8 or 10 miles from Marietta Ga In the woods June 18, 1864 My dear Davidson It is a rainy, cheerless, miserable day and I cannot pass a few minutes in a better manner than in writing to you. Since I wrote you on the 12th we have moved forward about three miles. On the 15th the move was made and we were again engaged in skirmishing with the rebels. In fact we are fighting nearly every day (some part of our forces). We are upon the extreme left of the army and “jam” up against the enemy. Yesterday I rode around the picket lines and the rebel [ ? ] were in plain sight and within good range. The pickets were not firing on each other as there appeared to be a tacit agreement between them to remain quiet. I went out between the lines and picked the enclosed which I sen you. When we walked out (our horses we had to leave behind) the rebel pickets moved their hats to us.
Merrill, Simeon B. – June 5, 1864
Andersonville Georgia June 5th 1864 Dear Wife You have probably ere this heard that I am dead or missing I was taken prisioner on the morning of the 12th of May we had been fighting about one hour near Spottsylvania Court house I am now a prisioner of war but I am well hope if this even reaches you it will find you the same
Anthony, Byron D. – June 2, 1864
Camp Sumpter G. A. June 2nd /64 Dear friends and all Again I have taken my seat to write you a few lines. I am still above ground & in good health, I wrote and before since I was taken prisoner so you will know the particulars before you get this, we got to this place the 29d of last month.
Thompson, Franklin – April 30, 1864
Oberlin, Ohio, April 30, 1864. My Dear Friend:- Your very kind and welcome letter was duly received, but owing to an unusual press of business, I was obliged to defer the pleasure or replying, much longer than I desired to do.
Burns, Robert – March 8, 1864
Head-Quarters 1 Brig., 2d Cavalry Division, Huntsville Ala March 8 1864 My dear Davidson I have to-day sent to Mrs Iswon a dragt on you for $115 10/x which please pay, and enter on the credit side of your ledger. It is the balance of A’s money which I held in my hands.
Shaver, Albert A. – February 9, 1864
HEAD QUARTERS COMPANY D, [“E Pluribus Unum”] 26th REGIMENT MICHIGAN VOLNNT’S INFANTRY Camp near BRANDY STATION VA. Feb 9th 1864 Dear Uncle I recieved your letter last night and was glad to hear from you am well as usual I was sorry to hear that you had been so sick but glad you are better again. We have been having very fine weather but it is cold now
Greble, Charles E. – January 4, 1864
Libby Prison Richmond VA Jan 4th 1864 Dear Brother Thinking a few lines from me might interst you I embrace the present opportunity. I rec a letter from John this day which found me emjoying good health Although I was much disappointed in not rec one from Martha As you have ere this heard the particulars of my capture I will give you a slight discription of Libby Prison the building in which we are confined
Burns, Robert – December 26, 1863
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 26th December 1863 Major Sinclair A.A. Genl Sir: I [ ? ] to hand you the following report of the operations of the 1st Brigade 2nd Cavalry Division from the 13th to the 24th Sept. and including the Battle of Chicamauga.
Burns, Robert – December 26, 1863
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 26th December 1863 Major Sinclair A. A. Genl. Sir: I have the honor to call the attention of the Major General Commanding to the following officers whom I consider entitled to special mention for their gallant conduct during the Battle of Chicamauga.
Burns, Robert – October 20, 1863
Head Quarters 1st Brigade 2d Cav’y Div Maysville Ala 10 miles N.E. of Huntsville Flint River Bridge Oct 20, 1863 My dear Davidson Down in this Dixie I shall attempt to write you a few lives. After wandering to and fro up and down the country, we have settled here for a few days. On 26th Sept and 7th Oct I wrote you a line each day to let you know that all was well with me. Since then I have been perfectly well physically but mentally and morally in a bad way. As things have been managed lately in this command we have been in a terribly swearing mood. But no matter.
Custer, George A. – September 29, 1863
Utica Sept 29 1863 Sir: I have the honor to transmit [ ? ] Withers testimonial for Capt Walker. Kesaks position in [ ? ] New Cavalry Bureau + from aknowledge of [ ? ] this people + command him warmly I have the honor to be Your obt sert A. [ ? ]
Burns, Robert – August 25, 1863
Hd Qurs 1st Brigade 2d Cav’y Div Smith’s Coss Roads Tenn. 6 miles from Tennessee River. 38 miles from Chattanooga in the Tennessee Valley August 25, 1863 My dear Davidson I wrote you on the 14th a long letter telling of my Shelbyville experience sending also Col Mintys report and five rebel papers. again on the 16th I wrote on the eve of our departure from McMinnville. We have crossed two spurs of the Cumberland Mountains and alighted in this place we are now engaged watching the movements of the rebels a cross the river about 6 miles from here seeing that they do not run a cross and repeat the Bragg + Buell campaign of last year up in Kentucky. This is the place where Bragg passed through with his army. I do not think Rosecrans will be caught napping. It is rumored that there has been and is now heavy fighting at Chattanooga. Our army (Gen Rosecrans’) now has a front of about 200 miles and it requires a great deal of vigilance to watch it. We are now all I suppose on the Tennessee River with some of us a cross. Our main body is in front of and
around Chattanooga.
Cutler, Lysander – August 14, 1863
Head Quarters 2d Brigade 1st Division 1st A.C. August 14, 1863 General Order No 39 Officers and Soldiers of the 2d Brigade: Having tendered my resignation and the same having been accepted by the President it becomes my duty to take leave of you as your Commanding Officer: In doing so, I have no words of censure or of mere flattery to address to you: Since I have been your commander, you have been required to perform much fatiguing, arduous and dangerous service: The alacrity and patience with which you have performed your marches, and your willing submission to a strict discipline, have met my entire approbation.
Burns, Robert – August 14, 1863
Camp at McMinnville Tenn Aug 14 1863 My dear Davidson Yours of 29th ult with postscript of the 30th I received several days ago. I have been looking for another from you in answer to one I sent by Porter enclosing $250. I suppose the money safely reached you. You will see by the heading above that we have again dropped back into Tennesee. We are now cooperating with Genl Van Cleve’s Division which is stationed here. I have met Otis his A.A.G. several times. We are now watching the left flank of our army and East Tennesee. We shall not probably stay here very long. We have been on a couple of scouts since our arrival and in one of them the 4th Mich had three men killed. Our Brigade now consists of 4th Regulars. 4th Michigan. 7th Penna and 3d InDiana. 1st Brigade 2d Cavalry Division. Genl Turchin was removed from the command about two weeks go, and Genl Croaks commands the Division. We however are detached from the Division for the present.
Ives, Edward H. – August 14, 1863
Camp near Hartwood Church Aug. 14th, 1863 Dear Uncle: Not having held any correspondence with you since I have been in the army, it is with some reluctance that I write now, for I know that, through different sources, you hear enough and more perhaps, of this war than you care about already: but thinking that a letter from me giving a short account for the part “we wolverines” have taken in the late campaign, might be of some interest to you. I concluded to write to you.
Williams, Samuel J. – August 1, 1863
Head Quarters 19th Regt. Ind. Vols. Aug. 1st 1863 Capt. J. D. Wood Asst. Adjt. Genl. 1st Brigade, 1st Division 1st Army Corps- Sir- I have the honor To submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the battle of Gettysburg Pa. July 1st, 2nd & 3rd 1863:
Paddock, Byron D. – July 24, 1863
Glasgow KY July 24” 1863 Dear Hattie Yesterday I recd your letter of the 18th directed to me at Bowling Green. You have doubtless recd my letter informing you of my removal to this place. Cant say that I am very well pleased with the change although it has some advantages over the other place. I think that it is healthier and the quaters is excelent whilst there it was very poor. But it is off from the Rail Road and therefore seems as though it were out of the world.
Huntington, Howard J. – July 5, 1863
On the Battlefield near Gettysburg Penn. July 5th, 1863 Dear Father and Mother: I will write you now and send it when I have an opportunity. The greatest battle of the War has been fought at this place. It commenced last Wednesday the first and lasted three days. The Rebel Army under Lee attacked us with a forced greatly superior to our own and has been repulsed. The field is ours and Lee has now to take the defensive.
Clark, Gardner B. – May 14, 1863
Army of the Potomac May 14th 1863 My Loved Mary, The smoke of conflict has nearly cleared away and one can see = if any there is to see = the results of the latest movement of the Army of the Potomac. As one of its fruits the greatest of our foes. = And I do not hesitate to say the greatest General of our day has paid the tribute of his life to the cause he served. Stonewall Jackson is no more for this world, only as he lives in the memory of his Country men Brave and true the “Noblest “Traitor.” of them all.”
Franklin, Luther – April 13, 1863
Camp Fairbanks, Va. Apr. 13th, 1863 I believe I can write a pretty long letter today or between this & the time I sent it. In the first place we expect to be paid in a few days as the pay master is in the Brigade and will commence paying today. We have had a visit from the President his wife & son.
Byrns, William – April 9, 1863
Camp near Potomac Creek, Va. April 9th, 1863 My Darling Wife, Another odd day comes & with it the inclination to write you. No letter came within the last two days. I was congratulating in my last that we had escaped the review, but we only had a postponement. It took place yesterday. It exceeded in magnitude any I have ever attended, even surpassed the Great Review near Washington more than a year since. There were four Corps in all & when I state that they will average 20,000 to a Corps you can form some idea of the tract of land covered by the troops. The joke of the matter is that the review took place back of the Lacy House & in full view of the rebel encampments. Mr. Rebel must have thought his enjoying a holiday. Today the visit of the army was reviewed – the President evidently needs to form an opinion own regarding the Army of the Potomac. He is taking time & trouble enough to have it correct.
Byrns, William – April 7, 1863
Camp near Potomac Creek, Va. April 7th, 1863 My Dear Florence, Your letter of the 28th came last night & I enjoyed reading it far too much to write. I am so glad to know that you are so well. Keep on improving & do not let your mind be troubled. Everything here is as usual. Save that today we were honored with a visit from “Father Abraham”. Last night there came an order that our Corps would be reviewed today by the President & this A.M. we were congratulating ourselves because of the beautiful day. For some reason we take pride in being reviewed by the President. We were bound to disappointment for early this A.M. came an order saying that there would be no review by that Lincoln would ride through our camps.
Lincoln, Abraham – January 1, 1863
It seems by the with. in papers that Ira F. Pay son, was nominated as a Q.M. & for lieu of a confirmation for want of time. His [ ? ] are so good that I say let him be reappointed, if the services of an additional Q.M. is now needed. A. Lincoln
Oliver, John M. – November 14, 1862
head Quarters McArthurs Division Left Wing, Army of the Tenn, Near Grand Junction Tennessee Nov 14th 1862 To His Excellency, Gov Blair Mich Sir – I take pleasure in calling your attention to the following and respectfully ask your cooper ation in the matter. Col J. M. Oliver 15th Mich Infty has been in command of the 2d Brigade of this Division since the battle of Shiloh until now, much of the time under my command and in positions where I had a good opportunity of judging of his abilities as a Brigade commander.