by mvanders
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Va
Dearest,
I wonder how you are and where you are this morning. I felt quite homesick for a day or two, but begin to get accustomed to the old life.
Oliver Otis Howard to his wife, Elizabeth Anne Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Rikers Island
General,
I have the honor to address you to request a favor for myself if the granting of it is found consistent with your opinion on the subject. My request is if you think my past services and present capability entitle me to hold the rank of Brig. Genl of Vols. that you recommend me for that promotion. […]
Col. Charles Coster to Oliver Otis Howard [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Bank of Baltimore
My Dear Sir,
I was one of the few who helped to refresh your first regiment during its passage thro’ our city, since which time I have watching your cause with no small degree of interest – if your cause as a soldier grew beloved which has not failed to challenge my love and admiration you may be sure that your career as a soldier of the Cross has bound me to you and to prosper you in the great work to which in his providence he has called you.
I daily realize the fact that our country needs Christian patriots both in the field and in the cabinet. […]
A.M. Carter to Oliver Otis Howard [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Buttermill Falls
Dear General Howard,
I hasten to copy a letter I received this morning from J. F. Hadley written Saturday – and please answer as soon as possible as I would not send him one word that you had not seen. He need not know that I wrote to you – but I want is well authenticated
“Dear Jeanie
Can’t you furnish me some facts about Gen. Howard which will help me making up a biographical sketch of him. 1st was he a professing Christian when he came to West Point or become one while there. 2nd was he a teacher in the Sabbath school, and what he did in it. – the part he took in meetings etc. 3rd any anecdotes or facts in relation to his religious life at West Point – his companions etc – recall some of the things he has said to you. Now if you will [illegible] your noddle a little and give me a few scraps right away, I shall feel much reliefed.
Yours Truly
Anything about his family – their position occupation etc – Didn’t you tell me he prayed with his regiment the first time he met it. Tell me all the anecdotes you ever heard of him.
J.F. Hadley”
Now I humbly opine that this is the one to do you justice, dear General Howard and as I have had so few opportunities of seeing papers and have never corresponded with anyone near you and am most anxious to see you done justice to, as our much loved friend I write at once, and by your will promptly send me some thing of your life that you would most like to come from the historians’ front.
Ours best and kindest love, Jeannie H. Grey
Jeannie H. Grey to Oliver Otis Howard [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac, New Baltimore Va.
General –
I am not satisfied with the manner in which my Quarter Master conducts his Department. He was at times displayed great Energy, particularly on the march. His deportment towards me has been unexceptionable. Bu he ignores details to a great extent and from lack of personal supervision troubles are continually arising. For example, yesterday he desired to send out a train for forage to the vicinity of Circleville. I gave permission, but instructed him in no case to send a train without at guard. The guard was ordered and reported, but the train had already gone. Col. Le Duc was away, and no officer, clerk or agent of his department could direct the guard so that it could follow the train, until it was too late. The train of eight or nine wagons was captured, but the wagons were recovered by Col. Le Duc. The mules and teamsters have gone to the enemy. All this arose from neglect on his part to see that the train did not start till the guard had arrived.
I would not injure Col. Le Duc but I do not heel safe, as far as concerns my transportation, with him at the head of the Quarter Master’s Department of this Corps. I therefore ask that he be assigned to duty elsewhere.
I would recommend, in case this application should be granted, that Capt H. B. Lacy be allowed to temporarily perform the duties of Chief Quarter Master of the Corps.
Major General Oliver Otis Howard to Major General George G. Meade [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Farmington
My dear Lizzie,
I was very glad indeed to hear from you again. I wish I could see you, which would be far better. Rowland has not yet come home and I don;t know when he will come – though I shall look for him now everyday a little. I think he will go to Augusta if he can. But he has been away so much more yet than he anticipated, that I suppose he’ll feel as if he must hurry home as soon as possible. I hope he can go to Augusta – It would be so pleasant to see some one right from Otis. He was with Perry when he wrote last. Perry has lost an arm close up to the shoulder. I don’t know which one. Rowland said he was very much frustrated by it. The shock to his system was very great. […]
by mvanders
Hd. qrs. 11th Corps, Boonesboro Gap Md
My dear Major
I received your letter while we were at Gettysburg and feel grateful for it. You know very well how difficult it is to write upon an active Campaign and I have never written so few letters as since we reached Md. and Penna. In fact we never drove business quite so hard before. Day before yesterday we marched about 30 miles. Our Corps is in advance of all. Schurtz Divn. went forward beyond Boonesboro last night to support Buford’s Cavalry which had been fighting all day – The other two Divns. took up position on the sides (west) of the mountain to hold the Gap at all hazards until the other Corps get up […]
by mvanders
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Near Middleton, Ma
Dearest,
I have received another good long letter from you written just after Maj Whittlesey and Mrs. W’s visit. I am glad they came to see you. I got a letter from Major Whittlesey at the same time. […] I am afraid you are working too hard or doing too much. Shopping you know is very dangerous.
We are working along up towards you. The rebels are again bothering us and home. […]
Oliver Otis Howard to his wife, Elizabeth Ann Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Middleton, Ma
Dear Sister Lizzie,
I came to camp at Goose Creek, 6 miles from Leesburg on Tues: with the 11th Corps. Mail Carrier. The next day I “marched” with the Corps to Edwards Ferry, 6 miles, and the next to Point of Rocks and turning at that point to Jefferson , 5 miles from the Potomac where we spent the night in a house. The march was a hard one of 25 or 30 miles in a day. Today we have already moved 6 miles up this beautiful and fruitful valley to this lovely little town. There is no immediate prospect of a battle – the enemy being two days march ahead of us towards Penn.
Otis seems quite well, but works hard almost every moment and gets pretty tired every night and sometimes is awakened often during the night with Orders. […]
Charles Henry Howard to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
by mvanders
Dear Lizzie,
It strikes me we might be a little more sisterly in the way of corresponding and yet I know it takes a good deal of time to write letters and you especially have very little to spare with your little family and your letters to Otis. For my own part, I don’t know but it is as much laziness as anything else that keeps me from writing for I have been intending to send you my love and congratulations ever since the deal little baby came. But you have them now and will you please kiss the little fellow for his Auntie. I want very much to see him. I wish it wasn’t such a journey between Augusta and Farmington – and such an almost impossible journey with little children. I do wish you could come up and bring all four of them this summer. Is it quite out of the question? I should so love to have you. […]
Mary Ellen Patten [Ella] to her sister-in-law Elizabeth Ann Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
