Renshaw, Richard T. (1822-1979) to Ella Godley Renshaw
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02254.25 Author/Creator: Renshaw, Richard T. (1822-1979) Place Written: James River, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 March 1865 Pagination: 3 p. ; 13 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his wife from aboard the U.S.S. Massasoit. Expresses confusion over Ella not having received letters from him -- "I write...every two or three days, and what becomes of my letters gracious only knows." Mentions some money he has sent her recently in installments of thirty and fifty dollars. Tells her that "it is not unlikely that my Boat the Massasoit will be sent to the Sounds of North Carolina" and complains that "the Admiral keeps putting me off all the time, saying that I will get to Newbern soon and not to figgit so." Mentions that he has been busy as a member of a court martial and on inspection duty. Writes that "dear you do not want me half as bad as I want to get to you, I will go to bed tonight right miserable thinking that you have not receved [sic] my letters."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.