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to Henry Knox

Writes about an earthquake that hit Quebec "By a letter from Quebec of the 5th Instant - I find they had a most violent Earthquake on the 6th Decr - a vulcano [sic] broke out about 70 miles north - the light so great as to be seem at Quebec in the...

GLC02437.05543

to Henry Knox

Writes concerning the state of the Indian wars. Though he prefers peaceful ways to settle the conflicts, acknowledges that "[p]acific measures which I wished ardently at first, are now probibly [sic] too late. When I wrote you, I knew not that so...

GLC02437.05596

to James Wilkinson

Marked "Private." Besides receiving a copy of Wilkinson's report to Arthur St. Clair, he also received a private letter of 26 August. Says the volunteer expeditions under Wilkinson and [General Charles] Scott "reflect great honor on the commander...

GLC02437.05175

to wife

re: 7/8, Hartsuff reports that General Crooks forces have not moved much since his letter of 6/28, but with the expected arrival of a train on 8/11 or 8/12 they expect to be under arm and on the march again. He also reports that "fighting Indians...

GLC05201.003

to Mother

He describes his journey from the Cedar Rapids all the way down to Davenport. From the houses they stayed in to the boats they took. He likes camp life.

GLC02831.01

to Mother

Everybody wants a furlough. 4 were granted one, then three more wanted one and left without saying anything. 2 were caught before they had gone fifteen miles.

GLC02831.02

to Mother

They turned a hotel into a hospital. He has a terrible toothache and will get it pulled soon. They've caught a lot of chickens and turkeys.

GLC02831.03

to Mother

They got paid but someone stole his money right out from under his head where he slept on it. They are now camped on a prairie between the Sioux and Mississippi rivers. Written at Camp Cook

GLC02831.04

to Mother

He was happy to hear from his brother, Uriah. He gives her a breakdown of his daily routine and says he likes soldiering as long as it is in pleasant weather.Written at Camp Cook

GLC02831.05

to Mother

They got 2 months pay. They are only a couple miles from the Indian reservation. He expects to be in Toledo in six months. He needs more news about the war. They are kept in the dark and he doesn't even know if Vicksburg has surrendered.

GLC02831.06

to Mother

He sent her money but does not think she will need it now since she just got married. He applied for a furlough. They are now in the Dakota Territory.

GLC02831.07

to Mother

The weather has been lousy. He asks her to subscribe to a good illustrated paper and send it to him.

GLC02831.08

to Mother

He does not like how the officers have them attack the Indians at night since that is their best hold. It gives the Indians a chance to get away from them. They do not know how many Indians they killed since the Indians dragged off their dead...

GLC02831.09

to Mother

There was a terrible storm and a lot of their stock died. One man's tent blew away and he nearly froze to death. They came upon 700 Indians but did not attack. Instead they waited for reinforcements.

GLC02831.10

to Mother

The big topic is reenlisting. He thinks he will do it because it would only be one more year for 402 dollars. He is sick of Indian territory and would rather go south.

GLC02831.11

to Mother

They are now in the capital of Dakotah Territoty. He received a letter from E.M.S who says he is expecting a battle every day. The officers are sending for their wives.

GLC02831.12

to Mother

He has no desire to go home because if he was there it would be very hard to leave again. He takes care of the captain's horse for an extra 5 dollars a month. Lately they have great food.

GLC02831.13

to Mother

He is well except for a bad cold. It is very cold in the house. He wonders why he does not get Leslie's Illustrated papers anymore.

GLC02831.14

to Mother

They moved again and are about 50 miles above Yankton. There is not much to do there. He is sending her some money.

GLC02831.15

to Mother

He asks Louisa ro write to him because he wishes to have more correspondents. They have to haul their own hay and water. A mutual acquaintance started home and he expects him to see his mother while he is there.

GLC02831.16

to Mother

He is very well and getting very fat. He got all the things she sent via Judd Sanborn. He talks about the money they're allowed for clothing.

GLC02831.18

to Mother

He is getting very tall. He has also been growing homesick. There was a snowstorm.

GLC02831.19

to Mother

He thinks his mother should keep N. at school because it's better for him to have a good education than to work. A furlough is completely out of the question right now.

GLC02831.20

to Mother

They've been told they'll get 20 dollars a month now. But he is not sure if he believes it. The officers will get a pay cut so there is not such a big discrepancy between the privates' pay and the officers' pay.

GLC02831.21

to Mother

He is hearty and healthy so soldiering agrees with him. He will reenlist for 3 more years so that he can draw his bounty.

GLC02831.22

to Mother

It looks like they are headed south this spring. There was a bad winter storm after they had some of the nicest weather for the past month or so.

GLC02831.23

to Mother

He notes she must be lonely now that Jane has left. He sends out so many letters that he is completely out of stamps. The papers have been coming regularly.

GLC02831.24

to Mother

He has been enjoying the papers he receives. He is trying to grow a mustache and beard. He plans to send her a gold pen for which the holder is broken.

GLC02831.25

to Mother

The weather is wonderful. He complains about his old horse and says he is a poor boy. He imagines he will make his fortune one day.

GLC02831.26

to Mother

He mistakenly received a letter meant for his Aunt Betty. He is glad she received the money he sent even if a letter he wrote got lost in the mail.

GLC02831.27

to Mother

He got a letter from Ed who had the small pox and neuralgia. He thinks Gustus Fredding should send his money to his stepmother so that she can buy land for him.

GLC02831.28

to Mother

His mother doesn't want him to correspond with a particular girl but he is thinking to write her a letter just for spite.

GLC02831.29

to Mother

He complains about the mail and wishes it would run more regularly. He mentions Norton and Museatine.

GLC02831.30

to Sister Hattie

He asks about Ed. They are having great weather.

GLC02831.31

to Mother

He gives her permission to use all the money he sends for Hattie's education.He hopes the war will end before he reenlists. Reading letters puts him in a good mood.

GLC02831.32

to Mother

They saw a few Indians which quickly dispersed. They rode and rode but they couldn't find any more Indians though they saw signs. Everything is beginning to look green again.

GLC02831.33

to Mother

They are back at Tacketts Station but not for long. They are under marching orders. They have not seen any Indians around but they will soon enough.

GLC02831.34

to Mother

He is back in Yankton. There are about a dozen white men and 400 Indians there. Not much is happening. They will be marching in a few days.

GLC02831.35

to Mother

Tommorow they will march again. His mother thinks a certain lady is too old for him but he says now that he is taller it should be okay.

GLC02831.36

to Mother

He is busy rounding up some loose horses that got away. General supply went up day before yesterday. He is very healthy.

GLC02831.37

to Mother

He is sick and tired of everything. He doesn't even care where he is as long he has enough to eat. It has been really hot.

GLC02831.38

to Mother

They are now at Fort Rice and may stay there 10 days. He was not suprised to hear of Luisa's death. Written at Fort Rice

GLC02831.39

to Mother

There is an emigrant train 200 miles west of where they are that is surrounded by Indians. They have sent in for reinforcements. Drake is wounded. They have had two fights with the Indians so far. Written at Fort Rice.

GLC02831.40

to Mother

Drake died. The emigrant train was surrounded for 2 weeks and they sent out 1,000 men and 200 cavalry as reinforcements. 45 men escorted the emigrants through the Indian country. Written at Fort Rice

GLC02831.41

to Mother

12 miles from Fort Pierre they will build a fort and name it after the general. He has been without family or friends for months and he has only seen "one white woman" and she was from the hospital boat.

GLC02831.42

to Mother

They finally moved into winter quarters. Getting there was an ordeal and they all got sore. Fred died and they buried him with military honors.

GLC02831.43

to Mother

Everyone is getting sick and he is sitting up with one of the boys tonight. He thinks there will be an expedition against the Indians in the summer.He mentions Hattie and Norton.

GLC02831.44

to Mother

Some of their horses died so they had to come 350 miles on foot. He spent his Christmas like any other day except he took a ride on his horse and had an oyster dinner.

GLC02831.45

to Mother

He has been detailed in the Quartermaster Department and is working as assistant clerk.

GLC02831.46

to Mother

He doesn't have much work to do now that he is acting as clerk. The Indians had to move out onto the highland. Hostile Indians attacked a group of white men and they lost all their ponies and had to leave all their furs out on the prairie.

GLC02831.47