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  • January 30, 1863

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Children, 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.

  • January 25, 1863

    Letter from Erastus H. Reed, January 25, 1863

    In this letter from January 25, 1863, Erastus H. Reed, one of the enlisted brothers of Samuel Reed, writes home chastising his family for not answering his letters. He offers some details regarding the first fight his regiment engaged in and the damage it caused to the land, comparing the destruction it wrought to that of the tornado which hit Camanche, Iowa in 1860. He states that the things he saw made his "blood run cold" and believes that "if the feelings of officers & men wer consulted" the war would quickly be brought to an end, but ultimately the fate of the soldiers rests in the hands of "a few politicians at Washington."

  • January 23, 1863 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, January 23, 1863

    In this letter from January 23, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife apologizing for not writing her sooner and lists the reasons that he has little time to spare. He also notes that a telegram has been received which announces that "a great battle is raging in Virginia" and wonders how much longer the war will last.

  • January 19, 1863 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, January 19, 1863

    In this letter from January 19, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife telling her of the death of a brakeman due to a fall from one of the railroad cars. He also describes his encounter with several female relatives who hope to visit the family in Joliet, Illinois.

  • January 18, 1863

    Letter from Jennie Reed to Samuel B. Reed, January 18, 1863

    In this letter from January 18, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, discussing various events at home. She tells him that her sister, who is visiting, cannot go home "with that land of savages at present." She also informs him that his enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, is still well after participating in the Battle of Stones River.

  • January 11, 1863

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Children, 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.

  • January 10, 1863 | Letter

    Letter from H. Thielsen to C.H. Allen, January 10, 1863

    In this letter from January 10, 1863, H. Thielsen writes to C.H. Allen to request a railroad pass for Samuel Reed so that he may occasionally visit his family in Joliet, Illinois while working as Superintendent of Road Repairs on the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. Thielsen states "I greatly prize Mr. Reed's services."

  • January 10, 1863 | Illustration

    Railroad Depot in Holly Springs, Mississippi

    This image from the January 10, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the railroad depot in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

  • January 4, 1863

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, January 4, 1863

    In this letter from January 4, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife apologizing for not writing to her sooner, explaining that the end of the month is always a busy time for business. He describes his life as monotonous, and details his daily routine for her. Reed also expresses worry that Erastus H. Reed, his enlisted brother, may have been involved in recent battles near Murfreesboro, Tennessee and requests news regarding his status.

  • 1863 | Photograph

    Ephraim Dawes, 1863

    Dawes fought in the Battle of Shiloh, then protected the railroads in Tennessee with the 53rd Ohio. He was promoted to major of the regiment on January 26, 1863.

  • 1863 | Photograph

    Wreck of blockade runner, Sullivan?s Island, S.C.

    Blockade runners became increasingly sophisticated, taking advantage of the latest technological innovations to achieve maximum speed. For Confederates, the blockade--combined with shortsighted Confederate policies of self-reliance--slowed time and cut off communication with the world of nations, damaging Confederate transatlantic ties and claims of modern progress.

  • 3, 1862 | Photograph

    Fredericksburg from the river. Showing Confederate troops and bridge. (taken at a distance of one mile.)

    Similar in composition to the December 13, 1862 Harper's Weekly image, in this picture the close proximity of armies to one another is evident.

  • December 14, 1862 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, December 14, 1862

    In this letter from December 14, 1862, Samuel Reed writes to his wife that he hopes to return home for a visit for Christmas, but not to be disappointed if business prevents him from doing so. He states that the weather in Burlington, Iowa has been warm enough for the river steamboats to "run as well as in mid summer if there was business for them." Reed also writes of his worries over the progress of the war. Lower right corner (lower left on verso) is torn off.

  • December 13, 1862 | Illustration

    Exchanging Salutations with the Enemy

    Harper's Weekly featured regular illustrations of southern towns and battlefields for Northern audiences following the war. This image of Fredericksburg echoes a photograph by Matthew Brady.

  • 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.

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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.

  • 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.