Personal and Family Life

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letters from Thomas Dick (Sept. - Oct. 1862)
September - October 1862

Thomas William Dick writes two letters to his family describing his experience as a soldier of the Union Army during the Civil War. Dick talks about the battles he has witnessed, religious life in the military camp, and shares his thoughts on the future of the conflict. "I don't know what this...

Letters from James Buchanan to Jessie Magaw
1862-1866

Two letters from former President James Buchanan to Jessie Magaw regarding his health, Jessie's education, and news regarding their extended family. "Your Cousin Harriet [Lane] was married to Henry E. Johnston" and they are "happily married," as Buchanan notes. Transcripts included.

Location: MC 1998.10

Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letters from John Cuddy (Jan. - Feb. 1863)
January - February 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes four letters to his friends and family describing his experience as a soldier for the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy mentions the places that his unit travels to as well as the battles that he is involved in. Cuddy also expresses exhaustion over the war, and a...

Letters from Thomas Dick (Jan. - Feb. 1863)
January - February 1863

Thomas William Dick writes a five letters to his family describing his experience as a soldier of the Union Army during the Civil War. He describes in detail the battles he has fought in, and discusses the relative strengths of army leaders. "But we did not accomplish anything and never have...

Letter from Roger B. Taney to James M. Campbell
January 9, 1863

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney writes to James M. Campbell regarding the whiskey that Campbell sent. Chief Justice Taney also reports on his health ("unable to go to court yesterday or today") as well as that of Elizabeth, Ellen, Sophia, and Roger.

Location: I-SpahrB-1963-5

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester
January 10, 1863

Harriet Lane writes to her friend Lily Macalester on the birth of Lily's child. Lane also notes that her uncle, former President James Buchanan, "would no doubt have some messages of love and congratulation if he knew I was writing."

Location: I-Friends-2007-1

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letters from Israel Gutelius to Eli Slifer (Jan. - Aug. 1863)
January - August 1863

Israel Gutelius writes seventeen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he discusses compensation for his printing services, logistics of the military draft, and his opinion on candidates for senatorial delegates. Gutelius also comments on several...

Letters from Thomas Dick (Feb. - Mar. 1863)
February - March 1863

Thomas William Dick writes four letters to his brother and sister describing his experience as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Dick mentions having some leisure time due to being off duty for George Washington's birthday, the status of fellow soldiers, and the conditions in his...

Letters from John Cuddy (March 1863)
March 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes six letters to his friends and family describing life as a soldier for the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy's letters express disillusionment with the war and a desire to be home with his family in Carlisle. "We are not fighting for what we [were when] we started...

Letters from Alexander McClure to Eli Slifer, 1863-66
1863-1866

Alexander McClure writes fourteen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin, in which he discusses various Pennsylvania political issues, the potential Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, possible military strategies during the Civil War,...

Letters from John Cuddy (April 1863)
April 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes three letters to his friends and family describing life as a soldier for the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy also comments on the places he has visited, the weather conditions, his unit's future orders, and reflects on his relationship with a girl named Anna....

Letter from Isaac Toucey to Nahum Capen
April 4, 1863

Former Secretary of the Navy Isaac Toucey writes Nahum Capen to defend a speech that he gave during a rally held in Hartford, Connecticut. "The only remedy for the evils which have fallen upon the country is in the legitimate action of our institution, which will soon transfer political power...

Location: I-SpahrB-1966-16

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison to Andrew Paton
April 10, 1863

Moncure D. Conway carries a letter for abolitionist William L. Garrison, who writes from Boston to his friend, Andrew Paton in Glasgow, Scotland, and introduces Conway in terms of highest commendation. Garrison also explains that Conway is on "an anti-slavery mission to England." Garrison hopes...

Letters from John Cuddy (May – Jun. 1863)
May - June 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes eight letters to his friends and family describing his experience as a soldier of the Union Army during the Civil War. "Our army has taken Richmond but we do not [know whether] they can hold it [or] not... [General Joseph] Hooker has crossed the river again I think he...

Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F8

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from James Buchanan to Henry Slicer
May 16, 1863

Former President James Buchanan discusses his administration's policies, his health, and other personal matters in a letter to Reverend Henry Slicer. "I would not, if I could, change any portion of the policy I pursued in view of the then approaching troubles," as Buchanan explains. Buchanan,...

Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F7

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from James Buchanan to Jeremiah Black
June 7, 1863

Former President James Buchanan writes to Jeremiah Sullivan Black regarding his health and to plan a get together. Buchanan plans "to visit the Bedford Springs the present season." Black served in President Buchanan's administration as the U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of State.

Location: I-Friends-2004-2

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from A. C. Mullin to John H. Cuddy
June 10, 1863

A. C. Mullin responds to John H. Cuddy's request that his son, John Taylor Cuddy, receive a furlough so that he can return home. Mullin, who works as Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin's secretary, notes that  "it has been referred to the Commander of the 7th Regt. Pa. Reserves, with a...

Letter from Susanna Thompson to Agnes Cuddy
July 16, 1863

Susanna Thompson writes a letter to Agnes Cuddy asking for information about the "rebels" and expressing worry over the state of the soldiers, including John T. Cuddy. Thompson also asks her friend for information about what happened when the Confederates invaded Carlisle and burned the US Army...

Letters from John Cuddy (Jul. - Sept. 1863)
July - September 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes five letters to his friends and family describing his experience as a soldier for the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy discusses the places he has traveled through and the battles he has witnessed. In addition, Cuddy mentions Confederate General Robert E. Lee's...

Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F9

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letters from Thomas Dick (Jul. - Dec. 1863)
July - December 1863

Thomas William Dick writes four letters to family members describing his experience as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Dick states that he was present at President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and shook hands with Lincoln, who "...appeared very glad to see [him]."...

Letters from John Cuddy (Oct. – Nov. 1863)
October - November 1863

John Taylor Cuddy writes four letters to his friends and family describing his experience as a soldier of the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy describes the places he has traveled through, expresses his wish for a furlough to return home, and comments on the latest war news. General...

Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F9

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from Mary Goodin to Jane Hastings
November 5, 1863

Mary Goodin writes to her sister, Jane Hastings, about settling into a new home in East Bloomfield, Pennsylvania and apologizes for not writing in five weeks. Transcript included.

Location: I-Friends-1975-16

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Nahum Capen
November 30, 1863

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney writes a private letter to Nahum Capen of Boston regarding a rumor about Taney resigning: "There is no foundation for the rumor that I have resigned or am about to resign the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court," as Taney explains. While "it is...

Letters from John Cuddy (Jan. - Feb. 1864)
January - February 1864

John Taylor Cuddy writes four letters to his family describing his experience as a soldier of the Union Army during the Civil War. Cuddy, who has only three months left in the army, also discusses whether to join the veteran corps. Transcripts included.

Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F10

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

Letter from Roger B. Taney to E. C. Doughty
February 26, 1864

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney responds to Mr. E. C. Doughty's request for Taney's autograph. Taney also notes that his response has been delayed due to severe illness. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-45

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1860-1879

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