Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia. Sixteen men from his company were captured on June eleventh. He is concerned because he won't get paid while he is a prisoner and he doesn't know how his family will fare. He sent some money from Saint Louis and he wants to know if his wife received it.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Camp Blackwater, Missouri. Several acquaintances have gone home on furlough but Jacob does not think he will be able to get home because it will cost about fifty dollars for the trip. He is only on guard duty once a week. They have fresh pork and can buy honey for one dollar a gallon.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter while he was at Fort Ridgley, Minnesota. He made his way from Rochester, through Mankato and New Ulm to Fort Ridgley. He is waiting for the pay master and will send money home as soon as possible. He mentions several acquaintances and reports on their health.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Independence, Missouri. His health is still good. He has newspapers from Saint Louis giving accounts of General Grant driving Lee towards Richmond. Jacob thinks the war will soon be over. He plans to buy Mary a ring as soon as he is paid. He only has ten cents left. He hopes to be paid for four months wages in July. He thanks Ellen for sending the book mark. He thinks it is a great blessing to have a chance for his children to go to school. In the south, the poor do not get any formal education and have to make do with what they learn from home. He has not had any drills recently and is doing mostly guard duty. Sam Mott has small pox.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from camp in Independence, Missouri. He was impressed with the beauty of the countryside. Bushwhackers have been operating in the area and they passed many burnt buildings on the way to Independence. He is now three hundred miles south of Rochester and about one hundred and fifty miles east.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Jefferson City, Missouri. He mentions that he has sent twenty dollars home. He has guard duty frequently because most of the companies have moved south.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Osage City, Kansas. He is well and hopes they are all doing fine. He has already sent ten dollars home this month and expects to send another three dollars as soon as he gets paid. He earned one dollar splitting rails. He mentions wanting Martha to get a cow from Nat Irish. It was rumored that the paymaster was in Jefferson. He has not heard from his brother, William. He is anxious to hear how his father is doing.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Osage City, Kansas. He is doing well and expects to earn some more money if they stay in the same place. It is warmer and the snow is almost all gone. The rings that he sent home cost one dollar and fifteen cents.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Osage City, Kansas. He had two boils on his face. Mail has been slo9w coming from home but he believes that it is due to the heavy snows in Illinois and Wisconsin. New Years day it was twenty-two degrees below zero in his camp. He has been working and has earned sixteen dollars since he came to Osage. He spent five dollars and twenty-five cents for a pair of boots and another dollar and a half for an ax.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Osage City, Kansas. It has been very cold and snowy. He bought himself a pair of boots. He is owed two months pay. He asks if Martha received the jewelry he sent.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Warrensburg, Missouri. He has earned twenty-eight dollars working out, but does not know if he will get more work. He tells Martha that Parks Penharlow is in the hospital, so the rumors that she had heard that he was dead are untrue. While they were in Osage City they slept in a building, but in Warrensburg, they are sleeping in tents. He received a letter from his father. His company expects that they will move about five miles to guard a bridge.
Jacob Dieter wrote this letter from Warrensburg, Missouri. He is sorry to hear that Martha has been sick. The company expects to move five miles to guard a bridge. He does not like this camp because there is too much guard duty and he does not have extra time to earn additional money. He wants the children to learn as much as they can at school. He observed that many of the local children ten or twelve years old cannot read and some of them do not know how old they are. Very few people can write.
Rhoda George wrote this letter from Lebanon Junction, Kentucky to her children. She describes the trip from Fort Snelling to Lebanon, Kentucky and life with her son, George. A mortgage, property and James George's military duties are mentioned. She expresses concern over the state of the nation. On the last page, James George sends greetings and tells his family how to find the location of Lebanon on a map.
James George wrote a short greeting to his children at the beginning of the letter and tells them that his regiment will march out the next day. Rhoda and Ned were expected to stay in Lebanon, Kentucky, until other lodgings could be found. Rhoda mentions her cooking, Mr. Cilley and other acquaintances. The letter is continued by Rhoda the next day as she describes her loniness at the departure of her husband from Lebanon Junction, Kentucky.
James George wrote this letter while in camp near Columbia, Tennessee. He expects to go south again in a few days and join a force of about 170,000 men. He talks about his prospects for a promotion. Ned is scolded for using bad language.
This undated letter is signed by James George, and includes a small greeting from Rhoda George written on the back They are starting for Lebanon, Kentucky and it was expected that Rhoda George would remain in Lebanon while James George went with his regiment. James George mentions meeting old friends from the Mexican War.
This letter is unsigned, but presumed to have been written by James George. It is dated eighteen sixty one, but James George's unit was not in this area until January of eighteen sixty two. This letter was written from camp in near Jamestown, Kentucky. They are about sixteen miles from the enemy. There are rumors around camp the the enemy force is between nine thousand and twenty-five thousand men. He thinks Clinton Cilley will be promotes to one of the offices of Company C. He belives politics will prevent Cilley from being promoted to captain now.
James Greorge wrote this letter from camp near Nashville, Tennessee. He has heard reports that the rebels destroyed parts of the railroad between the camp and Louisville. His unit will be marching south the next day. He does not feel that they will be involved in any more fighting because the rebels have been retreating and disbanding in all directions. He does not think that the South can make a stand against the superior force of the North. He hopes that Rhoda and Ned got home safely.
James Greorge wrote this letter from camp. He has not received mail in about a month and presumes it is because the Confederate forces control the area to the rear of his unit. He has heard of Union victories from the Potomac to the Gulf, but has no news of the enemy forces near him. He hopes Rhoda and George had a good trip home and arrived safely.
James George wrote this letter from camp. The previous Sunday, they were attacked by rebel forces, but were able to drive them away. The rebel force left about two thoudsand mules and horses and other equipment worth about a half a million dollars. His regiment had twelve killed, five badly wounded and 20 slightly wounded. General Zollicoffer was killed.
James George wrote this letter from camp and describes life with his troops and their regiment's battles. He mentions that Captain Markham was wounded and would be returning home. Rhoda George and Ned are in Danville and are on their way to meet him. He has communicated with his wife by telegraph.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Cornith, Mississippi. He has sent three hundred dollars by Captain T. Eifer to the express office in Red Wing. He expects to get paid another four hundred dollars at the first of the month. He has done all the paper work to discharge Darwin Rassitor. They are expecting a big battle any day. His health is not good and he has trouble getting around.
This letter was written by James George from camp near Cornith, Mississippi. He is very close to the enemy, but is not sure if there will be a battle. He is unwell and intends to leave when the battle is over.
James George wrote this letter in camp south of Cornith, Mississippi. He is very tired after several days of engagment with the enemy. Captain Kiefer returned after delivering three hundred dollars to the Red Wing express office for Rhoda. The weather is very hot. A few days later, he adds a note to the letter stating that he will be going into a house and taking some medicine.
James George wrote this letter in camp about four miles from Cornith, Mississippi. The weather is very hot. He now has additional medical aid and his health is improving. They are three miles from the enemy and expect a battle soon. The Fourth Regiment is about eight miles east of their location. Clinton Cilley now commands Comapany C.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Tuscumbia, Alabama. He advises Rhoda on financial matters and tells her to direct any future letter via Cairo, Illinois. His unit is expected to soon move one hundred miles east. He has heard that the Third Regiment has been taken prisoner. Governor Ramsey spent the day with him. Two people died of whiskey.
James George wrote this letter from Tuscumbia, Alabama. He returned to camp the previous night. The war news is not looking very promising. Captain Markham had been drinking again and has had to resign. Governor Ramsey is near Cornith, Mississippi and is expected to be in camp the next day.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Tuscumbia, Alabama. He was very pleased with the reception he got when he returned to camp. The health of his men is good and they are getting a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. He has received news of a battle near Richmond and is not encouraged with the outcome. He speculates that England may enter the war in support of the Confederacy. He feels they can take Canada in sixty days if England enters the war.
James George wrote this letter from Ringgold, Georgia. He has not received any letters for awhile. He is now in the extreme front within sight of the rebel force. He does not believe that he will be mustered out.
James George wrote this letter from Ringgold, Georgia. He has no time to write and expects to move soon. His troops are in good condition. He states that old officers will go out at the end of their enlistment and he expects to do the same. He will send more money home as soon as he is paid.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Shephardsville, Kentucky. They are between Louisville and Lebanon Junction. The rebels forces left yesterday, as the union forces were arriving. He sent six hundred dollars to the Red Wing Express office and wants Rhoda to acknowledge when she receives the money.
James George wrote this letter while in camp somewhere between Colimbia, Tennessee and Cornith, Mississippi. He writes about his health and the health of his unit. He is pleased that a surgeon is now traveling with them. He expects to get paid in a few days and has made arrangements to send some money home to his family. At one point in recent times, under medical advice, he issued regular rations of whiskey to his men. He felt it helped the men. A military board was in session examining a large number of officers who disgraced themselves in the previous Sunday's fight.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Tunnel Hill, Georgia. They are under marching orders and have been in the front for several days. He is very tired.
James George wrote this letter from White Sulphur Springs. He has been away from camp for one week and is anxious to return to his regiment. One of his acquaintances, Sweeney, is the bookkeeper at the hotel. James George has only been there two days, but is already feeling better. He expects to leave for camp the following week.
James George wrote this letter from camp. General McCook is near death. The general had been sick for about two weeks, requiring him to travel in a spring wagon. The wagon was usually in the front of the brigade and was attacked by rebels when it got too far ahead of the rest of the unit. General McCook was gravely wounded and expected to die. The general's regiment, the Ninth Ohio, in retaliation, burned and destroyed everything belonging to members of the cavalry who shot the general. On the back of the letter, dated August 7, 1862, James George reports that the general has died and they brought his body to the railroad in Deckerd, Tennesse to send it home.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Cornith, Mississippi. The health of everyone in camp has improved. They have moved to a new clean camp and everyone's health is improving. He urges her to write and to send her letters to the camp via Louisville. He plans to send $200 to the Red Wing Express office in a few days. He praises Edna's improved writing and warns Rhoda to be careful of her cough.
James George wrote this letter from camp near Cornith, Mississippi. He has decioded to send his wife three hundred dollars instead of two hundred dollars. He advises her to not tell anyone about the money and to keep it with her at all times. He has discharged D. Rassitor because he was not fit for duty. Rassitor will be starting for home in a few days.
James George wrote this letter while in camp about forty miles north of the Alabama line. He has heard rumors that the enemy might make a stand near Cornith, Mississippi. His regiment now only has about five hundred able bodied men due to illness. Many are in the hospital, but he hopes they will return to the regiment. He has every reason to belive that the war will be over in a few months.
Jennie Allen writes this letter from Omro, Wisconsin. She has been writing to a young man in the army. Her father was quite sick, but is doing much better. She inquires how her aunt is doing and how she is getting along with her family during these hard times. She is planning to send a photograph.
Mrs. Alexander Ross (M. J. Ross) wrote this undated letter from Kingston to her cousin. She mentions her family and their health. The top portion of this letter is missing.
Rhoda George wrote this letter to her family from Camp Anderson (Lebanon Junction, Kentucky) to her children. She describes her son Ned, meals she has made, the health and well-being of family friends, making clothes for Ned and other correspondence from home.
Rhoda George wrote this letter from Lebanon Junction, Kentucy. She mentions her husband's military duties, family friends and life in Lebanon. She describes the bed bugs in her room and inquires about financial situations at home and money she has mailed home.
Varnum Hadley wrote this letter to inform Martha Dieter of the fate of her husband. Jacob Dieter was last seen about twenty miles from the railroad. A list of all the wounded and missing from Company F is included.
William Dieter wrote this letter from Olmsted County. He asks about Jacob's health and tells Jacob that his family is doing fine. The weather has been cold but is starting to warm up. Farmington and Zumbro voted a hundred dollars bounty. Martan Dieter has reenlisted. Most of the people they know have been home on furlough. Peter Dieter is moving to the Ward Irish farm.
William Dieter wrote this letter from Olmsted County. He asks about Jacob's health and tells Jacob that his family is doing fine. The weather has been cold but is starting to warm up. Farmington and Zumbro voted a hundred dollars bounty. Martan Dieter has reenlisted. Most of the people they know have been home on furlough. Peter Dieter is moving to the Ward Irish farm.
Alexander Ramsey wrote this letter from Saint Paul. He discusses the rules and judgment that affect the appointedment of officers to new and existing regiments.
Rhoda George wrote this letter from Lebanon, Kentucky. She mentions that she has not seen her husband since January first and expresses concern over the fate of her husband. She predicts that more soldiers will die from disease caused by the climate than will die by shooting. Many soldiers from Minnesota are in the hospital in Lebanon with various illnesses including measles and mumps. Lodgings are described as well as life in Lebanon with her son, Ned.
Rhoda George wrote this letter from Lebanon, Kentucky. She mentions that she has not seen her husband since January first and expresses concern over the fate of her husband. She predicts that more soldiers will die from disease caused by the climate than will die by shooting. Many soldiers from Minnesota are in the hospital in Lebanon with various illnesses including measles and mumps. Lodgings are described as well as life in Lebanon with her son, Ned.
This letter is unsigned, but appears to be in Rhoda George's handwriting. She writes about the weather in Lebanon, Kentucky, and describes the unhealthy climate and sickness among the men. There are several men from around Wasioja that were in the local hospital. She expresses concern over the upcoming battles.
This letter is unsigned, but appears to be in Rhoda George's handwriting. She writes from Lebanon, Kentucky, that she has been sick. She longs for news from home and worries about her children and how they are faring without their parents. There are several men from around Wasioja that were in the local hospital.
The letter starts with a short note to Helen from Clinton Cilley. Rhoda George wrote this letter from Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. She describes her new lodgings and their Christmas dinner. She mentions details of their life in Kentucky.
Jacob Dieter is photographed in his Civil War uniform. He enlisted in 1862 and served in company F of the Ninth Minnesota Regiment. His family accompanied him to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota and returned home when his unit was sent to another location. Jacob Dieter was reported missing after the battle of Guntown. He had been captured by the Confederate forces along with twenty-six other Olmsted County men. The group was transferred to Andersonville Prison. On June 22, 1864, he wrote his last letter from Andersonville Prison. He jumped off a train while being transferred to another prison, but was re-captured. He died in Salisbury Prison in 1864 at the age of thirty-eight.