Scope and Contents

Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment near Petersburg, Virginia. Opens "Dear Cousin Grace." Sends his picture, apologizing for the poor quality and hopes that he will soon receive hers. The letter is misdated 1864.

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment near Petersburg, Virginia. Reports the receipt of Grace's letter of January 22, 1865. She had received his picture, and he writes that he will expect to receive hers when they are better acquainted, though since they are only acquainted by post and may never see each other, he thinks it should be permissible to receive a photo. "The mustache you speak about was 'non est inventus' at the time the picture was taken, so all powers even...

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, near Petersburg, Virginia. Opens "My Dear Cousin." Written in an affected dialect until the tenth page, when McCahill returns to his normal spellings and notes that he hopes he has gratified her by writing a long letter. He sends Frank's regards to Georgia and again requests her picture. Envelope addressed to "Miss Grace D. G[?], Box 222, Rockland, Maine," the remainder of the address being torn away. Postmarked at Washington, D.C., March...

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, near Petersburg, Virginia. McCahill encloses an enigmatic puzzle and urges Grace to try and solve it and send him the answer. The puzzle, written on the verso of the sheet, begins "I am Composed of 40 Letters" and provides clues to the solution, ending "My Whole is an important Branch of Military Service."Envelope addressed to "Miss Grace D. Gillson, Box 302, Rockland, Maine." Postmarked at Washington, D.C., March [16?], 1865....

Scope and Contents

Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, near Petersburg, Virginia. Reports having received her "billy dux" the previous evening but gives credit to "mon cher Francois" for the idea. He writes that Frank is "perfectly 'non compos mentis'" that he has not received a letter from Georgia and asks again for her picture. He sympathizes with her for being ill with a cough and signs off "your 'Sugar Plum.'"

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, near Petersburg, Virginia. Opens "Dear Cousin." Notes that the "abrupt termination" of his previous letter was due to the beginnings of a battle, which may be the Battle of Fort Stedman. He reports that 3,800 Confederate troops were captured, including a brigadier general, with 250 Confederates deserting. He describes them as "sorry specimens of the 'Southern Chivalry.'" McCahill reports [incorrectly] the death of Brevet Major General...

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Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, Petersburg, Virginia. Opens "Dear Cousin." Encloses $60 in Confederate money which he had found in Petersburg, "which you will find to be a curiosity." He writes that he will send details of the captures of Richmond and Petersburg in his next letter.

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment, Petersburg, Virginia. Opens "Dear Coz." Thanks her for her letter and for the photo she had sent, which was of "a venerable, matronly old lady." He calls her "You little torment" and notes that her letter suggests that he will not receive a picture of her until June. He then notes "When I sent my advertisement to the Waverly I received just 14 answers from different Parts of the Union, 3 from New York, 2...

Scope and Contents Written from the Camp of the 182nd New York Regiment. Opens "Dear Cousin." Reports the receipt of her letter of April 23, 1865, and thanks her for the encouragement and for her opinion that he is improving in his correspondence. He requests that she give his compliments to Miss Georgia "and tell her (thought I think myself it is a curious fact) that Frank is realy 'Defunct' and I am at present enjoying the best of 'Spirits.' I am very glad to hear that she has found a substitute for...

Scope and Contents

Written from the Second Corps Hospital, City Point, Virginia. Opens "Dear Cousin." A short note informing Grace that he has been in hospital since May 1 "with an attack of the typhoid fever" and urges her not to write until he gets home after being mustered out.