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20 June 1863
Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918
To his wife
Trying to comfort his wife, who was depressed by the death of a relation (Lucy who had died a year earlier). Expects marching orders soon.
GLC04558.100
20 September 1863
Tillotson, Edwin, fl. 1861-1898
To George Tillotson
Enclosed with GLC04558.122.01. Written by George Tillotson's sister Mary and her husband Edwin. Mary writes of her hard work and says Nelly [Nelson] was taken prisoner. Edwin's letter (beginning on p.2) complains of poor health (consumption) and...
GLC04558.122.02
28 November 1863
Various news; says he approves of a monument for daughter Lucy (deceased). With postscript "No News."
GLC04558.125
27 November 1860
McSherry, Anna, 1833-?
to Henry F. McSherry
Written by Anna to her brother Henry who was an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Brooklyn, New York aboard the USS "Vandalia." References receiving Henry's letter. Says he ought to get any books that he wants as "time spent in...
GLC03523.21.03
30 November 1860
Written by Anna to his brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Letter is extremely faded in most sections and is hard to read. References receiving a letter from him. Says she cannot write a book, but has thought of writing children's stories. Wishes he was...
GLC03523.21.06
December 1860
Written by Anna to her brother Henry who was in the U.S. Navy. Says the family was wondering what he was doing at the breakfast table this morning. Wants to know if he wants the "Intelligencer" or the "Mirror," or some other newspaper. Says she will...
GLC03523.21.07
circa early 1861
Large parts of the letter are faded and it is hard to read. References receiving Henry's letter. Says she is sorry to hear that he is to lose Mr. Cunningham - who appeared to be a naval officer on Henry's ship. She knew he was an agreeable companion...
GLC03523.21.08
circa mid 1861
Letter is faded with water damage and mold. Written by Anna to her brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Henry seems to have contracted malaria. Says through the tone of his letter she assumes his health is better. Asks if he has taken the quinine. Says...
GLC03523.21.10
9 September 1861
McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?
Extremely faded letter with water damage and mold. Written by Eliza to her brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Seems that several of Henry's friends have been killed. She says she especially is sad at the loss of Holmes and tries to console him. Says "I...
GLC03523.21.11
October 1861
Steadman, Mary C, fl. 1861
A mother to her soldier son
Poem sent to Union solider Asa Smith. This poem was written by Mary C. Stedman, a family friend of the Smiths who wrote the poem at the request of Asa Smith's mother. She references the request in GLC03742.02. In that letter she says: "When you left...
GLC03742.01
31 October 1861
Smith, Maria, fl. 1861
to Asa Smith
There are four separate notes from various family members to Asa Smith updating him on family and home life. One is from his sister "Maria," one from his sister "Carrie," another from his sister "Mary," and the last is from his mother. Maria's note...
GLC03742.02
20 July1862
Smith, Ann, fl. 1862
Written by Ann Smith to her brother Asa Smith in the Union Army. Says she is glad he is doing well. Says "I try & try to imagine how you look but don't succeed very well - If I could only see you for a little while." Goes on to say that "I tell...
GLC03742.08
7 March 1863
Has finally received express box. Hopes for furlough, advises his wife to stay out of debt if she wants to build a new house.
GLC04558.073
10 March 1863
Worries at her sickness, hopes for furlough; farm news, business and questions.
GLC04558.074
20 March 1863
Written in pencil. Continued March 21. Has moved to better ground and larger house, which he describes. Now has a stove made from an old camp kettle, so the other boys crowd his house to stay warm. Describes leg swelling and lameness, makes...
GLC04558.077
19 April 1863
Trying to cheer his wife, orders and countermanded orders to cross the Nansemond, river rumored to be blocked by Rebs, and joking: "About the broomstick question I plead guilty and believe I oughter [sic] to be broomsticked cause I didnt stay at home...
GLC04558.084
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
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
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
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
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
27 September 1863
Wonders about her letters being misdirected; describes food (oysters, clams) and cost of other items; mentions other soldiers getting furloughs including one "in the hospital on account I suppose of the 'ladies disease' contracted in Norfolk...."
GLC04558.116
11 October 1863
Notes that it is his tenth wedding anniversary and writes that the thought of her distance and the time remaining cause "a choaking sensation" and tears. Says that he is the only man in Co. H with a family. Mentions slow siege of Charleston, health...
GLC04558.118
17 October 1863
Worry of "calamity" at home; hopes for discharge next April 1st; sarcastically mentions letter of 1st Lt. of 114th NYS Vols. (unidentified); discusses current rations and how only cooks make cook food; comments that the food always causes digestive...
GLC04558.119
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