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to Owen Horsfall

He started out on a prospecting trip and went as far as Teller, but returned to his cabin because, "his chicken had enough of prospecting in such beastly weather." When he returned home he found his cabin had been broken into, and all of his clothes...

GLC05245.12

to Owen Horsfall

As he writes, he hears "the sound of Sirrash kids enjoying themselves on the ice covered river." He lost two dogs and now only has nine. He's going to apply to construct a bridge across the Nome River.

GLC05245.13

to Owen Horsfall

He did not go on the 31st because there was not "gold enough in Alaska" to tempt him out during "the worst blizzard of the season." He enjoyed exercising two of the dogs who ran to town when untied. He hopes to get a position with a big company as...

GLC05245.14

to: "my dear boys."

Describes the blizzard last night. Discusses his work building a suspension bridge across Nome River at the expense of about $5,000 but storms are delaying the construction. Afterwards, he expects to work for the North American Trading and...

GLC05245.15

to Owen Horsfall

He is awaiting the arrival of books he requested and gives instructions as to how to send them. He caught a cold and has just finished working at the Military Post this morning. He is going to meet with Mr. Watson and tell Mr. Watson that he is "...

GLC05245.16

to: "my dear children."

He has fallen behind in collecting the money he intended to send to them. He will start a job at a Road House tomorrow for $25 per month and lodging. A man is going to ask the government to either purchase his bridge or pay for using it. Laps and...

GLC05245.17

to Mary.

He has heard that Orson and Gaffer have died and Eddie has had an accident. He worries that his letters to her may be ignored or returned. He is amazed that "one so kind hearted could be so hard and unforgiving." He will continue to send money...

GLC05245.19

to Owen Horsfall

He thanks Owen for the "nicest and newsiest letter" yet. He will send money to Owen for a vacation and to Aunt Annie for his parents' headstones. He advises Owen that diet is the key to perfect health. He wants the whole family to visit next...

GLC05245.20

to Owen Horsfall

He is sending Owen and Eddie several gifts including watch chains and Eskimo trinkets. The river has seven inches of frozen ice and the skating is terrific. He recommends "a regular and judicious course of athletics and gymnastics" as health is...

GLC05245.21

to boys

Mush ice is forming in the Bering Sea and "the great white silence" is coming. He would do anything to see them. He sent them the gifts and not money because he wants them "to be able to put on as good an appearance as anyone." He counsels Eddie...

GLC05245.22

to Owen Horsfall

He wishes he could see the family and wishes them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Army company in Alaska will be relieved next year. "Nome has become quite metropolitan" and he will soon be a member of the "Arctic Brotherhood." They...

GLC05245.23

to Owen Horsfall

Smith the mailman set a record with his dogteam averaging 100 miles per day. He explains the idea that glaciers or volcanoes left the gold nuggets and that Alaska was originally tropical. The Republicans are "between the devil and the deep sea"...

GLC05245.24

to Owen Horsfall

Hopes to get a mail contractor's position as the pay is not bad. Will try to visit them next summer if possible. Telegraphic news told of "imminent" war between Russia and Japan, a Chicago theatre fire, and a railroad wreck. Wishes he were better...

GLC05245.25

to Owen Horsfall

Writes that he is proud of Owen's studies and not surprised at Eddie "having a girl." Read that a captain is going to leave Port Clarence and try to reach the North Pole by the Northwest Passage. Mentions that anthracite was used as coal for the...

GLC05245.26

to Owen Horsfall

Plans to go to the Koyukuks. States his chances of obtaining a mail position are "nil." Writes that he has "given [Mary] freedom through the court" and expects she will choose another man. He still respects her but feels that both she and the...

GLC05245.27

to my dear children.

Reports that he quit his position at the Post because he did not want to work continuously for 12 hours. He bought a quarter interest in a mine nearby and is now "taking out a 'dump' which means that the pay streak is 30 feet under the ground and...

GLC05245.28

to Owen Horsfall

Wishes he could have attended Owen's college Commencement. Thinks he should leave the area but keeps putting it off. There is a movement to "establish a 'Choo-Choo' line for passengers and freight between Nome and Solomon." Writte on YMCA Army...

GLC05245.29

to Owen Horsfall

He would have met Owen in Portland had he known about Owen's trip earlier. He discusses what career Owen should pursue. He points out that Owen's strength in mathematics would serve him well as a Ph.D. or in the mechanical, electrical, civil and...

GLC05245.30

to "my dear loved ones all"

The rolling of the ship makes it difficult for him to write and to sleep at night. The boat stopped at Sitka, home to the Executive Mansion, Juneau, Yakurat, and Kayak island. [continued on 2/20] He arrived in Valdez the day before and had "never...

GLC05245.31

to "Owen and all"

Discusses working for three partners on building a waterwheel and piers at the junction of the Copper and Svlutiva rivers. States that the scarcity of horses has made moving supplies difficult and instead they have had to chop down logs in the...

GLC05245.32

to boys

Discusses a trail cutting and bridge building job he got through a "dicker" with J.A. Crutteudeu. Wants Ed to choose a profession and find a position in it and advises Owen to take the Saltain[?] job rather than stay in the bakery. He is on the...

GLC05245.33

to my dear children

Reports there is no snow for sleds so he must use horses to carry the mail. Claims it is difficult to cross rivers with the horses because the ice is too thin to hold them. Rests in a "skookum" log cabin halfway through the six day round trip....

GLC05245.34

to Owen Horsfall

Describes this letter as "Via Valdez and Gokona." Encloses it in this letter due to his "inability to procure the Draft in time." States the weather has been unusually nice recently.

GLC05245.35

to Owen Horsfall

He is sending the Draft for $100 he intended to enclose in his previous letter. He quit the mail service a month ago and is planning to go to Nome by way of Seattle. The winds are strong buildings must be propped up to withstand them. He is no...

GLC05245.36

to My dear boys and girl

Thinks Owen should do some "rusticating" and worries about his nosebleeds. Thinks last year's strikes are affecting the gold output and that individual mining is coming to an end. He is glad Uncle Jesse Knight is taking care of the holdings....

GLC05245.37

to Children

Discusses working the night shift at the pump house. Asks about the boys' commencement exercises. Thinks Owen would do well in the educational field. Resumed his correspondence course but has switched into the Stationary Engineers Course....

GLC05245.38

to my dear boys and girl

Writes that the Paris-New York Automobile Contest will reach Nome next winter. Regrets Roosevelt is not running in this year's presidential election because "he has certainly proved himself to be the man of the hour." Thinks Taft "will be the best"...

GLC05245.40

to Dear ones all

He has not written because he was busy and waiting for the Ohio which was delayed by the ice until the Thetis went in search of her. He has attended ballgames that begin at 8 pm and end before sundown. He is sending a Draft for $300 to be divided...

GLC05245.41

to Elizabeth Smith and children

Smith describes his march from Washington, loading and unloading baggage cars, and being ordered to load the wounded onto steamers at Acquia Creek. They are camped within the sights of Confederate artillery. Addressed from Virginia nearly opposite...

GLC04189.20

to Friend Furm

Letting his old tentmate know what has happened to him.

GLC04189.42

to Elizabeth Smith

He expects to leave for home in a few days. Page 3 and 4 are addressed to Charles.

GLC04189.10

to unknown [fragment]

The rebels have torn up the road between camp and Frederick, Maryland and are now within 5 miles of the federal camp.

GLC04189.11

to David Sithen or Thomas Sharp

Gives permission for D. V. M. Smith's wife to have a cord of wood.

GLC04189.12

to Elizabeth Smith

The blacksmith shop has been rented out. Mentions rumor that the army will move soon and General Wool has stopped issuing furloughs. Smith begs his wife not to mention his liquor consumption. He assures her that he is now a sober man and it hurts...

GLC04189.13

to Elizabeth Smith & children

Describes an offer in which ten men from each company would have the "privilege" of being allowed to join the regular army for five years. They have captured quite a few rebels and spies including: "A big nigger that has been watching us and...

GLC04189.14

to Charles

He describes non-stop guard duty to his son Charles. Smith also tells the story of a young drummer boy his son's age, who snuck out of camp in a flour barrel in order to visit town. He advises his son not to become a soldier.

GLC04189.15

to Elizabeth Smith

He is still on guard duty. Discloses accounts that he would like his wife to collect. He also wants her to find out whether soldiers have to pay tax and, if so, how much. Briefly mentions the removal of McClellan and his renewed hope for a furlough...

GLC04189.16

to Elizabeth Smith & children

The army is building a General Hospital in town and his regiment has been assigned to guard it. He again asks his wife not to mention the "Rum question," claiming it makes him "feel a little dry until I forget it again." Continues on 11/26 to...

GLC04189.17

to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses guard duty, the value of the equipment in his blacksmith shop, and an increase in desertions from some regiments who have not received furloughs.

GLC04189.18

to Elizabeth Smith and Charles C. Smith

The regiment was excused from guard duty on Thanksgiving to attend church and a dress parade. Smith urges Charles to learn to write and to study geography. "I now see the need of understanding the geography and the map and then I could tell when I...

GLC04189.19

to Charles Carroll Smith

Discusses visiting friends in another regiment. He received his pay but his money and overcoat were stolen. He discusses thievery in camp and loading the wounded on to boats at Acquia Creek.

GLC04189.21

to Elizabeth Smith

He has an opportunity to join the regular army for the balance of his three years of service. He will get a $2500 bounty, double the pay and will be able to work in a blacksmith's shop. He is ill.

GLC04189.22

to Elizabeth Smith and children

The army is still in the same location and is in a state of suspense concerning what will happen next. General Burnside announced a Grand Review which was canceled due to rain. One man in the regiment contracted small pox. The doctors isolated him...

GLC04189.23

to Elizabeth Smith and children

The regiment has orders to cross the Rappahannock and attack Fredericksburg. Smith describes details of the attack plan. He also mentions a review of the Second Corps by General Ambrose Burnside and provides a description of the general.

GLC04189.24

to Elizabeth Smith and children

Rain and mud foiled the attack on Fredericksburg. The pontoons and artillery became stuck in the mud. Confederate soldiers taunted the stranded union soldiers by offering to help build the pontoon bridge, if the federals could get the pontoons to...

GLC04189.25

to C. Carroll Smith

The snow has melted but the weather remains bitterly cold. He reiterates the changes in command discussed in the previous letter. Also mentions losses to his unit and the 72 PA. The latter has only 300 men on active service out of the 1,880 who...

GLC04189.26

to Elizabeth Smith

The army has begun to issue furloughs. The mud is still extremely deep. He discusses the children's health and whether or not they should attend school. He speculates on Hooker's plans for the army. "Joe Hooker will do One of 3 things he will...

GLC04189.27

to Elizabeth Smith

The army has begun to move out via the railroad to Acquia Creek. His regiment is still on picket duty and must keep the Rebels from noticing the movement of the rest of the army. General Hooker feeds the army better than Burnside did.

GLC04189.28

to Charley

General Hooker has given orders that all Union troops and sutlers must be out of Falmouth by 10 AM the following day. He advises his son not to go to school as it may interfere with his health. He tells his younger son, Rufus, to begin chewing...

GLC04189.29