The items in this file relate to relatively unknown men who served in the American Civil War and wrote about their experiences. Collectively, they provide a glimpse into the impact of the war on average soldiers and their families. Researchers should note that the Andre De Coppet Collection contains many other materials related to the Civil War, which are filed under the names of specific authors and correspondents; this general "Civil War" file is simply for the benefit of grouping items which might otherwise be overlooked.
Bailey was an American physician and Civil War officer. This bound volume of letters includes 9 ALsS written by Bailey to his friend John Hill Martin, largely discussing friendly matters, with mention of West Point classmate U.S. Grant. Only one of the letters was written from war. At the end of the volume are 3 letters written after Bailey's death, describing how he was killed at Guyandotte, West Virginia on November 10, 1861, when he was thrown over the side of a bridge by Confederate forces. In the front of the volume, Samuel W. Pennypacker (Governor of Pennsylvania from 1903-1907) inscribed a message on August 28, 1914. 12 pieces in bound volume.
Oath of allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United States by George W. Gibbs of Morris Township, Missouri. Printed form. Signed William McHurath, Provost Marshall, Chillicothi [sic], Missouri.
ALS, Greensboro, NC. To Colonel J[ohn] M[arshall] Otey. Asking that Major Edmonston be ordered to return two horses impressed from James Moore for the President's ambulances. Countersigned by Otey and Edmonston. 2 pp.
Union Lieutenant in the American Civil War. Letters to "Friend Alice."
ALS, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Describing his emotions upon seeing his fellow soldiers dead and wounded on the battlefield and in hospitals, commenting that Confederate soldiers are an "ignorant set", and happily reporting that [Confederate General Braxton] Bragg was recently thwarted in battle. 4 pp.
ALS, Conneaut, Ohio. Describing how he was dispatched from Chattanooga to Ohio to recruit men for the Union army, giving family news, and mentioning [Confederate General Braxton] Bragg. 3 pp.
ALS. Stressing the importance of cheerful letters from home and good health in keeping up the spirit of soldiers, lamenting the constant hard work on the battlefield and the cycle of "dig and fight, fight and dig," and describing the constant threat of enemy fire at his camp. 4 pp.
ALS, Gaylesville, Alabama. Describing his regiment's movements as they follow Confederate General [John Bell] Hood; sending his picture [not included]. 3 pp.
ANS, Goldsboro. Rejoicing that [Ulysses S.] Grant has taken Richmond, describing the excitement at his camp, and wondering what [William T.] Sherman's next move will be. 2 pp.
Soldier in the American Civil War. ALS, camp near Richmond. To Captain E. M. Townsend and the Members of Company A. Describing his camp and military engagements around Richmond. 3 pp. with envelope.
Duzer was a telegraph officer in the Military Division of Tennessee during the Civil War. Manifold (tissue paper) reproduction of an AMs diary. Giving a detailed, daily account of General [William T.] Sherman's march through Georgia. The diary starts Nov. 15, 1864 in Atlanta, Georgia and ends Dec. 22, 1864 in Hilton Head, South Carolina (also included is a copy of an August 3, 1865 letter). House in the original protective case. 64 pp. A typed transcription of the diary is available.
This group of letters centers around Frederic A. Waterhouse, a young man from Pennsylvania who served with Union forces in the American Civil War. The majority of the letters are between Frederic, his father (E.G. Waterhouse), his mother, and his sister (Lucretia). A few of the correspondents are other family members or friends. The letters vividly trace the impact of the war on one family. The letters follow Frederic's army career from a short-lived stint in the field, to an illness that left him unfit for fighting, to his reassignment to the "invalid corps" and the army's decision to put him in charge of a hospital ward. Frederic's letters from the field and the hospitals describe common war themes: lack of food and clothing, horribly injured men, the desire for the war to end, etc. The letters from the family to Frederic highlight their constant fear for his safety and health, and their attempts to comfort him by sending news from home. The final two letters were written to Frederic's father, informing him that his son was mortally wounded to the head and died November 1, 1864, only a month after rejoining his regiment in the field. The final folder includes 12 of the original envelopes in which the letters were sent.
Frederic to a brother. ALS, Philadelphia. Describing his trip to Trapp, Montgomery County (Pennsylvania); with family news. 4 pp.
Frederic to a sister. ALS, Philadelphia. Sending gossip of an engagement based on false pretenses, reporting on pets, responding to her description of Freemansburg; with news of friends and family. 4 pp.
AMs. Excerpt from a poem ["Only a Year" by Harriet Beecher Stowe]. 1 p.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS, Portland. Responding to news of the family pets, describing her time in Portland with family and friends. 4 pp.
Catherine to a brother [not Frederic]. ALS, Boston. Giving an updating on their sister Lucretia, asking her brother to stay in touch more regularly. 2 pp.
George F. Brounley to Frederic. ALS, Camp Graham on Queens Farm, Washington, DC. Saying he had a good Christmas, discussing whether England will become involved in the American Civil War, mentioning picket duty. 2 pp.
George F. Brounley to Frederic. ALS, Camp Graham, Washington, DC. Describing his experience in the army thus far, sharing his worry that he might serve and yet never see a fight, updating on a mutual friend who has fallen ill and will likely be discharged. On letterhead containing the name and likeness of General McClellan. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS, Lowell, MA. Reporting on her visit to Lowell including a description of the liberal religious environment; encouraging her brother to volunteer for the army to avoid the "disgrace" of being drafted; with family news. 6 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS, Portland. Asking her brother to please write and let her know if he has been drafted; with family news. 2 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS. Writing a final note to her brother before he leaves for war, telling him that the family is proud of him and supporting him though they may not show it outwardly, promising to send him supplies when he needs them. 4 pp.
Frederic to his family. ALS, Chambersburg. Written over the course of a few days, giving account of his first experiences in the army including his duties, sleeping conditions, unpleasant food, and a dangerous march to Chambersburg. 8 pp.
Frederic to his family. ALS, Green Castle, PA. Describing how close his company came to battling [T.J. "Stonewall"] Jackson in Maryland and the difficult living conditions they are enduring. 2 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Happy to hear his son currently safe, discussing "The Invincibles" of the Republican Party and how Irishmen are the epitome of Democrats. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Hoping his son will be granted furlough, enclosing ten dollars and reminding Frederic of the need to be frugal, describing home life and the family's plan to move to a new house. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Lincoln Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting his disappointment that his request for a furlough was rejected, saying he is out of money and lacks adequate shoes, fearing he will be injured, saying things have slightly improved at camp, asking for news and pictures from the family. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Saying the family is worried that Frederic has not withstood a recent battle, discussing his frustrations with the postal system and how he will send money in the future; asking Frederick to write as often as he can. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, camp near Warrenton, VA. Describing their new camp, reporting a victory at Mount Auburn and how he avoided Bull Run, describing his regiment and asking his family to send handkerchiefs and pills for dysentery. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Camp near Warrenton, VA. Saying he is unwell due to poor food, bad weather, and wet clothes but is happy to be serving as a clerk; responding to deaths, marriages, and other news of friends and family; reiterating a request for handkerchiefs. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Camp near Warrenton, VA. Thanking his father for sending a dollar and for helping Frederic procure a position as clerk, which saves him from more arduous military duties. 2 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Happy to hear his son is now a clerk; asking if he has received items including money, pills, buttons, newspapers, tobacco, thread, stationery supplies, and dry Jamaica ginger; reporting the result of elections and the strength of the Republican emancipation movement. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Camp near Warrenton, VA. Reporting that he is extremely ill and appears "cadaverous," wishing he could be home with his family. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Saying he is doing all in his power to get Frederic discharged from the army but needs the name of the regiment's surgeon in order to do so. 3 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Encouraging his son to remain courageous, promising to do all he can to get him discharged. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Lincoln Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting that he is being cared for at a good hospital but remains weak and frail; saying he might like to run the ward of a hospital when out of the service; longing for his mother's cake. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Updating on his continued efforts to get his son discharged including writing to a congressman, petitioning a doctor, and planning a trip to Washington. 4 pp.
Frederic to family member [unspecified]. ALS. Declaring Washington, DC a modern day Sodom. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Fred. ALS, Philadelphia. Describing the new house the family is renting for $15/month, expressing her disappointment that Frederic was not granted a furlough, updating on friends and family. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS. Telling his son it would be a mistake to transfer to a hospital in Philadelphia as the Washington, DC hospital has his medical records and has already declared him unfit to rejoin his regiment in the field. 3 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Lincoln Hospital, Washington, DC. Describing the food he receives at the hospital, reporting deaths among the rebel soldiers at the hospital, saying his requests for a discharge or furlough were thwarted by the "lying duplicity" of Dr. Ruggles, responding to news of friends and family. 6 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Camp Convalescent, Virginia. Reporting that he has been moved to a new camp from which he will likely be sent back to his regiment. 4 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Expressing astonishment and outrage that Frederic is to be sent back to his regiment; updating on the family's move to a new house. 3 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Camp Convalescent, Virginia. Remembering life before the war, giving a detailed description of his camp and life there, asking for some socks and an undershirt. 6 pp.
E.G. to son Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Telling Frederic to be on the lookout for some packages and acknowledge their receipt, asking him to write and calm his mother's fears. 3 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Camp Convalescent, Virginia. Thanking his mother for her sacrificial love, saying he has gained weight and is only occasionally called upon to perform manual labor, describing the beauty of the camp, sending news and thanks to Aunt Kate. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Promising to send a picture of herself, describing his room in their new home. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Announcing his intention to write a diary of all his experiences in the army and send it to his sister, discussing if and when he will be paid, describing the pleasantness of the hospital. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALsS. Series of four letters written in "diary" format, giving an account of Frederic's experiences in the army. 22 pp. total.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Promising to cherish a picture of his sister, describing the exact location of the hospital, asking for some items, with other small bits of news. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Describing a celebration of Washington's birthday which included speeches and a parade; complaining about a serious lack of food. 4 pp. with an additional small illustration of soldiers in a mess hall calling for more bread & beans.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian General Hospital, Washington, DC. Complaining that doctors keep diagnosing him with diarrhea when he feels the real problem is a natural disposition to heaviness and shortness of breath. 6 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Stressing how much he would like a picture of his mother to complete his family gallery; speaking about friendship. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Saying he dislikes the "invalid corps" and would prefer to either be discharged or be sent out as a full-fledged soldier; warning that a female friend should not visit him at the hospital since it is not a place for women; reporting that the doctors now think he suffered from Typhoid Fever when at the front. 4 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Columbian Hospital. Writing to tell of his arrival at the hospital after a short visit home. 3 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Describing his visit to Crystal Springs, with news of family and friends. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting the arrival of new patients from the Army of the Potomac, saying he frequently "rambles off" into the country as the doctors believe it is beneficial, with other bits of news. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Discussing whether he can get back pay with an order to Captain Davis to remit any back pay to his father, E.G. Waterhouse. 2 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Speaking of his loneliness and propensity for poetical thought; reporting an expected pay date; responding to a review of English literature; saying he continues to visit the country; reporting deaths at the hospital. 4 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting he has been put in charge of a ward at the hospital, which will likely be moved to tents as the building is needed for college purposes. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Giving more description of his duty as warden, saying many men have been moved and newly injured men are expected shortly. Letter incomplete. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS. Reporting that a cousin has died in the war, with other family news. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Describing the worst case in his ward, a gunshot wound to the arm and the terrible smell associated with it; passing on reported news from his Pennsylvania regiment. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS. Reporting that a cousin and uncle are visiting the family, with other bits of news. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Describing his tent and tentmates in detail, with mention of assisting in amputations. 4 pp.
Frederic to "Friend William." ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Recalling the events of the past year, mentioning [Robert E.] Lee's retreat to Richmond, anticipating the reelection of Abraham Lincoln. 4 pp.
Cousin Maria to Frederic. ALS, Philadelphia. Telling Frederic that his family is treating her well during her visit with them. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ANS. A quick note to tell his father he is sending his overcoat home for the summer. 1 p.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Proudly reporting that only one man has died while under his care, attributing success to his treatment of both the body and mind. Saying he mailed a print of the hospital two days earlier. 5 pp. with a newspaper clipping from The Crutch.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Updating on his patients, wishing he had more free time to enjoy the season, asking for news of family and friends, inquiring about a debt, asking about a picture. 6 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting that he is caring for three men with amputated arms, thanking his father for sending clothes and fruit, discussing the renomination of Abraham Lincoln and related political issues. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Asking after the state of the family, discussing reports of military movements around Philadelphia and the possibility of invasion by the enemy. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting that the enemy tried to take Washington but was thwarted, saying many of the men now in the hospital are sick rather than wounded. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Comparing their hopefulness and enthusiasm of four years ago to the present state of affairs and the brokenness of the country. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Planning to send money to his father for safekeeping, discussing his patients and the problem of gangrene, giving his opinion on the mistakes made by government and the resulting broken state of the nation. 6 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Complaining about a difficult relative, saying he believes Grant's summer campaign is over. 4 pp.
Lucretia to brother Frederic. ALS. Lamenting that Frederic may be sent to the front. 3 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Wishing his sister could visit him, updating on his patients, saying the rebels seem most active. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Making provisions in case of his death, directing that his money be split evenly between his mother, father, and sister. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Responding to family news, saying he has become numb to war news. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital. Reporting war news from Petersburgh, the Shenandoah Valley, and Mobile; discussing the political prospects of Abraham Lincoln. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Reporting the he was almost sent to the front but was declared physically unfit through the help of a doctor friend; saying he is tired of being a hospital attendant and spending time with men who are not of his social class, suggesting Irishmen are better suited for the work; rejoicing over good news from Atlanta and hoping for an end to the war. 6 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Saying his ward is empty and he expects to be transferred somewhere new; considering his past year of service and what he has learned. 4 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Discussing the candidates in an upcoming election, wondering whether he might be granted a furlough, surprised to hear there is a shortage of clothing in Philadelphia, telling of a recent ramble through the countryside. 6 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, Columbian Hospital, Washington, DC. Remembering old friends and past times, considering how life has changed. 4 pp.
Frederic to mother. ALS, camp before Petersburgh. Reporting on life from the front, saying he has enough to eat but is in a dangerous situation as his regiment is besieging Petersburgh. Incomplete letter 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, "On Picket Duty before Petersburgh." Describing the dangerous and lonely picket duty, attributing his being sent to the front to Mrs. Blanchard, an ornery and vindictive nurse at the hospital where he worked. 6 pp.
Frederic to father. ALS, Camp before Petersburgh, VA (Fort Morton). Describing his picket duty and how he risked his life to retrieve letters from his mother and sister, with an illustration of an entrenched line and picket posts. 4 pp.
Frederic to sister Lucretia. ALS, before Petersburgh. Describing army life as "a composition of dirt, rags, & recklessness...ridiculous, sad & terrible." 4 pp.
T. Spencer Harrison to E.G. Waterhouse. ALS, 1st Division Hospital. Informing E.G. Waterhouse that his son has been moved to the hospital at City Point, but that his injuries are too great to overcome and death is imminent; expressing great sympathy at the impending loss. 2 pp.
Consisting of two ALsS, one from E.G. Waterhouse to Dr. O'Meagher asking for news of his son who was reported to have been "mortally wounded in the head." The second ALS, on the same paper, from the clerk of the hospital to E.G. Waterhouse, informs him that his son died at the hospital on November 1, and was buried with a marked gravestone. 3 pp. total.
Mary to sister. ALS, Portland. Asking for forgiveness, with news of friends and family. 2 pp.
In Lucretia's hand, "Barbara Frietchie," a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. 4 pp.