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25 April 1863
Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918
To his wife
Reports that a federal raid captured 3,000 rebel prisoners. Also says he does not notice the boom of guns anymore. Concludes with his longing to see his children and wife.
GLC04558.086
27 April 1863
Hot weather. Regiment's officers trying to get regiment mustered-out or to get a furlough. Mentions consolidation of corps and fears of officers. Reports rebels doubling pickets. Concludes with a joke that he might "go under" if he comes in-range...
GLC04558.087
29 April 1863
Rebels "appear ready to siege us out" and reports "Old Stonewall Jackson has sent a flag of truce [to the city] warning the citizens to leave if they didnt want to get hurt." Mentions visiting other NY regiments and describes "a queer kind of...
GLC04558.088
2 May 1863
Picket duty; worries that he might have to cross the river again to take the fort (see #85). Estimates forces on Union side. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia
GLC04558.089
4 May 1863
Battle letter. Sent into battle as skirmisher, rebel pickets abandon their posts as the Federals advance but the advance is slowed. GT's gun tube bursts. Other regiments drive the rebels off. Speculates that their advance was intended as a probe...
GLC04558.090
8 May 1863
Continued May 9. Responding to family news, concerned that Edwin fought at Fredericksburg, comments on sister Louisa's plan to keep a school, escort for deceased officer, has bad cold, news of Hooker. With postscript apologizing for damaging the...
GLC04558.091
15 May 1863
Moved camp, picket duty, fishing a lot while on duty; the NY 89th is one of the few regiments to remain; talk of consolidating regiments; mentions rations available. Letter broken-off with orders to strike tents and move. Captain under arrest....
GLC04558.092
17 May 1863
Now camping at a fort, mentions guns in forts, describes looking over battlefield where he fought. Comments on home news and jokes that "I might I suppose 'send up a few contraband' to work for you only Uncle Samuel wont let em go so far North."...
GLC04558.093
22 May 1863
"This is an awful lonesome and lazy life to live..." Sultry days and chilly nights; drilling. On receiving a letter from his abolitionist brother-in-law: "...I received a letter from Edwin..... He accuses me of lacking sympathy with the plan and...
GLC04558.094
2 June 1863
A lazy day in which he day-dreams of being home; mentions combating a forest fire; relates farm news from Edwin who was injured and has hired "a couple of negroes;" instructions on sheep; responding to home news.
GLC04558.095
5 June 1863
Continued on June 6. Camping in the shade and making "artificial shade" with pine and cedar branches; according to letter from relative Matilda, "Nelson was a prisoner in the hands of the rebels;" other news. "As for Marys letter I dont think...
GLC04558.096
9 June 1863
Writes of being by-passed for promotion and mentions talk of promotions being bought from the captain whom he describes as "very young... a little under 21 years old,... on the whole rather good looking, but... fopish, showey, conceited, and vain[;]...
GLC04558.097
14 June 1863
Asks her to write and apologizes for brevity; discusses preparations for a dance and picnic, including ladies from Norfolk whom he hopes will be respectable. Claims that "over five hundred" women in Norfolk are "registered as professionally bad" (i...
GLC04558.098
18 June 1863
Continued on June 19. Yesterday's festival or dance was attended by 35 ladies "of the showey kind." Teasingly says his "gal" was not there and says he sat-out the dances. Describes dancing platform, etc. Asks about crops and livestock. Mentions...
GLC04558.099
22 June 1863
Writes that they left their camp and all baggage behind; expects to head towards Richmond; mentions seeing Charlie Tillotson. With postscript dated Tuesday morning noting that no marching orders were received.
GLC04558.101
26 June 1863
Written in pencil. (Day "27" has been struck and replaced with "26.") Mentions steam travel on the river and says he is about 23 miles to Richmond. Speculates that they are intended as a feint since the movement has been so slow.
GLC04558.102
29 June 1863
Expects marching orders; expresses doubts about their ability to capture Richmond but describes a raid by the 11th Pa. Cavalry which captured Fitz Hugh Lee. Mentions guerrillas "picking off those foolish as to expose themselves outsid[e] the lines."
GLC04558.103
7 July 1863
Describes long march to the Hanover court house and unsuccessful attack on railroad strongpoint; mentions successful cavalry raid against rebels. Expects to return to Gettey's Point.
GLC04558.104
14 July 1863
Describes march from White House in great detail: foraging, washing clothes, giving away blanket to contraband, and more marching.
GLC04558.105
20 July 1863
Resting and settling down after the marches. On politics: "Your Copperheads up ther[e] I see have been kicking up quite a rumpus, but they will get sick of it, if they are not already. Didnt know one spell but what they would spite 'Massa Greely's'...
GLC04558.106
29 July 1863
Written in pencil aboard a barge docked at Portsmouth. Describes marching and countermarching; speculates that they are destined for Charleston's Fort Wagner.
GLC04558.107
1 August 1863
Written in pencil on patriotic stationery. Describes the situation of forts ringing Charleston (Moultrie, Sumter, Wagner), and mentions that Wagner was taken last night but lost due to shelling. "...I dont like the looks of things here in general...
GLC04558.108
2 August 1863
Describes the pettiness of an officer who would not allow the troops to land until their officer had reported to him; describes the island.
GLC04558.109
6 August 1863
Written on patriotic stationery. Continued August 7. Describes lack of tents, current duties and situation around Charleston (Sumter, Wagner). Fatigued from unloading vessels.
GLC04558.110
18 August 1863
Describes orders to march, countermarch and counter-countermarch. Says half the regiment is sick although he is healthy and that the monitors have begun attacking Forts Sumter and Wagner.
GLC04558.111
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