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23 May 1861
Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-)
to Heather
He likes being a soldier and describes his routine, starting with roll call. He will get his picture taken soon and send it along.
GLC02172.02
3 June 1861
He is getting used to being a soldier and he will send all his things home today. They have to be ready to march tomorrow.
GLC02172.03
15 July 1861
to Brother
A hundred of them marched for a couple of miles so that they could guard a dam. Eventually they will go to Fairfax where there are 4,000 men.
GLC02172.05
26 July 1861
to Brother Henry
There was an awful battle at Bull's Run He criticizes General Tyler who changed General Scott's orders, thereby ruining their position. Another General was drunk and their Colonel refused to obey the drunk General's orders. The next day General Tyler...
GLC02172.07
12 August 1861
He sent his brother some money. The weather has been warm and rainy lately. He complains of having written to various family members but has not received an answer.
GLC02172.08
14 August 1861
He heard from father and his uncle asked him to write. He discusses picket guard.
GLC02172.09
18 August 1861
They lost their blankets at Bull Run but expect to have new ones in a few days and a full suit of clothes. He warns him not to enlist again and says he would rather his brother stay at home and look after their parents.
GLC02172.11
to Unknown
They only got about 2/3 of their ration before going to Bull Run, so they were without food for a day and a half. When the bullets wer flying they saw a black berry patch and immediately began picking berries so the Colonel called them the black...
GLC02172.12
30 August 1861
Four of their pickets were shot last night. In company O, one soldier was shot by hs own comrad. They were practicing a manual of arms. One ordered the other to load aim and fire his gun and he got shot through the heart.
GLC02172.14
31 August 1861
He begs his brother not to enlist. He tells him to please stay at home and make all the money can. He will take his picture soon. They have recenlt got new clothes and blankets.
GLC02172.15
14 September 1861
Porter, WIlliam L. (fl. 1860-)
to Children
Henry talks of enlisting and like Charles he is trying to talk him out of it.
GLC02172.17
20 September 1861
He has just come in from picket guard and is quite well. Being on picket is a good way yo keep from getting homesick as it is sometimes exciting. One day a secessionist picket came over and said he was tired of fighting for the secessionist cause.
GLC02172.18
29 September 1861
The Rebels have evacuated Munson's Hill. Most of the regiments were moving toward Fairfax. He mentions a Charley STevens who seems to have changed his mind about enlisting.
GLC02172.21
6 October 1861
They are going to get new guns, either the sharps or Enfield rifles. He mentions the cavalry. The boys are in good spirits. He will not get down to the city thsi week.
GLC02172.23
9 October 1861
They had an inspection the other day, A tough day of fighting followed. They are told to "come out in style."The papers say thier focres are doing great in Missouri.
GLC02172.24
2 November 1861
There was heavy firing going on down the river yesterday afternoon. They brought in the wounded this afternoon. Last night one of the third regiment shot his hand off.
GLC02172.26
19 November 1861
He has explored Mt. Vernon in and out. He promises to write about it while on picket. The latest news from the naval fleet is that they were at Beaufort, SC and are now marching toward Charleston.
GLC02172.29
1 December 1861
The regiment is camped in support of a battery about half a mile from Frederich. Their pickets are on one side and the Rebels are on the other. He writes that if his brother had told him before he enlisted taht he could endure such hardship he would...
GLC02172.31
22 December 1861
No more furloughs will be granted. The Colonel is confident there will be a forward movement of the grand army.
GLC02172.33
14 January 1862
The rebels have blockaded the Potomac down below her about 45 miles. They fired 21 shots. Once again he tells Henry not to enlist and to stay at home. Last night the pickets were firing.
GLC02172.35
30 January 1862
to Father
He thanks him father for the package. It contained everything he most needed.He goes over the money he has sent so far and what should happen if doesn't make it home.
GLC02172.37
6 February 1862
to Brother H (Henry)
He says everything is dull lately. Dull and muddy. He tells him he received the box that father sent.
GLC02172.38
7 February 1862
Spencer, Edgar (fl. 1860-)
to Friend Henry
Last week on picket duty, they shot twelve rebels and took a couple prisoners.
GLC02172.39
23 February 1862
There is much excitement over Fort Donaldson [Fort Donelson] and Burnsides' Expedition. They should make a forward movement soon. He likes the picture Henry sent.
GLC02172.40
14 March 1861
They are now in Fort Lyon, near Alexandria. He hears they are to reinforce Burnsides. Very faded
GLC02172.42
14 April 1863
He is now heading cattle. He talks about the land and how much each cow costs.
GLC02172.43
He talks of money matters. He will send Henry 40 dollars and he may sell his cattle.
GLC02172.44
7 May 1862
He describes a battle in which 139 were wounded and a few reported missing. There was a swamp in the equation and descriptions of being six inches deep.
GLC02172.46
2 June 1862
He describes another tremendous fight.
GLC02172.48
23 June 1862
It is getting dusty in the swamp. Water is scarce. They are getting closer to picket time. The Rebels are not far away. The Michigan troops had a fight in front of Hooker's division. When the pay master comes around, he will send some money.
GLC02172.50
1 August 1862
There has been a lot of fighting near Richmond. It has been a tedious march from the swamp combined with fighting every day. There have been heavy losses.
GLC02172.51
4 August 1862
Everything has been quiet around the picket lines lately. He spoke to Ed a week ago and learned that he is sick. He will have the paymaster send his brother a draft of 90 dollars every pay day.
GLC02172.52
17 August 1862
He has been sick for the last two weeks. He requests 5 or 10 dollars and a couple of shirts.
GLC02172.53
30 August 1862
He is feeling better. He thanks his brother for the money and tells him to tell his father he is feeling better.
GLC02172.54
8 September 1862
He will soon rejoin the regiments. He has not received the box of things his brother sent yet. He plans to get a pass so he can explore the city of York.
GLC02172.55
20 September 1862
He does not know when he will rejin the regiment but at prsent he only works 4 hours a day washing dishes. He has rheumatism. The box he was supposed to have received has still not arrived.
GLC02172.56
9 November 1862
He is back with the regiment and they are camping within sight of the Blue Mountains. There is more than enough food at present. He hasn't yet written to his father because he doesn't have any ink and he knows his father can't see pencil marks.
GLC02172.57
27 December 1862
They had a dull Christmas. He does not want to hear of his brother becoming a soldier. For the moment there are plenty of rations and clothing. He has not spoken to Ed since he last wrote.
GLC02172.58
20 January 1863
He has just come back from picket where he has been on duty for days. They are not allowed to talk on both sides but when the officer are away the privates talk. Artillery, infantry and cavalry have passed. They expect to cross the river again.
GLC02172.59
17 February 1863
They learned of the capture of Fort Donaldson and 15,000 prisoners. He hopes his brother had fun sleigh riding and wonders if any of the fellows talk about him when they are hugging the girls. The regiment got new guns.
GLC02172.60
25 February 1862
He mentions that he was mistaken in his opinion that McCllelen could command the Potomac army. His actions have proved otherwise. He requests dried fruit, butter and cheese.
GLC02172.61
27 February 1863
to Brother H. (Henry)
He encourages his brother not to miss out on opportunities like getting an education while he is young.
GLC02172.62
17 March 1863
They have been fighting up on the Blackwater. They are under marching orders again. He is glad to hear his father has got into business again.
GLC02172.63
28 March 1863
He is sending 50 dollars and wants his brother to tell him when he receives it.
GLC02172.64
29 March 1863
Two weeks ago they left camp. The journey to Baltimore was rough. Many men became sea sick. They then went to Louisville and are now in Bardsville. He sent his brother some money.
GLC02172.65
Adams Express form
For the 50 dollars he sent his brother.
GLC02172.66
13 April 1863
Everyone is excited about the fighting at Charleston. He mentions Joe Hooker.
GLC02172.67
26 May 1863
They are camped near a small town called Columbia. He wishes his father could come visit. He thinks they will cross the river since the Rebel general is reported to be across the river.
GLC02172.69
2 June 1863
They returned from an expedition out to Cumberland river that did not amount to much. It rained much of the time and the Rebels captured some horses and made the sheriff sewr allegiance to their government.
GLC02172.70
13 July 1863
Vicksburg surrendered. Very, very faded.
GLC02172.71
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