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1861-1877
[envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}
Envelope from Martinsburg, VA, with the poem, "On Guard" printed on the front, addressed to Miss Lydia A. Bishoff, German settlement, Preston Co., VA.
GLC03523.40.37
18 October 1861
Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862
to mother
to mother [Ann Smith] He thanks his mother for the food she sent. His regiment may move forward soon, and he hopes the Pennsylvanian troops are not put on picket duty as they are incompetent: "The soldiers of the 16th fear them more than they do the...
GLC03696.09
25 December 1864
Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868
to father
the receipt of package, inquiry about a coat for Chris Skelton, the observance of Christmas in the barracks, and the harshness of the weather. Written on Hart Island
GLC02180.15
11 February 1865
missing letters, receipt of Brooklyn and religious newspapers, attendance at the Seventh Baptist Church and an enthusiatic report of Mr. Fuller's sermon, his sister Mary's religious development, the payment of his washwoman, food, and his overall...
GLC02180.22
16 June 1863
Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877
to sister
sister [Margaret Parrott] John is proud of his sister and he reminds her to be respectable and honorable, for he wants her to feel equally "as good as those who are we[a]lthy…And if you conduct yourself properly you will soon be a great deal more...
GLC03858.01.16
16 December 1863
sister [Margaret Parrott] Things have been quiet since the Battle of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th as the soldiers are preparing winter quarters. He hopes she will continue school this winter. He is glad he joined the Army when he did as he has only a...
GLC03858.01.24
8 November 1862
Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877
Henry has been on the march since he last wrote and expects to be for some time to come. There are about 40,000 troops there and more are always arriving. They killed fourteen men in a skirmish with Morgan's Cavalry.
GLC03858.02.03
10 May 1864
Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882
to his brother Henry Weeks
Writes that he has been in the line of battle for a few days and is now in front of enemy works. Some heavy skirmishing began yesterday and is still going on. Reports that Harker and Wagner's brigades charged Buzzards Roost and were repulsed. Also...
GLC06728.070
6 February 1865
Pratt, Emery, fl. 1860
to Frank
Updates his friend on the events concerning the regiment since November of 1864. Writes that K company got into two brawls where men were missing, wounded, or killed. Discusses regimental deaths at the battle of Nashville and personnel promotions.
GLC06728.081
1 August 1861
Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863
to Amanda Wilkinson
Tells his wife that his sister, Wink, wrote to him that she had heard some incorrect things about his regiment's casualties. He reports that they had "very few wounded." He also reports that he was in the hardest part of the battle. States that the...
GLC03523.13.011
26 September 1861
Writes that he loves and misses his wife very much. Instructs her to take the enclosed money and spend it to make herself comfortable. Suggests that she should continue to stay with her mother because of her present condition.
GLC03523.13.016
30 November 1862
Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865
to Mary
It is raining out so he cannot go for his usual walk. Writes that it is discouraging to be an "invalid" sometimes. He states that his appetite and strength are only a "little better." Writes that he is still having difficulty with his stomach but...
GLC03523.42.18
28 July 1864
Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917
to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
There is occasional shelling from both sides. Beyond that little has changed and his regiment is still in the same locations as when he last wrote. Most of the Confederate shells fall too short or go too far to cause much damage to the Union lines...
GLC07460.089
4 May 1864
Written in the woods near Ringgold, Georgia. The regiment marched through Chattanooga, Tennessee and camped just past the Chickamauga battle ground. At Gordons Mills near Chickamauga, Georgia the regiment got into its first fight. The regiment went...
GLC07460.075
16 November 1863
Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864
to Lile Miller
Written from camp near Kellys Ford. Sympathizes regarding "the difficulties" between Lile and "the girls." Reports on camp news, expressing enjoyment that he received fresh bread, beans, potatoes, and rice as part of his rations the previous day...
GLC02155.115
16 February 1863
Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864
to Sarah Ogden
Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel." Thanks Ogden for the sword and belt she sent him. Writes, "Father sent a letter when the Sword started but it has not reached me yet-probably it contained the list of names." Informs Ogden the men have been...
GLC06559.023
11 June 1863
Writes from camp close to Franklin's Crossing which is near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Apologizes for not seeing Ogden while in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but informs her that she and her husband were not home when he called on them. Describes...
GLC06559.024
25 September 1863
Ford, Charles, fl. 1863-1865
Writes from Camp Starvation near Harrisburg. Describes his difficult journey back to camp with other men from the Broad & Cherry Hospital. Says on arrival at the camp, the men finally received some food and new clothing.
GLC06559.029
March 18, 1864
Hirnenger, James, fl. 1861-1864
Speaks of the pain and disability his wound continues to cause him. Tells Ogden that it is both payday and visiting day. Says he received a letter from McNabb, who got home safely. Requests that Ogden send him items, he needs to make chains. He...
GLC06559.051
20 August 1864
Apologizes for not visiting her at the Hospital while he was in the area. Tells her to keep the money he sent her previously. States, "I may get home this winter then I can take it with me." Says he has been appointed to the position of ward master...
GLC06559.052
8 February 1863
Jones, Ira D., fl. 1862-1863
Requests a loan of two hundred dollars to pay for his home. Says he will pay the loan back over four years. Offers to give Ogden a mortgage on the house if she grants him this favor. Identifies himself to Ogden as a soldier she nursed in a...
GLC06559.055
1861-1865
Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865
Mentions that his regiment just halted in front of stores in the main street of Hagerstown. Says a battle has been occurring throughout the day on the outskirts of the town. Notes the battle appears to have turned in favor of the Union side because...
GLC06559.142
21 August 1862
Miller writes to his wife. Laments that his knapsack, containing a picture of Lile and his son, Charley, may have been lost. Complains of the swamps in Virginia (especially the Chickahominy Swamp).
GLC02155.060
19 October 1863
Hartman, Friedrich, fl. 1863
Apologizes for not writing sooner. Says the family received William's body and the bullet from his wound. Describes William's funeral, and asks Ogden for copies of her photograph, for the family and for William's fiancée.
GLC06559.116
22 June 1862
Penel, Eunice, fl. 1862
Writes in answer to Ogden's letter informing her of her son, Edwin B. Penel's, illness. Says she has lost her husband, and she feels as if her heart will break, knowing that her son is very ill. Says she wishes he could come home, and would like...
GLC06559.123
2 July 1862
Thanks Ogden for the care of her son, [Edwin B.], and tells her that God will reward her for her good deeds. Asks Ogden to update her on Edwin's medical condition, and to read her letters to him if he is unable to read them himself.
GLC06559.124
22 January 1863
Sulkin, Hermengilde, fl. 1863
Says she received Ogden's letter dated the 14th, which discussed her son's improved health. Mentions she received a letter from Alphonse on the same day, and could tell from his handwriting that he was still weak. Believes that Ogden has become...
GLC06559.127
3 January 1861
J.M., Annie , fl. 1861
Writes from "home." Announces her engagement to Samuel J. Thompson. Says she intended to tell Ogden during their last meeting, but did not get the chance, and Christmas preparations have kept her from responding sooner. Describes Thompson as "a...
GLC06559.099
19 April 1863
Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863
to Celicia Paul
Paul informs his wife that he just returned from picket and suffered through rainy weather. He was told that he might go into battle soon, and that the Rebels had moved in and reinforced Fredericksburg. He also tells her that he has been paid a...
GLC03058.12
1862
Paul informs his wife that he is near Sharpsburg and has been ordered to be ready at any moment. He describes a pair of knee-high boots that he bought for $7.50 from a sutler at camp, and then asks here to pay part of his debt to Mr. Russel back in...
GLC03058.02
February 17, 1863
Paul informs his wife that he is well and is glad that she is not working outside of the home any more because he was afraid for her health. He notes that her employers were kind to hire her and treated her well, and that he is glad that she bought...
GLC03058.08
15 March 1863
Some words throughout the letter are illegible because of water damage. Paul writes that he had a toothache and his badly decayed tooth had to be pulled. He informs Celicia that he will not write some friends in Muncy because they do not write him....
GLC03058.09
November 18, 1864
Powell, George May, 1835-1905
to Emma C. Small
re: He writes of the power of submitting to the will of God. He describes his month-long furlough spent writing and publishing a speech for the campaign about taxation, "Facts and Figures for the Hour." He refers to the "Iron Brigade," Wisconsin...
GLC00687.011
25 December 1862
to Asa W. Slayton
Mary sends holiday wishes. Expresses surprise at the receipt of letter. Gives news of the death of Herman Hunt enlisted in 21st Michigan. Describes funeral of fellow teacher. Reports of good health among Asa's wife, sister, and sister-in-law....
GLC03955.12
27 November 1862
Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865
to Father
He talks about the the threat of destruction toward Fredricksburg unless the Rebels surrender it but as of yet the city is left untouched. he mentions Mr. Whitaker.
GLC07705.116
26 April 1863
He describes the camp where very often they hear "Johnny Reb's" bullets fly overhead. 3 of their men have been wounded. He regrets joining the infantry, and would have gone into the cavalry or artillery arm instead.
GLC07705.161
1 August 1863
Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913
[George Washington Custis Lee endorsement on letter from F. Glackmeyer]
Written on F. Glackmeyer Autograph Letter Signed to Col. G.W. Lee. Mr. Glackmeyer was a special agent in the post office department. He is writing Col. Lee to inform him of a recent series of postal crimes. A soldier by the name of Guttenberger was...
GLC02691.11.043
8 February 1864
Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864
to his sister
Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. He writes that he's tempted to give up writing frequently to his sister because she seldom receives all the letters he sends. He expresses to his sister how even the most mundane details of her life are of...
GLC02232.29
2 November 1864
Ubil, Frederick, fl. 1862-1864
to John Reeser
Apologizes for not writing sooner, and for Si not writing. Mentions that Si is unhappy here because he doesn't have a girl yet but he is looking at two or three and will soon be all right. Writes that many of his friends have quit and moved away....
GLC03523.43.16
11 September 1863
Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868
to A. P. Kessler
Writes to his father from Camp Douglas. Reports he did not get paid as expected and is out of paper and postage. Discusses another man in camp whose body was sent home. Comments the soldier had a sore throat and had only been sick for a few days...
GLC03523.52.13
26 April 1864
Morgan, George, fl. 1864
to his friends
Writes to his friends from Camp Blue Springs. Reports a couple of cases of smallpox in camp. Comments on the copperheads and how he would have liked to confront them while on furlough back home. Discusses new recruits in camp. The letter has a...
GLC03523.52.52
13 July 1864
Writes to his friends. Reports some artillery firing and little picket firing. Discusses what his life would be like if he never enlisted. Writes, "we live to much on the heathen style Here have not much respect for each other especialy [sic] the...
GLC03523.52.61
27 September 1863
Stark, Lydia, fl. 1862-1864
to her brother
Signed by Lydia. She has read in the newspaper of the terrible battle [Battle of Chickamauga] that he was involved in. She is very worried about him and asks if he is safe and hopes that he is alright. Asks that he write to her immediately to let her...
GLC03523.42.32
20 May 1862
Written from New Kent Court House, Virginia. Writes to his wife that he knows she is worried about him, especially since he's been in battle [during General George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign]. Explains that he wrote to her the day after the...
GLC03523.13.041
28 June 1862
Written near Fair Oaks, Virginia to his wife. Mentions that there are fights with the enemy everyday and he suspects it will be that way for some time. Notes that many of the battles are very hard and one even lasted for six hours.
GLC03523.13.047
5 July 1862
Written near the James River to his wife. Writes concerning one of his friends, Mr. L. Walker who has recently died in battle. He explains that Mr. Walker was killed in front of him; the musket ball striking him in the face. He has suffered for the...
GLC03523.13.049
31 January 1862
Notes that they have not had any movements recently. Attended a dance for the benefit of the soldiers. States that his mother and all of his friends were glad to see him and that he is doing well. The baby cried all night and he barely got any sleep...
GLC03523.13.033
24 February 1862
Sends her eight dollars. Says if the journey is too much to do in one night she should take her time. Also asks her to bring his boots.
GLC03523.13.036
26 February 1862
Has returned from Port Huron, Michigan and is saddened to hear that their baby is not doing well. He includes some money as well. Writes that she should come visit him if she is able.
GLC03523.13.037
25 July 1865
Fendall, Philip Richard II, 1794-1868
to James R.Y. Fendall
Discusses the possibility of James taking an appointment with the Post Office in New Orleans, but mentions that he would have to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, as recently mandated by Congress. Also mentions the provisional...
GLC03135.11.06
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