© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
April 15, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 15, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficult terrain he will survey and notes the potential danger from Indians.
October 15, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from October 15, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family from Ottumwa, Iowa where he travelled to recruit more men for his party after losing all but three to sickness, wounds, or disappearances. He states that it is quite difficult to find "idle men," and describes the extent of the work needing to be done in Ottumwa. He informs his wife that he will not be able to return home for a visit for at least another two weeks.
March 15, 1863
In this letter from March 15, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a debate between a Democratic state senator and Republican army officers which he observed while traveling. Reed defends the Democrat's right to free speech, arguing that he said "nothing disloyal" but rather spoke unpleasant truths which the Republicans did not wish to accept. Reed also notes that he may be able to travel home for a visit in the middle of April and intends to have his photograph taken at that time.
January 11, 1863
In this letter from January 11, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work contracting "for wood timber and telegraph poles" along the railroad. He again requests information about Erastus H. Reed, his enlisted brother, fearing he may be among the list of those dead or wounded. He also asks for news regarding a family member named Marshall's "prison life in the south." Reed notes that his eyes have been troubling him, and that he may ask for a few days off if they do not get better soon.
December 7, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from December 7, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family from Burlington, Iowa requesting news from home. He notes that many in the area "would sooner see both north and south irretrievably ruined than have a settlement on any other grounds than the utter extinction of slavery." Reed states that if the North can hold out for another year peace may be possible, but he does not expect it any sooner unless "through foreign intervention."
October 13, 1861 | Letter
In this letter from October 13, 1861, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and daughter while they are traveling to visit relatives in Rock Island, Illinois. He states that there has been no "excitement politically or financially" at home aside from a proclamation by a Captain Danforth of the "we have laid down the lanset and taken up the sword kind."
1865 | Letter
In this letter from March of 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, submitting a list of the men he will need for a work party he will take with him to make surveys in the mountains of the Utah Territory. He notes that "if the line is run South of the Unitas and East of Green River a military escort will be necessary for the safty of the party."
April 10, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 10, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, requesting that he talk with General Dix, President of the Union Pacific Railroad, and settle the question of an increase in pay for Reed for the previous year's services. Reed tells Durant that Mrs. Reed is authorized to sign a voucher for the amount of $490 "if you will send her the money."
November 1, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from November 1, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing his work surveying a line from Salt Lake City to the Humboldt River Valley in Nevada.
September 7, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from September 7, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife stating that he may be home for a visit within three weeks if the field work continues at the present rate of eleven miles per week. He expresses surprise at the fact that the army "from Kansas had retreated from Arkansas" and requests information as to the war's progress in "Virginia and elsewhere." Reed states that most business not pertaining to the army seems to have been suspended, and worries that someone "more ambitious than patriotic" may be able to influence the Union army and assume control of the government as a military dictator.
September 6, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from September 6, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing the extent of frost damage to crops in Iowa. He tells her he is "very anxious to know how much damage has been done in [the] vicinity of Joliet and especially on the farm."
September 29, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from September 29, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing how busy he has been since his return from a visit home. He notes that he has written to a man on the "Rock Island Road" to inquire about a position which would enable him to be closer to home. Reed also asks his wife if she has heard from his enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, since the defeat of Rosecran's army during the Battle of Chickamauga.
September 21, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from September 21, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife offering advice pertaining to the affairs of the family farm. He briefly mentions hearing of a treaty made with the Indians, but states that he has "no faith in treaties with them if the war with the south lasts." Reed also states that orders from Mr. Thielsen have caused him to delay his plans to visit home, but that he will return as soon as he can.
September 13, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from September 13, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife repeating his request for information regarding the frost damage to crops on their farm in Joliet, Illinois. He notes that lately he has been in charge of the movement of trains, in addition to his regular duties, as "all in authority above me are absent." He also states that it now appears possible that there will be new work on the railroad in the fall. He expects to receive instructions to "let the first division of the road west of Ottumwa [Iowa] which will include the bridge over the Des Moines River which will cost about 70,000 dollars and will be a fine chance to display engineering skill."
September 11, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from September 11, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing how busy he has been for the past week. He tells her he is uncertain whether or not he will be able to "get the passes you so much desire," as an order has recently been issued barring the granting of railroad passes for ladies. Reed also notes that since he returned from surveying land west of Ottumwa, Iowa, he has been thinking that he may return home to Joliet, Illinois for the winter if work is not commenced in the fall.
September 1, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from September 1, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife to assure them that he is safe from "all [Confederate] moving bands." He also comments on "the Indian troubles in Minnesota," stating that although he knows nothing of them he is not surprised to learn that there have been attacks on "the defenseless frontier on the north west" as there are many "fierce and warlike nations" which would relish an opportunity to attack whites.
October 5, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from October 5, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing the difficulties his party has encountered surveying land in Melrose, Iowa. He writes that two of his men were badly wounded "by cuts with an axe," a creek in the valley has been nearly impassable, the food has become tiresome, and his party experienced a severe rainstorm. He also notes that Mr. Thielsen has informed him of a possible change in the supervision of the railroad and would like Reed to stay on as his engineer if the change does occur. Reed tells his wife that nothing is certain yet and that she should "say nothing about it until more is known."
October 29, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from October 29, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife to inform her that he has arrived in Burlington, Iowa. He describes his overnight trip on the train, stating that he rode all night in his seat as he "did not feel like paying a dollar" for a double booth in the sleeping car. He mentions meeting a family friend from St. Joseph [Missouri] while passing through Galesburgh who said "he may go to Chicago to reside if the war continues much longer." Reed states that "business has been loosely kept" in Burlington, and it will take him some time to get it organized and see to it all.
October 25, 1863
In this letter from October 25, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing his journey from Eddyville, Iowa to Albia, Iowa via stage coach as reminiscent of "old times." He states that stage coaches "are like the wild indians soon to be banished from the land to b known no more." Reed comments on crop prices and states he intends to come home for the winter unless "the work on the new road is commenced." He also notes that he has been reading William Howard Russell's My Diary, North and South, and finds it highly amusing.
November 4, 1863
In this letter from November 4, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife informing her that he will not be able to leave for a visit home that week due to the fact that the "cashier of the company is going into the army and wants to close every thing before he goes which makes it necessary to be more careful than usual about the month's settlements." He states that he will leave for home as soon as he can.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement