Collection of twenty (20) manuscript letters, including approximately 15 letters from 1859 to 1866.  A complete list of included letters and couments is below. 

The archive is a lovely collection of family letters, most written between siblings. With several written in the immediate antebellum period and during the Civil War, the letters include interesting content related to Lincoln and the War. Notably, many of the letters are written by and to women on the Connecticut home front. While including familial and neighborly news, the content is similar to the exploits described by Louisa May Alcott in Little Women, including sleigh rides, Christmas celebrations, and scarlet fever. 

In a letter written immediately after Lincoln's election on 22 November 1860, the correspondent writes to their sister of a jubilant gathering of the Wide Awakes: "There was a grand Wide Awake rally, here last Friday evening to rejoice over Lincoln’s Election. Wide Awakes from New Haven, West Haven, Bridgeport, and Orange were there with a band from Waterbury. A large tent was raised in front of the Town Hall and a table set in its which looked splendidly the refreshments were furnished by the Ladies, Republican Ladies of course. I suppose the husbands furnished the money. The houses that were illuminated looked very handsome, George Cornwall’s especially. The opposite party make wry faces." 

The Stamford Advocate reported on the rally and illumination in the November 23rd issue: “The Wide-Awakes of Milford, with those of towns surrounding, had a jollification Friday night. The town was illuminated. One of the candles fell from the window upon a bed in the residence of Rev. A.M. Train but was extinguished after destroying the couch and getting up an excitement."

In a letter written on 26 February 1862 by Elizabeth to her sister, she writes of surprising local sentiments: "Lucy went up to see her, and she feels that it is a very hard, she likes the South, and says she is a Secessionist.  Why did she not stay when she was there?" In the same letter, she also reports on a soldier home on furlough: "Albert Custro has been home, spending a few days on furlough, has gone back, he is with the Army, on the Potomac under Gen. McCleland." 

Theodore writes in a 22 July 1863 letter about the reception of the Draft, and general sentiments of the war: "The all encompassing theme seems to be in Milford (as I suppose it is in other places) War and Drafting. The Government Officers have commenced to Draft in N. Haven and Milford will come along soon. But however disagreeable it may be the Government must be sustained and the Rebels put down. I feel to thank God for the splendid Victories our Armies have achieved of late especially by our...Western Soldiers and may the Lord continue to prosper our efforts until the Dear Old Flag shall wave over our strong hold the Rebels occupy. War is dreadful, but a broken and shattered Government is worse and may the Lord save our Government is my …Many hearts will be gladdened by the arrival of the 27th Connecticut Flag to day from the seat of War several from Milford were in the Regiment."

The 27th Connecticut Infantry was a 9-month regiment raised in 1862 and were first bloodied at the Battle of Fredericksburg, launching an attack up Marye's Heights. The next spring, they were again tested at the Battle of Chancellorsville. They held off a Confederate attack, allowing a Union retreat, but resulting in 8 out of 10 companies captured. Their last foray was at the Battle of Gettysburg, entering with only 160 men in 3 companies. They battled in the Wheatfield, they lost another 10 men to death, 23 wto wounds, and 4 missing. This letter is written as they remaning and battle-tested men returned home with their regimental colors. 

Complete list of letters, documents, & ephemera: 

1. Autograph letter signed (ALS) by Sister Lucy to Brother Norman. Milford, [Connecticut], 12 February 1859. 4 pages, 8vo. 

2. ALS by Charles H. Pond, to sister Elizabeth & “Widowed Phebe”. Milford, [Connecticut], 12 December 1859. 4 pages, 4to. 

3. ALS by Aunt L[ibbie]? To Phebe. Milford, [Connecticut], 27 February [1859?]. 4 pages, 4to, on blue paper. 

4. ALS by E.J. Stowe to Sister, Lyddia Dickinson. Milford, [Connecticut], 22 April 1859. 4 pages, 8vo. 

5. AL, to sisters. Milford, [Connecticut], 26 July 1860. 4 pages, 8vo. 

6. AL to Sister. Milford, [Connecticut], 22 November 1860. 4 pages, 8vo.

7. Amount of Clothing Allowance. Manuscript document. N.p., n.d. [1860s?]. 1 page, 7 ¾ x 6 ½ in., in envelope labeled in period hand “Captain of Steamer. 
With prices for clothing allowances for privates and NCOs for 1, 2, and 3 years. 

8. AL. N.p., n.d. [1860s]. 2 pages, 4to. Possibly a continuation of another letter. 

9. ALS by Elizabeth to Sister. Milford, [Connecticut], 26 February 1862. 4 pages, 8vo.                                                                                                                                                       
10. ALS by Aunt Libbie Stowe to Gussie. Milford, 28 February 1862. 2 pages, 8vo. 

11. ALS by Letitia to Phebe. MIlford, [Connecticut], 11 April 1862. 4 pages, 8vo. With integral envelope to verso. 

12. AL, to sister. Milford, [Connecticut], 23 January 1863. 4 pages, 4to. 

13. ALS by Theodore. N.p., 22 July 1863. 4 pages, 8vo. 

14. A partial L to Phebe. Milford, 26 July n.y. [1860s?]. 4 pages, 8vo. 

15. AL, to sister. Milford, [Connecticut?], 3 August 1866. 4 pages, 8vo. 
Family news. Possibly missing a page, unsigned. 

16. ALS by C.E. Dickinson. N.p., n.d. [1880s or 1890s?] 4 pages, 8vo. 

17. ALS by Auntie Cady to Charlotte. N.p., n.d. [1880s or 1890s?]. 3 pages, 8vo.

18. ALS by Cousin Leila. N.p., n.d [1890s?]. 4 pages, 8vo.

19. ALS by John E. Bull to Miss Charlotte W. Campbell. Centerbrook, Connecticut, 30 November 1899. 2 pages, 8vo. 

20. ALS by Cousin Leila to Cousin Lottie. Stratford, [Connecticut], 7 April 1905. 4 pages, 8vo. 

21. Newspaper clipping. N.p., n.d. 
“Another particular in the position of the Indians is: They are deprived of their liberty without just cause. The government has the right to impose restrictions upon this liberty of two classes of persons - criminals and lunatics. The Indians are neither." 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]