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1865/03/09
Armstrong, Halleck, fl. 1865
to: Mary [Armstrong].
Describes army medic routines & ambulances, describes desolation of landscape due to war.
GLC06734.011
1865/03/10
Reports on troop maneuvers, Sheridan's whereabouts, etc.
GLC06734.012
March 10, 1865
Describes wounding of his troops, & ministering to soldiers.
GLC06734.013
March 11, 1865
Describes the death of soldiers, his inspection of their graveyards.
GLC06734.014
1865/03/12
Reports on rumors that "Sherman, & Schoield, and Sheridan are working up, & Grant has Lee by the throat." Also describes in detail his work as a Chaplain & what it consists of.
GLC06734.015
1865/03/13
"I keep no diary of events, so I guess I had better send my diary home in the form of letters."
GLC06734.016
1865/03/14
to: Mary [Armstrong]
Describes battle in detail. Also: "…The good news from Sheridan was read to the boys at inspection in the form of a dispatch from Gen. Grant. It was received with loud cheers. Surely the end draws nigh…"
GLC06734.017
1865/03/15
Describes impending battle plans .
GLC06734.018
1865/03/16
Describes feeling of impending battle. In part: "…Everything is quiet this morning, but it may be the calm before the storm. Sheridan is here, & his wonderful cavalry are not far off…"
GLC06734.019
1865/03/17
Describes widespread desertion by Confederate troops, intra-troop Confederate violence.
GLC06734.020
1861-1865
GLC06734.021
30 January 1821
Meigs, Return J., 1782-1851
to Aaron Hobart
Announces that an arrangement has been made for Hanson, Massachusetts to receive "four mails weekly." Discusses the recent name change to the Middleborough post office and notes that he has "received two applications to reestablish a Post Office...
GLC06313.04.105
7 March 1774
Oliver, Andrew, 1731-1799
to Henry Knox
Reminds Knox about a year-old order for books that has not been filled. Wonders if the list he gave Knox has been lost. Oliver was one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the American Philosophical Society.
GLC02437.00124
1773 and 7 March 1774
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
to Lucy Knox
Later copy of two love letters from Henry Knox to Lucy Flucker (Knox) written during their courtship. In the first, Knox complains of not receiving a message from Lucy, expresses his affection, and attempts to solidify plans for a meeting at a coffee...
GLC02437.00125
18 March 1774
Fowle, Robert Luist, 1743-1802
Promises to settle his account and requests that Knox return his and his uncle's note, so his uncle can pay it. A post script asks Knox not to indicate that Fowle desired the note sent to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This long-standing debt for...
GLC02437.00126
29 January 1821
Dunbar, Jesse, 1760-1836
Encloses a petition from N. Manson "for the remuneration of a fine paid Z[abdiel] Sampson." Discusses a bounty related to a cod law.
GLC06313.04.104
8 March 1862
Williams, George M., fl. 1862
to his wife
He describes the irregularity and unreliability of mail. He writes that he has bought four yards of red flannel, eight dozen hair pins, paper, large-sized soap but that he has not yet been able to find a knitting cloth. He will send what he purchased...
GLC06582.09
10 March 1862
He is distressed to hear that his wife is suffering from neuralgia. He had made plans for her to see him. He confirms rumor that army has fallen back at Manassas. He mentions plans to see Mr. Benjamin to ascertain whether the army will retreat as far...
GLC06582.10
12 March 1862
Describes the uncertainty of army movements. Advises his wife to take the next train to him if she fears anything. He complains that the Government maintains too much secrecy, and so exaggerates peoples' fears.
GLC06582.11
13 March 1862
Says he is confident that in times like these she will not let a week go by without writing to him. He regrets not sending for her by writing, "Procrastination ruins more plans than anything else." He mentions wanting to see her "very much." He...
GLC06582.12
14 March 1862
Asks why his wife does not write more frequently so he does not need to be as worried for her safety. He writes that he was unable to get a leave of absence. He thought up an idea to ask the Secretary of War to station troops in Culpeper to serve as...
GLC06582.13
12 May 1862
Expects a telegraph from her. He describes uncomfortable conditions at a local tavern where he shared a room with three men and his bed with one of them. However, by the next day he was able to get a room that was vacated. He also says that he misses...
GLC06582.14
17 May 1862
Writes that the city was thrown into "great commotion" by an announcement that the Yankees were eight miles away with gunboats despite the obstructions placed since Norfolk. He was given permission by Colonel Deas to go and stay for as long as he...
GLC06582.15
20 May 1862
Mentions that the end of the war will "require strict economy and management in all affairs." Predicts that after the war is over, money will be harder to get and taxes will be "mountain high." He warns wife to treat servants kindly but to not...
GLC06582.16
24 May 1862
Heard cannon firing in the morning and suspects (but does not know for a fact) that it was a "scary sight" since it lasted for about four hours. Thinks "the enemy" wants to enter Richmond. Believes "Jeff" (Davis) and his cabinet are a "failure." He...
GLC06582.17
5 June 1862
Writes a reply to her two letters, to be sent by Uncle Merton. Agrees that his letters have been unfortunate because very few have made it through the mails. He mentions that Uncle Merton has been to Richmond to see Bruce who is stationed three miles...
GLC06582.18
7 June 1862
Asks whether she and his aunt have received the supplies he sent. Hopes to get two weeks leave soon so that he can visit. He contradicts rumors that the south will soon be conquered, writing that "our people can never be subdued, unless our leaders...
GLC06582.19
10 June 1862
Sends this letter by a Mr. Jones. He says that not an hour passes that he does not think of her. Asks about the baby and if she can say "father" or if instead she continues her "babbling" of "dad dad dad." He also mentions that she is old enough to...
GLC06582.20
11 June 1862
Writes that the current "state of things" leads him to worry. Mentions that Tom Jones may not be able to go out because he may be part of the reinforcements for Jackson in the valley. Claims that 5,000 men were to leave this morning and that no...
GLC06582.21
12 June 1862
Describes two battles two weeks in passing where 3,000 were killed, wounded, or missing. Furthermore, he describes the battle to be more destructive than all other previous battles in the war with the exception of Kernstown. He informs her of the...
GLC06582.22
17 June 1862
He sent a pencil letter to his wife with Mr. Day including lemon syrup and castor oil. Writes that he will send his aunt soda powders. "Richmond is starving almost" due to the high selling prices and scarcity of goods. Asks her if she has noticed how...
GLC06582.23
He has received letters from her every day for the past several days. The news is dull, but he has seen General Price, who looks too benevolent to be a warrior. Price's troops have not yet arrived. Plans on going home to see her "as soon as the...
GLC06582.24
20 June 1862
Asks if she is sick or in need of stamps. He asks her to write to him if she has not done so already. He would like her to record the progress of Liz and to report the effect the chicken pox had on Lizzie's "head piece." He describes the rising...
GLC06582.25
21 June 1862
Comments on how her last letter seemed to be "under gloomy feeling." He says he has written to Sister several times and that she has only written once. Writes of Cousin Albert, Cousin James, and Cousin Narcissa. Comments that Narcissa is dissatisfied...
GLC06582.26
24 June 1862
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...
GLC06582.27
26 June 1862
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...
GLC06582.28
1 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.29
8 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.30
16 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.31
26 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.32
27 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.33
31 July 1862
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...
GLC06582.34
1 August 1862
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...
GLC06582.35
5 August 1862
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...
GLC06582.36
11 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.37
12 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.38
15 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.39
16 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.40
17 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.41
19 September 1862
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...
GLC06582.42
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