5 September 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that he is encouraged by his mother's message of strength and courage. Mentions that the men are drilling five days out of the week and travel a mile to find suitable ground for drillling. He reports that the 129th Illinois and the 3rd Ohio have joined his brigade. Writes about the dimishing numbers of men in various regiments. He specifically mentions one company of the 75th Illinois in which only six men, two sergeants, and a second lieutenant remain. Wheeler writes that he is glad to hear that "active measures will be used against the copperheads in case they dare resist the…

GLC07460.048

29 August 1863

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from a camp in Vicksburg. Thanks her for copies of the newspaper "Independent." Reports they are not campaigning now and have much free time. Comments letters from the North are scarce and wonders if his friends have all turned copperheads or simply forgotten him. Speculates many of his lady friends have gotten married because they did not want to wait for the soldiers' return. Inquires if she is going to school and playing the piano. Writes about the beautiful weather and lovely flowers. States that a large steamer blew up at the dock loaded with ammunition…

GLC03523.31.24

31 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Discusses life on the farm. Notes that the draft is not in place in his county, but hopes it will be implemented soon. Discusses Morgan's Raid, writing, "John Morgan with 28 of his Officers are confined in the Ohio Penitentiary. The authorities intend keeping them as Hostages against those of our men who were taken in North Carolina." Argues that Morgan's Raid proved that all Northern Democrats are not traitors, since even citizens in the area of the notorious Peace Democrat/ Copperhead Clement Vallandigham remained loyal to the Union and supported Morgan's capture. Ohio authorities intend to…

GLC03523.10.087

5 August 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Reports to his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Mast, that he received word from his son Joseph near in Jackson, Mississippi. Joseph informed him that Confederate General Joseph Johnston evacuated Jackson 17 July. Writes, "I see it stated in the papers that Grant was a going to grant [struck: parole] [inserted: furlough] to one fifth of his army, if such be the case, perhaps Joseph will have a chance to come home awhile." Notes that Benjamin P. Runkle purchased a home in Urbana, commenting that Runkle did not "gain many Laurels" in the pursuit of Confederate General John Morgan during…

GLC03523.10.089

12 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for sending him the trunk of food and writes that it came at a good time because rations have been meager. Jokes that he will take his trunk with him now that he knows it can be carried and will give it furlough when it needs to return home. Writes that he wishes General John Hunt Morgan would massacre all the Copperheads in Indiana and "get massacred himself and all his crew". Also writes that the war would end more quickly if the Rebels "penetrated all the way up to Chicago" as the Northern Copperheads would "get sacked up". Praises Rosecrans and the fall of Vicksburg…

GLC07460.039

19 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Discusses the weather, particularly the muddy conditions. He states that the local rock is limestone and that the mud makes good mortar for building chimneys. Wheeler expects that they will stay in Nashville for some time, possibly through the winter. Mentions that his Uncle Washington is a peace man of the "Vallandingham stripe", referring to Clement Vallandingham, an Ohio Statesman and leader of the Copperhead faction of Democrats in the North. Of the Copperheads, Wheeler remarks: " the Devil is a more likely man than these Copperheads for he is always on one side, and you know how to…

GLC07460.056

8 July 1864

Benham, Tower S., fl. 1841-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Petersburg. Comments on General Ulysses S. Grant, writing "Gen Grant is not the man to rest untill [sic] he acomplishes what he started to do and that I suppose was to take Richmond and Mrs Ogden we are going to take it within two months from Date..." Also says that he no longer supports [General George] McClellan, whom he now believes to be a "Copper Head of the Darkest [Die]..." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.003

5 August 1863

Blackman, James A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother about feeling sick but does not believe it is enough to get him discharged. Asks about his brother Francis. Discusses his view of the war. "I hope this war will soon be over and I think it would if the North made as great an effort as the south does I want to see peace but not a peace on eney [enemy] tearms. I had rather stay here ten years than to have our government distroyed. The coperheads are to come out here and talk peace on eney [enemy] tearms to the wounded Soldiers and see how they would make it. I hope that thare is none of my relation them sort of Trators."…

GLC02159.10

21 December 1863

Blackman, James A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother that his living situation is good at present as they are quartered in a tavern. Asks "...have you any coperheads there if you have you can consider them worse than the rebels for they are seting fear in the Soldiers rear."

GLC02159.12

13 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received his first letter from them in over two weeks. "I think this department is the worst we have ever been in for mail arrangements." Has started to drill twice a day. "The weather is variable." It often rains without warning, and nights can be very cold. Has gotten much better at carrying heavy loads on marches. Will not have to spend any extra money on clothing this fall and winter. Will not write a letter to Johnny Banks' mother. "I am not capable of writing such a letter as I should wish to send to her under the existing circumstances, and again E.P.B. wrote immediately to her."…

GLC09355.090

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: The Copperhead Song

The poem describes "the southern copper head/It's head is big its heart is black/In treacherous deeds there will nothing lack." The author discusses the possibility of "desert[ing] this glorious union cause and join[ing] the rebel side," but concludes that, "We would rather die than thus disgrace our flag in dicksies land."

GLC03523.40.31

September 24, 1863

Kalbfus, Paul, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George May Powell

He has spoken four times from the same stump as Governor Curtin, at a time of great excitement now that Curtin has won reelection. He is tired due to traveling and speaking, but proud of the victory of the "Stars" over the "Copperheads."

GLC00687.239

31 May 1863

Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

General Rosecrans is "still entrenching very strongly." Henry saw "one of the greatest traitors of our land," Vallandigham, as he passed through the Union lines to join the Rebel Army. John is not well. Signed with the rank of Lieutenant. Two poems follow in another hand, possibly Margaret's as her name appears below them.

GLC03858.02.11

3 August 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Dear John"

Signed "Charles"

GLC02181.02

12 March 1859

Howard, George W., 1814-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Cousin John"

Signed "George W. Howard"

GLC02181.03

25 December 1859

Taylor, G. H., fl. 1859-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Friend Hale"

Signed "G.H. Taylor"

GLC02181.04

11 January 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Friend Hale"

Signed [illegible]

GLC02181.05

4 March 1860

Taylor, G. H., fl. 1859-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Friend Hale"

Signed "G Henry Taylor"

GLC02181.06

10 August 1863

Letter

Title: to W

Letter appears to be unsigned. Writes that Franklin's's friends are very grateful to hear from him. They are glad he is doing well and pray that God is watching over him while he is away. His friend writes that it is unfortunate that the youths must be sacrificed for their country. Thinks that the southerners are traitors and that their previous opinion of them was "erroneous." Writes that some of the northerners have become "canker'd with the base metal of Copperheadism." The Copperheads are only supporting this movement in order to line their already deep pockets with "gold they never earn'…

GLC03523.42.27

16 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. The line of communication have once again been opened. The mail came in all last night and he received three letters from Martha. He is sorry to hear that Johnny Burst [?] is not doing any better. He wishes he could help Johnny to feel better even though he knows he cannot. Asks for a good pair of boots and some shoe nails. He does not need his shirts from home as the clothing he left at the previous camp has arrived. Thinks that the regiment might stay at camp for a while as there have been reports that General William T. Sherman has been "…

GLC07460.103

2 April 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law and all at home

Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. Thanks his friends and family for writing to him and remembering him. Notes that there has been a lot of rain and wind recently. Does not think his brother-in-law will be conscripted as Illinois is already ahead of its quota. Thinks that the New York draft laws are too loose as the rich can "sneak out." Hopes that his brother-in-law will not be drafted but if he is he will be welcomed into the company and regiment. He wishes the army would start to move soon as he wants to fight the rebels. States that he would also like to return home and help "demolish…

GLC07460.072

14 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He has not received any mail dated before 12 September for ten days as the rebel attacks have disrupted the mail service. He thinks that a rebel named Wheeler is to blame for all of the attacks. He wonders if there is any relation between him and the rebel. It has been over two years and he thought the rebellion would have been stopped by now but the fight continues on. Writes that if the North had a unified front and had there been no copperheads the war would be over. He hopes that the Republican Party will get Abraham Lincoln elected again.…

GLC07460.100

28 February 1864

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Perrine. Says upon arriving at Trenton, he received orders to proceed to Washington, D.C. with a detachment of deserters and "stragglers." Describes his activities at camp and the various people he met during the course of his duties. Also describes an industrious escape attempt by a group of Rebel prisoners, which he and his men thwarted. Informs Ogden that a detachment of recruits will be sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Expresses his anger over the way Mr. Patterson treats Ogden and says, "he used language to me which to a soldier was an insult," and calls Mr.…

GLC06559.027

July 14, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: The troops are in Arkansas, and he often has to stand guard duty; however, he would much rather be in the South and "run the chance of being shot and killed out and out" than be in Dakota "and be killed by degrees." He tells Bill not to worry about him, and that he and his fellow soldiers often feel that those at home are in more danger than they are in the field. He sends his patriotic regards to a boy that came home without an arm, and offers to kill a Rebel for him, reminding him that it is better to be wounded or killed than to be a Copperhead. He mentions a letter from Mrs. Thorn…

GLC00203.13

January 9, 1865

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

re: He wishes Bill a happy New Year and talks about how happy and hopeful he is. He remarks that, after his last seven months are up, he will be proud to have been in the army and will be able to look at the cowardly Copperheads with contempt. He writes about how awful Helena was and how his regiment would have preferred to have been on the Potomac. He mentions letters from home and from the Thorns.

GLC00203.17