December 13, 1863
In this letter from December 13, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife discussing the new position of their friend Danforth H. Ainsworth on the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. Reed also asks his wife to get a certificate verifying that his name is on the draft enlistment rolls in Joliet, Illinois, as he needs it to have his name removed from the list of first class draftees in Burlington, Iowa. His believes that, as he was not 45 years old when the draft was initially ordered, his name will have to remain on the list of second class draftees in Joliet, but does not believe it likely that "the draft will affect both classes" and tells his wife not to be anxious.
December 1, 1863
In this letter from December 1, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife discussing the next day's city election in Burlington, Iowa. He worries that there will be trouble and expresses anger at the Republican Party for having "thrown away the old constitution which has been our safeguard thus far in our national existence and set up the administration in its place whose greatest asperations seems to be the nigger." Reed states that he is glad he has business on the road the next day, as he has no desire to be near any "row" which may occur. He also notes that there is still no certainty regarding the extension of the road that season, and is undecided "about staying here for 1000 a year and gold rapidly advancing."
August 10, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from August 10, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife from Center Township, Iowa stating that he feels like he is "on the extreme borders of civilization." He describes the excitement over the war in the area, speculating that if enlistment throughout Iowa were on par with that portion of the state "it will not be necessary to resort to [a] draft." Reed also offers an anecdote of his party's progress just before leaving Ottumwa, Iowa, and notes that a son of Mr. Thielsen, aged 13, has joined his party.
August 9, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from August 9, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife that he may be able to return home for a visit by the end of the week. He notes that Mr. Boyle is "getting along finely with his work," has 150 men employed, and hopes to be finished before the winter frosts. Reed also details a "rebellion" in Keokuk County, Iowa.
August 30, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from August 30, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife after a visit home telling her how homesick he is and how busy he has been since his return to Burlington, Iowa. He notes that he met a Captain Mundore on his return trip through Chicago and plans to "write to him about a situation nearer home," though he has little faith in succeeding.
August 3, 1863
In this letter from August 3, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife apologizing for the fact that he has been unable to get a position on the railroad closer to home. He expects to learn more regarding the extension of the road very soon, as one of the railroad's primary investors, a Mr. Forks, has returned from Europe. Reed notes the consequences of the drought in Iowa, detailing the resultant success of the stage coach business along the Mississippi. He assures his wife that she "need not fear on account of my politics [as] I have not spoken to a single person about government policy since my return to Iowa."
August 24, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from August 24, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing the difficulty of his party's work. He states that "the life we are now living would well fit us for army servis," and relates joking with his men about joining the army as engineers, admitting that he "would be the first to back out if a serious proposition of that kind was made to us." Reed also gives an account of where the men in his party are originally from.
August 16, 1863 | Letter
In this letter from August 16, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife expressing regret that he could not return home for a visit the previous week. He describes the intolerably hot weather in Burlington, Iowa, and compares it to the climate of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He also notes that his enlisted brother, Erastus, is still doing well and hopes "he may escape the many dangers incident to a soldier's life."
August 16, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from August 16, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife reiterating his belief that there is no danger of a draft in Iowa given the large number of volunteers, and hopes that a draft will not be necessary in the state of Illinois either. He also relates the details of his visit to a Baptist church, describing both the building and the congregation as "of very humble pretensions." He tells his wife that there is no possibility of him returning home for a visit until the field work is completed, but that he believes he will be able to get a family pass on the railroad for visitations.
August 13, 1863
In this letter from August 13, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife to inform her that he will not be able to go home that week as he had intended. Mr. Thielsen has been called to Michigan and Reed states that he cannot leave until Thielsen returns.
April 9, 1863
In this letter from April 9, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife informing her that he has just learned that he will not be able to start for home that evening as he had planned. A man from Chicago who was supposed to have come the previous week had just arrived to begin making improvements to the truss bridges and Reed must stay to oversee the work. He states that he hopes to leave for a visit home by the very end of the week.
April 28, 1863
In this letter from April 28, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife after a visit home telling her that he does not enjoy life away from his family and that "want of money is the only thing that keeps me from resigning my place here and going home." He offers his advice on some family financial matters, and notes that their purchase of land in Oskaloosa, Iowa will soon be worth "all we paid for it." Reed also requests information on the Hayer trial, stating that "even the war news are not looked for with more anxiety than the testimony in the Hayer trial."
April 2, 1863
In this letter from April 2, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife to tell her that he is attempting to get through the business of the previous month so that he can come home for a visit, noting that it will likely take him at least another week to complete the work.
December 31, 1867
In this letter from December 31, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Henry Crane regarding the status of payments for contract work done on truss bridges.
December 31, 1867
In this letter from December 31, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Henry Crane describing the progress of the erection of telegraph lines near Saunders, Nebraska. He states that he cannot find anyone to do the grading work west of the Little Laramie River "at 30¢," as many who have been doing the grading over the past season have left the area for the winter. He recommends his friend John Boyle for the contract, if Boyle will agree to do the work at the rate of thirty cents.
December 30, 1867
In this letter from December 30, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Henry Crane advising him of changes to the schedule of production and shipment of railroad ties. He also discusses moving teams of workers to different sections of the line as a means to ensure that work will be completed in time to lay track in the spring.
December 30, 1867
In this letter from December 30, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Henry Crane informing him of botched contract work east of Cheyenne. He explains what work should have been done, the work that was done, and the difference in cost to the company.
January 30, 1863
In this letter from January 30, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his young daughters, Anne and Mary, in response to a letter they penned to him. He encourages them to write to him on their own as often as they can, and tells them how much he wishes he could "travel as fast as my thougts" and come home to them.
November 13, 1869 | Letter
In this November 13, 1869 letter, Samuel Reed writes to Brigham Young thanking him for his assistance during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
September 12, 1863
In this letter from September 12, 1863, Sally A. Kendrick writes to her friend Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, discussing the recent death of her brother and the war. She speculates that the war will not end until slavery is abolished, but notes that she did not think so until after the fall of Fort Sumter. She states that she is no abolitionist, does not believe in "the equality of the races," and does not "want them here among us," but does "want to see them free and colonized some where." She shares several ideas regarding what should be done with the slaves after they are freed.