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October 31, 1862
Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864
to Mary Hughes
Continued efforts to secure parole or exchange; release of 15-20 prisoners daily on oath and bond; urging her to protect her health and the children's health.
GLC02166.104
November 6, 1862
Altered opinion of Rev. Dr. Baldwin's book Armageddon.
GLC02166.108
September 6, 1862
Mail distribution; reaction to censorship by Prison Postmaster Tiffany; her eating habits; departure of POW's for exchange. With an autograph note signed by Tiffany on verso denying having mutilated Hughes' letter.
GLC02166.061
9 August 1863
Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893
to A.M. Flinn
Spent three weeks as a prisoner at Fort Delaware. Has not heard from his family since he returned to camp. While at Fort Delaware, his father had come to camp to visit and went home without knowing the fate of his son. He discusses the losses from...
GLC04573.04
18 December 1783
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
to Robert Morris
Discusses a potential problem in providing rations for the men remaining in service after the end of the year. Writes that "no calculation was made for the Canadian refugees who are in the vicinity of West Point - They draw upwards of one hundred...
GLC02437.02843
20 May 1782
to Benjamin Lincoln
Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch...
GLC02437.01426
8 October 1782
to John Lowell
Recounts the story of young Isaac Winslow, who had been taken to Canada at age 11 by his loyalist father, upon the outbreak of hostilities. His parents are now dead, and his other family is in Boston. He wants to be in service to his country. Knox...
GLC02437.01650
7 November 1785
Mason, David, 1726-1794
to Henry Knox
Writes to Knox in distress. Thanks him for the recommendation to Governor Bowdoin, but informs him that a Major [likely William] Perkins was appointed to a position instead of him. Declares he is now left destitute, especially since his leg was...
GLC02437.03215
6 March 1790
Lillie, John, 1755-1801
Explains and apologizes for not writing in a while as he was in France and quite busy. Discusses earnings he made from the vessels he sent to the West Indies from Georgia. Notes his profits were not as great as he expected, but, "on the whole...
GLC02437.04530
December 6, 1789
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Wadsworth returns the warrants that Knox requested (refer to GLC02437.04422). Sends news that his family is recovering from influenza. Discusses the Marquis de Lafayette and the French Revolution: "Our friend the Marquis is indeed in a perilous...
GLC02437.04426
February 14, 1792
Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825
Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Marked "Private, Personal & Confidential." Tells Knox that "a most lawless outrage was committed by a party of the soldiers on the person of a civil magistrate in the village of Cincinnati...
GLC02437.05321
12 June 1865
Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865
to Sarah Wood
Written from Concord, North Carolina to his wife. Describes the various decorations the men had set up to beautify their camp, as well as the local people's fascination with the decorations and men Begins to make plans for the future, asking his wife...
GLC02176.27
19 June 1864
Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864
to his wife
A large amount of mail was captured and burned near Dalton. Apologizes for not writing enough. Mentions a confrontation with the Confederates. "Railroad atrocities." Predicts Richmond will fall soon. Writes about the weather.
GLC05981.46
18 September 1864
Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892
to Parents
Is well and enjoying himself. Hates to write a letter and then send it many days later. Will write a longer letter to them soon. General Grant visited the corps last Friday. Sheridan appears to know what he is doing; "he keeps a shark look out for...
GLC09355.092
February 7, 1864
Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891
to Miller A. Wright
Writes from Alabama. "[G]reat scarcity in the land…we are where we hear nothing & know nothing. I have tried to keep as unobserved as possible…It now takes $100 to buy a bunch of thread…Charlie has been made clerk of Wheeler's ordnance he writes it...
GLC02691.11.054
28 April 1862
Stone, E. Wyman, fl. 1861-1865
to Berdille
He has his good days and his bad days. He mentions the food which he is getting sick of. Once his leg heals, he can head North.
GLC02182.35
22 December 1864
Crozier, J., fl. 1862-1864
to Respected Friend
He wanted to see his friend, who is unwell, but was prevented by numerous obstacles. He talks about how the North will prevail and the South will go down. Includes 2 newpaper clippings with poetry entitled "A Prayer for Jeff Davis" and "The Flag of...
GLC02171.02
April 10, 1861
Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864
to Ma
One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated April 10, 1861. Provides updates of his health and wellbeing. Asks for his siblings to write. Mentions that the capital may be relocated to Huntsville. Figures writes that 5 of the...
GLC00653.01.01
25 September 1862
Mitchell, Thomas F., fl. 1862-1863
to Elizabeth J. Mitchell
re: death of a fellow prisoner at Johnson's Island; attempts to secure release of David Pennington and Noah Blevins.
GLC03135.06.008
January 22, 1864
Pennington, D., fl. 1864
to L. D. Wood
re: lack of food and clothing.
GLC03135.06.021
22 November 1863
Blanchard, John, fl. 1862-1864
to Esther Ann Kinney
re: Blanchard describes the skirmishes his regiment has with the Confederate troops around the Rappahannock River in the defense of Washington DC. He also describes his camp, saying, "the huts were constructed of bags plastered with mud…every thing...
GLC02162.05
7 March 1875
Hurd & Houghton (publishers), 1864-1878
[Memorandum of an Agreement]
A contract between George May Powell of the Oriental Topographical Corps and Melancthon M. Hurd and Albert G. Houghton, Publishers and Booksellers, to publish Rawson's Bible Hand Book. GMP will provide illustrations at his cost and will retain...
GLC00687.128
14 October 1861
Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862
to mother
to mother [Ann Smith] His life at camp is "quiet," and the troops are making their own fun by stealing beer from the sutler's tent. He was surprised when he saw in a paper that Corporal Asa Smith from Indiana was injured, but "was pleased to know...
GLC03696.01
11 April 1865
Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865
to Delia Slocum
re: Records the reaction in camp to Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox. "Cheering, yelling an shooting of there guns and it was kept up till about three Oclock this morning[.]"
GLC03791.025
17 August 1864
Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864
to Asa W. Slayton
Chester comments on his disappointment at not receiving frequent correspondence from home. Claims to have been kept very busy, "Uncle Samyuel, or his Generals, kept us so busy making strategical movements trying to get around the left flank of the...
GLC03955.04
3 November 1863
Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877
to father
father [C. Parrott] John's health is not good. Henry is now camped at Jasper, Tennessee. John's regiment is guarding a pass in the mountains and will remain there until the river is opened. He was nearly captured returning from Chattanooga; "the...
GLC03858.01.21
27 December 1863
to parents
Has not received any letters from them, but did get two newspapers. Now has time to read the papers, a luxury that he did not have before. Can even read at night sometimes when they get candles, "which we do have given [to] us sometimes." Drew...
GLC09355.034
February 14, 1864
Does not have any news to write; they have not moved. Weather has been nice, so they may move soon. The ground is dry and the roads are in good condition. "My only wish now is that my box with my boots may come before we do start." Glad to hear his...
GLC09355.047
19 November 1863
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
The Gettysburg Address as an illuminated manuscript
picture of Lincoln on first page
GLC08880.141
10 December 1862
Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865
to Father
They are ordered to cook three days rations and to cross the Fredricksburg river. He discusses his payment details.
GLC07705.119
January 20, 1863
He copies out orders from Burnside regarding a meeting with the enemy. He includes a song, "Battle of Fredericksburg, Va."
GLC07705.129
21 June 1864
Moffat, R.R., fl. 1864
to Mr. Cole
He writes that he saw his son fall in battle and crawl several yards. He does not know if he is wounded or dead but suspects only wounded, albeit dangerously.
GLC08291.11
February 26, 1878
Beale, James, fl. 1878
to Maj. Geo. Hooker
still finds Batchelder's story to be inaccurate. writes that the Potomac army has a very poor opimiom of Theodore Lyman. thinks Genie Howard uses the excuse of being wounded to lie.
GLC09171.2
5 May 1878
accuses Batchelder of complete fabrications. Batchelder claims that a Confederate brigade was captured by Buford's cavalry but Beale doesn't think this ever happened.
GLC09171.5
26 June 1878
learned that Lee was nervous bout the closeness of Reynolds and Buford. the plan was to coax Buford toward Emmettsburg so that Ewell would have time to get to Gettysburg, however, Buford made a rapid advance that afternoon.
GLC09171.7
17 November 1864
Lowrie, James Addison, 1843-?
to Mother
upset his wound is not yet healed, so he may not be home yet for Christmas. his one consolation is that he'll be able to stay. writes "what am I now, but a poor and aged soldier, a cripple for life..." but is thankful he survived.
GLC08300.48
February 26, 1864
Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865
to Maria
went to Cincinnati with the company of a 2M clerk passing through Wheeling. visited Harry Blackburn and family. the streets of Cincinnati were filled with flags on account of the fall of Charleston. General Crook and Kelly were captured.
GLC08311.14
25 August 1864
went out in a picket line and saw several hundred shots fired but not one hit a man. saw about 15 prisoners brought in yesterday. lists the goverment prices for rations sold to officers. Written at a camp near Hall Town
GLC08311.17
28 May 1863
Kellogg, James H., fl. 1862-1864
to Mary
He is getting news about Vicksburgh and he hopes the victory there won't be confined to Vicksburgh. David English has left Murfreesboro and was sent to a hospital in Detroit. He is getting better.
GLC02415.029
December 14, 1862
Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864
to Lile Miller
Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Writes, "there is a terrible Battle Raging at Fredericksburg the canonading [sic] yesterday was tremendous, i believe it exceeded any thing i ever heard, either Malvern hill or Sharpsburg, it is...
GLC02155.071
23 April 1865
Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865
to Eleanor Hammond
Everyone is healthy, but tired from all the marching. Legs feel "lame." Stopped 18 miles from Petersburg on the railroad. Going to guard the railroad, but is not sure how long he will be doing that for. "We may stay here two weeks and we may not stay...
GLC09273.42
3 September 1862
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
to Mary "Mollie" McLean
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
2 December 1864
Sayne, H.B., fl. 1864
to Amos J. Harding
Asks to be excused for not writing sooner, but he was waiting for the machine to run according to the notion of things. Thinks that Lieutenant Gannett is a gentleman; all his books and papers are in very good shape, but Sayne had to clean the office...
GLC02178.08
26 June 1865
Kearney, S.L., fl. 1865
to Eliakim P. Scammon
Wishes to remain in service. Father died serving under Genl. Taylor in Mexico; brother died serving under Genl. Worth. Served for seven years in the U.S. patent office after being recommended by various generals, including Winfield Scott. Docket...
GLC02414.386
27 November 1875
Thompson, Albert D., fl. 1875
to Blanche Kelso Bruce
A letter from Thompson asking Senator Bruce for help securing a position as school teacher for himself and his wife in another county since he wants to leave his current placement in De Soto county due to threats of violence, and a pay cut. Thompson...
GLC09400.019
1861-1877
Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916
to darling Cherry
He mentions the influx of court martials lately. He also talks about the upcoming election and how the NY troops will support Lincoln absolutely. He mentions her Aunt Chara.
GLC08284.085
circa 1861-1865
Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863
to Unknown
They only got about 2/3 of their ration before going to Bull Run, so they were without food for a day and a half. When the bullets wer flying they saw a black berry patch and immediately began picking berries so the Colonel called them the black...
GLC02172.12
23 November 1861
to Brother Henry
The first place they visited in Mt. Vernon was Washington's tomb. Then they saw the gardens and the orchard.Next they went to the house. There were many things in the house including pistol holster and a large piano. Written in Camp Lyon.
GLC02172.30
January 24, 1863
Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863
The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 29 (January 24, 1863)]
Report of casualties at Louisville. General conscription orders in English and French. Relief bill for soldiers' families. Militia bill. White with gray design with blue outline dots.
GLC06208.16
6-7 December 1862
Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865
to Nancy E. Jones
George Cooper died of the measles. The Confederates tried to capture their grain train but were unsuccessful. He lists the hierarchy of officers above him: Sill, Rosecrans, Kirk, and Reid.
GLC02739.028
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