writes that General Raymond and his wife are also staying with Cousin James because they have rented their house away…

GLC06582.45

26 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the weather is somber with a "winter spirit." In addition to informing her that he has received a letter from Uncle Jack, he writes that he will try to send a dress for Lizzie and a handkerchief for Aunt Betsy (with prices marked on them so she will be able to collect the money). He hopes that she will be able to stay with Uncle Morton and Aunt Betsy for a while. Fears that his office may close. If so, he will have to enlist as a private, as he does not expect a position. He blames his own failings for this, not his friends.

GLC06582.46

29 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Reasons that she may not be letter writing as much because she is staying at a "frontier place" where communication can be "occasional & uncertain." He informs her that Col. Taylor has heard from Col. Deas that George should have no trouble receiving the appointment as Judge Advocate. He explains that despite this good news he is still "not sanguine." However, if he does get the place, he will arrange for positions for Jero and Pen. He writes that if they only knew where her father was they would be able to invest in the Redwood Farm. He says that there was a heavy rain that flooded the…

GLC06582.47

4 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions that he is "quite well with the exception of the side pain" which he does not believe will ever go away. He provides a sketch of his "mode of life." He explains why he may not win the appointment ("unknown to the appointing power, don't belong to the right political faith."). He asks whether Uncle Jack has sold his horses yet. He asks her to burn the letter after she has read it because he has written about particular people and the Judge Advocacy.

GLC06582.48

7 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received a two-day-old telegraphic dispatch as a reply to his letters from Jack. He thinks that his family must be in a "hurry & bustle" since the army headquarters are now stationed where they live. He asks who the various officers are. At the time he is writing this letter it is one o'clock and "snowing furiously" which he says has been the case since "before day break." He asks what price Jack received for his horses and colts. He also asks how long General Longstreet will stay at Redwood.

GLC06582.49

11 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He received her letter, detailing her flight from home. He also learned by reading someone else's letter that she and his aunt are going to go to "Halifax to Mr. Bruce's," but reasons that Cousin Ella must have been mistaken because she has not mentioned it in any of her letters. He writes that the appointments have yet to be announced. Thinks it would be "prudent" for Uncle Jack to hire servants and give up working on the farm until "more quiet times." He admits to not knowing what to write to her. He says he is "compelled to go into the Army" when he is finished with his present work.…

GLC06582.50

14 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that although he was surprised he was also pleased to see John, who arrived last night. He thinks the best thing she can do right now is board with Mrs. Pannill because the board is cheaper. He also thinks that it will be the safest choice because it will be three to four miles inside army lines. He describes potential movements of the Yankee army. He reminds her that Albert's wife has died of diphtheria.

GLC06582.51