The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History: Apply now and join us for Fall 2024 courses
30 July 1861
O'Connell, John D. (fl. 1861-)
to Miss Mary
He asks if she and Rosa would like to go a carriage ride with him to the Belle Fontain Cemetary.
GLC02830.02
He has grown more and more interested in her and he wonders if she is interested in him too.
GLC02830.03
14 August 1861
He has been called away and has to leave unexpectedly. He will return shortly and in the meantime asks for her picture. Includes separate note saying he has enclosed something he got for her in Providence.
GLC02830.04
16 August 1861
He assures her that his feelings for her are pure. Meanwhile, he has been mustered into service. He talks about different captains. He does not know how long he will be there but feels it will be a while.
GLC02830.05
11 September 1861
He prefers to go on duty with the command. He was in New York recently but was unable to write her from there. His sister is well and he did not see his mother though he passed by her house. He sent Mary a present from New York.
GLC02830.06
22 September 1861
He has not heard from her but is choosing to believe this is because of irregularity in the mail rather than disinterest. If it is disinterest, all she has to do is tell him and he will stop writing. He writes that the officers are very good.
GLC02830.07
24 September 1861
He is glad to have finally received a letter from her. The officers are currently teaching the young ones their military duties. He received a letter from his brother recently. He was in New York a couple of days ago but he didn't have time to see...
GLC02830.08
30 September 1861
He bought some music for the piano and sent it to her. The men in his regiment are all good people. They don't know where they will go for the winter because there are not sufficient accomodations for them.
GLC02830.09
8 October 1861
He asked the bandmaster to pick out some pieces of music for her. He just can't stand to be separated from her. New London is described as a pretty place.
GLC02830.10
14 October 1861
He is annoyed that she doesn't seem to have a lot of time to write to him. Meanwhile, he is preparing to go to the South. They intend to go to Perrysville, MD. He received a letter from his brother. He wants to know why she doesn't like Dr. D.
GLC02830.11
18 October 1861
It's been raining a lot. He plans to send her the Philadelphia paper. Very few people are seen cultivating the soil now.
GLC02830.12
29 October 1861
The officer of his regiment got married. They didn't wait until after the war because she wanted ro be able to take care of him if he were wounded.
GLC02830.13
16 November 1861
He doesn't undertstand her silence. If she ceases to love him he will stop writing to her. He wrote to her mother the other day.
GLC02830.14
19 November 1861
He finally got a letter from her and is much relieved. He hadn't known what to think. He says I love you for the first time. They are camped near Perrysville where there is a strong wind breaking up the tent.
GLC02830.15
24 November 1861
He has just heard from McClellan who says there is a strong possibility they will be moving. He feels sorry for poor Bond, a former member of his regiment.
GLC02830.16
29 November 1861
GLC02830.17
30 November 1861
Mary wishes he could attend parties with her but he warns her it could be many months or even years. He is plagued by all his memories of having spent time with her. He wonders if their engagement will ever be consummated.
GLC02830.18
4 December 1861
He saw in the President's message that he recommends an increase in the corps of cadets. This is favored by Congress and an act has been proposed.
GLC02830.19
12 December 1861
Their regiment is considered to be one of the best. No one knows whether they will stay where they are. He says she is the only person in Saint Louis he corresponds with. He asks what time she wishes the engagement to be consummated.
GLC02830.20
16 December 1861
He mention his friend Captain Brown and says the country is becoming like its neighbors to the East. He would be sorry if we got into trouble with Great Britain.
GLC02830.21
18 December 1861
He is happy she gave him a locket with her picture. He assures her that she is the only person in St. Louis he talks to.
GLC02830.22
11 January 1862
He wonders if he has loved her too much, paid her too much attention or written her too much. Front page cross written.
GLC02830.23
16 January 1862
He dined with Capatain Santille on Christmas and went to a town about 5 miles up the river where they had tea with a friend. The friend took them to a house where there were 15 or 20 ladies. He enjoys the company of ladies.
GLC02830.24
19 January 1862
He feels bad because he has not been in a church in a long time. He received a letter from her mother. His friend gave him a couple pieces of music to give to her.
GLC02830.25
25 January 1862
He refers to a promise she made without asking but does not say what it is. He has a strong appreciation of her worth and takes a great interest in her welfare.
GLC02830.26
Showing results 276 - 300