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5 March 1863
Dewey, Orville S.
to mother
He has enclosed his photograph. (Not included here.) Will and George gave Mrs. Forbes (the woman they boarded with) a silver urn.
GLC02161.075
to Mary "Mollie" McLean
He wrote to his uncle about Charley's horse. He has since recovered from his illness and feels great. Mrs. Bird and Nellie stopped by and they had a nice visit.
GLC02161.076
4 May 1863
He says to tell mother he liked the shirts she sent. He notes that she has moved. He wants a description of the new place and hopes they can be together again.
GLC02161.080
22 July 1863
He says he'd rather shoot copperheads than Southerners because copperheads are disgracing the North. They are in Philadelphia and he thinks Philadelphians are the friendliest people.
GLC02161.087
30 July 1863
He is afraid he will never get his his back pay. Though if he gets mustered back to the 24th of January he'll get six months pay. This will be a big help to the entire family.
GLC02161.088
31 July 1863
He mentions Charley. He is glad they received the money for the horse. He asks Will Whedon to write his brother Al.
GLC02161.089
5 August 1863
to sister
They marched from Philadephia to Reading. He heard from Mooney who heard from her. He thinks there might be trouble in this section of the country among the miners who want to resist the draft.
GLC02161.090
13 August 1863
They went out among the mines yesterday and enrolled 500 people. Though they had to arrest 7 or 8 for attacking a quartermaster. They will probably have to stay until those men are drafted.
GLC02161.091
15 August 1863
He is extremely grateful for the box of food they sent and knows they must have denied themsleves many pleasures in order to have sent it. They have got the mines thoroughly intimidated.
GLC02161.092
6 September 1863
Aunt Kitty is having her teeth extracted. He would rather take a bullet that have someone take his teeth. The ladies of Pottsville provided a slendid dinner for their battery.
GLC02161.093
13 September 1863
He returned to camp and couldn't find his battery. So he wandered around the city until 1 am when he finally found them on Ridge Road. He mentions Mooney and Al Wheeler.
GLC02161.094
06 October 1863
Charley arrived early in the morning and he was very glad to see him. He wrote to the general describing his case in a very favorable light, but has heard nothing yet.
GLC02161.095
17 October 1863
He got a promotion as 1st lieutenant. He now has a better chance of getting his back pay as 2nd lieutenant. If so, he can come home for a week. He may have to put off his wedding for some time.
GLC02161.096
22 October 1863
He mentions Will and Al Wheeler. Capt. Eaton has made him promise to come back as Jr. 1st lieutenant. He asks about Cassie.
GLC02161.097
27 October 1863
to father
He is finally to be mustered for his back pay He acknowledges all Al Wheeler is doing for him by offering him lieutenancy in his battery. He wishes Uncle S.P would offer him a commission in the regular army.
GLC02161.098
1 November 1863
The mustering officer has not shown up yet. As soon as he comes, he can start for New York. He heard that head quarters approves of his new appointment.
GLC02161.099
1 May 1864
He is in desperate need of money. He only has $15.35. He has no money to give them and asks if she knows anyone who will loan them $100 or $150.
GLC02161.124
8 May 1864
They shipped from Gloucester Point and are now in Bermuda Hundreds. There were heavy skirmishes but they are all in good sprits and feel they will have Richmond soon.
GLC02161.125
20 May 1864
Written "in the field." The "Johnnies" have been skirmishing with their infantry and artillery. They have a strong position. They have three regiments of colored troops but they have not been let in yet.
GLC02161.127
3 June 1864
The infantry has been behaving badly. At a seven infantry engagement with the "Johns", the men got inside the mark as soon as possible. In other words, they ran at the first fire.
GLC02161.130
11 June 1864
to Norman R. Dewey
He has enclosed the key to his trunk. He gives instructions on what to do with the items inside.
GLC02161.131
4 July 1864
He feels sorry for Burns. All the old officers are gone from the old 5th. The new ones are strangers. The captain of his old company has been dismissed.
GLC02161.133
20 July 1864
The 19th corps from N. Orleans have been pressing up the river for the last couple of days. If Sherman gets Atlantis, they should have some real fighting ahead of them.
GLC02161.135
15 August 1864
He is concerned that if the chances aren't good enough in Buffalo, he will have to go somewhere else.
GLC02161.137
31 August 1864
He is kind of sick. He sent a photograph of Gen. Binney.
GLC02161.139
26 September 1864
He received the badge and put it on top of the cap he wears.They get paid this week. He saw Tom McCabe but couldn't get to Charley.
GLC02161.141
5 October 1864
There is no real news today. Everyone is sleeping in the fields. He has his tent up.
GLC02161.143
9 October 1864
The cavalry division was badly whipped. The Johnnies followed and attacked their line. They (Dewey and regiment) smashed their artillery in turn.
GLC02161.144
1864
[1864 diary]
In April, he notes that he does not like working under Butler which corresponds to one of his letters. In May he describes some very animated fighting occurring near their pickets. Later on the 28th he gives details of Henry's (a fellow soldier)...
GLC02161.146
1 January 1865
Difficult to read but he says something [illegible] is harder than soldiering but pays better. There is a new set of officers. He asks when she will be married.
GLC02161.147
10 March 1865
to Harriet W. Dewey
He has been homesick. He jsut wrote to Cassie, whom he supposes is in Elmira now.
GLC02161.149
15 March 1865
He talks business. A place called Dinwood has his attention and he feels it would be a good place for a field business. He never says what kind of business it is.
GLC02161.151
26 April 1865
He won't be able to dance at her wedding unfortuately. He is heavily in debt and won't be able to send her more money than what he already has. He has sent as much as he can afford to Cassie as well.
GLC02161.152
25 December 1865
sender not named.
GLC02161.154
22 March 1867
He includes a collection of "old masters." Not included here. (Pictures by the great painters) So far there have been no orders. He thinks the war office is restrictive.
GLC02161.157
30 April 1867
He met several of his mother's relatives in Natchez. The Carpenters, mainly. He and Mrs. Carpenter had a grand time.
GLC02161.158
21 May 1867
David, W.
Special Orders No. 18
Dewey is ordered to go to New Orleans.
GLC02161.160
26 May 1867
He describes Camp Vinde. It has been run down since 1861 but could be revived. The third page is a sketch of Camp Vinde.
GLC02161.161
15 October 1867
Steele, O. G.
[Certificate of ownership of cemetery plot]
This is to certify that Dewey owns a cemetary plot.
GLC02161.163
15 December 1868
Dewey, Squire P.
He didn't realize the holidays were so close because his mind was on the recent earthquake. He had intended to go to the south of Italy or France but ended up staying there
GLC02161.164
5 August 1879
He mentions that their father may have been wounded during the war. He wants details however. In what capacity did he serve and under whose command.
GLC02161.166
29 August 1888
Unknown
to Mary E. Blossom
He talks about paying the mortgage and getting out of debt. He received a favor from his niece and he is paying her back.
GLC02161.168
15 February 1899
Ben (fl. 1899-)
to A. H. "Mollie" Blossom
He asks if she is enjoying life with the "troupe?" They are such a talented crowd from the leading lady to the heavy villian. He is waiting for a ship to set sail in Philadelphia. He wants her to come visit. By June he should be able to get promoted...
GLC02161.170
23 February 1902
Pursell, B. M. (fl. 1902-)
to Mollie Blossom
He got a telegram from Ida the other day saying she is going to sail on the Meade soon. He wishes he could meet them all in Manila. He would love to take the trip with them.
GLC02161.171
30 July 1864
Wyman & Co. Photographs
[Photograph of John Parker Gould]
John Parker Gould in miltary dress.
GLC02161.173
no date
[Envelope addressed to Mary E. McLean]
Dated 13 March.
GLC02161.174
Dated 21 March.
GLC02161.176
Olivia
to her sister
Dated 27 March. She describes Albany. She says it is old and foggy, too old for a yankee. Though she formed a very good opinion of the people. She describes a waterfall
GLC02161.178
to Ida Frances
"Please comply with his wishes expressed in the enclosed." Actual letter missing.
GLC02161.182
Clara
to Mary "Mollie" Dewey
She wants Mollie to come see her in June or else she will come see her. She reminds her that she used to say she liked her as well as one of own children.
GLC02161.183
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