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9 November 1862
Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865
to Libbie Elmore
They have been camping in the snow. He describes how they built their own fireplace in the ground.
GLC06588.246
13 November 1862
Elmore, Libbie, fl. 1861-1865
to Bruce Elmore
She notes that they are often writing to each other at the same moment and thinking of each other at the same time. She describes the children and what they've been up to. She made apple cider recently.
GLC06588.247
14 November 1862
He liked the penmanship example from Eddie. He recommends keeping the sheep salted to prevent them from getting poisoned. They have been having great weather.
GLC06588.248
17 November 1862
She heard that he has been given marching orders to leave Upton Hill. She dreamt about him and Willard the other night. The hog is up for sale.
GLC06588.249
19 November 1862
He describes the "spicy time" that occurred on picket duty the night before. A shot was fired at the next post over and the sentry fired at the culprit. They stopped the intruder after the Rebels hit one of their corporals in the foot. He assures...
GLC06588.250
20 November 1862
Hill, E., fl. 1862-1865
Letter from his father and Libbie. Father writes he is glad bruce keep his courage and unwavering faith. Libbie writes that they are all well and live in comfort. He should not worry about her being too saving like the neighbors, for example.
GLC06588.252
23 November 1862
They have marching orders and three days' rations. He thinks her selling the pork will probably make but little difference.
GLC06588.253
24 November 1862
She talks about various animals on the farm like the oxen, the pig and the calves. She wishes she could send another care package.
GLC06588.254
25 November 1862
He gives all the news about mutual friends and acquaintances. He says they have a lot of parties aroud there. Their father recently traded a steed for a mare.
GLC06588.255
1862
He reports on the health of the regiment. Leroy has rheumatism really bad. Meanwhile the regiment is improving in drills.
GLC06588.256
26 November 1862
Even though they've had marching orders they have not yet moved. They have been busy fortifying their tents. They even bought a little stove. They are quite comfortable.
GLC06588.257
He writes that he can't wait to see Libbie and writing is his only way of visiting her. He received a letter from his cousin and grandmother.
GLC06588.258
28 November 1862
They occupy a very pleasant post currently and it is a soldier's dream. THeir folks are planning to send Willard something in the mail. He requests butter, mince pies and cake.
GLC06588.259
He acknowledges that her folks would like to have a picture of him. He will send one along when he gets his next pay.
GLC06588.260
3 December 1862
They are still in Upton Hall. He believes she has done well with the pork this years. He tells a funny story of how some of the boys stole a hog and they roasted it in camp that night.
GLC06588.261
7 December 1862
Most of the company has gone on picket today. They have had very cold weather lately. W. Smith, an acquaintance of his father is in the captain's tent.
GLC06588.262
Tomorrow they will go on picket again. He hopes she is getting along well. It has been very cold, but the ground is not frozen yet.
GLC06588.263
11 December 1862
He thanks her for all the tasty food that has come in the mail and offers a kiss as payment. He and Willard are very well and he weighs more than he ever has before.
GLC06588.264
He worries that there is a lot of sickness going around and he wants his family to stay well. Moses Schoonmaker is weak and does not drill much. The Major is one of the meanest officers around. They hear that secretary Seward resigned as well as the...
GLC06588.265
Charles Smith came to visit a few days ago. He thanks Libbie for letting Carrie write to him although he thinks any response from will be very eloquent. He is doing very well. Burnside is currently fighting a terrible battle.
GLC06588.266
They thinks Vixburgh is theirs though they have received no official news. He asks after old Kniffin and wonders if he trying to cheat Libbie every chance he can get.
GLC06588.267
This letter includes a very poetic description of the wounded soldier. '"The poor wounded soldier as he lays waiting for death to end his sufferings or mortal aid..."
GLC06588.268
She tells him to worry about not having enough money for taxes and that she will send some money in the mail. Hettie has been staying with her the past few days.
GLC06588.269
David is sick with the sore throat. She saw a pedler she knows last night. She tells of an incident with the infamous Kniffin.
GLC06588.270
14 December 1862
Last page is bigger. Once again she asks if Bruce can get a furlough. Eliza Ingersoll came by. Her son has the sore throat and she has a headache. Libbie sold some oats. One page of the letter appears to be written in a different hand but the author...
GLC06588.271
16 December 1862
He reports on the health of his comrades. Unfortunately, he will be unable to get the photographs she requested. There has been no fighting lately but tomorrow they go on picket again.
GLC06588.272
18 December 1862
Mr Reynolds came to visit and he talked about Nelson who is sick and in the hospital. She tells a story of how the doctor had his wagon nearby and a couple of boys painted the horse and put axle grease on the seat.
GLC06588.273
21 December 1862
Everyone was disappointed by Burnside's loss at Fredricksburg but are now cheering up. They are are staying in very comfortable quarters currently. One of their duties besdies picket is cutting wood for the regiment.
GLC06588.274
Pages missing. Bruce says he actually enjoys camp life but misses his family. Willard has been quite sick with dysentery. Reinforcement has been going by them in quite large numbers.
GLC06588.275
24 December 1862
He uses very poetic language to describe how he wishes they could be together, especially for Christmas. Though he says he likes the life of a soldier. Nelson is in a hospital in Philadelphia.
GLC06588.276
Partial letter. He asks her to be punctual in her writing. He does not belive the war can last three years. That is impossible he says.
GLC06588.278
30 December 1862
They received orders to pack their knapsacks and three days rations and march. They were going on picket when they heard there was a raid of 1500 Rebel cavalry somewhere in the vicinity. He describes their strategy. Then they were ordered to march...
GLC06588.279
1863
Pages missing. He writes that someone's death was reported but this statement has been contradicted.
GLC06588.280
2 January 1863
She writes of how she spent her New Year at her parents'. She only wishes he could have been there and wishes for peace on any terms. Last page is blue and square. She talks of the children and how they miss their father.
GLC06588.281
3 January 1863
Willard has joined the ambulance corps. They had their first death in the regiment Wednesday night. He was buried by moonlight. Bruce read a letter of a friend's wife aloud to to him. It mentioned the snow.
GLC06588.282
6 January 1863
The sore throat is still going around. She heard Beck Broman was discharged as he was taken prisoner at Fredricksburg and paroled. She tells the news of other mutual acquaintances. Libbie wonders if Bruce wears a sword or whether he has any new...
GLC06588.283
The weather has warmed up and the sleighing is all gone. She tells him she has been fighting with Kniffin, as usual.
GLC06588.284
7 January 1863
Everyone is in good spirits because of the recent victories at Murfeesboro and other places. He got a letter from his mother telling him Sanford Starr had small pox.
GLC06588.285
She is sorry that Low's remarks got him in trouble. A friend of hers received something strange in the mall. A small syringe wrapped in paper. Libbie does not know what it meant but would have taken it as the grossest insult.
GLC06588.286
8 January 1863
Vanqaasbeck, Wilber, fl. 1862-1865
A letter from his nephew. He asks what Santa got him for Christmas and talks about his presents.
GLC06588.287
She has been visiting his sister and family.Later she will see his grandmother. She heard that his Col. gave orders for the officers to shoot any men that showed fear
GLC06588.288
10 January 1863
He has been Segeant of the guard for the last two days. He describes the weather as rainy. He tells her not to let Kniffin impose on her. He inquires about the taxes.
GLC06588.289
Though it is taking longer, he feels the Rebels will soon have to yield Vicksburgh. He talks of Willard's place in the ambulance corps and wonders if he might like a place there as well.
GLC06588.290
He does not carry a sword, though they are available, he informs Libbie. Capt. French's wife is visiting and he is "softer than ever." The boys make fun of him. He can't wait to see her.
GLC06588.291
21 January 1863
He warns her not to get the oxen shod just yet, but if one of the wagon wheels must be fixed, so be it. He asks for tobacco and gin though he has not been drinking much at all. Mose and Charley make good tent mates.
GLC06588.292
16 January 1863
Willard does not have much to do in the ambulance corps yet. Bruce is currently Sergeant of the guard. He writes that the prospect of war seems rather dull and they expect it to be over by July. He warns her against Kniffin again and advises her to...
GLC06588.293
He believes he has the best Colonel in the whole army.
GLC06588.294
18 January 1863
He and Willard went down to Fairfax where they discovered the seminary had been turned into a hospital. He describes the history of the building. Frank Hotchings came to visit him and Willard.
GLC06588.295
19 January 1863
Libbie read that there is a lot of intervention from France. Mr. Kniffin has broke the sleigh. She talks about the sheep and the cows.
GLC06588.296
26 January 1863
They are all well. She is preparing to send him another box, this time with pies. Palmer, himself, has said he does not trust Kniffin.
GLC06588.297
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