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10 June 1864
Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933
to Nen
Sends a piece of a Confederate skull from the Battle of Chancellorsville, as well as a piece of Washington's mother's monument from Fredericksburg. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.
GLC03523.15.09
15 November 1862
Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865
to Stockton Bates
While they are located in a beautiful overlook of the Blue Ridge, "there is not the slightest romance in walking a mile up and down the mountain for water." While on picket, they got food from several homes, more by intimidation than by gift,...
GLC03523.23.04
27 April 1865
Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891
[Draft of General Orders No. 18]
Clerically signed by Johnston, General Commanding and signed official by Archer Anderson, Assistant Adjutant General. Announces the terms of the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman on 21 April 1865...
GLC02220.02
October 31, 1864
Moore, John, 1826-1907
to Mary Moore Kelly
Sherman prepares for a large raid (the March to the Sea began Nov. 15). Moore left Atlanta to supervise the transfer of the sick to hospitals further south. He is currently at a garrison 60 miles from Atlanta, near Rome. Written on letterhead from...
GLC04195.27
11 February 1862
Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897
to Eliza Cook
Discusses Eliza's letter to Sam Jones (GLC02570, #15) that he returns with this letter. Compliments her letter writing and encourages her progress in this "art which you so much desire." Reply's to Eliza's claim that she writes every week with "I do...
GLC02570.17
22 March 1862
Has received Eliza's letter and even though it was over a month old, "your hand had traced it and your thoughts were on it so I kissed it and read it over and over." Cook reports that he received letters from his father and his aunt, but nothing...
GLC02570.23
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
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
23 June 1864
Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918
To his wife
Written in pencil. Cross written. Coming back from the hospital, finding many of his regiment wounded GWT takes his place in the trenches surrounding Petersburg. Describes life in the trenches, gives the number of wounded and killed for his...
GLC04558.142
25 July 1864
Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892
to his sister Louisiana Gibson
Confidently predicts a Confederate victory against Sherman's army, which "will be driven back to the borders of the Ohio." His troops are stationed on Peach Tree Road, near the Atlanta railroad. The civilians have evacuated the town. "Louly" is...
GLC04501.024
20 May 1863
Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917
to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister
Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports...
GLC07460.029
22 May 1863
Tells his family not to worry if they don't hear from him soon, as he is preparing to march and will not be able to write for a while. Reports that the rebs have moved but it is not exactly known where to. He comments on the poor quality of farming...
GLC07460.030
12 November 1863
Goold, James, 1842-?
to Johny
Writes to his brother that part of his division has been engaged in a skirmish at Rappahannock station, and lost four men. Notes that "the second brigade of our division has the credit of helping take the forts near the river..." Informs his brother...
GLC03523.05.19
5 January 1862
Henry, Josiah E., 1840-?
to John and Sophia Henry
Henry write to his parents from Camp Griffin. Informs them that he sent them a letter "...with my minature and a dollar in gold..." Reports he was on picket duty. States many men have shot their thumbs off.
GLC03523.07.04
1 February 1862
to Sophia Henry
Henry writes to his mother from Camp Griffin. Reports that he sent five dollars to her. States there is not much to do other than guard and picket duty. Comments he weighs 156 pounds and many men are sick. Explains that they won't move on to Manassas...
GLC03523.07.06
08/28 - 09/01/1864
Bogart, Abram, fl. 1825-1865
to Mary M. Bogart and children
Begins letter to his wife and children by expressing great sadness that he has not received any letters from them. "I begin to think that you have withdrawn from me because I have been in the guardhouse..." Continues on with his complaints about how...
GLC03523.11.25
15 December 1862
to John S. Goold
Writes to his father describing the beginning of the battle at Fredericksburg, 11-15 December 1862: "The first gun was fired about 5 o'clock A.M., and the firing was kept up with but little intermission until after dark. At times the firing was so...
GLC03523.05.04
29 August 1863
Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?
to Mary (Wright) Kellogg
Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from a camp in Vicksburg. Thanks her for copies of the newspaper "Independent." Reports they are not campaigning now and have much free time. Comments letters from the North are scarce and wonders if his friends have...
GLC03523.31.24
16 August 1863
Discusses a dream in which he had gone home and realized that he had no furlough papers. Writes that his bottle of Radways Relief (most likely a stomach medicine) has broken and asks that he be sent one whenever possible. Wheeler mentions that the...
GLC07460.044
19 January 1862
Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864
to Edith M. Phelps
Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Speaks of a friend named John choosing to "serve god." Comments that he is fond of Professor Waldon and believes him to be a "clever honest fellow." Says that they recently purchased a stove that smokes a...
GLC03523.49.07
21 October 1863
to sister
Describes leaving Rappahannock and having the rebels close on their heels. Says that the rebels continued to follow them until they crossed the river. Writes that they were not able to cross back over the river until the next evening. They sent...
GLC03523.49.14
circa June 1, 1864
to his sister and parents
Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Fremont....
GLC03523.49.16
26 December 1861
Mortimer, Caleb C.E., 1835-1862
Writes about what the regiments did to celebrate Christmas, including a burlesque parade and a band. Describes building winter quarters and a guard house. Written from Camp Follett. Stationary embossed "Congress A.P. Co."
GLC01898.12
21 January 1864
Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892
to Mother
Attached with the letter is another letter to his and Edward Bridgman's old school teacher, which she is free to read if she wishes to do so. Asks her to put the letter in an envelope upon its arrival and send it to its destination. Is well and sends...
GLC09355.042
14 February 1864
to Parents
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
18 September 1864
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
27 October 1864
There has been "nothing done" about the possibility of him heading home to Northampton. The wound is doing "better than one could expect." Wishes he had a good flannel shirt from Mother. One shoulder would have to be very wide so as to not hurt the...
GLC09355.105
9 April 1863
Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863
to Amanda Wilkinson
Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky. Worries that he and many of the other officers in the regiment will not be paid for two months. As soon as he receives his commission from home he will ask for a leave of absence...
GLC03523.13.091
20 April 1862
Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
to sister [Ella]
Reprimands his sister for not answering all his letters and tells her that composition is a very important part of her education. Asks his sister to remember him to a certain Mollie M. whom he feels would make an interesting correspondent for him....
GLC02016.012
30 April 1862
to sister [Kate]
Commends her on her improvement in school under a new teacher. Feels strongly about having his sister properly educated and encourages her to persevere in her studies. Writes that no furloughs for illness or business are being granted for the men...
GLC02016.013
14 August 1864
to sister Anna
Writes from Camp Jones that he is currently on furlough. Writes that due to the negligence of the officers, the men are still at Camp Jones with nothing to do. Reports that John Hardman, a man in his company, died from bad whiskey and excessive...
GLC02016.055
23 December 1864
to sister Ella
Reports that a large portion of the Army of the James has gone to sea, but he remains on land. Writes that he received a letter from Miss Lee informing him of the yellow fever epidemic that killed Painter's roommate and many others. Has issued an...
GLC02016.071
Swisher, James S., fl. 1863
to Lydia A. Bishoff
He would like to know how Bishoff and the "Old major" are getting along, and he would like to be informed when they get married. There are about 100 sick soldiers in the hospital. The Colonel has moved his headquarters to Rowlsburg and there are...
GLC03523.40.26
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
31 October 1861
to mother [Ann Smith] Companies A, C, and D marched to Newport News and saw white flags in house windows and a house on fire. The "great expedition" sailed, and he saw it in the paper and in person. Yesterday [October 30] there was a grand review...
GLC03696.07
3 November 1861
to mother [Ann Smith] He is bored, as "There is nothing stirring here now, it is the dullest time that I have seen since I have been here," and talks about a recent storm and requests a blanket be sent to him. The regiment may soon receive a Sibley...
GLC03696.08
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
1815-1860
Wright, E.A., fl. 1861
to Miller A. Wright
[step-mother] E. A. is concerned about his life and safety in the Army. She is going to make him a coat, but this task is made difficult by the fact that little cotton had been planted that year.
GLC02691.11.010
8 August 1861
Sends Dr. Fuller to his wife to explain to her what occurred at the Battle of Bull Run. Explains that Dr. Fuller is a good friend and she should ask him any questions she has. Writes that he has been in the hospital for a day or so. Tells his wife...
GLC03523.13.009
30 June 1864
to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He reports that he is in good health and still in the same location. He writes that his regiment has been relieved from the front lines and are now in the third line. He has washed his clothes and...
GLC07460.084
12 September 1863
Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864
to Lile Miller
Murray writes to his wife: "Dear Lile I almost dread when we are discharged it will Be almost like changing climate, the mode of living is so diferent, But I think I can manage..." Has been temporarily marked "off duty" by the doctor. Hopes to keep...
GLC02155.106
14 September 1862
Willis, Jane, fl. 1864
to Sarah Ogden
Thanks Ogden for the letter concerning her son's "misfortune … and his present location." Asks Ogden to update her son on news from home, including friends and neighbors, the state of the crops, the local economy, and the draft. Begs Ogden to let her...
GLC06559.096
3 October 1862
Appell, Susie C., fl. 1862
Thanks Ogden for the news concerning the amputation of Orice's arm. Says she received a letter from Orice, asking her to send him a photograph of herself, which she had taken, but has not sent. She sent news of the amputation to Orice's family and...
GLC06559.102
1 August 1863
Bryant, Anvilla J., fl. 1863
Thanks Ogden for taking care of her cousin, Bracket, and notifying the family of his death. Asks which of Bracket's lungs were wounded, whether he spoke of writing to anyone, or whether he mentioned anything about his home or his friends from...
GLC06559.108
22 January 1864
Pennington, D., fl. 1864
to L. D. Wood
re: lack of food and clothing.
GLC03135.06.021
February 1, 1863
Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863
to Celicia Paul
Paul expresses a desire to come home and see his wife: "O if I Cold only see you wonst I have your Picture But that is not like the original". Paul describes the poor weather in the camp, and writes that he thought his regiment would switch camp...
GLC03058.07
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
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
20 January 1863
He copies out orders from Burnside regarding a meeting with the enemy. He includes a song, "Battle of Fredericksburg, Va."
GLC07705.129
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