Monthly Archives: July 2014

31 July 1864: “So many horrible rumors have floated through the army”

Item Description: A letter from Charles H. Olmstead, an officer from Georgia, regarding Battle of Atlanta (Johnston’s and Hood’s retreat from Sherman) and a quarrel with another officer. Item Citation: From Folder 5, in the Charles H. Olmstead Papers, #1856, … Continue reading

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30 July 1864: “The burning of Chambersburg was generally condemned by our Regt. at first when all the sympathies were all aroused, but when reason had time to regain her seat I believe that they all thought as I thought at first; that it was justice & justice tempered with mercy.”

Item Description: Diary entry by J. Kelly Bennette for July 30, 1864. He describes the burning of the town of Chambersburg, PA as retribution for Union troop burning private property in the Confederacy. Item Citation: Folder 3, in the J. … Continue reading

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29 July 1864: “some Yankee is making money, as he charges ten cents for every one that wishes to see the rebels.”

Item Description: Diary entry, dated 29 July 1864, written by Louis Leon, a Confederate soldier in the North Carolina Infantry.  At this point in the war is a prisoner of the Union Army and recently moved to a new prisoner … Continue reading

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27 July 1864: “I wish I could give you some idea of what a noble girl she is – Her letters are not only my greatest pleasure (next to seeing her) but they are something more than a girls love-letters.”

Item Description:  Letter, dated 17 December 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother, Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford.  The letter details packages received, his love life, and family news.Item Citation:  Letter dated 27 July 1864, in the Blackford Family Papers … Continue reading

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26 July 1864: “…the Rebels have found their last ditch and are determined to die in it rather than yield.”

Item Description: Letter from Robert Stuart Finley to his fiancee Mary A. Cabeen.  Finley was a member of the 30th Illinois Infantry, serving in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia.  In his letter, he describes the events of the Battle … Continue reading

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25 July 1864: “Jink said in his letter he was going to Richmond on a pleasure trip. They are very near it now and said all the Officers had been nearby and they wanted to get away from the Yanks a while.”

Item Description:  Letter dated 25 July 1864 from Eliza Murphy Walton to her son, John “Jock” Walton, Company F, 41st Regiment N.C. Troops (3rd Cavalry). Item Citation:  Letter dated 25 July 1864, in the Thomas George Walton Papers #748, Southern … Continue reading

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23 July 1864: “The doctors said it was a disease they had never met with before and it baffled all their skill.”

Item description:  Letter dated 23 July 1864, from Jock (William Hunt) to his brother Luke (Andrew Lucas Hunt).  This letter details news of death and illnesses at camp, activities at “Soldiers Rest,” a depot for wounded soldiers in Chicago, and family … Continue reading

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22 July 1864: “Found old ‘Hill’ looking like the same, and a good many new faces to meet me.”

Item Description:  Diary entry dated 22 July 1864 describing Henry Armand London’s first day of his senior year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Henry Armand London of Pittsboro, N.C., was a journalist and lawyer who attended … Continue reading

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21 July 1864: “on my arrival here I found about 30 Reb scouts who left in a Hurry – on our approach.”

Item Description:  Letter dated 21 July 1864 written by William H. Powell to Brigadier General William W. Averell.  William H. Powell served as a colonel in the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment. He commanded a brigade of cavalry as part … Continue reading

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20 July 1864: “Heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Petersburg yesterday evening and continued till late last night”

Item Description:  Letter from Henry A. Stokes to his father.  He describes Union cannonading on Petersburg.  He also talks about the weather.  Henry A. Stokes was a private in Lunenburg “Rebel” Virginia Light Artillery Battery. Item Citation: Folder 1 of … Continue reading

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