18 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that Jack will go up in the morning and will bring with him a package of soap, candy, a dress for Liz, and this letter. He saw Dr. Rixey today and sent him $51 to be delivered to her. He got three handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy at $1.50 a piece. He asks her to deliver them and collect the money. He says he has yet to hear about his application and that further delay should be expected with the resignation Mr. Randolph from the Cabinet. He admits that not hearing much from home leads him to think that the family has forgotten him.

GLC06582.52

19 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that John left that morning for Soldier's Rest. He mentions sending fifty dollars with Dr. Rixey and says that he will send fifty more dollars when he gets paid. He writes that he has heard nothing more about his application. Additionally, he mentions that he has heard a rumor that the "President is dissatisfied with the nominations sent to him by Mr. Randolph." He mentions that Charley Williams will go up to Redwood and offer himself as a volunteer. He mentions that if he had the money he would do the same thing although that does not "bar the operation of the Conscript Act." He…

GLC06582.53

22 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he knows nothing about his appointment. However, he predicts that he will not receive the appointment because the other applicants "are men of great influence." He is uncertain about entering the army because he does not have enough money to hire a substitute, would not buy one if he could, and doubts that a physician will grant him a certificate of disability.

GLC06582.54

25 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He still does not know about his application but hopes he will soon hear the results. He is unsure about when he will be home and for how long he will stay. Admits to not knowing what to write since he has not heard word from home. He writes "the city is agitated in relation to Fredericksburg." He describes Nannie Pendleton (evidently a cousin) as a "sweet & smart girl." He asks about the condition of his horse and rifle and if the dress for Liz and the handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy were well received. He mentions that Gen. Haymond does not want him to leave the city and will try to find…

GLC06582.55

27 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He is worried because his wife has not written. Thus he thinks she is sick or has been offended by his letters, and so asks her to write back. He informs her of the Yankees' position. He tells her "they have evacuated Manassas, Warrenton & all the country north & west of Falmonth," and are now at Fredsburg or "opposite to it." There, he writes, the Yankees will probably "go to Suffolk & attempt a movement from that place." However, he assures her that the army is not worried and is ready for Lee in front with his great army, able & willing to meet & repulse them." In…

GLC06582.56

3 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received her letter and is very thankful. He also mentions that he bought her several hairpins "and any other little articles I think you may need." He tells her of his departure which will be between the 16th and 20th, and explains that he is "now exempt from military service, being a Notary Public", and so will soon see her. He also mentions that he is worried because as " the weather grows winterish day by day," the poor will suffer more and more for they have nowhere to go and the wood is "at 18 & 20 dollars per cord." He also describes the Yankees' position. He…

GLC06582.57

6 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the day before was one of the worse days of the season. He mentions that at approximately four o'clock the guard cried out that some prisoners were escaping. He writes that it was later discovered that three prisoners escaped and that one used a rope made out of their bedclothes. While three made it out safely the fourth prisoner fell from the ripped rope thirty or forty feet downward. He thinks that the prison guards will be fired on Col. Pendleton's return. He is anxious to get home, as this has been the biggest separation yet. He writes in haste and will have to stop to go out…

GLC06582.58

7 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Enjoyed reading the letters she sent him by Bob Daniel despite the fact that they were weeks old. He also mentions receiving a letter written by her the same day but delivered by John Gibson. He asks her to tell John that the 16,000 Yankees are in Winchester and that the Confederate troops have fallen back at Strasburg. He mentions seeing Mr. Major and that he has told him that Mr. Beckman has sold his farm to Sterns who also bought Mr. Morton's farm at fifty dollars per acre. He begins to say that he does not think it "bad policy to sell real estate." He mentions some conditions on the…

GLC06582.59

December 11, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that John will bring this letter up to her as well as a package of things for the family. He mentions that Uncle Jack got to Richmond last night. Says that Hansborough will be at their house within the next week or so she is to remember what he told her about him long ago. He was glad to get the long letter she sent him from Uncle Jack. He went to see the Assistant Secretary and his commission will be ready the following day. Comments on how her Aunt Mary, despite her faults, is a good woman and that he is sorry to hear of Mr. Beckham's situation.

GLC06582.60

15 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Since Uncle Jack will be going back up, George has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to write and send her this letter. He mentions that he has not heard from home since Jack left but expects that she has written to him. He writes that he will probably see her on Friday or Saturday. He says he has to wait for Col. Deas to get back from watching the enemy at "Fredsburg" to collect one hundred dollars. He comments that Fredricksburg is supposedly annihilated by the war with "hardly a house standing, uninjured, and a good portion of the town destroyed." Many people are living in tents…

GLC06582.61

19 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that Uncle Jack has yet to be awarded a contract and that the Secretary of War has yet to sign his commission as Quarter Master. He mentions his "horrid dream" about her last night that bothered him all day. He says that Nannie Pendleton and Miss Buffington will go up with him and that she should expect them on Monday. He is anxious to be home. He says that he has no time to write any more. He will go to see if Uncle Jack's collar is done. He sends his love to all and closes the letter with the idea that they will soon see each other "after so long a separation."

GLC06582.62

February 16, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He describes how he saluted to the (day) light in a prayer of gratitude for living to see another night and that his wife would be "watched tenderly" in his absence. He says he witnessed the impressive funeral of O.J. Wise, who was killed on Roanoke Island, points out that it did the dead man no good. He hopes that he will be able to arrange for her to visit, and asks her to write as soon as she is well enough. Transcript available.

GLC06582.04