Box 1

Scope and Contents [page 1] Gen Sheridan Head Quarters Near Berryville Sept. 7, 1864Dear Father,I received a letter from you about ten minutes ago, and as I think there is some prospect of a move to- morrow. I will answer it amidently We moved out here Saturday night. The army moved early in the morning We kept up communication with Md Heights untill night then came on. It has rained nearly all the time since untill to day. We got rather damp but that does not hurt a...

Scope and Contents [page 5] Gen Sheridan Hed Quarters Cedre Creek Oct. 16, 1864Sister CareyI rec’d letters from you, Sarah and Father four days ago. But it has been so confounded cold, I dreaded to answer them. The Calinder in my Diary says it is Sunday to day. And I do not know as I can improve it better than by writing I have not kept it verry well so far. This morning we were ordered to be up at 4 A M and be ready to move at day light. A thing which is frequently...

Scope and Contents [page 9] Signal Station Newtown, Va Dec 8th 1864Dear Father,I have just Rec’d your letter of the 1st. Was verry glad to hear from you. I do not exactly know what to say to your propositions about the place. You know that I belong to the Regular Army and if the Athority’s choose I can be held untill the end of my three years War or no war. And I would rather if you have an oportunity and wish to sell, that you would let the girls have my share, as they...

Scope and Contents [page 11] [James Ammerman to his sister, Sarah Jane Ammerman Hagenbuch (E.D. Holmes’ Maternal grandmother) ] [logo for U.S. Sanitary Commission]Hospitle Jan 7th 1865Dear Sister & FamilyI should have written to you before this time, but I got out of stamps & had no way of getting any until I wrote to Jack to send some to me. I received a letter from him yesterday containing a few. I am still in the hospitle where I have been for the last...

Scope and Contents [page 15] Reserve Camp of Sig. Detach. Winchester Va April 4th 1865Dear SisterCary and Sarah, Your long looked for letters came at last. I intended to have answered these yesterday, But we got the news of the Capture of Richmond in the forenoon and we were all so near wild, there was no use to think of writeing. I do not think you ever saw a set of men as near crazey, but it has subsided somewhat now. There was a salute fired, the bands done there best,...

Scope and Contents [page 19] Camp of Sig. Detach Winchester Va May 2th 1865 Dear FatherI should have written to you sooner, but for some reason I have not felt like writing since my return. I got here all safe however and found the boys having an easy time of it. Ten of our boys who went away with Gen. Sheridan reached here last night. It takes them to tell you they are looking very well. There horses are to played out though. I would have given most any thing reasonable to have been...

Scope and Contents [page 23] Reserve Camp of Sig. Detach Winchester Va June 18th, 1865Dear FatherI received a short letter from you with Leans some days ago. I am allways thankful for small favors, larger ones in propotion, I should liked to have seen James Dryer very much. We know nothing as to wheather we are to be discharged or not, But we will all be very much disappointed if we are not by fall.I wish I knew what to go at when I am out of the...

Scope and Contents From the Accession : Collections contain six Civil War letters written by William O. Holmes, dating from September 1864 to June 1865. His letter from April 4, 1965, describes the emotional impact the fall of Richmond had on Union soldiers. He also describes his personal feelings aroused whenever he saw exposed bodies of Union soldiers which had been inadequately buried where they were killed. Included is one letter from 1865 by James Ammerman to his sister, Sara Jane Ammerman Hagenbuch. Also included is a small...

Scope and Contents From the Accession : Collections contain six Civil War letters written by William O. Holmes, dating from September 1864 to June 1865. His letter from April 4, 1965, describes the emotional impact the fall of Richmond had on Union soldiers. He also describes his personal feelings aroused whenever he saw exposed bodies of Union soldiers which had been inadequately buried where they were killed. Included is one letter from 1865 by James Ammerman to his sister, Sara Jane Ammerman Hagenbuch. Also included is a small...