The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

26 September 1860

Goodwin, Mary Francis (fl. 1855-1889)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roberta Jeffery

Written by Roberta's sister. Regarding the death of Roberta's baby and the ordeal she had to undego as a result. "...[A]nother of our band of dear little ones is foreve safe from the trials, dangers & temptations of this wicked world!...[You] must only try & feel submission to the will of God who has seen fit in so short a time to take two from you to heaven..." Continues on, further putting the death of Roberta's child in religious context, and encouraging Roberta in her time of distress.

GLC01896.039

27 September 1860

Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received from Toucey orders to report for duty in Philadelphia, and decision to decline promotion in order to resign from service. "...I respectfully decline it, having determined to engage in private business, I therefore tender you my resignation as 3rd Asst. Engr..." Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.040

27 September 1860

Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Archibald

Explaining reasons for his resignation to the Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy, and pride felt of serving in the Engineer Corps. "Since my return from the East Indies, in the "Powhatan", I have determined to pursue a private life with a view of advancing my own interest as well as that of my employees."

GLC01896.041

13 November 1860

Jeffery, Richard W. (fl. 1855-1899)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Expresses his disapproval of a possible appointment to office from Abraham Lincoln who has been elected president, the conflict between North and South, his advice to prepare for the worst and to hold above all else the fundamental principle of self-preservation. "...do not put any obtruction in the way, as far as your influence is concerned in making all preparations for the defense of our portion of the country..." Richard also expresses his belief that Lincoln's administration will fall apart in the first six months for he cannot possibly hold together both the conservative and progressive...

GLC01896.045

10 April 1861

Boyden, E. (fl. 1855-1860)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Expressing strong sympathies to Aaron for the death of Aaron's mother, Anne Woodlief Jeffery.

GLC01896.046

11 August 1861

Eldridge, William (fl. 1855-1861)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Eldridge

Regarding: Hardships and suffering of military life, poor mail delivery as he does not receive letters sent from home very often and vice versa, and an anecdote about a young boy originally a Yankee [from New Jersey] who joined the regiment after the Battle of Manassas. Also, expresses belief that he will be home by Christmas.

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4 October 1862

Jeffery, Richard W. (fl. 1855-1899)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Has decided to leave Greensborough and go to Wilmington to "attend the sick" in that city, acknowledging that he is leaving his post without permission but rationalizes his behavior with the contention that his request must have "miscarried" in the mails. Richard was a surgeon in the U.S. Navy before the war.

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9 October 1862

Jeffery, Roberta (fl. 1850-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Timberlake

Roberta describes her family's nighttime escape from Norfolk to Petersburg, aboard a baggage car, and then there further traveling to Richmond, Lynchburg and Buchanan. Includes a description of accommodations and prices of goods in Petersburg and an account of the family's eventual return to Richmond. Includes news about battle deaths and quick anectdotes. In pencil on the wrapper of the letter is a note from Aaron Jeffery to his cousin [Fanny] begging her to tell him the state of "my affairs" and bemoaning the news that the "servants" are "behaving badly about the care of the household." He...

GLC01896.050

3 April 1863

Jeffery, Richard W. (fl. 1855-1899)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Richard reports on his arrival in the city of Charleston and finds it "...much more quiet than I supposed they would be." He asserts that the people believe that the Yankees will not attack the city and that they are going about "their ordinary pursuits" as if war was a distant prospect.

GLC01896.051

20 April 1863

Jeffery, Richard W. (fl. 1855-1899)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Concerning information about his unexpected transfer from Charleston to Savannah where "...my responsibilities are greater & the means of meeting them less..." Discusses the anti-climactic Union attack on Charleston including the unimpressive performance of Federal ironclads, and requests information about the family and news of Hill in North Carolina. Also, expresses his fears that either Gen. Bragg's [Army of the Tennessee] or Johnston's [Army of the Mississippi] forces will encounter the numerically superior army of Grant's in Tennessee, and be forced to abandon Vicksburg. Letter is...

GLC01896.052