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14 July 1862
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
to Mary "Mollie" McLean
If anything bad happens, he has arranged it so that she will hear it in a telegram first and not in the paper. He got paid and is sending money home.
GLC02161.034
18 July 1862
to [Harriet W. Dewey]
Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.
GLC02161.035
20 July 1862
He has news about her husband. His wounds have all healed and he has been moved to the officers' prison. He will most likely be among the first of those exchanged.
GLC02161.036
22 July 1862
He requests photos of mother and father. He is also enclosing a sketch from an illustrated newspaper depicting the cavalry battle that Will fought in. Not included here.
GLC02161.037
23 July 1862
to [Norman R. Dewey]
He wants his father to stop working so hard. He should be as comfortable as possible. He warns his father it may be a year before he can visit him.
GLC02161.038
25 July 1862
He sent money to father and told mother to send him some things. Capt. M.went down to Fort Monroe. It is hot and uncomfortable.
GLC02161.039
28 July 1862
He has been working hard in the hot sun. He is looking forward to Will's release. She should go to Michigan to visit an uncle of theirs.
GLC02161.040
30 July 1862
He admonishes her for worrying too much about everything. He says she is too imaginative and envisions the worst about everything.
GLC02161.041
1 August 1862
The Rebels attacked the night before and he describes how the sky lit up because of the flash of the artillery. His theory as to why is that the attack drew their gunboats out, thus allowing the Rebels to follow them.
GLC02161.042
2 August 1862
He is angry because it seems like everyone else has been home at least once if not twice already. He has also been there about five months longer as well.
GLC02161.043
3 August 1862
Lt. Hunt says the paymaster is coming soon. His father says he shouldn't live without too many comforts. He says he doesn't need many.
GLC02161.044
5 August 1862
He is not that discouraged by the fact that they did not advance and take Richmond. He is just happy to see the James River and be alive. He has confidence.
GLC02161.045
8 August 1862
There is a rumour going around that Will was released but it is not believed because he would have stopped by. The men signed a petition to keep him in their regiment.
GLC02161.046
10 August 1862
to his sister
He is afraid he raised her hopes by talking of Will's probable release. Meanwhile, Capt. Albergen is trying to see if he can get him a furlough. He encloses a sketch of his quarters, not included here.
GLC02161.047
to his mother
Everyone is happy about the "drafting order." He knows Lincoln wants to end the war. He has not received any boxes yet. He wants a position in one of the conscript regiments.
GLC02161.048
14 August 1862
The paymaster still hasn't been around, but his health is good, though he has been fatter in the past. Written at Fort Pocahontas
GLC02161.049
21 August 1862
He has been marching for four days. They have been on their way to Yorktown. But he was so tired he decided to go to Fort Monroe via a steamer. He has no idea what the army's final destination is.
GLC02161.050
Will is in the hospital and he is hoping he can get a leave because he will need lots of home care if he is to be fit for duty again. They leave for Newport News tonight. He is afraid the new movement will break the army up.
GLC02161.051
28 August 1862
There was a rumor that Smith's Division had been taken from the army of the Potomac and assigned to the central department. Four months ago they came to this same place with 780 men. Now they only have 400.
GLC02161.052
3 September 1862
They arrived in Bull Run only to find out they had been whipped. He lists the names of the officers that were wounded. He had a letter written to her which he tore up, for fear the Rebels would get it if he were wounded or killed.
GLC02161.053
6 September 1862
to his father
He is upset because he received a package from Adams Express in which everything was rotten. But he was able to salvage a few things.
GLC02161.054
7 September 1862
to William McLean
He tells a story in which a lot of soldiers and cavalry were standing around and someone asked, 'Where's Gen. Pope?' And someone else answered: 'In his headquarters.' Upon asking where his headquarters were, the reply was: 'In his saddle.' Written in...
GLC02161.055
11 September 1862
They are between the enemy and the river. Marching is very rough. The skin on his heels came off and he had to march the entire way in that condition.
GLC02161.056
16 September 1862
to mother
They have since passed through several cities and escaped the warm fire of artillery. There has been heavy firing in the direction of Harper's Ferry though he hears their side has surrendered at Harper's Ferry.
GLC02161.057
27 September 1862
He is very bitter towards the Buffalonians for their bias toward other regiments. It looks like many regiments will be consolidated since some have lost a considerable number of men. Some officers will be discharged and if he is one, he will not...
GLC02161.058
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