Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864 [Collection of Nelson E. Dodge and John Blanchard, D company, 2nd regiment, Vermont, infantry] [decimalized]

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: He describes marching through the mud during the Peninsula and Valley campaign in Virginia [Spring 1862]. He describes his location near the revolutionary site of Yorktown on the James River and reports that the "Rebbles are leaving and going...

GLC02162.01

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge writes to Ann predicting what is going on at home. He writes, "you are setting by the table a sewing Grandmaron is bizy…mom making shugar and uncle James is sleep." He also wishes that he would have had another shirt made before leaving for...

GLC02162.02

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge admits that he has had dysentery and has "felt not fit to crall." He also writes about the attack on the retreating Confederates, specifically at Williamsburg. He is also suspicious of the rumored attack on Richmond, writing "I think...

GLC02162.03

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge asks Kinney to "send me a shirt by mail" made of blue flannel. He also describes the two battles in which he fought: the Seven Days Battles [June 25-July 1, 1862] and the Second Battle of Bull run [August 1862]. The fight at Malvern Hill on...

GLC02162.04

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Blanchard describes the skirmishes his regiment has with the Confederate troops around the Rappahannock River in the defense of Washington DC. He also describes his camp, saying, "the huts were constructed of bags plastered with mud…every thing...

GLC02162.05

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge explains his feelings on the coming campaign, and says that even though he could be mustered out in June, he will stay on "to see the war over first then [he] could come home satesfied." He is also "resolved to set a better example in futer...

GLC02162.06

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge predicts the movement of the troops of Generals Hooker and Burnside and believes they will eventually meet near Chancellorsville. He also reminisces about the battle of Fredericksburg [December 13, 1862] and believes that their newest...

GLC02162.07

to unknown

re: Dodge writes about the balloon the Union dispatched over the Confederates as well as sickness and despair that has befallen the soldiers. He also writes about the prices for food: "butter is .40cts a pound…potatoes…are 1.25a bushel and shugar is...

GLC02162.08

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Blanchard writes about how "Gen Hooker got whiped the Boys are feeling down hearted." He also writes about his view on the Confederate cause, saying that he would rather let the rebels have their rights than be led by inept Generals. He also...

GLC02162.09

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Blanchard writes to Kinney, boasting about his punctuality in answering his letters. He also adds that the Regiment got a band and they played for the troops all night. Finally, Blanchard praises his camp, saying "every thing [is] pleasent and...

GLC02162.10

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: After the battle of Locust, or Orange Grove [November 27, 1863], John Blanchard sustained a "Gun Shot wound in the left arm between the elbow and Shoulder." He spent more than six weeks in the hospital, promising to see the war out "if I have to...

GLC02162.11

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: After recovering from his wound, Blanchard visited the west, specifically Chicago. He said, "I have enjoyed my self…[but] I dont lik Chicago has well has some of the Eastern city." He writes about the vast tracts of land available in the west and...

GLC02162.12

to Abel Wood

re: Wheelock writes about the prices for food in the army. He likes the salted pork and says that things are expensive. He describes his work days, saying some days are busy "onloading botes & helping to load up teames with all sortes of stuff,"...

GLC02162.13

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge thanks Kinney for the shirt she sent him. He wishes he could have gotten more, but realizes that sending the shirt cost thirty cents and was too expensive. He also explains that he was sick because his regiment had marched many miles with...

GLC02162.14

to Clement Wood

re: Eldredge writes to his friend Clement, saying he feels sorry for him because Carolina, the focus of Clement's attention, left him for another man. He also writes about camp life, remarking about the daily drilling routine, and saying that his...

GLC02162.15

[Tintype portrait of Nelson E. Dodge]

GLC02162.16