Box 1

Scope and Content

This letter was written by George E. Davis on March 19, 1862 to his Father and Mother. On the letter is a picture of George Washington with the inscription "The Father of our Country." He tells his family that as soon as he gets paid he will send money home. He also describes his movement from camp to camp. Transcript included.

Scope and Content

This letter was written on November 20, 1861 by William D. Dixon to his wife Martha. He says that he hopes to return home soon, and that he sent her money. He then describes the weather and how the cold effects him, but that he is healthy. He also asks her to give messages to several family members. Transcript included.

Scope and Content

This letter was written by C. E. Gerry on September 22, 1861 to his friend George. He says it will be a quick letter, and that he has has run out of stamps. He describes some of the other "boys", and he asks George to write back soon. Transcript included.

Scope and Content W. B. Gregory wrote two letters to Bill in 1862. In the first letter which is written on January 29, 1862. He describes the delay of mail and how he has not received mail lately. He asks several questions about Bill and Lizzie. He closes the letter by asking Bill to send him some items such as pantaloons, tobacco, and stamps. The second letter was written on March 4, 1862. He starts the letter by discussing by describing life in the quarter. He tells what he has done in the last several...

Scope and Content

F. B. Lukens wrote a letter to his mother and father on December 9, 1861. The letter is short and he mentions that there is a man missing who has not been found. He talks about a woman who is a Secessionist and her slaves. He closes by asking them to write soon. Transcript included.

Scope and Content

This letter is written by Henry Miller to his friend on October 13, 1861. He says we spend most of our time cutting down trees. He describes their his daily tasks and military procedures. He closes by saying they are camped 12 miles outside of Washington in Virginia. Transcript included.

Scope and Content Melville Nickerson, of the 2nd Maine Infantry, wrote a long letter to his sister on September 21, 1861. He starts off the letter saying it will be a long letter, and then on September 24th he adds that he had not had a chance to write again because he was on duty and the rest of the letter is added on then. He has been working on cutting down trees so they have better range with their guns. The letter is written with an old fashioned quill pen. He describes some of the other letters he has...

Scope and Content

Abraham Penman wrote a letter to his wife on October 13, 1861. He says there numbers are increasing daily, and describes how their camp is set up. On the 14th, he adds he received a letter from her and is happy that everything is going well at home.

Scope and Content

J.C. Rappleyea wrote a letter to his mother on February 16, 1862, and also included with this letter is the envelope it was mailed in. He tells his mother about the weather and his location, and says he is happy she made it safely to his Uncle Josey's. He says they may be ordered to move to Kentucky soon and if so he will see fighting. The next time he is paid he will send some to his mother. He closes by saying he must go to church and includes a verse from a hymn.

Scope and Content

Peter Stewart's letter is to his sister and was written on September 18, 1861. He says he is in good health but ahs not written often because the company has had hard times. He mentions Bull Run. He describes a skirmish, and mentions William and his good health. He closes by saying he hopes the war doesn't last much longer and that he has to go back to work.