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William G. Thomas
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October 13, 1863 | Letter
An engineer/machinist escaped from the South inquires about employment opportunities on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
October 13, 1863
In this letter from October 13, 1863, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed expressing little surprise at the lack of "prospects of progress" on the Burlington and Missouri Railroad. He discusses the prospects for the success of and employment on the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Cedar Rapids Railroad, and the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. He also states that he hopes to sell his farm soon, and wants very much to see Reed during his impending visit to Joliet, Illinois.
November 1, 1863
In this letter from November 1, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing a cold and "comfortless night ride" on a stage coach from Chariton, Iowa to Burlington, Iowa after being called away from his work in Chariton to settle the previous month's business in Burlington. He states that the trip could just as easily have been made with a sleigh, given all the snow and ice on the ground. He intends to finish the work as quickly as possible and visit home before returning to Chariton to finish his work there.
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.
November 19, 1863 | Letter
McCafferty notes damage done to Engine Rapidan by contrabands.
November 24, 1863
In this letter from November 24, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife after returning to Burlington, Iowa from a visit home to Joliet, Illinois. He states that he has not yet seen Mr. Thielsen and therefore does not know "how much work he wants done on the line," but says there will be plenty to do in Burlington until after the first of the next month. Reed also notes that he met several stock drovers on the train from Chicago who believed beef prices would "be very high before New Year's." He advises his wife not to allow their steers to be sold until they can bring a good price.
November 29, 1863
In this letter from November 29, 1863, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed informing him of his new position with the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. He states that he is glad to have the position, even if it only pays $75.00 per month. Ainsworth also notes the progress of the work of their mutual friend and fellow railroad employee, John R. Boyle, and asks Reed to write to him at his new position as often as he has the chance.
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."
December 6, 1863
In this letter from December 6, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing how busy he has been kept with the problems his crew has been having with wells along the line of railroad construction. He states that he has found his name on the draft enrollment list in Burlington, Iowa "among the unmarried and less than 45." He believes he will be able to prove both facts untrue, and asks her to check the enrollment list in Joliet, Illinois so that he may work to have his name removed from that list as well if it appears there. Reed also expresses displeasure at the efforts of some to force the pastor at the church he attends to "preach abolitionism instead of the gospel as handed down from the Fathers."
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.
1864 | Letter
Passes for African American railroad employees requested of W. J. Stevens, Superintendent of the Military Railroad, Nashville.
January 4, 1864
In this letter from January 4, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife explaining the reasons he was unable to return home to Joliet, Illinois for Christmas as he had expected. He describes his work clearing and repairing sections of track to both the west and east of Burlington, Iowa after a train had derailed on each section, one as a result of a bridge having been burned.
January 29, 1864 | Letter
An inquiry about re-hiring a blacksmith for the military railroad.
April 5, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 5, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his tiresome travel from Grinnell, Iowa via stage and discusses his coming work.
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.
April 19, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 19, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing how the numerous gold-seekers heading west from Omaha make travel difficult and expensive.
April 25, 1864
In this letter from April 25, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed informing him that the Board of Directors has assigned him to survey the land between the Great Salt Lake Valley and Green River in Utah. He states that "President [Brigham] Young has volunteered to furnish you party and transportation for your work." Dey gives detailed descriptions of the areas through which the line will most likely have to be run, telling Reed that "it will be safe to sacrifice distance and straight lines to cost of construction."
April 28, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 28, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his orders to leave for Atchison, Kansas on the first boat.
May 3, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from May 3, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his upcoming trip to Salt Lake City via the Overland Stage. He notes that in Atchison he has seen many runaway slaves from Missouri. This letter also includes Reed's instructions from Peter Dey in the Engineer's Office.
May 8, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from May 8, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficulty in arranging travel due to the gold-seekers and notes the exceptionally high stage coach fares.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement