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20 December 1863
Smith, Martin, fl. 1863
To Mother
A Southerner writing about "Divine Institution of Negro Slavery" and "old Abe and his abolition crew."
GLC09189
2 April 1864
Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917
to his brother-in-law and all at home
Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. Thanks his friends and family for writing to him and remembering him. Notes that there has been a lot of rain and wind recently. Does not think his brother-in-law will be conscripted as Illinois is already ahead...
GLC07460.072
4 July 1864
Pickett, George Edward, 1825-1875
to LaSalle Corbett Pickett
To "Sallie." "Does not your husband wish, pray and sigh to be with his Sallie, his only only love...You know...how much I detest outward show, and manifestations of religion...but to offer up you silent prayer with a truthful heart, and an entrusting...
GLC09155
7 June 1864
to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
Written at Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. Explains that the mail has not gone out for a while because of the Battle of Resaca. He is glad to hear everyone at home is doing well. Writes that he hopes that when the fighting is done the war is...
GLC07460.080
27 July 1872
Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875
to John W. Frughs
Writes shortly after being nominated as Grant's Vice President. "I find your note and the Platform of 'The Young Men's Continental League' ...I have long hoped and believed that the people inhabiting the North American Continent will be united under...
GLC09142
10 June 1861
Wayne, Henry C., fl. 1861
Orders
About a Union rally by Baptists and Methodists. "The leaders of these two systems, are either designing demagogues, or ignorant enthusiasts...The President [Jefferson Davis] has proclaimed next Thursday as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer...
GLC09147
16 November 1861
Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863
to Amanda Wilkinson
Written at Camp Richardson. States that he loves her very much and is glad she has regained much of her strength. Is extremely excited that she will soon be a mother. Notes that they have been out on a "tramp" after seeing the enemy. He states that...
GLC03523.13.024
9 December 1861
Written from Camp Michigan, Virginia. Has visited Washington, D.C. in the last week. States that Mrs. Fuller has had a boy, who is rather small. Mrs. Fuller is not doing well and was expected, for sometime, not to live. Notes that even though he had...
GLC03523.13.029
17 July 1862
Written near Harrison's Landing, Virginia to his wife. Understands why the nation is filled with anxiety over the battle [Seven Days Battle] and the retreat. Is clearly upset about the retreat writing, "that over 30,000 brave men have been sacrificed...
GLC03523.13.050
12 September 1862
Written at Mansion House Hospital. Tells his wife that she should concern herself with her own health before worrying over his. Is very tired from the work that he has done since returning to his regiment. He notes that he is feeling a little bit...
GLC03523.13.057
4 January 1863
Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Notes that a year ago today he started for home. Writes how much he misses her and wishes he could be with her. Is thankful that God has continued to spare him through so many battles.
GLC03523.13.072
4 January 1862
Holly, William H., ?-1864
to Mary Ann Davis
Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Talks of mutual acquaintances, (including a death, one in an "insane retreat" and one who goes down town and returns "pretty tight"), Christmas (when he hears a sermon by an African missionary on "what shall be done...
GLC02165.01
23 February 1862
Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Laments camp accommodations ("you are at Church listening to a good sermon while I am seated on a wash basin and writing on a Camp Kettle") and not being able to spend "the last Sunday in Brookfield that perhaps I...
GLC02165.03
27 Decemeber 1863 - 10 January 1864
Stark, Lydia, fl. 1862-1864
to her brother
Written and signed by his sister Lydia. Thinks that there are angels watching her children. Writes that Henry has gone to see his Aunt Phebe. She remembers the first time she held him, a few hours after he had been born. Writes of the many memories...
GLC03523.42.36
12 February 1864
Flower, May, fl. 1864
to her uncle
Written at Penfield by May Flower. States that her mother will not let her write because she does not write well enough yet. Asks if he has to "work" on Sunday. Writes that her mother has told her about his childhood. Tells him that sometimes her...
GLC03523.42.37
1861-1865
to brother
Letter is signed by "Nat." Is sorry for not having written to him as letter writing isn't the writer's "business;" and the writer has had many "domestic duties" to attend to. Writes that despite this the writer and their family think, discuss, and...
GLC03523.42.64
23 June 1862
to unknown
Signed G. J. H. Writes from Camp Alexandria. Thanks the recipient for the "interesting" letter he received. Mentions traveling 600 miles from Washington junction to Harpers Ferry, Virginia to Cumberland, Maryland by [train] cars. Describes the...
GLC03523.43.03
22 May 1864
Written from "Lakeport, La." to a friend. Talks of the visit of the wife of his friend, William Hoyt, whom he will be sad to see leave as he enjoys having a "respectable female friend to chat with." Talks of how he wants to leave the army--"what a...
GLC02165.17
12 January 1863
Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864
to his sister
Describes the events leading up to and including his involvement in the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro). He reports that he and Marshall (his brother, also known as Sam) are alright but Captain [Thomas H.] Francis of company A suffered a foot...
GLC02232.12
14 August 1863
Writes that he hasn't heard from his family in a long time. He updates his sister on Marshall's (Ward's brother, also referred to as Sam) whereabouts and condition. Ward writes that he spends most of his time in camp reading Waverly novels and the...
GLC02232.20
8 December 1863
Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Writes that he has been in poor spirits lately, especially since he was unable to see "P & M" ("M" refers to his brother Marshall). Desperately wants his sisters to visit him in Marietta, as he can get a few...
GLC02232.27
15 October 1864
Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864
to John Reeser
Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when...
GLC03523.43.15
18 December 1864
G.F.H., fl. 1864
to Mary Reeser
Comments that he just returned from a meeting in Chandlersburg, [Pennsylvania] where they sang and had a prayer meeting. Tells Mary which girls went home with whom from the meeting. Describes eavesdropping on a conversation that he heard on his way...
GLC03523.43.21
circa September
Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868
to Isora Skinkle
Informs his sister that he will not be coming home on a furlough. Inquires on how her Sabbath school picnic went in Washington. Writes that there was an expedition in Louisiana to seek out the rebels. Reports that his brigade did not go on the...
GLC03523.32.21
23 June 1864
Clifton, A. D., fl. 1864
to Sallie Clifton
Written from camp near [Colombus]. Describes a sore on his arm and the swelling it has caused. Teases her about the number of shirts she sent him and tells her the weight of them is ruining his horse's back. Assures her of his safety and says he...
GLC03135.09.05
19 January 1862
Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864
to Edith M. Phelps
Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Speaks of a friend named John choosing to "serve god." Comments that he is fond of Professor Waldon and believes him to be a "clever honest fellow." Says that they recently purchased a stove that smokes a...
GLC03523.49.07
23 November 1862
to his mother
Writes about the preacher at camp. Comments that he is a good man but is not very smart. Says that he went to the preacher last night and was given a prayer book. States that he reads a chapter in the testament out loud every night before retiring...
GLC03523.49.11
11 December 1861
Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862
to Hannah E. Russell
Writes to his wife. Wishes that he could visit home but says that the colonel will not allow any furloughs. Comments that they now have their arms and equipment. Wants her not to fret about him and to take care of his "Dear little babes," and not...
GLC03523.50.02
8 January 1862
Chastens wife for her thinking that he is going to die and wanting him to cover transportation cost if it were to happen. Mentions that it is unreasonable for her to think that any man would go to the expense of paying 100 dollars to have his...
GLC03523.50.04
16 March 1862
Writes that he sent 15 dollars and wants her to spend it wisely for he does not know when he will get paid again. Comments that he had a relapse of the fever since he last wrote to her but that God spared his life. Reports that his regiment is in...
GLC03523.50.11
13 April 1862
Bigalow, Marlin M., fl. 1862
Written by a nurse who cared for E. S. Russell at the Hospital. Informs Mrs. Russell that her husband, E. S. Russell, is very sick. Writes, "his case is almost a hopeless one...he cant live but a very few houres [sic] i wish you could be here and...
GLC03523.50.14
4 May 1862
Informs his wife that he is not doing any better and believes that his time is near. States that he is submitting to God's will. Writes, "my prayer is that God may be good to you & my dear children. Put your trust in him & he will be a friend to...
GLC03523.50.15
9 May 1862
Gordon, G., fl. 1862
Informs Mrs. Russell that her husband, E. S. Russell, passed away last night. Describes him as having suffered greatly his last few days but when he finally passed away it was easy. Believes that he "is now in the full enjoyment of that rest which...
GLC03523.50.16
[religious verse] [in German]
Appears to be a prayer. Throughout the document the Trinity and Mary are called upon. There is a passage at the end of the document that is written in English. "A true & approbiate [sic] fever knowledge that whosoever has this letter in his house...
GLC03523.50.19
[religious verse]
Appears to be a verse from the Bible or a prayer. "swelling swelling. I command in the Name of Jesus Christ that the N N so little injure Than our lord Jesus Christ the three Nails injured When the Jews drove them through his hands & feet +++ the...
GLC03523.50.20
Speaks of the Trinity and of two evil eyes and three good eyes. Instructions are given on how to cure sore eyes, the fever, to make you firm, and knowledge to shoot.
GLC03523.50.21
Writes of people from the Bible. Writes of Abraham and Jacob.
GLC03523.50.22
Beecher, Henry Ward, 1813-1887
Whimsical and poetic letter requesting "paper made of the fibre of the reeds that will grow along the Nile... envelope made of a spider's web to be spun next summer..." Mentions meeting the unknown recipient next July in Saratoga.
GLC05603.01.28
7 July 1867
Braithwaite, Ann, fl. 1862-1865
Writes of a lady named Emma getting married. Discusses the importance of always remaining holy. Writes, "do not let your earthly lover draw your heart from the heavenly." Wishes her and her new family well. The letter has a watermark on the top...
GLC03523.32.42
2-4 March 1863
Unidentified soldier of the 16th New Hampshire Volunteers in Mansfield, Louisiana, describes a prayer meeting at a black church, visits to New Orleans, and army life. "We are thinking that the Conscription Act will go rather hard with some of the...
GLC09231
15 June 1861
Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873
to his son
Confederate Navy Secretary to his son re the victory at Big Bethel Church, the first land battle in Virginia: "…you will see how well and bravely our men fought. They fought thus because their cause is just, & God will not permit Old Abe's men to...
GLC09305
11 January 1865
[Resolutions]
The Confederate House of Representatives, resolving that "the Confederate States are prosecuting the war in which they are engaged for the purpose of establishing their independence as a separate power, and that in so doing they are exercising the...
GLC09310
3 January 1867
Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903
to Dr. J.J. Wardlaw
Former Alabama slave owner comments on Reconstruction: "There will be in this country great distress and destitution; hundreds of men who were in good circumstances before the war are completely ruined. Suing and being sued is the order of the day...
GLC09311
1862-1864
Hess, Luther M., fl. 1862-1864
[Diary of Luther Martin Hess]
Diary of soldier in 93rd Illinois Infantry, Co. G. Took part in Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta campaigns, and Sherman's "March to the Sea." Vivid writing throughout, some daily, some retrospectively. Confronted with the prospect of death during the...
GLC09353
7 April 1864
Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868
to A. P. Kessler
Writes to his father from camp. Reports they will not get a discharge. Comments the officers voted to keep the band and have promised to buy them new instruments, provide back pay, and have pledged themselves to prompt payment hereafter. Comments...
GLC03523.52.44
21 February 1865
Owen, John, fl. 1865
to James
Captain of 36th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, mentions the locations of fellow Harvard alums, including "[Robert Todd] Lincoln in the army," and the health of those released from POW camps. He announces the news that "at this moment [received from]...
GLC09371
10 August 1861
Wright, Miller A., fl. 1861-1864
to his brother
Miller has heard that there will be "a great battle to Come off soon" and that his brother may be slated to fight in it. "We have no news here all is uneasy as to the results of the coming Contest..." He also expresses some doubts about the war:...
GLC02691.11.015
28 August 1864
Starr, George H. (ca. 1839-1916)
Writes to his mother complaining of not receiving a "letter from home of later date than May 14th" and asks that if his father is well enough, if it would be possible "to have him make an Effort to secure my "Special Exchange" - " Continues by...
GLC02748.04
29 November 1869
Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882
to Sally Orne
To Sally Orne regarding her pension fight with Congress, friendship with Senator Charles Sumner, and Lincoln: "My bright little comforter Taddie, is of course with me today… The darkness is very great - we can only pray - that the dawn is at hand…If...
GLC09395
1864
Stokes, George, fl. 1864
[Report on evacuating contrabands]
Union chaplain's report on evacuating contrabands. "I cannot help wonder at the management of the evacuation of Huntsville-a memorable event in the history of this wicked rebellion. The gov't property destroyed and the apparent determination that the...
GLC09409
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