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2 May 1862
O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866
to My Dear Mary
He encloses a note, not included here, to be given to his mother in the event he killed. Written near Yorktown, Virginia
GLC02830.40
24 May 1862
He says they never know the movements and are never told where they are marching until they get there. He thinks they will move tonight. The weather is warm.
GLC02830.42
16 June 1862
There was a big battle going on at Fair Oaks but they did not have the opportunity to participate. The summer is warm, warmer than any place he has been before.
GLC02830.43
4 July 1862
They have been in 2 battles since he last wrote. They fought gallantly but suffered a lot. Was written near Jamestown, Virginia.
GLC02830.44
29 July 1862
He is sending her some valuable papers to look after until he returns. If anything happens, she should give them to his mother.
GLC02830.45
9 August 1862
He is sending her a package to look after until he asks for it. If anything happens, she should give it to his mother.
GLC02830.46
19 October 1862
They carry no reporters with them, and thus there is nothing about them in the papers. He heard a good sermon in church. He sent her some music.
GLC02830.51
15 November 1862
He received a letter from his sister consoling him over the loss of his younger brother who was killed in battle. The removal of Gen. McClellan has caused some excitement. He finally got the locket from her.
GLC02830.52
26 November 1862
He wishes he could see her play the harp or the piano. He wishes he could spend Christmas with her. Many of his juniors have been promoted but he remains a captain. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.
GLC02830.53
7 December 1862
He wrote to her mother telling her how much he has enjoyed spending time in their home. He fears there is no chance for promotion. It seems Miss R does not dislike him anymore.
GLC02830.54
17 December 1862
He just fought in the battle of Fredricksburg but came out well. Her cousin David Hancock joined the regiment just before the battle. He heard her brother has joiend the navy. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.
GLC02830.55
28 December 1862
He is trying to get a leave of absence to see her but feels his chances are very slim. He wants to know what people are saying about Fredricksburg because he thinks they fought nobly.
GLC02830.56
17 January 1863
Tomorrow they leave for a destination unknown. He applied for a leave of absence. Includes a picture showing the profile of a woman in a yellow dress.
GLC02830.57
1865
1865 Diary of John O'Connell
Begins in Fort Trumbull. Records the weather and daily army business. He visits Elmira in February and then goes to Hart Island where he is in charge of a prison camp. Goes to Springfield, MA in April, followed by Dover, DE.Went to Richmond, VA in...
GLC02830.58.01
January 1866 - June 1866
1866 (Jan.- June) Diary of John O'Connell
Most entries in Fort Yuma. There is a photocopy of a description about Yuma inserted inside the front cover. Describes the weather and landscape. Mentions fellow officers. On April 4th, one of the officers was killed by the Apaches. Back features...
GLC02830.58.02
July 1866 - December 1866
1866 (July - Dec.) Diary of John O'Connell
Begins in Fort Yuma. Describes weather and what he and officers do in their leisure hours such as play cribbage. Goes to San Francisco in September. Then boards the Steamer Constitution. Lands in New York in October and goes to Brooklyn. Talks about...
GLC02830.58.03
9 November 1862
Alden, William H., 1844-?
to Mother
He describes his journey from the Cedar Rapids all the way down to Davenport. From the houses they stayed in to the boats they took. He likes camp life.
GLC02831.01
3 March 1863
Everybody wants a furlough. 4 were granted one, then three more wanted one and left without saying anything. 2 were caught before they had gone fifteen miles.
GLC02831.02
14 April 1863
They turned a hotel into a hospital. He has a terrible toothache and will get it pulled soon. They've caught a lot of chickens and turkeys.
GLC02831.03
7 June 1863
They got paid but someone stole his money right out from under his head where he slept on it. They are now camped on a prairie between the Sioux and Mississippi rivers. Written at Camp Cook
GLC02831.04
9 June 1863
He was happy to hear from his brother, Uriah. He gives her a breakdown of his daily routine and says he likes soldiering as long as it is in pleasant weather.Written at Camp Cook
GLC02831.05
20 July 1863
They got 2 months pay. They are only a couple miles from the Indian reservation. He expects to be in Toledo in six months. He needs more news about the war. They are kept in the dark and he doesn't even know if Vicksburg has surrendered.
GLC02831.06
1 August 1863
He sent her money but does not think she will need it now since she just got married. He applied for a furlough. They are now in the Dakota Territory.
GLC02831.07
7 August 1863
The weather has been lousy. He asks her to subscribe to a good illustrated paper and send it to him.
GLC02831.08
14 September 1863
He does not like how the officers have them attack the Indians at night since that is their best hold. It gives the Indians a chance to get away from them. They do not know how many Indians they killed since the Indians dragged off their dead...
GLC02831.09
31 October 1863
There was a terrible storm and a lot of their stock died. One man's tent blew away and he nearly froze to death. They came upon 700 Indians but did not attack. Instead they waited for reinforcements.
GLC02831.10
22 November 1863
The big topic is reenlisting. He thinks he will do it because it would only be one more year for 402 dollars. He is sick of Indian territory and would rather go south.
GLC02831.11
16 December 1863
They are now in the capital of Dakotah Territoty. He received a letter from E.M.S who says he is expecting a battle every day. The officers are sending for their wives.
GLC02831.12
19 December 1863
He has no desire to go home because if he was there it would be very hard to leave again. He takes care of the captain's horse for an extra 5 dollars a month. Lately they have great food.
GLC02831.13
11 January 1864
He is well except for a bad cold. It is very cold in the house. He wonders why he does not get Leslie's Illustrated papers anymore.
GLC02831.14
24 January 1864
They moved again and are about 50 miles above Yankton. There is not much to do there. He is sending her some money.
GLC02831.15
12 February 1864
He asks Louisa ro write to him because he wishes to have more correspondents. They have to haul their own hay and water. A mutual acquaintance started home and he expects him to see his mother while he is there.
GLC02831.16
20 February 1864
He suggests she give things to Brad Ladow who is on furlough to give to him. There is a lot of sickness around Toledo. He has gotten taller since she saw him last.
GLC02831.17
7 March 1864
He is very well and getting very fat. He got all the things she sent via Judd Sanborn. He talks about the money they're allowed for clothing.
GLC02831.18
10 March 1864
He is getting very tall. He has also been growing homesick. There was a snowstorm.
GLC02831.19
He thinks his mother should keep N. at school because it's better for him to have a good education than to work. A furlough is completely out of the question right now.
GLC02831.20
18 March 1864
They've been told they'll get 20 dollars a month now. But he is not sure if he believes it. The officers will get a pay cut so there is not such a big discrepancy between the privates' pay and the officers' pay.
GLC02831.21
25 March 1864
He is hearty and healthy so soldiering agrees with him. He will reenlist for 3 more years so that he can draw his bounty.
GLC02831.22
27 March 1864
It looks like they are headed south this spring. There was a bad winter storm after they had some of the nicest weather for the past month or so.
GLC02831.23
1 April 1864
He notes she must be lonely now that Jane has left. He sends out so many letters that he is completely out of stamps. The papers have been coming regularly.
GLC02831.24
3 April 1864
He has been enjoying the papers he receives. He is trying to grow a mustache and beard. He plans to send her a gold pen for which the holder is broken.
GLC02831.25
24 April 1864
The weather is wonderful. He complains about his old horse and says he is a poor boy. He imagines he will make his fortune one day.
GLC02831.26
25 April 1864
He mistakenly received a letter meant for his Aunt Betty. He is glad she received the money he sent even if a letter he wrote got lost in the mail.
GLC02831.27
2 May 1864
He got a letter from Ed who had the small pox and neuralgia. He thinks Gustus Fredding should send his money to his stepmother so that she can buy land for him.
GLC02831.28
4 May 1864
His mother doesn't want him to correspond with a particular girl but he is thinking to write her a letter just for spite.
GLC02831.29
19 May 1864
He complains about the mail and wishes it would run more regularly. He mentions Norton and Museatine.
GLC02831.30
to Sister Hattie
He asks about Ed. They are having great weather.
GLC02831.31
20 May 1864
He gives her permission to use all the money he sends for Hattie's education.He hopes the war will end before he reenlists. Reading letters puts him in a good mood.
GLC02831.32
24 May 1864
They saw a few Indians which quickly dispersed. They rode and rode but they couldn't find any more Indians though they saw signs. Everything is beginning to look green again.
GLC02831.33
2 June 1864
They are back at Tacketts Station but not for long. They are under marching orders. They have not seen any Indians around but they will soon enough.
GLC02831.34
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