December 12, 1863 | Illustration
Northern audiences were hungry for information and images related to the war effort. Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia were focal points and thus often photographed and presented as illustrations.
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 5, 1863 | Illustration
This image from the December 5, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the Union steamer "Chattanooga," a steam ship built by Union Soldiers.
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."
November 19, 1863 | Letter
McCafferty notes damage done to Engine Rapidan by contrabands.
November 7, 1863 | Illustration
This image from the November 7, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the United States' Army of the Cumberland passing through a substantial cut in the mountains while traveling on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
November 7, 1863 | Illustration
This image from the November 7, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the burning of the Rappahannock Railway Bridge on October 13, 1863 during the American Civil War.
November 7, 1863 | Illustration
This image from the November 7, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts defensive works built near the Rappahannock Railway Bridge during the American Civil War.
October 24, 1863 | Illustration
This image from the October 24, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War destroying a railroad line by burning the ties, then heating the rails and twisting them out of shape.
October 13, 1863 | Letter
An engineer/machinist escaped from the South inquires about employment opportunities on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
October 11, 1863
In this letter from October 11, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, describing the progress of the harvest on their farm. She states that his enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, is still well, but that many believe Colonel Frederick A. Bartleson was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga.
October 3, 1863
In this letter from October 3, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, expressing hope that he succeeds in his latest attempt to secure employment closer to home. She also relays information concerning some acquaintances of theirs who have been wounded in the war, noting that Erastus H. Reed, Samuel Reed's enlisted brother, is still alive and well.
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 27, 1863
In this letter from September 27, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, some days after he departed from a visit home. Once more, she expresses her desire for him to secure employment closer to home, at least during the coming winter, and asks him to mention the possibility to Mr. Thielsen. She also requests information regarding the railroad passes which he was to secure for her and a cousin.
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 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.
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 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."
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 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."