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03 November 1862
Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864
to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee
There were skirmishes. Pressing onward to Strasburg. Mentions Billy and instructs her not to pay out any more money for him.
GLC02744.092
08 November 1862
He marched six miles in a snow storm. He describes what they carry in their saddlebags. He has not been paid since he left.
GLC02744.093
18 January 1863
He talks about not feeling well and reassures his wife that he will be fine and not to worry. He says he's not sure what it would be like to be out of camp and be home. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.131
20 January 1863
He has been sick. But the doctor has broken up his fever. He continues to get better. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.132.01
Note folded like a triangle. He says Lucien on one side. Inside there are three words, illegible.
GLC02744.132.02
22 January 1863
While he aware of the claims of his country he is also aware of the claims of his family. Still laid up in his tent. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.133
23 January 1863
Glad she looks forward to the idea of keeping house. He talks about their unique relationship. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.134
25 January 1863
He gives a recipe for headaches, details troop movements, and describes things getting stuck in the mud. End of letter indicates prescence of additional smaller sheet but there is no extra page in folder.
GLC02744.135
02 February 1863
to Lucien Burpee
He writes to inform Lucien that he shall be at home Friday or Saturday night and will want to see him and Charley.
GLC02744.139
04 February 1863
Instead of being able to go home, they are making him go to Georgetown Hospital in Washington to get better. Still hopes he may be able to get home for a few days anyway. Saw William who entrusted him with money to be delivered to family and friends...
GLC02744.140
06 February 1863
He describes his hospital room. He is determined to come home soon. thinks of them often.
GLC02744.142
27 January 1863
He says some generals have retired and now Hooker heads up their army. Soldiers died from fatigue/exposure, strewn across ground, won't read about it in the papers. Includes January 28, where he reassures his wife about her anxiety about hearing a...
GLC02744.136
29 January 1863
A man stayed in the camp last night and complained about it. Still sick currently experiencing fever and rheumatism. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.137
01 February 1863
He writes that he is about to try to get a leave of absence and she need not write to him after she receives this letter. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg
GLC02744.138
24 March 1863
Risley, Stephen G., fl. 1863
[Consent of leave for Lieut. Col. Thomas F. Burpee]
Notation at top of document indicates this is a duplicate.
GLC02744.141
09 April 1863
Second page contains only address for future mail.
The 21st is five miles from where he is and he will be going in the morning. describes the weather. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia
GLC02744.143
11 April 1863
He describes his journey back. saw Mr and mrs Pond. Mentions park and Burdett. Col. Dutton gave him a very warm reception. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia
GLC02744.144
14 April 1863
He has had a lot of picket duty lately. Major Crosby is getting a leave of absence so he can be with his wife. Offers to let her come join the army for a while if she wants.
GLC02744.145
18 April 1863
He writes that some of the officers had their wives with them for a while but were ordered to leave at Norfolk. Tells the story of how Col. Kimball was murdered by General Cocoran.
GLC02744.146
24 April 1863
He does not think the enemy will attack them here as they have 30 thousand men and a lot of artillery. Thanks her for her letter and the children's letters.
GLC02744.148
26 April 1863
He must find something to occupy his mind since his wife is not around. asks after the children. He wants to know if Lucien is in school now. The English language cannot describe what he feels for her.
GLC02744.149
29 April 1863
Details his own soldiers having a conversation across the river with Confederate soldiers. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia
GLC02744.150
30 April 1863
He is sending her an allotment check. He instructs her as to what to do with it.
GLC02744.151
08 February 1864
He regrets not being able to see her safely back to Fort Monroe. later all the men got sea sick aboard the ship. He bivouacked later and waited for the enemy who did not come. He will write his letters like a journal entry from now on.
GLC02744.152
05 February 1864
Letter of arrival. Notes they made it safely but were sea sick.
GLC02744.153
21 April 1864
Writes about the potential danger of the"Rebel Ram" and the Plymouth capture.
GLC02744.180
17 May 1864
Discusses a battle where he loses 106 men.
GLC02744.192
04 June 1864
Copy of the original. Last letter home, writes about troop movements and assures wife of health. Was written near Cold Harbor, Virginia.
GLC02744.203
28 June 1864
Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882
to unknown
Reports that Brig. Gen. Harker was killed yesterday along with two of Weeks' company. Of Weeks' regiment, 43 were killed and wounded leaving 108 men. Writes that the only battle he has missed was the Chickamauga campaign but has been with his...
GLC06728.073
22 July 1863
to his parents
Has found a place to board and hopes to be played soon. Offers his pay to his parents but states that if they have no use for it, he will offer it to other soldiers who will not get paid this time. Writes that he may be able to get furlough but is...
GLC06728.051
7 July 1861
Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863
to Amanda Wilkinson
Written from Camp W. Scott. Explains to his wife that he does not know where he is going. Comments that he will go to the Senate and House of Representatives, both of which are in session. Also states that he will see her uncle. Tells his wife that...
GLC03523.13.003
11 March 1864
Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917
to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister
Written at Camp of 105th Illinois Regiment, eight miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The regiment has marched from Bridgeport, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He describes this as the hardest march the regiment has ever had. He also reports that...
GLC07460.071
30 July 1864
to his parents, brother-in-law and sister
He write that he is now on the right wing not far from the Atlanta, Georgia railroad. Reports that during the night as they were moving they were attacked by Confederates who were severely "whipped for their tenacity that they may stick to Atlanta."...
GLC07460.091
14 December 1863
Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864
to Lile Miller
Written from camp near Manassas Junction. Discusses a possible visit from Henry, noting that his camp is located near the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road. States that Lile can not come visit because there is nowhere for her to stay. Writes, "I see...
GLC02155.122
22 June 1863
Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865
to Sarah Ogden
Writes from Camp Russell. Says they have had good weather since they left, and he mentions that both Alfred and William are doing well. Notes Private McLaughlin was injured "very severely while bathing in the canal last week, striking his head upon...
GLC06559.146
circa 1860-1870
Writes she has no pasteboard at home, but would be able to find some elsewhere. Notes she has enclosed five dollars for the missing pasteboard. Mentions that Annie, [Latham], and Lilly filled a pushcart, and with the aid of an African American man...
GLC06559.130
12 February 1864
Welles, Edmund, fl. 1864
Writes from "Head Quarters A" of Potomac Signal Corps." Says the news of the Broad and Cherry Hospital's closing saddens him and other grateful wounded soldiers. Notes he is sorry to "learn of Miss Peterson's accident." Tells Ogden that he saw...
GLC06559.093
2 August 1863
Forde, Electa M., fl. 1863
Mentions being surprised at Mr. Hathaway's death because he had received notice from "Newton," just after the battle, that he was only slightly wounded. Says Newton informed him that the ball had been extracted from Hathaway's leg, and he was doing...
GLC06559.110
February 13, 1863
Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865
to Delia Slocum
re: Cranor describes the Battle of Stones Creek and its aftermath for the regiment. He writes that the enemy killed or wounded eighteen in the regiment and that his colonel was drunk during the fight. Cranor speculates that this drunk Colonel will...
GLC03791.004
August 1862
Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875
to citizens of Grattan Michigan
Slayton thanks the committee for their recognition, but accepts the sword on the behalf of all the men who have enlisted. Slayton recognizes that enslaved people are being used to aide the Confederates and that the continued allowance of slavery is...
GLC03955.15
30 September 1863-1 October 1863
Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865
to Father
One of their heavy batteries opened fire and shot Johnson, then threw some shells into Sumter....has been installed as a caterer...seems to be improving on his arithimetic. He feels contempt for the Watson family.
GLC07705.177
15 October 1864
Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864
to John Reeser
Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when...
GLC03523.43.15
28 September 1863
Kessler, Samuel, fl. 1861-1864
to Mary Kessler
Writes to his sister from camp. Describes the "great battle" [the Battle of Chickamauga] that is taking place. Notes his regiment has been in the battle since the beginning. Writes they fell back five miles and have been fortifying ever since....
GLC03523.52.14
3 May 1864
Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868
to his friends
Writes to his friends. Describes being in some hard fighting. Writes, "the shells came poring in like Hail stone only had more affect than a hail stone would have…" Reports driving the enemy back and capturing their artillery. Complains about the...
GLC03523.52.54
2 August 1862
Writes to his wife that they have retreated from Harrison's Landing, Virginia and that the army has moved to reinforce General Pope. He states that he told his commanding officer that he needed some rest, so he was sent to Mansion House Hospital in...
GLC03523.13.054
14 March 1863
Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863
to brother
Is well and enjoying good health. Hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Has not received a letter from home in four weeks. "What the reason is I do not know." Expects to receive one the next time the mail arrives. Has not been paid...
GLC08914.017
10 June 1863
to Nelson Rifenburgh
"We have had a pop at the rebels." Colonel was killed and eighty-five of his comrades were wounded. Did not take part in the fight, was left at the hospital to care for the sick. Eph[raim] Lasher and Patsey were wounded. Has "quite a lot of the...
GLC08914.028
11 May 1863
Talks about Hooker's defeat, his faith in McClellan, includes song about boy asking his mother about his father that is a soldier.
GLC02744.053
29 April 1864
He writes a daily log of his travels from Washington to Hatteras to Fort Monroe and then ends as they prepare to go to Yorktown.
GLC02744.181
Copy of GLC02744.181.
GLC02744.182
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