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to James B. McPherson

Major General Hurlbut writes to Major General McPherson, commander of the Department of the Tennessee, about military strategy and organization. Counsels against consolidating "Memphis & Vicksburgh into the 'District of the Miss. River." Outlines...

GLC08901

to Henry W. Halleck

Discusses strategy to engage General Robert E. Lee's army. After much deliberation he decided "to attempt the movement by his right, throwing the whole army rapidly & secretly, across the Rappahannock at Banks ford & Fredericksburg & taking...

GLC08902

to Abraham Lincoln

Intensely vitriolic letter sent to President Lincoln shortly after his election: "God damn your god damned old Hellfired soul to hell god damn you...Now you God damned old Abolition son of a bitch God damn you..." Attached to a board with a...

GLC08904

to William B. Stone

Discusses debts and financial arrangements. Also comments on slaves being used as collateral: "We regret that you have had so much trouble with Keybird the lien on the Negroes is ample security for our debt." Hopkins Brothers was a commission firm...

GLC08905

to Jason Brown and others

Discusses the fighting between pro-slavey and anti-slavery activists in Kansas. Explains that "Events of the most stirring character are now passing within hearing distance...more than 200 shots have been fired within the past half hour, and within...

GLC08906

[Civil War diary of William R. Buchanan]

Diary of U. S. soldier covering the Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga campaigns. The entries are sporadic near the beginning of the year but near-daily from March until December. On 3 July 1863, at Gettysburg, he writes: "at daylight...

GLC08910

[Pay and Muster roll with wages for former slaves]

Lists approximately 100 freedmen by name on the "Mdme. Rosts Hermitage Plantation, Parish St. Charles," Louisiana, who were under the charge of Federal officer Henry B. Fitch. Next to their names are their ages and wages. In some cases there are...

GLC08912

[Civil War letters of Grove Bell, a private in the Union Army] [decimalized]

This collection is a series of 15 letters and one printed poem from Private Grove Bell to a number of recipients, including his sister. The poem is dedicated to the Ladies of Portland, Connecticut, Bell's hometown. Private Bell enlisted in the 20th...

GLC08913

to home friends

Bell to friends. Letter written in pencil. Very faded. Some parts are illegible. The envelope is addressed to Mr. Edwin Bell. Received last letter two days ago. Had tried a couple of times to write a letter but had not been able to do so. Some mail...

GLC08913.02

to sister

Received a letter night before last. Have not had much time to sleep. Happy to receive mail; "had it not have been for that barrel, I should not have been here now." "Living pretty hard" at the moment. Have built log huts. Very cold while standing...

GLC08913.04

to sister

Had not received stamps in a long time and was therefore unable to write. Sorry to hear of his friend's sickness. Arrived in Fairfax a few days ago. "Threw away everything" on the march. Everyone had too much to carry, and one soldier in particular...

GLC08913.05

to home friends

Friends have asked for boxes from home, and now wants to do the same. Asks to have the box ready as quickly as possible, within a day of the delivery of this letter if possible. Says to speak to Max Cadwell to see when he sent his box down. If they...

GLC08913.06

to home friends

So angry he "can hardly write." Had to wait a long time in the cold. Angry because he has not received favorable news about his box. Instead was advised to get some good boots on because they would be marching the next day. Had his friends done as he...

GLC08913.07

to home friends

Happy to finally have received the box that he had been complaining about in his earlier letter. Box was mostly undamaged, and his boots arrived in good condition; they fit well. Had a particularly good breakfast today of sausage and fried potatoes...

GLC08913.08

to sister

Borrowed a friend's pen to write with, although he has practically forgotten how to use one. Has very poor ink. Wishes he had his own pen so badly that he is thinking of sending for one in his next letter home. Afraid he would ruin the pen while down...

GLC08913.09

to sister

Bell to his sister. Written on 20th Connecticut stationery. Was waiting to be paid before writing this letter. Wants to send some money back to her. Discovered a box last Friday, and found his black hat inside. His new commander is "a grand good...

GLC08913.10

to home friends

Received their letter the night before last; would have answered earlier but has had a lot to do. Had a lot of fun bathing and fishing. Recently fought at Chancellorsville. "Anything but fighting for me" after the horror of his first battle. Soldiers...

GLC08913.11

to home friends

Apologizes for not having written sooner, but has not slept well in days and has not had time to write on account of the battle. Does not think that the Confederates will be returning to Pennsylvania anytime soon after the results of the battle at...

GLC08913.12

to home friends

Would have written earlier, but could not obtain any paper. Had to beg a friend for some. Threw away knapsack at Gettysburg. Lost "everything but a rubber blanket." Asks to send "a lot of things," specifically paper, a pencil, stamps, envelopes, and...

GLC08913.13

to unknown

Paper includes a stamp of a ship with the stars and stripes for sails. Letter is only ½ page long, and looks ripped at the bottom. Asks for a box to be sent including a small silk handkerchief, which is "all that I can think of." Asks to be sent a...

GLC08913.15

[poem] "To the Ladies of Portland"

Inspired by the reception the 20th Connecticut received upon departing for war. The women of Portland, Connecticut gave the men a warm send-off.

GLC08913.16

[Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On...

GLC08914

to Brother

Is healthy and hopes he is too. Camped two miles from the city of Baltimore "on a little hill." There is a large railroad bridge that they have been guarding. Sent some letters and is wondering whether or not he has received them yet. The guards...

GLC08914.001

to Jacob Rifenburgh

Received his letter through Ephraim, "in which I see that you are not dead yet but alive and kicking." Compliments his writing, wishes "they would all write like you do." Will give him a full account of his travels in Pennsylvania in his next letter...

GLC08914.003

to brother

Is well at the present; had a bad cold but feels better now. Got a letter from Lewis Brooks. Misses the cider from back home. Does not want to simply sit out the winter. Has started to get pretty cold at the camp. Written in Camp Millington

GLC08914.004

to father

Is well at present; hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Expects to leave camp "every day." Has received marching orders, but has not left yet. Is not dreading the march, for he likes traveling. Discusses various affairs at home....

GLC08914.005

to Brother

Very glad to have received postage stamps in his last letter. Also glad to hear that all is well at home. Is well at present, but is getting a cold. Just returned from the meal ship, which has a few dents in its side "where the Merrimack balls struck...

GLC08914.006

to Brother

"Well at present;" hopes he is too. Got paid $21 last week, bought himself a pair of boots for $6. His other boots were no good. Will not send any money home this time. Has to make sure he "has enough to eat."

GLC08914.007

to Brother

Letter also includes a small $1 pink ticket for the steamboat A.G. Brown. Left Newport News yesterday for Fort Monroe. Will go to Norfolk to get some coal. Has a "very bad" cold, but is recovering. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC08914.008

to sister

Received her letter today. Cold is getting better; will be fine in a few days. Many on board the ship are still sick. A man in his company took sick, "got crazy," jumped overboard, and drowned last night. Gun boats have gone ahead, and "we expect to...

GLC08914.009

to Nelson Rifenburgh

Stationery includes a stamp of the likeness of General George McClellan. Finally has gotten a little bit of time to write. Is working as a hospital steward. "Could not spend those [leisure] moments in a better way" than writing to him. Supposes he...

GLC08914.012

to sister and brother

Received her letter yesterday. Never has written to Horace Rifenburgh. Has had "good living," and "will tend to that son of a bitch if I ever live to get back." Denies Horace's claim that he charged him for the harness; calls him a "damn liar." Will...

GLC08914.013

to brother

Received a letter from him yesterday. Glad to hear all are well. "They can't kill this Rifenburgh." Tells them not to listen to other people about the money he sent them; there has evidently been some misunderstand about who owes how much money. Does...

GLC08914.014

to sister

Is well at present. Hopes she and the rest of the family are well. Does not know how long he is going to stay here. "Very near all" of the men from Clermont are sick. Brooks is well. John Heinkel and James Healy have enlisted in the artillery in New...

GLC08914.015

To Brother

Received his letter on the 6th. Glad to hear everyone back home is well. Sorry to hear that William's wife is sick. "Darn mad" that his father settled with Horace Rifenburgh, whom he describes as "such a darn rascal." Left Camp Chalmette last...

GLC08914.016

to brother

Is well and enjoying good health. Hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Has not received a letter from home in four weeks. "What the reason is I do not know." Expects to receive one the next time the mail arrives. Has not been paid...

GLC08914.017

to brother

Stationery is stamped with a colored series of stars with a shield bearing the stars and stripes in the middle. Glad to hear he is enjoying good health. Is also well. "Had a battle" on the Yazoo River; "captured 26 rebel vessels" and burnt six more...

GLC08914.018

to brother and sister

Letter is signed with an elaborate stamp that surrounds the initials P.E.R. It is possible that Rifenburgh created the stamp himself by simply putting dots of ink on the page, as it is not perfectly symmetrical. Received their letter yesterday. Is...

GLC08914.019

to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his...

GLC08914.020

to brother

Just received marching orders; does not know where to yet. Cooks have begun to cook extra rations in preparation for the march. Just got paid two months of wages. Will try and send some home. Will try to send it via express mail and see how long it...

GLC08914.021

to brother

Has sent a picture of himself. Marching orders have been countermanded; they will be staying at camp for a bit more. Hopes everyone at home is well. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.022

to sister

Sent with a picture of his likeness, but it is a "damn poor one." Does not have much time to write, but is well. Hopes this letter finds her in good health. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.023

to Brother

Glad to have received his letter; hopes this letter will find him in good health. Will send a copy of the New Orleans newspaper. Sent his likeness in a photograph and an ambrotype a week ago. Lewis Brooks had gotten a letter from [Mag] saying that he...

GLC08914.024

to sister

Received her letter today. Just returned from an expedition started on May 12th up the Mississippi River. Went 32 miles by foot and by boat through Lake Pontchartrain. After a few days' march, formed a line of battle. Marched about half a mile in...

GLC08914.025

to brother

Describes how the Confederates look: "like Hell. They don't wear no uniform they wear Citizen [civilian] clothes and rags." Many look "half starved." Has written a lot today. Has heard talk that the regiment is going up to Port Hudson along with...

GLC08914.026

to Sister

Marched to Port Hudson on May 20th. Boarded the steamer Bard and sailed until sundown, when they arrived at Baton Rouge. Sailed 10 more miles the next day, and landed on shore. Got 100 rounds worth of cartridges, and then marched the rest of the way...

GLC08914.027

to Nelson Rifenburgh

"We have had a pop at the rebels." Colonel was killed and eighty-five of his comrades were wounded. Did not take part in the fight, was left at the hospital to care for the sick. Eph[raim] Lasher and Patsey were wounded. Has "quite a lot of the...

GLC08914.028

to sister

Received her letter Friday afternoon. Lou has been sick but is feeling better. Jane left recently. She wanted him to give her more money, but he decided against it. Rubens is selling his farm because he is leaving it in the spring. She should tell...

GLC08914.029

[Receipts from Philip Knickerbocker to Jacob and Nelson Rifenburgh]

Receipts from Philip Knickerbocker to Jacob and Nelson Rifenburgh. Jacob is billed for $72.38 for medical bills from November 27, 1851 to September 19, 1861 and another $39.88 for other accounts. Nelson Rifenburgh is billed $7.12 for medical costs...

GLC08914.030

[Request for payment of Jacob Rifenburgh to Phillip Knickerbocker in the sum of $70.66]

Note that symbolizes Jacob Rifenburgh's obligation to pay $70.66 plus interest from April 3, 1865 to Philip Knickerbocker.

GLC08914.031