Stevinson, Ala.
Dear Father,
I suppose that before this reaches you will have heard through Fannie of my situation. I have been here since Oct 35th having had a very severe diarhia with a slight attack of fever. I am better now, but not well enough for action operations. I hope soon to be able to go forward for lying here is very irksome.
James D. Fessenden to his father, William Pitt Fessenden [Fessenden Collection]
Limington
Dear Malley,
I want you to write me a good long letter, let me know how you are getting along with your studies, are they very hard; I see by the report your rank is not so high as last year, I want you to try with all your might to do your very best- don’t relax your effort in the least. I want you to take a high stand in every respect in murrals [sic] and religion, as well as in intellectual and scientific culture. I wish you would write me a good long letter once in a while. I will answer all your questions, and write all the news.
With Love,
Mother
Sarah Prince Miltimore McArthur to her son, Malcolm McArthur [McArthur Family Papers]
Started after the rebs. Crossed the river and [illegible word] about 4 miles. … The rebs not inclined to make a stand. The men in high spirits … Firing sounded farther off..
Our regt. lost in the fight last night 7 killed and 25 wounded. …
This book was retaken in the Charge upon the enemies works Nov. 7th. Lieut. A. M. Riddles who seems by this diary to have been very anxious to meet the Yanks was taken prisoner by a boy belonging to Co. D 5th Maine Reg’t. who found this book and papers in his valise.
The 5th Maine and 121st N[ew] York were to march for N.C. and La.
Adjutant’s Office 20th Maine Vols
Camp at Three Mile Station, Va.
My Dear N.
I have had a rich feast this evening in [illegible] “No 38” – I assume far. You thought you had “tried my patience” – why no! Not by [illegible] letter each – and certainly not in this case. I am so glad to learn of your good health and of those also at home! (Then it seems that you have found art after 3 years in College that you have got two “tremendous” obstacles to overcome viz “thickness of shall” & “natural stupidity” but it is something, you know, to know what we have to contend with in order that we may prepare ourselves for the conflict.) Wonder if you are the only person to trouble with such? In Maine? Guess you would not think so if you could see some of our Officers (excuses for Officers) on drill even after being in the service for over a year. […]
Holman Melcher to his brother, Nathaniel Melcher [Holman Melcher Papers]
Hd Qtrs 1st Maine Batter, In the field near Vermillion
Dear Friend
I received a letter from home yesterday and was very much surprised and pained to learn that you had not received any letters from me since I left home.
I wrote Emma as soon as I arrived in Baton Rouge and to you as soon as I received your letter and now been expecting to hear from you in reply by every mail.
I cannot see why there should be any difficulty in having the mails go properly and safely. I know you must have thought it very strange that I did not write, but that fault was not mine.
It seems they have not received more than one out of five of my letters that I have sent home for I have written nearly every week and at the date of this last letter they had not received but three. […]
John S. Snow to a member of the Hubbard Family [Hubbard Family Papers]
Company drill this morning and battalion this afternoon. Our Lieut. Bartels drilled was in skirmishing as he did yesterday. Col. West put us over a course this afternoon. It was thorough and long. Noble brought me some soft bread today, and I have lived. Toast tonight. Called to see the Hospital Steward this evening. A long talk. Onions and crackers for luncheon. No letters from Maine for sometime. Have been disappointed. Furnished Butler with two columns today. Reports of an advance. Also reports of drills to be resumed tomorrow. Fine and warm day.
Hartford, Conn.
Dear Em,
Mr. Curtis is absent and I can’t find time for a long letter. I can’t tell either until his return just what I shall do about remaining here. If he should be able to engage such a teacher as he wishes for the year I cannot of course expect that he will prefer to make all arrangement with me to the Christmas vacation merely.
As sofar as I have settled the matter I will send a list of such things as I shall need. It is rarely worthwhile to send it now when I may need nothing more than I have. I will write at once after Mr. C returns. Love to all.
Virginia “Ginny” Hubbard to her sister, Emma Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]
Head-Quarters, First Division, Department West. Va, Harper’s Ferry, Va.
Special Orders No. extract
Lieut. A.S. Buchanan A.D.C. and Lieut. Nims 1st N.Y. Cavalry are hereby ordered to proceed to Martinsburg Va. and inspect the 12th Penn Cavalry ascertaining the condition and efficiency of Officers and men of that Regiment.
They will report themselves for duty at their Headquarters tomorrow Nov 3d.
The Quarter Master will furnish the necessary transportation.
Special Orders [Alexander Simms Buchanan Civil War Collection]
