Leah is near the end of her pregnancy. The Dr. has given her an ointment of Belladonna to calm her nerves. He also recommends walking. "I am trying to do all I can in way of dieting to avoid bleeding." The Dr. feels bleeding may be necessary at the...
James writes to his aunts and asks them not to write such solemn letters since he is all alone and far from home. He is getting along well, and is working in a saw mill and lumber yard. He has not had time "to hunt for hens nor gals", and thinks...
Meeker Griffin writes to his parents hoping that they are in good health. He describes an incident in Army Company H, where a soldier is accidentally shot and killed and another is wounded.
War; Correspondence; Soldiers; Civil wars; Military life; Military personnel; Military training;
Meeker and his company get to see the city of Washington and surrounding monuments. His trip culminates when the company gets to meet President Lincoln. He describes in detail the encounter with the President and his overall demeanor. Meeker also...
In a letter to his father, Meeker Griffin talks about how poor the weather has been for the past ten days. He asks how much his friend Tom will charge for a pair of boots and requests that a box be sent to him with apples, maple sugar and tobacco.
Soldiers; War; Patriotic envelopes; Civil service reform; Civil wars;
Having been detached from his company to the Navy in Mississippi, Meeker describes his new surroundings. He is concerned that he is yet to receive his boots or box of provisions that he had previously asked for. He is worried about his father's...
In a letter to his friend, Meeker describes life on a Civil War gunboat and the ongoing battle against the Rebel forces. He also talks about his position as messenger boy and powder boy on the gunboat and his salary of 18 dollars a month.
James writes this letter to his aunt, four days after he was mustered into service. He is presently in Virginia, near Georgetown. He thinks that the Union is already winning the war, even though the rebels fight well. One of his friends fainted...
James writes to his friend Phil about the difficulties of army life. He has been marching for three weeks straight though serious weather conditions. One night the troops had to camp right down in the snow. He mentions that there are strong Union...
Correspondence; Women; School children; Schools; Books; Holidays; Sleds & sleighs;
Handwritten letter from Rachel Eltinge, to her friend Lillian, while she is was a student at the Poughkeepsie Female Academy. Lillian has sent Rachel some books to read and mentions she will be attending a school in Tarrytown. Rachel wishes that...
Meeker and his company are now at the new barracks which are almost completed. His company has lost men due to small pox and other diseases. A funeral procession took place which Meeker commented on as being particularly sad because it was the day...
James writes about how lucky he is to be alive after returning from battle. He refers to it as it the worst sight he’d ever seen and comments on the women and children who had to run to save their lives. He remarks, “I think this war is not...
James writes of the winter weather in Virginia and the food that his regiment receives. He hopes to come home on a furlough, as his other comrades are receiving them. He has already grown tired of the war. He asks how members of his family are...
Hattie is happy to be a housekeeper and won't be coming back to school at present (Poughkeepsie Female Academy). She is wondering if Rachel has seen any of the boys and if she has heard from any of their friends from school. Letter shows minor...
James gives thanks that his life was spared in battle and is saddened by the number of men that were left behind at the battle of Chancellorsville. His regiment retreated quickly, but James feels he will be soon be involved in battle again against...
James and his comrade Alexander M. Valet write to James sister Sally about the events of the last year. James doubts that the War will end soon, "but time will tell". He thinks the Union "has goon in", and seems to have been indifferent as to who...
James tells his sister that the rebels are giving themselves up and that they are tired of the war. He wishes that everyone would tire of the war. He speaks of the officers and their parties, especially the drinking and womanizing they do. He says,...
James Thitchener writes to his sister about his regiment's activities stating that they are on the move and are expecting a clash with the rebel army who are on the way to Bull Run. He hopes to have better success than in the past. James...
James is happy to hear from his sister about the family farm animals. The army has been on the move, but he wasn't well enough to travel. He mentions how heavy the loads are and his friend Whitmore Baxter who has lost a thumb. James mentions that...
James tells his aunt that he has been left behind by his regiment since he was unable to travel. He thinks a big battle is about to happen and hopes to be excused from fighting. General Hooker is unsure of the whereabouts of the rebel army, but...
