These eight letters were written by Margaret (“Maggie”) Scott (1845-1935), the daughter of Irish immigrants Charles Scott (1804-1885) and Isabel Tennis (1804-1869). She wrote the letters to her brother, James Scott (1834-1912) who was the oldest of six children, including Frank (1836-1908), Robert (1839-1863), Isabell (1842-1927), Margaret (1845-1935), and Charles Wesley (1849-1882). The Scott children were born… Read More 1862-63: Margaret Scott to James Scott

This letter was written by William H. Foote (1824-1905), the son of Elisah Percival Foote (1803-1858) and Roxalana Freeman (1808-1849) of Ogden, New York. Though born in New York, William was raised in Wellington, Lorraine county, Ohio. In 1846, William relocated to Nepenskun, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he married Mary Jane Vankirk and raised a… Read More 1862: William H. Foote to Betsey Webster

This letter was written by William M. Griswold (1843-1890), the oldest son of George H. Griswold (1814-1900) and Hannah R. Jackson (1821-1904) of Rockvale, Ogle county, Illinois. William mustered in as a private in Co. G, 74th Illinois Infantry on 4 September 1862. Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on 1 July 1863. According to… Read More 1865: William M. Griswold to Parents

This letter was written by 39 year-old Philadelphia boot fitter Henry (“Harvey”) Marshall—a native of Ireland—who served as a wagoner in Co. H of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry (“Collis Zouaves”). Harvey enlisted in the regiment on 22 August 1862. The regiment wore a distinctive Zouave uniform, adopted from the elite Algerian troops, and the social background… Read More 1863: Harvey Bruce Marshall to Mary Elizabeth (Montgomery) Marshall

These sixteen letters were written by Lieutenant Colonel Clark Swett Edwards(1824-1903), the son of Enoch Edwards (1774-1863) and Abigail McLellan (1779-1843). He wrote the letters to his wife, Maria Antionette (Mason) Edwards (1828-1885). In 1848, Edwards came to Bethel, Maine, and with Edward Eastman as partner, bought out the trading business of Kimball and Pattee. The… Read More 1861: Clark Swett Edwards to Maria Antoinette (Mason) Edwards

This letter was written by Martha A. Hodgkins (1845-1905), the daughter of Abraham D. Hodgkins (1804-Aft1880) and Judith Ann Figgies (1825-1884) of Gloucester, Essex county, Massachusetts. Mary remained single, employed as a dressmaker, until March 1884 when she married Joseph Floyd Lane (1846-1918) at the age of 39. Martha wrote the letter to her uncle,… Read More 1862: Martha A. Hodgkins to William Alexander

This letter was written by Charles K. Reppert (1842-1921), the son of Jacob Reppert (1814-1901) and Christina Margaretha Reppert (1817-1902) of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In 1860, the Reppert family was enumerated in Harmar, Washington county, Ohio. Charles wrote the letter to his younger brother, William Eichbaum Reppert (1844-1913) and mentions their brothers George and Henry… Read More 1864: Charles Kramer Reppert to William Eichbaum Reppert