Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918 [Collection of George W. Tillotson, H company, 89th regiment, New York, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.208]

To his wife

Discusses provisions and recruiting. Written on patriotic stationery.

GLC04558.001

To his wife

"Last night was my first experience in a tent we had to set up our tents last night after dark and had no straw so we had to sleep on the ground[.]" Mentions inspecting himself for lice. Written on patriotic stationery.

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To his wife

"I am not disappointed much as to soldiers life it is easier if anything as yet than I expected...." Also, "Damn the schoolmaster but then you know I an't [sic] afraid of him caus[e] why I've got good faith in my little wifes constancy besides I...

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To his wife

Waiting for letters, rumors of peace propositions, visiting capitol building, rations.

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To his wife

Marching orders, ammunitions, reporting to Burnside for naval expedition.

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To his wife

Payday of $24.26, sees Vice President but has not seen Lincoln or McClellan. Rumors about their expedition. The letter is continued the next day. Written aboard the "Arracan"

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To his wife

Washing clothes, food: "...sea buiskets which is a kind of very hard cracker. They taste pretty much like any other craker but I have about put my jaws out of joint chewing them but today they delt out pilot bread which is very much like soda...

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To his wife

Traveling by ship, sea sickness: "I don't believe I have got over it yet for this eternal rocking heaving rolling bobing head [w]rong side up all the while." Cost of special food. Letter continued on 26th of January.

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To his wife

Raising tents, selling bread that he baked, size of expedition. Written on patriotic stationery. Encloses an envelope originally addressed to him as an example to his wife of how not to address envelopes.

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To his wife

Settled in camp, weather, price of food coming down.

GLC04558.010

To his wife

No mail, sickness (fever). Includes a letter on the last page to his daughter Georgiana in which he encourages her to learn to read and write so she can send him a letter.

Written at Camp Winfield Scott.

GLC04558.011

To his wife

Sea trip to Roanoke. "General Burnsides... think we shall be on our way home soon but even he may be mistaken...." Expected expedition to Norfolk. Letter continued on 1st of March. Written on patriotic stationery. Written at Camp Dickinson.

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To his wife

Fleet leaving for Newbern, drawing half-rations. "Yes, we are getting to be sober and steady, if we dont it is our own fault, for we have preaching almost every night..." Mentions that the official chaplain is lazy in providing mail and preaching...

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To his wife

Drill, shooting guns, health problems of other men. "The inhabitants are a hard miserable looking set what I have seen of them and the contrabands say that most of them are rebels at heart for all they have taken the oath of allegiance." Rumors of...

GLC04558.014

To his wife

Pay day. Describing feelings in battle: "If you want to know just how I felt when I went into battle it would be hard telling exactly but in the first place I felt most d---d tired other ways I felt well enough, wasn't at all afraid [of] the idea...

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To his wife

Continued on separate sheet. Wish to come home, regular inspections and drills, farm business, late pay, cost of food.

GLC04558.016

To his wife

Mails, expedition to Elizabeth City by other troops and desire to fight. New clothing, suggestions for farm management. The letter is continued the next day. Written at Camp Dickinson.

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To his wife

Preparations for march and expedition including cleaning guns, etc. Written on patriotic stationery. Written at Camp Dickinson.

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To his wife

Received portrait of family but glass is cracked. Expedition delayed. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.019

To his wife

Expedition to and battle at Elizabeth City [Camden, N.C. 4/19] described at length: 12 hour forced march of 35 miles, fatigue, errors in battle formation, thrown back and reformation in woods: "We were rallyed again here under the shelter of the...

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