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6 December 1861
Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
to [Rebecca Frick]
Writes to his aunt, describing life at Camp Curtain. Reports that he is comfortable and should have no problem getting accustomed to camp life. Written at Camp Curtin.
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27 December 1861
to sister Kate
Reports that he has a slight cold. Asks his sister to thank their aunt for the good advice contained in her letter to him. Hopes that the war will not last long and is quite sure that England will be getting involved soon. Describes his Christmas...
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1861 circa
Bohn, Casimir, fl. 1849-1861
Map of Fortress Monroe and surroundings
Includes an engraving with hand-written indications of where camp, mill creek, and a bridge are located. The map also indicates where fighting occurred and the course of the soldiers.
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March 1862
to his sister
Complains of the dreary weather, which has brought down his spirits. Asks his sister to thank their aunt for the extra stamps she sent with her last letter, as stamps are very scarce and difficult for soldiers to obtain. States that Camp Hamilton...
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27 March 1862
Has just learned of a general order to stop outgoing mail but assures his sister that her mail to him will still be received. Advises her to be alert of any news from Big Bethel, Yorktown, Sewel's Point, Norfolk and Richmond. Reports that General...
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6 April 1862
Reports on the bombardment of Yorktown, which is about twenty miles from Camp Hamilton. Discusses the second lieutenant's report of Yorktown, stating that the rebels were completely surrounded by General McClellan. Complains of a sore throat, but...
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13 April 1862
States that the soldiers were paid recently and that most of the men sent their money home. Describes watching the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) capture three vessels within 200 yards of a land battery. Writes in detail an encounter between the USS...
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20 April 1862
to sister [Ella]
Reprimands his sister for not answering all his letters and tells her that composition is a very important part of her education. Asks his sister to remember him to a certain Mollie M. whom he feels would make an interesting correspondent for him....
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30 April 1862
to sister [Kate]
Commends her on her improvement in school under a new teacher. Feels strongly about having his sister properly educated and encourages her to persevere in her studies. Writes that no furloughs for illness or business are being granted for the men...
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4 May 1862
to Rebecca Frick
Writes from Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Virginia (present day, Hampton, Virginia). Letter addressed to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick or Rebecca Frick. Writes that he received an interesting issue of the Danville Democrat. Reports that...
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25 May 1862
Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that Suffolk, Virginia is not occupied by the troops yet. The Gosport Navy Yard has been destroyed except for some walls that are still standing. States that the women are becoming more...
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30 May 1862
Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that camp has moved from [Gosport Navy Yard] and complains of the condition of the grounds upon arrival. Discusses the number of Confederate prisoners that are being taken and their willingness...
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June 1862
Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia that he received his sister's letter and was happy to hear from her. Also writes that he sent home a sum of thirty dollars in a package sent along with the Captain. Refers to General McClellan as the...
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12 June 1862
Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that everyone is enjoying good health. Writes that the company has not officially heard from the new chief. States that there are many New York militia regiments who will probably be taking the...
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21 June 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that things have been quiet for the most part except for the capture of rebel mail some days ago. His present quarters are acceptable and he does not know how long he will be in the...
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3 July 1862
Reports that he was not well for a few days, but is feeling okay now. Writes that recruiting is dull and believes it will continue to be until the fall. He hopes that a draft will start soon. States that there is no news in town.
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11 July 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he has arrived safely and is in good health. Complains of the dullness of recruiting and wishes that he were stationed in a place where he could be more useful. States that he...
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30 September 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Wishes that his aunt would send him a five dollar bill in tomorrow's mail. Reports that he received a letter from John, whom with another company, is occupying a very dangerous position at...
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22 October 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Has nothing exciting to report from the town. States that if not for the recent election and draft, the soldiers would be in need of something exciting. Reports that the regiment had a...
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2 November 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that a letter was received by the captain stating that the men would soon be called in. Attended church and was delighted to find that the Right Reverend Bishop was in town. The...
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26 November 1862
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he is still stationed at Wilkesbarre and doesn't know when they'll be called in. Recruiting is still very poor. He is sorry to hear that Lightner is still in the hospital....
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30 November 1862
Complains that he is being kept in town for recruiting despite the poor recruitment rate. Writes that recruiting costs $219 a month and feels that the government should act more economically instead of wasting money on recruiting parties. He was...
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15 January 1863
to sister Ella
He has traveled from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe by the steamer "Expounder". Complains that the steamer was unsafe for transportation and that the men suffered from seasickness. The soldiers continued on to Beauford (also known as old Troxel Inlet)...
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27 January 1863
[to his sister]
Discusses the unreliability of the news at camp. He has received word that the mail is in New Bern and hopes it will put an end to rumors of the war ending. States that the rebels want to retake New Bern and Wilmington and capture General Foster....
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5 February 1863
Reports that three horses, ten Confederate soldiers, and their arms were captured by his company. Expects to spend the winter in North Carolina. Has not heard from Foster's expedition, but expects to soon. Reports that he is now in Colonel Howell...
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22 March 1863
Complains about the 2nd lieutenant who has no formal education (civil and military) except for some knowledge in company drilling. Reports of a petition created by line officers to be removed from "Bachelor's" (Batchelder's) Creek on the basis of...
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3 May 1863
Reports a skirmish with the rebels where one Union soldier was lost. Two companies from his regiment were ordered out after two soldiers had been discovered dead two miles from camp. Seven men, thought to have been responsible for the murders were...
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29 May 1863
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports on a long skirmish involving Union forces, 175 prisoners, and some equipment including a "splendid set of surgical instruments." Gives a detailed description of a surprise attack on...
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1 August 1863
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes that he is still in Washington and has not done much fighting recently. Discusses a position for which he applied, stating that he won't be disappointed if he doesn't get it but...
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10 August 1863
Complains about the excessive heat and comments on the health of the soldiers. States that the men in New Bern are healthy, but those in Washington, Roanoke, and Plymouth have got chills and fever. Discusses his recent attack of fever, for which he...
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September 1863
Will soon be leaving for Washington, North Carolina. Reports on the health of the soldiers; some are in the hospital but not in serious condition. Writes that he is suffering from diarrhea.
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14 September 1863
Writes to reassure his sister that he is well. Urges her to look on a map and trace his trip from the mouth of the Neuse River to the Pamplico River and then onto Washington, North Carolina; a distance of 110 miles. Reports that rebels destroyed...
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29 November 1863
Writes that although he would like to request furlough for the holidays, he feels it may be wiser to reserve his request for a time when he will really need it. Reports that Thanksgiving day was celebrated by the soldiers with a meal of hardtack and...
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27 December 1863
Writes that he spent Christmas on a boat in Washington, North Carolina with other soldiers, most of which were drunk. He had Christmas dinner with Phillip Forrester. Has befriended a widower in Washington who is originally from Pennsylvania....
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17 January 1864
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Explains that the delay in correspondence is probably due to the Northeastern storms occurring in the area of Cape Hatteras. Writes that despite not having any major battle news, the men...
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1 February 1864
to his aunt
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). He writes that a battle is currently raging in New Bern and the Rebels are at an advantage. The rebels, advancing during the previous night from Kinston, opened fire on the Union soldiers...
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4 February 1864
Recounts the Battle at Batchelder's Creek. There was severe loss on both sides; 200-300 Confederates lost and about 1000 Union men lost at Newport Barracks. Reports that firing was heard in the direction of Washington, but does not know if Plymouth...
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March 1864
Has just arrived from Washington. Talks about the arrival of his new niece. Discusses the importance of happiness to a soldier: " it is his life, his health, his everything." An expedition to the interior was put on hold due to the desertion of...
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26 March 1864
to his sister Kate
Hopes his sister is in good health when he returns so that she may welcome him with a "rich musical treat." Mentions the arrival of a new niece from his sister Anna. The men are anxious to be relieved by another regiment. Visits Washington on a...
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24 February 1863
Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863
to Amanda Wilkinson
Writes to his wife of the bad weather they have had recently. Thinks that many of the men would stay here but it does not feel like home to him. One of the regiment's captains has resigned and gone home. States that he will not use any of his...
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19 August 1863
to sister Anna
Writes that there will be no mail going north for the next week, so he is taking the opportunity to write before the last ship leaves so as to relieve his family of any worries regarding his welfare. Reports that many of the men in the company are...
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Updates his aunt on the letters he's written home. Writes that the weather is changing and becoming cooler. Reports the same news to his aunt as he does to his sister Anna in the previous letter. States that he could really use some gentian...
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31 August 1863
Reports that after Charleston, South Carolina is occupied, there are plans to move on to Wilmington, North Carolina. Writes that Captain Jackson has left for the north to bring back conscripts for the regiment.
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26 September 1863
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Describes riding on the steamer Thos. Collyer and the pleasure of feeling a cool breeze after being in the hot and dirty streets of New Berne. Also wishes that his Aunt and sister Anna...
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17 October 1863
Writes that he arrived at New Berne this morning. Reports that an expedition went to Elizabeth City and but didn't accomplish much there. Also reports that deserters are coming in daily at a great number. Hopes to hear good news regarding the...
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2 December 1863
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes that in addition to being paid, he was able to collect money owed to him and is therefore enclosing one hundred dollars (the one hundred dollars is not included with the letter).
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11 May 1864
Reports that the company landed at City Point on the evening of 5 May and started towards Petersburg early the next day. There was some fighting between Confederate and Union forces consisting of 9th New Jersey and 27th Massachusetts. The following...
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26 May 1864
Writes that the rebels keep the Union lines surrounded so much that when the sharpshooters watch from the trees they shoot every time they see a shoulder strap. As a result, one man was killed in his tent and another wounded. Reports that some...
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21 January 1863
He writes to his wife that he is sorry he has not sent more money home. States that the country is "hard up for money" and therefore cannot send as much as he would like or as much as she deserves. Comments that he asks no one to watch his wife. He...
GLC03523.13.075
26 January 1863
Writes to his wife that he has recently sent her several letters and has also sent his sister, Wink, a letter. States that he was unable to get a leave of absence and has been thinking about resigning. However, the army will not let him resign...
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