Tag Archives: Emmett Cole

11 May 1862: “I hope I shall not have to tell of another wholesale murder while I stay in S.C.”

Item description: Letter, 11 May 1862, from Emmett Cole, Union soldier in Company F of the 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, from Beaufort, S.C., to his sister Celestia. Cole describes camp life, including a musical performance to honor fallen soldiers and … Continue reading

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17 March 1862: “I had heared of his death before your last letter reached me, and have written since, but Celestia when I saw the curly lock of hair, I had to weep again…”

Item description: In a 9 March 1862 letter that we recently featured, Union soldier Emmett Cole wrote to his sister Celestia that he had just learned from a mutual acquaintance that Emmett and Celestia’s younger brother Edgar, who was too … Continue reading

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9 March 1862: “is it possible that the Recruiting angel from the unknown world has again broken into our family circle and taken one in the very bloom of youth…”

Item description: Letter, 9 March 1862, from Emmett Cole to his sister Celestia. Cole expresses his great sadness at hearing the news of the death of their brother, Edgar. Item citation: From folder 2 of the Emmett Cole Letters #5002-z, … Continue reading

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23 February 1862: “[the General] issued an order that we should appear today with our hair cut short. we thought if we wanted us to shear our hair short he must set the example, for he is the most frizzly headed old scamp in the whole Brigade.”

Item description:  Letter, 23 February 1862, from Emmett Cole to his sister Celestia. Item citation: From folder 2 of the Emmett Cole Letters #5002-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Item transcription: [Editor’s note: … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 23 February 1862: “[the General] issued an order that we should appear today with our hair cut short. we thought if we wanted us to shear our hair short he must set the example, for he is the most frizzly headed old scamp in the whole Brigade.”

5 February 1862: “…if they succeed in pulling up enough of the stoccade to let the old Wabash crawl through, you may bet your boots that old Pulaski’s Bomb proof Parapets will shake like a Michigander with the ague.”

Item description: In this letter, Union soldier Emmett Cole writes to his brother Edgar, who is at home in Barry County, Michigan. Emmett discusses his feelings about death, saying that “I am resolved whereever I may be to go without … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 February 1862: “…if they succeed in pulling up enough of the stoccade to let the old Wabash crawl through, you may bet your boots that old Pulaski’s Bomb proof Parapets will shake like a Michigander with the ague.”

28 January 1862: “for while my pen moves over the paper my blood rushes in my veins. for roar roar roar so[u]nds on my ear and makes the very ground quiver and tremble where I sit.”

Item description: Letter, 28 January 1862, from Emmett Cole, a Union soldier in Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, at Beaufort, S.C., to his friend Jo in Michigan. Cole’s letter comments on the noise of artillery firing; rumors of England … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 28 January 1862: “for while my pen moves over the paper my blood rushes in my veins. for roar roar roar so[u]nds on my ear and makes the very ground quiver and tremble where I sit.”

26 January 1862: “but I would not go to the Hospital for it is just the same as signing a mans death warrant to send him there.”

Item description: Letter, 26 January 1862, from Emmett Cole, a Union soldier in Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, to his sister Celestia. Cole wrote from Beaufort, S.C., where he had gone to recover from the “chill fever.” In this … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 26 January 1862: “but I would not go to the Hospital for it is just the same as signing a mans death warrant to send him there.”

2 January 1862: “…yesterday was New Year down here in Dixie and one I shall never forget…”

Item description: Letter, 2 January 1862, from Emmett Cole, a Union soldier in Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, encamped at Port Royal Island, S.C., to his sister describing the Battle of Port Royal Ferry, fought on New Year’s Day … Continue reading

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17 November 1861: “we will soon have the Island fortified so strong that the whole south cannot take it.”

Item description: Letter, 17 November 1861, from Emmett Cole, Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, to his sister Celestia. Written from Hilton Head Island, S.C., several days after the Battle of Port Royal. Emmett Cole of Barry County, Mich., was … Continue reading

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26 October 1861: “there is about 70 Ships in the Fleet and as near as I can learn there is about 70,000 troops on board.”

Item description: Letter, 26 October 1861, from Emmett Cole, Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, to his sister Celestia. Written aboard the U.S. Steam Ship Vanderbilt, Cole describes his present conditions, at sea with the United States Navy fleet. Emmett … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 26 October 1861: “there is about 70 Ships in the Fleet and as near as I can learn there is about 70,000 troops on board.”