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August 16, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, August 16, 1862
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.
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August 24, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, August 24, 1862
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.
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September 1, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, September 1, 1862
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.
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September 7, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, September 7, 1862
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.
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September 21, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, September 21, 1862
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.
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September 29, 1862 | Letter
Letter from B.J. Earl to Jennie Reed, September 29, 1862
In this letter from September 29, 1862, B.J. Earl, Samuel Reed's brother-in-law, writes to his sister Jennie Reed requesting family news. He describes excitement over the war and enlistment in Pennsylvania and also details the progress of railroad construction in the area. He notes that their sister, Lettie, was forced to leave her home "on account of the Indian troubels in Minna" and asks if Samuel Reed's brother, Erastus Reed, enlisted in the war.
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October 4, 1862 | Illustration
General View of Harper's Ferry and The Maryland Heights
Harper's Ferry, an important railroad terminus at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, changed hands eight times during the Civil War. This image was published just weeks after the Battle of Harper's Ferry, during which Confederate troops were victorious.
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October 5, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, October 5, 1862
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."
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October 8, 1862 | Illustration
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station at Hancock
This image from the October 8, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the railroad station in Hancock, Maryland.
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October 8, 1862 | Illustration
Rebels Destroying the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
This image from the October 8, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts three men at Fair View, Maryland observing Confederate forces in the distance working to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
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October 15, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Children, October 15, 1862
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.
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October 20, 1862 | Rate Tables
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Passenger Rates, October 20, 1862
This Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passenger rate table, which took effect October 20, 1862, includes a note from E. W. Barker which states that, "This Tariff was in force from the 20th Oct. 1862 to 1st Jany. 1863."
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October 29, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, October 29, 1862
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.
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November 1, 1862 | Illustration
The Railroad in Broadway
This image from the November 1, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly offers a cartoonist's conception of the impact of the railroad on Broadway.
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November 2, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Erastus H. Reed to Jennie Reed, November 2, 1862
In this letter from November 2, 1862, Erastus H. Reed, one of the enlisted brothers of Samuel Reed, writes to Jennie Reed describing his new life as a soldier as "a stern reality." He offers details on his regiment's encounters (or lack thereof) with the Confederate Army, and complains about the hard marching they have been forced to endure. He requests supplies and news, and encourages "Sister Jennie" to write to him as often as possible.
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November 13, 1862 | Letter
Letter from E. L. Wentz to Daniel Craig McCallum, October 13, 1862
E. L. Wentz, of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, asks for suggestions about providing shoes for contraband workers on the railroad.
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November 20, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, November 20, 1862
In this letter from November 20, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife informing her of his return to Burlington, Iowa after a visit home. He states that he resumes his work with "dislike," and believes that "living at home for the past three years has spoiled me for this kind of business." Reed ends the letter with optimism, noting that the winter will not last and "unless the road is extended I don't intend to stay here in the situation I now hold."
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November 28, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, November 28, 1862
In this letter from November 28, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife reiterating his displeasure at being separated from her for so long. He tells his wife that she was correct in thinking that he felt badly for leaving, telling her "never since we were married has it been necessary for me to leave you for so long a time." Reed also states that he is currently "discharging a good many men and shall soon be reduced to winter force."
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December 7, 1862 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Children, December 7, 1862
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."
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December 8, 1862 | Time Table
Boston and Worcester Railroad Timetable, December 8, 1862
This timetable, which took effect December 8, 1862, shows arrival and departure times on the Boston and Worcester Railroad.
