Beem Letter, December 1862 (page 1)
Letter from David Beem to his wife Hala written on Christmas Day while he is serving with Company H of the 14th Indiana Volunteer Regiment in Virginia. Beem tells his wife that Christmas is just another day for the soldiers in the army. Many of the men have chosen to celebrate the holiday by drinking whiskey and spending the day drunk. Beem is homesick and looks forward to Christmases spent at home. He seems to miss the traditional turkey dinner most of all.,Falmouth, Va.,
Christmas
Beem Letter, December 1861 (page 3)
I think if I was there I could get your Christmas gift; but certainly
it would afford me a great deal of pleasure to be able to give
you a gift of some kind, which I would most assuredly do if I
was with you tonight. It will be a dry Christmas to me. We
will have but little to amuse us, and nothing to remind
us that that it is Merry Christmas. But I am very comfortably
situated, boarding with a pleasant and religious family, and
I could not expect anything better while
Beem Letter, December 1861
Love letter from David Beem to his fiancee Hala (Mahala Joslin) on Christmas Eve while he is serving with Company H of the 14th Indiana Volunteer Regiment in Virginia. Beem talks about the current hardships of their separation but looks forward to a happy future together. He wonders how Hala is spending the holiday and wishes they could be together.
Beem Letter, December 1861 (page 1)
Love letter from David Beem to his fiancee Hala (Mahala Joslin) on Christmas Eve while he is serving with Company H of the 14th Indiana Volunteer Regiment in Virginia. Beem talks about the current hardships of their separation but looks forward to a happy future together. He wonders how Hala is spending the holiday and wishes they could be together.,Romney, Va., Dec 24th 1861
Dearest Hala,
Your very welcome favor of the 15th came
to hand just now, and I really don’t think I have re
Happy Christmas To You
A spray of forget-me-not flowers decorates the front of the card. Part of the background has been cut out behind the flowers as if they are next to a window. A basket of forget-me-nots decorates the back of the card.
Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers Solomon Meredith
The General is wearing a full-length military coat. His hair is cut short and he has chin whiskers.,Solomon Meredith was born in North Carolina and moved to Wayne County, Indiana in 1829. He was a close friend of Governor Morton. In October 1862 he was made Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers and overall Command of the Iron Brigade. He was badly wounded at Gettysburg and eventually given garrison assignments until the end of the war. He was made Surveyor General of Montana in 1867, and resigned
Heaven Bless Your Christmas
Message side of card.
Season's Greetings
A rural snow scene is on the left side of the card. Pine trees are set against a snow covered landscape. The front of the postcard also includes a Christmas stamp honoring the Red Cross. It is dated 1918.,The message reads: Best wishes for A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. Nettie R. ??, Delphos, Kans.
My Best Wishes
Message side of card.
Merry Christmas To You
Message side of card.
Frank H. Kiser letter to Kate Ballard, July 1, 1864
Mr. Kiser writes of a sore arm. The heat is intense and is contributing to more deaths in camp at a rate of ten to fifteen per day.,Transcripts provided by previous owner. Catharine (Kate) Ballard became Catharine (Kate) Garman when she married George Garman in October, 1864.
Page 4
Mr. George Ham 57 reg,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
Page 3
neglect I really did not mean it for I believe you have answered my other letter and that it has been lost I got a letter from Mollie R. the other day She is an interesting correspondent a kind and good girl one that impressed me favorably at first sight nor has the esteem I then had for her changed yet I wish her better perhaps I may when I return from the army She has a feeling for the Soldiers in the field as she has lost a brother who was a soldier too She is a good girl and I like he
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not offended at anything that I have said or done you have not forgotten how to write have you then why is it I never hear from you anymore perhaps my letters have lost their power to please and to not interest you any longer if so I cannot help it I know there is but little merit in them but they are the effusions of an honest heart our Regiment is on Provost duty in Chattanooga our Brigade is stationed here Gen Wagner has command of the post our Brigade was first to enter the Rebel Strong
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Remember me while far awayAnd Absent from thy sightAnd I will do the same by theeWith pleasure and delight,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
Byron Ballard letter to Aaron Ballard, June 11, 1871
Mr. Ballard writes about family news and genealogy.,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
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Brother Everett lived in the corner of Fayette County Near Gauley Brige and I heard he was about to sell out just after the war closed but I have never heard anything? from him since and I feel uneasy about him Fare well Aaron B Nancy B Aunt Mary Harter & Fourrelyce? Peyton Pearson (Address)To Mr Aron BallardHenry county Indianaby the politeness of Mr J. L Stone,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
Joseph A. Pearson letter to Aaron and Nancy Ballard, April 11, 1870
Mr. Pearson writes of family news.,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
Peyton and Olive Pearson letter to Aaron and Nancy Ballard, April 8, 1870
The Pearsons write about family health and crop prices.,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
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To Mr Aaron Ballard Henry County Indiana Favored by Mr Lewis m Carter,Transcripts provided by previous owner.
