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Paper Bullets: The Civil War Letters of John and Phebe Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Multiple sources from the Miller Collection at the H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association, Delhi, New York, USA. See individual letters for structured metadata.
Letter 1: Alonzo F. Miller, Hancock, NY, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, February 16, 1862. Inquiries about his father and siblings. Alonzo F. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Alonzo F. Miller Autographed letter signed by Alonzo F. Miller Alonzo F. Miller Hancock, New York, United States of America February 16, 1862 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 2: Alonzo F. Miller to Miller Family. The first letter in the Miller collection is from John C. Miller’s son Alonzo to his mother, Phebe Miller. Alonzo was still in Delaware County at this time.
Five hundred of hay 5 dolars ten20 bondles of Straw, 10 s Five dolars 5 dolars of money 2 dolars of money 25 sents 50 sents 62 dolars on a half pound of tee, 1 dolar 15 dolars Feb the 16th, 1862 Hancock Camp, Hillhous1 February the 16th, 1862 Hancock Camp, Hillhous1 DeerDear mother I resivd your letter This morning morning I was glad To here from you I am well At present and I hope those few Lines will find you the same Gute blessing of helth you must Come down and see me if you can I Would like to hav you and fother Come I down and see me tell John2 and Alfird3 and Herman4 and Antnet5 and Pheba6 and Feema7 that They must remmber me if I dont Hav a chance to come home before I Leive here I expect to go to Cont Contucke when we lev here. But I dont know when we Will go from this Camp I Think I shall bring Sarah8 Down to Hancock and Let His bord to mister hantess9 if I stay here enny lenth of time I received your letter this morning. I was glad to hear from you. I am well at present and I hope those few lines will find you with the same good blessing of health. You must come down and see me if you can. I would like to have you and Father come down and see me. Tell John,2 Alfred,3 Herman,4 Antoinette,5 Phebe,6 and Euphemia7 that they must remember me if I don’t have a chance to come home before I leave here. I expect to go to Kentucky when we leave here, but I don’t know when we will go from this camp. I think I shall bring Sarah8 down to Hancock and let this bed to Mr. Hantess9 if I stay here any length of time.
I herd that fother was Coming aown here and see the Camp I would like to see him Tell fother that our Rgm Regjmant will be full this Week. I have not much to rite you must think of me in your pares you must rite often And I will answar your letters When I get them I like to Get letters from mi friends When I send another letter to you I will try to hav it Riten beter than this. I cant Rite very well sendce sence I was sick. I heard that Father was coming down here to see the camp. I would like to see him. Tell Father that our regiment will be full this week. I have not much to write. You must think of me in your prayers. You must write often and I will answer your letters when I get them. I like to get letters from my friends. When I send another letter to you I will try to have it written better than this. I can’t write very well since I was sick. We expect 400 men to come in With es us in a few days Give mi best respets to all It is geting late and I must Close mi letter I would like To rite the perticlars but I hav not got time We expect 400 men to come in with us in a few days. Give my best respects to all. It is getting late and I must close my letter. I would like to write the particulars but I have not got time. Good biGoodbye for this time From A F Miller to his Mother I will say of the lord. He is my refuge and My fortress My God.; in him I will Trust10
Letter 2: Alonzo F. Miller, Alexandria, VA, to Miller family, Downsville, NY, undated (circa mid-1862) Details about camp life. Alonzo F. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Alonzo F. Miller Autographed letter signed by Alonzo F. Miller Alonzo F. Miller Alexandria, Virginia, United States of America Undated (circa mid-1862) Miller Family Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 1: Fields Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 3: Fields Miller to John C. Miller Alonzo’s next letter to his family was written during his time stationed in Virginia.
Fort Lian Alxander, Va11 Fort Liam Alexander, VA11 Deer fother and mother sisters and brothers Dear father and mother, sisters and brothers, I take this opertunety to write to you to let you that i am well at present and i hope thore few lines will find you and all the rest well I take this opportunity to write to you to let you know that I am well at present, and I hope those few lines will find you and all the rest well. i like canp life first rate, but sum dont we have had bad luck with our company we have lost about half of it too has been X shot and sum has run away if you dont see me untill i run away it will be along time before you see me I like camp life first rate, but some don’t. We have had bad luck with our company. We have lost about half. Some of it has been shot and some have ran away. If you don’t see me until I run away, it will be a long time before you see me. i cook for 64 men it is hot a nuff to burn a man up. i stand it well. I cook for 64 men. It is hot enough to burn a man up, but I stand it well. i way 156 pound now i am sas black as a crow if i stay here all sumer I will do for a nigrow (clover is in blow farmurs is hoing corn now corn is a foot high, i would like to come up in delware and see, how it looks now) I weigh 156 pounds now. I am as black as a crow. If I stay here all summer, I will do for a negro. Clover is in boom. Farmers are haying corn now. Corn is a foot high. I would like to come up in Delaware and see how it looks now. it is quite level here, you can see ten milds around from from our fort, and, what is geting most fit to cut things is cheap here: flour is from 4 to 6 dollars a barl in market, peaches is quite larg now we will will have fun when appels and peaches is ripe It is quite level here – you can see ten miles around from our fort what is getting most fit to cut. Things are cheap here: flour is from 4 to 6 dollars a barrel in market, peaches are quite large now. We will have fun when apples and peaches are ripe.
We have had too rebels that we caut when we was on pecket gard, they took the oth12 and then we let then go. 7 men has been shot in this regement13 we dont think much of seeing a dead man here, we like this State beter than we did when we was in the state of mariland i think we will see hard fiting before long, if nothing hapans to us. We have had two rebels that we caught when we were on picket guard. They took the oath12 and then we let them go. 7 men have been shot in this regiment.13 We don’t think much of seeing a dead man here. We like this state better than we did when we were in the state of Maryland. I think we will see hard fighting before long, if nothing happens to us. we have a nuff to eat and close a nuf, i get sum good brandy evry week, and i take a drink once in a while an sumtines twice in a while. i dont see a white woman once in a month, but ask for wanches we cant keep them out of camp)) We have enough to eat and close enough. I get some good brandy every week and I take a drink once in a while and sometimes twice in a while. I don’t see a white woman once in a month, but as for wenches we can’t keep them out of camp. land is cheap here, wood is not plenty here i have not seen anny fences sence I come in the state of Vergina the solgers has used it up, for wood to cook with, we have fish when we air a minto go and heck, them, we dont think enny thing of seeing a snake 6 feet long. Land is cheap here. Wood is not plenty here. I have not seen any fences since I came in the state of Virginia. The soldiers have used it up, for wood to cook with, we have fish when we have a minute to go, then we don’t think anything of seeing a snake 6 feet long. quailes is thick here. i have not been in the woods much yet, i have got a hown dog that i got in marland if i com home this summer I shall bring him home Quails are thick here. I have not been in the woods much yet. I have got a hound dog that I got in Maryland. If I come home this summer I shall bring him home.
I have got a nice infield rifel14 and I Can use it if it is required of me I would like to see a nice little battl I think the boys would be good grit I like our A Col Fardella15 yet i think he is a good ofiser I have got a nice Enfield rifle14 and I can use it if it is required of me. I would like to see a nice little battle. I think the boys would be good grit. I like Col. Fardella15 yet. I think he is a good officer. we have not got anny capten in our company we have got one good lewtenent his name is Dog)16 tho most of the boys dont like him We have not got any Captain in our company. We have got one good lieutenant – his name is Dog.16 Most of the boys don’t like him. it rains now sum and sum of the boys is going fishen now. It rains now some, and some of the boys are going fishing now. tell the yong men that is left that we can nock the spots off from enny cour that is left. Tell the young men that are left that we can knock the spots off from any cur that is left. i dont advise a yong boy to come, but then enny yong man that is afraid let him stay to home and not have his name in the papers to be caut and shot17 i am agointo have my picture taken and send it to you. I don’t advise a young boy to come, but then any young man that is afraid let him stay home and not have his name in the papers to be caught and shot.17 I am a going to have my picture taken and send it to you. I Did not tell how our fort was the fort has got 100 peaces of canon in it the bolls is 5 pound to 1050 150 pound we have a good fort. I did not tell how our fort was. The fort has got 100 pieces of canon in it. The balls are 5 pounds to 150 pounds. We have a good fort. Fildes18 and uncol jacob Miller19 is well Fields18 and Uncle Jacob Miller19 are well I cant tell when i can get home i moy get home for a few days this fall) I can’t tell when I can get home. I may get home for a few days this fall.
All Solgers letters is sent to Washington All soldiers’ letters are sent to Washington. Write soon Good bi Write soon Good bye Give mi best respects to All Give my best respects to all From A.F. Miller To his fother John. C. Miller To his father John C. Miller Adress to Address to A.F. Miller Co G 101st Reg’t NYSV Col. E. Fardella Washington. D.C.
Letter 3: Fields Miller, likely in Virginia, to John C. Miller, likely in Downsville, NY, undated (circa mid-1862) Inquiries about lack of correspondence and mentions of battles. Fields Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Fields Miller Autographed letter signed by Fields Miller Fields Miller Alexandria, Virginia, United States of America Undated (circa mid-1862) John C. Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 2: Alonzo F. Miller to Miller Family Letter 4: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller Fields Miller’s letter to John C. Miller was also undated and gives no definite location. Fields Miller was John C. Miller’s nephew and son-in-law.
Deer unkle john Dear Uncle John i now take the operunity to let you know i am Well at present and i hope this will find youall Well I now take the opportunity to let you know I am well at present, and I hope this will find you all well. i have Writen a good menny leters to diferent ones up thaer and i Cannot get enny information of Whats a going on up thaer nor how the haying is a get ing a long20 i feel in hope that you Will Send me a few lines of What is a going on up thair i hopes that i Will Son be able to Soon Come home and See I have written a good many letters to different ones up there and I cannot get any information of what is a-going on up there nor how the haying is a getting along.20 I feel in hope that you will send me a few lines of what is a going on up there. I hope that I will soon be able to come home and see.
Wee air a having verry hard fighting for, the last few dayes21 Wee air all Sick and tiard of fightting We are having very hard fighting for the last few days21 and we are all sick and tired of fighting. i hope the time Will Soon Come when wee will have piece once more i hardle know what to Wright about thair is nothing a going on onely War and you hear all about that in the papers. i Wish you Would tell john W. Miller22 i thinke he has fogoten me tell him i Would like to See him and all the rest of the boys tell aunt feeby I Would like to See hur verry much I hope the time will soon come when we will have peace once more. I hardly know what to write about. There is nothing going on, only war and you hear all about that in the papers. I wish you would tell John W. Miller22 I think he has forgotten me. Tell him I would like to see him and all the rest of the boys. Tell Aunt Phebe I would like to see her very much. Send my best respects to all of my friends and neighbers hoping i Will Some day meet them all again Send my best respects to all of my friends and neighbors, hoping I will someday meet them all again. yours respectfully Yours respectfully Fields Miller Co F., 40th rigment first brigade third divisian Second Corps general Winfield hancock23 Commanding 2 Second Corps Co. L., 40th regiment, First brigade, third division, Second Corps, General Winfield Hancock23 Commanding 2 Second Corps here is luck to the Old Stars and Stripes may She Still Wave over the States as long as thair is a man left to Cairry them Here is luck to the old stars and stripes, may she still wave over the states as long as there is a man left to carry them.
Letter 4: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, likely in Upton’s Hill, VA, November 12, 1862 Details about a severe storm in Delaware County and information on the Miller children. Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe and Sarah E. Miller Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America November 12, 1862 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 3: Fields Miller to John C. Miller Letter 5: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller This is the first letter in the collection between Phebe, who was in Delaware County, and John C. Miller, who was in Virginia. Phebe and her daughter-in-law Sarah used the same sheet of paper to write to John C. Miller.
November 12 1862 My dear husban My dear husband i tak my pen in hand to inform you that we ar all as well as coman henan is well and grows like a pig i did not tel you what the wether we had but i will tel you now our wether is the worst that i ever node rain after rain and snow I take my pen in hand to inform you that we are all as well as common. Herman is well and grows like a pig. I did not tell you what we had but I will tell you now, our weather is the worst I have ever known, rain after rain and snow. the 7 of november it snow about twenty inches and the 8 and 9 it fell to the debth of 3 feet and blowed like a herucain24 and you may be thankful that you mooved as soon as you did if it is enny beter wheare you
are pebe and nathan25 was well te last time i herd from them and te baby is as fat as a pig sarah has ben verry sik but she is a gradeal beter26 The 7th of November it snowed about 20 and 8 inches and it fell to a depth of 3 feet and blew like a hurricane.24 You may be thankful that you moved as soon as you did if it is any better where you
are. Phebe and Nathan25 were well last time I heard from them. The baby is as fat as a pig. Sarah has been very sick, but she is a good deal better.26 i must tellyu we how we a cape storme the storme we had just got our turnps and beets and carits pulled and burid just the night be fore we cut our cabig up in to the barel and te it snoed next mrning but a grate meny potatos turnips cabig all under snow it looks more faver abe now I must tell you how we escaped the storm. We had just got our turnips and beets and carrots pulled and buried. The night before we cut our cabbage up in the barn and it snowed the next morning, but there are still a great many potatoes, and turnips and cabbage under the snow. It looks more favorable now. aminis barbr hous is burnt27 john elwod28 has got huse and alonzo nor feals i have not hurd from a sence i rote to you when i comenc my last leter I had not receved your but now i have receve your leter and was very glad to here fom you john has ben drawing woo wood for mother29 to pay her for weving alpha30 and herman taking care of the catle and sheepe and cuting wood pebe and ufeme antnet ar as well as comman Mineas Barber’s house is burnt.27 John Elwood28 has got home. Alonzo and Fields I have not heard from since I wrote you. When I commenced my letter I had not received yours, but now I have received your letter and was very glad to hear from you. John has been drawing wood for Mother29 to pay her for weaving. Alphonso30 and Herman are taking care of the cattle and sheep and cutting wood. Phebe, Euphemia, and Antoinette are as well as common. Cristiny31 and rebeca32 is as well as comman Cristina31 and Rebecca32 are as well as common
iam in hopes those few lines will find you well i must finish my leter by biding you gud by fr tis time. I am in hopes those few lines will find you well. I must finish my letter by bidding you goodbye for this time. this fornis from pebe miller to john C. miller This is from Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Der fother Dear Father i take my pen in hand to rite afew lins to you i haf ben sick but i lofe you those fr I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you. I have been sick but I love you. [I] as well i wod lik to [a] kno what maks youthi Alonzo33 wil Come home son i haf not had eny letrs from him in six weks but ithink he wil be home son Sharlot is well She Gros like apiG i must Close by bidinG you God by from As well I would like to know what makes you think Alonzo33 will come home. I have not had any letters from him in six weeks. I think he will be home soon. Charlotte is well, she grows like a pig. I must close by bidding you goodbye Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller
Letter 5: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, November 18, 1862 Details about camp life and inquiries about home. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America November 18, 1862 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 4: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller Letter 6: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller John C. Miller wrote his first known letter home to his wife on November 18, 1862, from Virginia. John C. Miller’s first letter shows remarkable penmanship, as well as quality spelling and grammar, a marked difference from some of his later letters, making it likely that Miller engaged someone else in his camp to pen this first missive.
Camp Bliss, Upton’s Hill, Va.,34 November 18th, 1862 Camp Bliss, Upton’s Hill, VA,34 November 18th, 1862 Dear Wife:- Having a few leisure moments I thought I could not better improve them than in sending you a few lines, and in giving you a sketch of camp life. I hardly believe that it will be my good fortune to hear from old Delaware again, for I have sent an answer to your letter about two weeks ago, and have received nothing in return. I fear that I shall have to do all the writing, and that every letter will be in advance and not an answer for one received. Having a few leisure moments I thought I could not better improve them than in sending you a few lines, and in giving you a sketch of camp life. I hardly believe that it will be my good fortune to hear from old Delaware again, for I sent an answer to your letter about two weeks ago, and have received nothing in return. I fear that I shall have to do all the writing, and that every letter will be in advance and not an answer for one received. We are still encamped on Upton’s Hill, and the prospects are fair for a stay here all winter. The weather is fine, and has been for the past week, though to-day appeared rather gloomy, occasioned by the death of a private named Curtis Fagan,35 who was buried with military honors this forenoon. I was with the drum -orps who played at the burial. This is the
first time that I have ever played the death march at a soldiers funeral, and I hope that it may be the last, though the prospects are that others will soon leave this earth be numbered in the same list, for several are sick now in the hospital. We are still encamped on Upton’s Hill, and the prospects are fair for a stay here all winter. The weather is fine, and has been for the past week, though to-day appeared rather gloomy, occasioned by the death of a private named Curtis Fagan,35 who was buried with military honors this forenoon. I was with the drum corps who played at the burial. This is the
first time that I have ever played the death march at a soldiers funeral, and I hope that it may be the last, though the prospects are that others will soon be numbered in the same list, for several are sick now in the hospital. I have, however, been well thus far, and think that I shall be able to keep out of the hospital if I hear from home before a great while. I have only had one letter since I came here in this miserable country and if I don’t get a letter shortly I shall be obliged to put on mourning and marry one of these Southern damsels. I wouldn’t like to do this, but if I can’t see or hear from a woman in Delaware I shall have to take up with what comes or suffer the dreadful consequences. I want you to write without fail when you get this, for I would like to hear from you as well as the rest of the family. I have, however, been well thus far, and think that I shall be able to keep out of the hospital if I hear from home before a great while. I have only had one letter since I came here in this miserable country and if I don’t get a letter shortly I shall be obliged to put on mourning and marry one of these Southern damsels. I wouldn’t like to do this, but if I can’t see or hear from a woman in Delaware I shall have to take up with what comes or suffer the dreadful consequences. I want you to write without fail when you get this, for I would like to hear from you as well as the rest of the family. If you have forgotten me I can truly say that I have not forgotten you or any of the children. Tell me when you write where Alonso F. and Fields are. If you have got a couple of dollars I would like to have you send it to me; also some postage stamps. We are out of money, and what is worse than all the rest, I am without a wife. We expect to be full of money when the devil dies,36and that won’t be a great while from this time, for the Democrats will soon get hold of him and give him his just dues. If you have forgotten me I can truly say that I have not forgotten you or any of the children. Tell me when you write where Alonso F. and Fields are. If you have got a couple of dollars I would like to have you send it to me; also some postage stamps. We are out of money, and what is worse than all the rest, I am without a wife. We expect to be full of money when the devil dies,36and that won’t be a great while from this time, for the Democrats will soon get hold of him and give him his just dues. We shall be paid off, or at least expect to be before a great while, and I will then send you a good amount home. If you We have plenty of mule’s meat here, and I think we will grow fat when we get to eating it. I think we will be home before a great while, for there are several men in Washington now trying to settle the war.37 We shall be paid off, or at least expect to be before a great while, and I will then send you a good amount home. We have plenty of mule’s meat here, and I think we will grow fat when we get to eating it. I think we will be home before a great while, for there are several men in Washington now trying to settle the war.37 I have made no
settlement with Elick Shaw,38 and if he refuses to pay it, tell him that he will get his danmed old rumsucker knocked for him when I come back. I thought that he would do as he agreed, and if he don’t he had better dig his grave before I get back to old Delaware. I want you to collect as much of the money as possible that is coming to me. I have made no
settlement with Elick Shaw,38 and if he refuses to pay it, tell him that he will get his damned old rumsucker knocked for him when I come back. I thought that he would do as he agreed, and if he don’t he had better dig his grave before I get back to old Delaware. I want you to collect as much of the money as possible that is coming to me. Tell me in your next letter how father39 is getting along, and be sure and give me all the news. I am getting fat and rugged, and think that mule’s beef is quite healthy for a soldier. Tell Rebecca and Sarah to be sure and write. I have not forgotten them if they have me. Tell me in your next letter how father39 is getting along, and be sure and give me all the news. I am getting fat and rugged, and I think that mule’s beef is quite healthy for a soldier. Tell Rebecca and Sarah to be sure and write. I have not forgotten them if they have me. I think if these men who are now in Washington don’t settle this question I shall go and settle it myself. Lord Lyons40 is in Washington from England, and also several men in prominent Americans. Tell me what has become of Alonzo41 and Wm. Post Miller,42 the two cowards. They needn’t be afraid of coming here, for they won’t die more than once if they do. Tell me also where Jake is.43 No snow at present. I think if these men who are now in Washington don’t settle this question I shall go and settle it myself. Lord Lyons40 is in Washington from England, and also several prominent Americans. Tell me what has become of Alonzo41 and Wm. Post Miller,42 the two cowards. They needn’t be afraid of coming here, for they won’t die more than once if they do. Tell me also where Jake is.43 No snow at present. From your husband, John C. Miller From your husband, John C. Miller P.S. – Direct your letters to John C. Miller, Co. B., 144th Regiment, Washington, DC. To be forwarded.
Letter 6: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, November 21, 1862 Inquiries about home. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America November 21, 1862 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 5: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 7: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller The second letter in the collection from John to Phebe displays the same quality spelling and grammar, and since John C. Miller is in the same location, it is likely he employed the same person to write this letter as well. Miller references several letters he received from home that are not in the collection at DCHA.
Camp Bliss, Upton’s Hill, Nov. 21st, 1862 Camp Bliss, Upton’s Hill, Nov. 21st, 1862 Dear wife: – I now sit down to improve a few leisure moments in answering your very valuable letters, one bearing date the 12th, and the other the 17th, which have just been received. I was much pleased to hear from home, but was very sorry to learn that George Heenan44 is again troubled with those sick spells. I sent a letter to you the other day, just before I received yours came to hand, and, not having received any word from home in a long while, I was rather grieved, and perhaps said some things rather harsh; but you must not blame me, for I did not know then but you had entirely forgotten me and did not mean to write; those were my feelings at that time, but I begin to think now that you still believe that I like to hear from home, and I hope you will continue to send a con-
tinual stream of letters. I now sit down to improve a few leisure moments in answering your very valuable letters, one bearing date the 12th, and the other the 17th, which have just been received. I was much pleased to hear from home, but was very sorry to learn that George Herman44 is again troubled with those sick spells. I sent a letter to you the other day, just before yours came to hand, and not having received any word from home in a long while, I was rather grieved, and perhaps said some things rather harsh; but you must not blame me, for I did not know then but you had entirely forgotten me and did not mean to write; those were my feelings at that time, but I begin to think now that you still believe that I like to hear from home, and I hope you will continue to send a continual
stream of letters. I was pleased to learn that you are so well provided for, and I would like to be home once more to see how you all look and help eat up that barrel of cabbage you spoke of in your letter. But if I cannot come you must be sure and tell John and Alfred and Herrman to be good boys, keep things snug around the farm, mind their mother, and take good care of the children. Also tell Antoinette that she must be a good girl, and help all she can around the house; and tell Phebe the same. Tell Euphemie that I would like to be there and hold her and Hernan on my lap as I have done often times before. I was pleased to learn that you are so well provided for, and I would like to be home once more to see how you all look and help eat up that barrel of cabbage you spoke of in your letter. But if I cannot come you must be sure and tell John and Alfred and Herman to be good boys, keep things snug around the farm, mind their mother, and take good care of the children. Also tell Antoinette that she must be a good girl, and help all she can around the house; and tell Phebe the same. Tell Euphemia that I would like to be there and hold her and Herman on my lap as I have done often times before. Write how the bees are getting along in your next. The same day in the evening that Fagan45 was buried a man by the name of Jenkins,46 a native of Boecaboorn,47 died, and has since been sent home to his friends. There are several left in the hospital, but they are all getting along finely. Tell me Send me all the news you get from Alonzo and Fields.48 Tell Sarah that I wish I could see her and her baby,49 and that I never will forget her if I don’t. Write how the bees are getting along in your next. The same day in the evening that Fagan45 was buried a man by the name of Jenkins,46 a native of Roseboom,47 died and has since been sent home to his friends. There are several left in the hospital, but they are all getting along finely. Send me all the news you get from Alonzo and Fields.48 Tell Sarah that I wish I could see her and her baby,49 and that I never will forget her if I don’t. You must keep up good spirits, for I expect to be home again some day. I did not tell you how I got along with the mumps, but they are cured now; they went down stairs but they did not stay long, for they lasted only about four days.50 I have been on duty all the while since I have been here but those four days. We are now living upon hard fodder, they call them crackers.51 You have to bite twice and then make a leap and bite a third time before you can break them. These and Mule’s beef I think will make a man fat, and I think we’ll all
be healthy as long as we get them regularly. Enclosed you will find a line, which, please send to Elick Shaw.52 You must keep up good spirits, for I expect to be home again some day. I did not tell you how I got along with the mumps, but they are cured now; they went down stairs but they did not stay long, for they lasted only about four days.50 I have been on duty all the while since I have been here but those four days. We are now living upon hard fodder, they call them crackers.51 You have to bite twice and then make a leap and bite a third time before you can break them. These and Mule’s beef I think will make a man fat, and I think we’ll all
be healthy as long as we get them regularly. Enclosed you will find a line, which, please send to Elick Shaw.52 Tell Rebecca to send me a letter, and tell me how she is getting along. I have never heard a word from Fields. I have tried every way to, but I cannot. Have you ever told Fields that I was in the army? We expect to march in a few days, but do not know where we shall go to. I think the war will be closed inside of three months; we think it is nearer a close now than it ever has been before, for the Democrats have just gained an overwhelming Union victory.53 Tell Rebecca to send me a letter and tell me how she is getting along. I have never heard a word from Fields. I have tried every way to, but I cannot. Have you ever told Fields that I was in the army? We expect to march in a few days, but do not know where we shall go to. I think the war will be closed inside of three months; we think it is nearer a close now than it ever has been before, for the Democrats have just gained an overwhelming Union victory.53 I am setting by a warm fire, with a candle in one hand, an instand in the other, and I think that you ought to send me a long letter next time, for I have the trouble I have taken to write this. I am sitting by a warm fire, with a candle in one hand, an inkstand in the other, and I think that you ought to send me a long letter next time, for the trouble I have taken to write this. I am well as usual, and, hoping that you may truly boast of the same blessing. I am well as usual, and hoping that you may truly boast of the same blessing. I remain your affectionate husband, I remain your affectionate husband, John C. Miller John C. Miller P.S. – Directions same as before. How does that unit of Alf. Henman’s54 get along?
Letter 7: Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, December 10, 1862 Information about the weather and children. Phebe Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe Miller Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America December 10, 1862 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 6: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 8: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller In this letter from Phebe to her husband, the main concern is with dealings back home in Delaware County and the welfare of the couple’s children. John C. Miller is still stationed in Virginia.
Decmber 10 1862 December 10, 1862 My Dear husban My Dear husband i take a nopertunity to drop a few lines to you that i am as well as comman and hope those few lines will find you the same but that in largement on you sholder55 you say you are a goter gonto have cut out and i wold like to be with you but that cant bee but i must trust in the kind hand of provedence for i am here and your are thare in a distant cntry faraway now say you want to no which of the boys the is the best that is harde telling for they all pear to want to do well I take an opportunity to drop a few lines to you that I am as well as common, and hope those few lines will find you the same. That enlargement on your shoulder55 you say you are going to have cut out – I would like to be with you, but that can’t be. I must trust in the kind hand of Providence for I am here and you are there in a distant country faraway. Now you say you want to know which of the boys is the best. That is hard telling for they all appear to do well.
i cant cmplain of them very bad for it has ben sicch bad wether but they are doing thair best now a cuting and drawing wood but john56 is not [pusite] as threr as he mite boo he cmplaines a grdal of the sore throat i doant think he feals vry well at all times I can’t complain of them very bad, for it has been such bad weather, but they are doing their best now a-cutting and drawing wood, but John56 is not as [positive] as there as he might be. He complains a deal of the sore throat. I don’t think he feels very well at all times. you wanted to from heare from crestina she is at home now she is goin over to her un uncle woring goldens57 to work and she gets a leter all most every week and she is to alexandria horspitle in virg virgina and has ben their ever sen the 15 of august but he sais he wil be at home newyers You wanted to hear from Christina. She is at home now. She is going over to her uncle57 Warren Golden to work and she gets a letter almost every week. She is gone to the Alexandria Hospital in Virginia, and has been there ever since the 15th of August, he says she will be at home New Years. Agusta is as well as comman Augusta is as well as common. antneet and phebe and youpme ar well and say they to see you want to see you gorge henan58 is well and is gest as nice a boy as you can find now for a litle discors about elic shaw59 now i want you send me the strict a count of your work and whip how much you ast for it and you set your price on ever thing for i think it is curis that you should have ninteen days work crdete to you and not but have ben credet to you 17 dolars when john could git his dolar a day all the time rite heare to home and how mny for skins and how much they fetc price of them and how
much you tacxes was tha mister pay saw payed for you and i want am a gin to see about my cow for amonday for mister saw said that thar was two dolars that was not payed and sayed if that you toald John to go oveer and pay it and he sais that you put it in barny that the caust wold comout of you i think that you had beter let it rest til you get home and he has sent his acunt to you and i want you to snd that a count back to me Antoinette, Phebe, and Euphemia are well and say they want to see you. George Herman58 is well and just as nice a boy as you can find. Now for a little discourse about Elick Shaw.59 Now I want you to send me the strict account of your work and how much you asked for it, and set your price for everything, for I think it is curious that you should have nineteen days work and not have been credited to you 17 dollars when John could get his dollar a day right here to home. And how many for skins and how much the price of them is and how
much your taxes are that Mr. Shaw payed for you. I am going to see about my cow Monday for Mr. Shaw said that there was two dollars that was not paid and said that you told John to go over and pay it, and he says that if you put it in the barn, the cost would come out. I think you had better let it rest until you get home and he has sent his account to you, and I want you to send that account back to me. now i close my leter by bidng you god by Now I close my letter by bidding you goodbye. this is fron your wife ephebe Miller to john C Miller This is from your wife Phebe Miller to John C. Miller if you reser reciev nny money i want you to let me no when you gitit for i lik to no If you receive any money, I want you to let me know when you get it, for I like to know.
Letter 8: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, December 25, 1862 Information about the Miller children and concerns about Alonzo F. Miller. Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe and Sarah E. Miller Phebe Miller Sarah E. Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America December 25, 1862 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 7: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Letter 9: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller In this letter, both Sarah E. and Phebe Miller use the same sheet of paper to write to John C. Miller, who is still stationed in Virginia.
December 25 1862 December 25 1862 My dear husban My dear husband i take my pen in hand to let yu no that i am wel hope and hope those few lins wil find you the same and gorge henan is well upeme is well antnet and pebe is well john and alphard and henman is well and las night i receved your leter and was very glad to heare from you and to hear that you was well and you sai that you wold git your discharge and ihope you will gitit but i am a fraid that thare wil be as good news as that I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. George Herman is well. Euphemia, Antoinette, Phebe, John, Alphard, and Herman are well. Last night I received your letter and was very glad to hear from you and hear that you were well. You said you would get your discharge and I hope you will get it but I am afraid that there will be as good news as that. you said if you did
not git your pay that wol you wold want som money and i wil do my best to gitit for you isick pangbien60 is at com home and has cm after crestina and agusta and i am thanful for it for i was tir of having them so much hearinwone week after anthe and i want you to pick out you a farme thire if it is not winter all the year You said if you did
not get your pay you would want some money, and I will do my best to get it for you. Isaac Pangborn60 is come home and has come after Christina and Augusta. I am thankful for I was tired of having them here one week after another. I want you to pick out a farm down there if it is not winter all the year. this deal betwein you and mister shaw61 i shel ot do nothing about it if you ar like to com home for he wil not do enny thing about it with trouble This deal between you and Mr. Shaw61 – I shall do nothing about it if you are likely to come home for he will not do anything about it with trouble. if you doant git your dis charge i wil more in the next leter If you don’t get your discharge I will write more in the next letter. this is from your afectnate wife This is from your affectionate wife ephbe Miller to John C Miller Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Der fother i now tak my pen in had to rite a few lins to you to let you kno that i am well litl Sharlot62 is well fother i haf herd from Alonzo one more Alonzo F. Miller63 Gote aletr from him but he wud not let us see it he said thar was prifesy in it i would supose he is in Gersey sity i think he will son be home fother i wud [...] las as [...] you hom [...]64
se him and bring him home with you i now will Close My literr you God by this is from Dear Father, I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to let you know that I am well. Little Charlotte62 is well. Father, I have heard from Alonzo once more. Alonzo F. Miller63 got a letter from him, but he would not let us see it. He said there was privacy in it. I would suppose he is in Jersey City. I think he will soon be home, father [...]64
and bring him home with you. I will close my letter to you. Goodbye, this is from your dautr Sarah E Miller to John C Miller fother i wish you mory Crisms Your daughter Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller – Father, I wish you a Merry Christmas
Letter 9: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, January 11, 1863 Concerns about Phebe’s health. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America January 11, 1863 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 8: Phebe and Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller Letter 10: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller
Camp Bliss upton hill Camp Bliss, Upton Hill January 11th, 1863 Dear wife I received your welcom letter last nite and was glad to hear that you and the children are all well and that all the things is in a prosperious condition I am as well as comon but that is none of the best I have got quite a bad cold but I am so as to be around yet the boyes in the regement is in a prospering Condition Dear Wife, I received your welcome letter last night, and was glad to hear that you and the children are all well and that all the things are in a prosperous condition. I am as well as common, but I have got quite a bad cold. I am so as to be around yet. The boys in the regiment are in a prospering condition. andrew65 is getting better and Guess will get around again soon now wife you seam to have good courage yet now you ceap up you courage yet it will come out all rite yet I Guess. Andrew65 is getting better and guess will get around again soon. Now wife, you seem to have good courage yet. You keep up your courage yet - it will come out all right yet, I guess. now you must not let enny of my logs Go to enny one for if I get back
I shall want to use them myself if you do not get cramped and if you do you must let me know and I will try my best to help you and now it is publickley thought that this thing66 will be closed by spring and we will all come home now wife wer since Christmas I have been very lonesome for some reason or rather now when you write to me again I want you to write in perticular how it is with regard to health for the run of your last letter seams as though you wer not very well be shure and let me know without failure have got the promise now of getting our pay by the fifteenth of this mont and if we get it then I will have my likeness taken and send it to you now as to the wether hear it is good we had a very slite snow hear last nite but all disapeard by ten o clock to day and the wether is quite mild to day and looks like nise wether again now wife you must take good care of the babies and ceap them well for you know the sore throat67 is around and it is with ceaping them to home that you well will cap them Now you must not let any of my logs go to anyone, for if I get back I
shall want to use them myself. If you do not get cramped, and if you do, you must let me know and I will try my best to help you. It is publicly thought that this thing66 will be closed by spring and we will all come home. Now wife, since Christmas I have been very lonesome for some reason, or rather now when you write to me again I want you to write in particular how it is with regard to health for the turn of your last letter seems as though you were not very well. Be sure and let me know without fail. I have got the promise now of getting our pay by the fifteenth of this month, and if we get it then I will have my likeness taken and send it to you. Now, as to the weather here, it is good - we had a very slight snow hear last night but all disappeared by ten o’clock today. The weather is quite mild today and looks like nice weather again. Now wife, you must take good care of the babies and keep them well, for you know the sore throat67 is around and it is with keeping them to home that you well will keep them. now wife I will just say that I would like to have you let me know if you hurd whither that sute of mine68 and alford henman69 has come of yet or not and let me know how the neighbor use you70 since I left home whither they use you well or not how all things goes with you in General now I will bring this to a close this from your Now wife, I will just say that I would like to have you let me know if you know whether that suit of mine68 and Alphard Herman69 has come of yet or not, and let me know how the neighbors use you70 since I left home, whether they use you well or not, how all things goes with you in general. Now I will bring this to a close. This is from your affectionate husben John C Miller Affectionate husband John C Miller to his wife pheba Miller To his wife Phebe Miller
Letter 10: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, January 20, 1863 Information on John C. Miller’s recovery from illness and thoughts on the war. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America January 20, 1863 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 9: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 11: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller and Family
Camp Bliss, January 20th, 1863. Dear Wife:- Having a few leisur moments I thought I would send you a short line, and tell you how I fiel to day I have had the best of care ever since I wrote to you last, and am shall be on duty again right off. While I was sick the soldiers visited me all the while, and most of them total strangers. The only medicine that helped me I was given to me by an entire stranger, S.B. Champion, Editor of the Bloomville Mirror.71 I have not been so sick that but what I could walk out occasionally any of the time, but I believe if I had been obliged to trust my life in the hands of these doctors here much longer there would not have been much chance for remedy. Having a few leisure moments I thought I would send you a short line, and tell you how I feel to day I have had the best of care ever since I wrote to you last, and shall be on duty again right off. While I was sick the soldiers visited me all the while, and most of them total strangers. The only medicine that helped me was given to me by an entire stranger, S.B. Champion, Editor of the Bloomville Mirror.71 I have not been so sick but what I could walk out occasionally any of the time, but I believe if I had been obliged to trust my life in the hands of these doctors here much longer there would not have been much chance for remedy.
We are looking for our pay every day, but no telling when it will come. I suppose you will send some money before long; I would like to send you some now, but cannot until pay-day. The report is that Jeff. Davis72 is going to hoist the stars and stripes; if he does, I think that some of the abolitionists of the North will be likely to hold their tails between their legs and sneak like dogs.73 I don’t know that I have anything more to write at present. Write as soon as you receive this. We are looking for our pay every day, but no telling when it will come. I suppose you will send some money before long; I would like to send you some now, but cannot until pay-day. The report is that Jeff. Davis72 is going to hoist the stars and stripes; if he does, I think that some of the abolitionists of the North will be likely to hold their tails between their legs and sneak like dogs.73 I don’t know that I have anything more to write at present. Write as soon as you receive this From your affectionate husband, John C. Miller
Letter 11: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller and family, Downsville, NY, January 23, 1863 The women reference Phebe's mother concerns about Phebe’s health and allusions to her possible pregnancy. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America January 23, 1863 Phebe Miller and Family Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 10: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 12: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller In this letter, John C. Miller alludes to another letter that is not part of the collection at DCHA. Some of his references here suggest the possibility that Phebe is pregnant. If she was pregnant, she would have been four to five months along based on John’s enlistment date (providing that he is indeed the father). Phebe’s desire for John to be home by April would also coincide with a possible due date for the baby.
Camp Bliss upton hill January 23. 1863 Camp Bliss, Upton Hill January 23, 1863 Dear Wife I received your welcon letter and was very glad to hear you say that you feel so well and that all the children is well and more than all that that stock loocks so well you say it gives me new courage but it makes me shudder to hear that the sore throat74 is rageing so in that plase and it makes me thinck of times that I have witnessed now you must be very carefull of those little ones that they do not get it and you Speak of being very fleshy and and wanting me to try to get home by the 13. or 14th of april and if the lord spairs my life I will come whither the War ends or not or whither
I get my discharge or not you nead not wory your self about that and it gives me much plesure to hear that henan is get fat for then he must be helthy now I guess you will want to hear how I am I received your welcome letter and was very glad to hear you say that you feel so well, and that all the children are well. It gives me new courage, but it makes me shudder to hear that the sore throat74 is raging so in that place. Now you must be very careful of those little ones that they do not get it. You speak of being very fleshy and wanting me to try to get home by the 13th or 14th of April, and if the Lord spares my life I will come whether the war ends or not, or whether or not
I get my discharge or not. You need not worry yourself about that. It gives me much pleasure to hear that Herman is got fat, for then he must be healthy. Now I guess you will want to hear how I am. I am getting fat but do swell around the middle enny yet but will be all in a few dayes now I thinck you are sensureing me rather hard for I am in verginia and you in Delaware and it rather takes me on supprise and I thinck when I come home you and I will have a settelment which I shall if I live it was a fault in me for leaveing my old britches in the house75 and if it aint that I cant account for it now you must try and ceap your self well the children and not worck to hard as to hurt your self now you nead not take enny pride in what I say for I do not mean to say ennything that will hurt your fealings if I do talck pretty plain now bois I have a few words to say to you that is I wants you to mind your mother76 and do all you can for her and all she wants you to without being sausy to her for if you dont when I come home you and I will have a settle ment and John you have not told me whither you have drawn enny wood to the vilidge or not this winter or not if you ceap them fat they aut to bee earning something now wife you ask father77 for me which is the hardist his head or the Gams78 and tell him if he will be around nits he must suffer the conceqences and tell that I say if he will not lay abed nites he will have to be
put in away to I am getting fat, but do swell around the middle yet. Now I think you are censuring me rather hard, for I am in Virginia and you in Delaware, and it rather takes me on surprise, and I think when I come home you and I will have a settlement, which I shall if I live. It was a fault in me for leaving my old britches in the house,75 and if it isn’t that, I can’t account for it. Now you must try and keep yourself well, and the children, and not work too hard as to hurt yourself. Now you need not take any pride in what I say, for I do not mean to say anything that will hurt your feelings if I do talk pretty plain. Now, boys, I have a few words to say to you, that is, I want you to mind your mother76 and do all you can for her, and all she wants without being saucy to her for if you don’t, when I come home, you and I will have a settlement. And John, you have not told me whether you have drawn any wood to the village or not this winter. If you keep them fat they are to be earning something. Now wife, you ask father77 for me which is the hardiest, his head or the Jams,78 and tell him if he will be around nights he must suffer the consequences. Tell him that I say if he will not lay abed nights he will have to be
put away. now you had better see Jake79 or hemenans80 folke and see if they will take him and take care of him81 till I get hom and if they wont you go to philander Williams82 and have him go over to hamden83 and see if he cant make them take him now wife if you can get ten dollars for that half of a stack of hay that stands the one the one that has been cut down through the middle and get good pay you ma sell it now wife I shall have to close this for this time by saying you must not worck to hard and take good care of your self this from your husband Now you had better see Jake79 or Herman’s80 folks and see if they will take him and take care of him81 till I get home, and if they won’t you go to Williams82 and have him go over to Hamden83 and see if he can’t make them take him. Now wife, if you can get ten dollars for that half a stack of hay that stands by the one that has been cut down through the middle and get good pay you may sell it. Now wife, I shall have to close this for this time by saying you must not work too hard and take good care of yourself. This is from your husband John C. Miller to his Wife Pheby Miller
Letter 12: Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, January 27, 1863 Allusions to Phebe being pregnant and concerns about John C. Miller’s fidelity. Phebe Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe Miller Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America January 27, 1863 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 11: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller and Family Letter 13: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller This letter from Phebe to John also suggests the possibility that Phebe is pregnant. Some of the language also hints at tension in the marriage. The tension between John and Phebe is potentially due to Phebe's pregnancy.
January 27 1863 January 27, 1863 Dear husban Dear husband, I recseved your leter lasnight and was very glad to hear that you was a geting well and so fat and I am well as I can exsepect and I think that you give som dry rubs and if I give you a few snubs you musnot lay it to hart and I think that your old briche is a nuf to make enny woman get fat and if they don’t bleave it let them try it and if they doant want to get fat they had beter not have the old britches shook over them and I think that if you doant git fat a around the middle i think that you wil want hooping sumware els and now I wil drop this for this time and now the boys is as well as comman and have drawn to the vilig beter than three cord of wood and ar a goin to drawing a gain as soon as the roads gets so that they can and the girls all as well as coman gorge henan is well and grows like a pig and I ant like flory branerd84 I shelnot set down and cry about my case for I think that I all thoas things has ben so order from god and he wil perfit evry back for its burden and I have spoke to sarah to com an stay with me when I want her but I did not men you should no my case til after words becaus I thaught it wold bee more trouble than you could bar but you rote that you had ben so loansm a sen crismus that I thaught that som won had ben a riting to you about it and I did not no hoo it cold ben for
At crismus thire was not but three pursons that new my casae and that was sarah an cristina an phebe elwood85 an I thaught that they had droped a few lines to you aboutit but I doat want you to give your self eny trouble self self about me for I wil let you no if thare is enythng rong with me I received your letter last night, and was very glad to hear that you was a getting well and so fat. I am well as I can expected, and I think that you gave some dry rubs, and if I give you a few snubs you must not lay it to heart. I think that your old britches are enough to make any woman get fat, and if they don’t believe it let them try it, and if they don’t want to get fat they had better not have the old britches shook over them. I think that if you don’t get fat around the middle, I think that you will want hooping somewhere else and now I will drop this for this time. Now the boys are as well as common and have drawn to the village better than three cords of wood, and are going to draw again as soon as the roads get so that they can. The girls are all as well as common. George Herman is well and grows like a pig, and I’m not like Flory Brainerd84 - I shall not sit down and cry about my case, for I think that all those things are so order from God and he will perfect every back for its burden. I have spoken to Sarah to come and stay with me when I want her, but I did not mean you should know my case till afterwards, because I thought it would be more trouble than you could bear. You wrote that you had been so lonesome since Christmas that I thought that someone had been writing to you about it, and I did not know who it could be, for
at Christmas there was not but three persons that knew my case, and that was Sarah and Christina and Phebe Dowd.85 I thought that they had dropped a few lines to you about it, but I don’t want you to give yourself any trouble about me, for I will let you know if there is anything wrong with me. and now you spoke a bout having Jaks86 foaks or John henmans87 foaks taking father88 an thaking care of him an that you no they wil not not do unless tha air a blige to for if they cared for him they wold of don something befor this time but they doant as much as ot find hin a litle tobaco and he has not ben a way from here but three nights and it seams as tho he was herid back again and I think that his a tretmn is very cool among his children if it was not the case he wold say long a nuf to rest himself wen he went among his children but I wil go down to pulanders philanders wilams89 is and see thare can bee eny thing don about it Now you spoke about having John’s86 folks or John Herman’s87 folks taking father88 and taking care of him, and that you know they will not do this unless they are obliged to, for if they cared for him they would have done something before this time, but they don’t as much as find him a little tobacco. He has not been away from here but three nights and it seems as though he was hurried back again. I think that his treatment is very cool among his children. If it was known the case he would stay long enough to rest himself when he went among his children. I will go down to where Philander William’s89 is and see if there can be anything done about it. now I must close my leter by biding you good by for this time this is from your a fectnate Now I must close my letter by bidding you goodbye for this time. This is from your affectionate wife ephebe Miller to John C. Miller Wife Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Now you wanted to no about you law sute90 and barny Jonson91 he said that it had not com of yet and he ment to poot it over till you get home if posabel to keep it over and you said that you want me to take good care of the childrn and that I will the best I can and I wat now to keep up good curage for that is half the batle Now you wanted to know about your law suit90 and Barney Johnson.91 He said that it had not come up yet, and he meant to put it over till you get home, if possible, to keep it over. You said that you want me to take good care of the children, and that I will, the best I can, and I want now to keep up good courage, for that is half the battle.
Letter 13: John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, January 30, 1863 Inquiries about the whereabouts of son Alonzo F. Miller. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America January 30, 1863 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 12: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Letter 14: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller
Camp Bliss, Upton’s Hill, Jan. 30th 1863. Dear wife- I now take the opportunity of sending you a few lines in answer to your letter which reached me the other evening. I am in good health and hope when you receive this you will all be enjoying the same good blessing. I now take the opportunity of sending you a few lines in answer to your letter which reached me the other evening. I am in good health and hope when you receive this you will all be enjoying the same good blessing. I am now on duty and have entirely recovered from my sickness. The weather here has not been pleasant for the past two or three days, it having snowed quite hard, and the wind has blowed terribly. The snow is now about a foot deep, and the mud in some places is about the same depth. I am now on duty and have entirely recovered from my sickness. The weather here has not been pleasant for the past two or three days, it having snowed quite hard, and the wind has blowed terribly. The snow is now about a foot deep, and the mud in some places is about the same depth. Andrew Andrews92 is some better now, and it is thought likely that he will get well. Andrew Andrews92 is some better now, and it is thought likely that he will get well. I expect you need some money by this time. We
have the promise of it the fore part of next week and I think we shall probably get it then. If we do not get it before long I guess I shall change my business for a season so as to get some. Try and make yourself contented, and get along the best you can until it comes. I expect you need some money by this time to. We
have the promise of it the fore part of next week and I think we shall probably get it then. If we do not get it before long I guess I shall change my business for a season so as to get some. Try and make yourself contented, and get along the best you can until it comes Take good care of the babies. Tell Sarah that I went to the Captain with that letter she sent, and he promised to give me a furlough or try to get me one as soon as we have got our pay, so that I can go to Philadelphia and see Alonzo.93 Tell her not to be worried, for I mean to find him before a great while. Also tell her not to sell her things off yet but try and keep up good courage, for it may all come out right yet. Take good care of the babies. Tell Sarah that I went to the Captain with that letter she sent and he promised to give me a furlough or try to get me one as soon as we have got our pay, so that I can go to Philadelphia and see Alonzo.93 Tell her not to be worried, for I mean to find him before a great while. Also tell her not to sell her things off yet, but try and keep up good courage, for it may all come out right yet. If you she think anything of yourself herself I would advise youher not to go into the hospital as a nurse, or anywhere’s near where there are any soldiers. They an the worst set of fellows you ever saw, and it would almost make a wild beast afraid to see them perform. Tell Sarah to write as soon as you get this, and give me the directions to the hospital where Alonzo is a little more definite than you she did before if possible, together with the number of the hospital, and all the other information about him you she can so that I can find him without any difficulty. If she thinks anything of herself I would advise her not to go into the hospital as a nurse, or anywhere’s near where there are any soldiers. They are the worst set of fellows you ever saw, and it would almost make a wild beast afraid to see them perform. Tell Sarah to write as soon as you get this, and give me the directions to the hospital where Alonzo is a little more definite than she did before if possible, together with the number of the hospital, and all the other information about him she can, so that I can find him without any difficulty. I send you my likeness in this letter.94 When I was shaved I had put a handkerchief on my neck to keep from catching cold, and forgot to take it off when I had my likeness taken. I did not have it on because I was unwell
by any means. I send you my likeness in this letter.94 When I was shaved I had put a handkerchief on my neck to keep from catching cold, and forgot to take it off when I had my likeness taken. I did not have it on because I was unwell
by any means. Give my love to Sarah and write as soon as you get this. From your husbandJohn C. Miller
Letter 14: Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, February 5, 1863 Issues regarding the care of John C. Miller’s father, Frederick Miller. Phebe Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe Miller Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America February 5, 1863 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 13: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 15: Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller In this letter, Phebe discusses problems the family is facing in caring for John C. Miller's father, Frederick Miller. Frederick Miller was in the care of other members of the Miller family. She also discusses their son, Alonzo Miller, who was hospitalized in Philadelphia at the time.
February 5 1863 February 5, 1863 Dear husban Dear husband, I recieved your welcom leter las night and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you are a geting so well I am well gorge henan is as well as common and the little girls is well and the boys has had very bad coalds but are geting beter now and the stock all looks well yet and your fater95 is as well as comman I received your welcome letter last night, and was very glad to hear from you, and to hear that you are a getting so well. I am well. George Herman is as well as common, and the little girls are well. The boys have had very bad colds, but are getting better now, and the stock all looks well yet. Your father95 is as well as common. you wanted henman to get som meat for your dogs but he cant get it yet til som won deacons96 their calves our wether is very onstidy has ben ever sen the last of octobe but I am in hopes of some steady wether now and your likns I got and I think you must bee very flesha of and I can look at your liknes but it is not much satis faction to me but I am gad that you look so well You wanted Herman to get some meat for your dogs, but he can’t get it yet till someone deacons96 their calves. Our weather is very unsteady and has been ever since the last of October. I am in hopes of some steady weather now. Your likeness I got, and I think you must be very fleshy. I can look at your likeness, but it is not much satisfaction to me. I am glad that you look so well. I wold like to see you very much and the soar throat braks out hear in this pace now Mis brigs97 has had the soar throat and too of enucks youngs boys98 and mariah sickler99 and agustut signor100 they all have had the soar throat and now I must let you now a lite about the feling of your friends abou taking care of there fathe as far as I have hurd yet tha are against it and Matilda platner101 sais that if he is throad on the town that she wil have a hand in it and I doant believe that wone of them wold take care of him if they new that I and my hole famly wold dy for they never will do eny thing a toarge takig care of him til tha are a oblige to I shal try to have some of them take care of him if posable but and if
tha wont I exspect I shal hafto my self for they wil try to make out that the old man has had property to sursport him and you no that the very devel is in them and the oald man102 is the as bad as enny of them I would like to see you very much and the sore throat breaks out here in this place now. Miss Bruges97 has had the sore throat and two of Enrick Young’s boys98 and Mariah Sickler99 and Augusta Signor100 have all had the sore throat. Now I must let you know a little about the feeling of your friends about taking care of their father. As far as I have heard yet, they are against it and Matilda Platner101 says that if he is thrown on the town that she will have a hand in it and I don’t believe that one of them would take care of him if they knew that I and my whole family would die, for they never do anything taking care of him till they are obliged to. I shall try to have some of them take care of him, if possible, and if
they won’t I expect I shall have to myself, for they will try to make out that the old man102 has had property to support him. You know that the very Devil is in them and the old man is as bad as any of them. Rebeca and her children was well tas sundy cristina and agusta was well last frida and alonso I think very straing of for I have roat to him whare you bee and if he wold to yo rite to you that you wold com and see him but I think that he dant meanto let eny of his friends no much a about him and I think very straing of his sickness and I am afraid that his sickness is through his own faut and I send my best respects to you good by for thistime this is from your wife ephebe Miller to Rebecca and her children were well on Sunday. Christina and Augusta were well last Friday. For Alonzo, I think very strange for I have wrote to him where you are and if he would write to you that you would come and see him, but I think that he doesn’t mean to let any of his friends know much about him. I think it very strange of his sickness and I am afraid that his sickness is through his own fault. I send my best respects to you. Goodbye for this time. This is from your wife Phebe Miller John C Miller John C. Miller
Letter 15: Sarah E. Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, February 16, 1863 Concerns regarding the lack of communication from her husband, Alonzo F. Miller. Sarah E. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Sarah E. Miller Autographed letter signed by Sarah E. Miller Sarah E. Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America February 16, 1863 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 14: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Letter 16: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller
Downsvill103 February 16 1863 Downsville,103 February 16, 1863 Der fother Dear Father, i now take my pen in hand to rite afew lins to you to let you no that i am well and i hope those few lins will find you enGyen the saime blesinG of helth sharlot is well fother i oftn think of you tho you ar absant from this plaC God Gant you my be spard to returne to your famly aGain in this plaC be fore lonG I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessings of health. Charlotte is well. Father, I often think of you though you are absent from this place. God grant you may be spared to return to your family again in this place before long. fother i hav don as you told me to do i rot a Good leter to Alonzo but i Get no ansar from him and i cant tewl the reson why he wont rite to me eny more i wish you wud Get a furlo and Go and se him and brinG him home if you Can Father, I have done as you told me to do. I wrote a good letter to Alonzo but I got no answer from him, and I can’t tell the reason why he won't write to me any more. I wish you would get a furlough and go and see him, and bring him home if you can. i haf rot 10 letrs to him but Get noansar from him and it maks me disCueG to thik he Cars so litl about home but i dont forget him i oftn think of him tho he is fare away you Can use the other sid of this papr fore your selfe if you Chose i will Close yu leter fore this time I have wrote 10 letters to him, but get no answers from him, and it makes me discouraged to think he cares so little about home. But I don’t forget him. I often think of him though he is far away. You can use the other side of this paper for yourself if you choose. I will close your letter for this time frome your dautr Sarah E Miller Your daughter Sarah E Miller to John C. Miller Gwod by for this time Goodbye for this time By 1865, Sarah E. Miller, listed as twenty-nine years old, was living with her daughter, Charlotte, approximately three and a half years old, as boarders at the house of David McLauren and family in Hamden. A young child named Charlotte Miller is listed as living with Fields and Rebecca Miller in 1870, and although the age is appropriate, it is unclear whether she is the child of Sarah and Alonzo or whether Fields and Rebecca simply named their child Charlotte as well. In 1880 Sarah E. Miller was living in Colchester and listed herself as widowed despite the fact that Alonzo was alive elsewhere. Sarah was living with her young sister-in-law Phebe Miller, who married a man named Alonzo Frisbee of Wisconsin. Phebe and Alonzo Frisbee had a child they also named Lottie, but Lottie’s birth date is too late for her to be Sarah and Alonzo’s child. Alonzo F. Miller never returned for his wife and daughter after his injury in the war. Alonzo later turned up in Cape May, New Jersey. Alonzo remarried a woman named Hannah and had at least one child with her, Katie Miller (b. 1884). Alonzo’s gravestone in the Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery in New Jersey was identified by his service in Company G of the 101st New York Volunteer Regiment. According to a report made by the adjutant general on the roster of New York infantry regiments during the Civil War, only one Alonzo F. Miller served in the 101st Regiment. Although Miller is listed as age twenty-one at the time of his enlistment, other information may contradict that citation. If, as his gravestone indicates, he was born in 1831—well before his parents John and Phebe married—then he had attained the age of thirty when he enlisted in 1861. Alonzo F. Miller died on June 13, 1916, and is buried next to his wife, Hannah J. Miller (b. 1844).
Letter 16: Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, to John C. Miller, Upton’s Hill, VA, February 16, 1863 On the back of Sarah’s letter of the same date, references to Phebe’s illness. Phebe Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Phebe Miller Autographed letter signed by Phebe Miller Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America February 16, 1863 John C. Miller Upton’s Hill, Virginia, United States of America Letter 15: Sarah E. Miller to John C. Miller Letter 17: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller This letter appears on the back of Sarah’s February 16 letter to John.
Downsvill February 16 1863 Downsville, February 16, 1863 Dear husban Dear husband, I take a noper tunity to drop a few lines to let you no that I recieved your welcom leter las night and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well and I recieved a check of twenty dolars and ebensa ebernesr linsley104 cash it and you said that you did not draw but twenty 4 dolars and you autu of saved more for your self and if you want a dolar or too I wil send it to you and I recieved your leter with your liknees in it and I sent an ansur to it and I think your liknes looks natural and cildren all think you look natural but tha think you are very fleshy than they ever saw you I take an opportunity to drop a few lines to let you know that I received your welcome letter last night and was glad to hear from you, and to hear that you were well. I received a check of twenty dollars and Ebenezer Lindsley104 cashed it. You said that you did not draw but twenty dollars and you ought to have saved more for yourself and if you want a dollar or two I will send it to you. I received your letter with your likeness in it and I sent an answer to it. I think your likeness looks natural and the children all think you look natural but that think you are more fleshy than they ever saw you. 105iam not vry well i haf Got the aGr106 in my pale GorG henon is well and and the rest of the Children is well your latt loks fine and the rest of your stolk lok fine your loGs Gros 105I am not very well. I have got the agr106 in my pail. George Herman is well and the rest of the children are well. Your lot looks fine and the stalks look fine. Your logs grow. thay was almost that [Abner]107 Son has Gon ofer to hamden108 to take alod of bark to simons109 to lay th wether is Cold and unplesant her you must ansar this as son as you Get this i will send you 6 posteg stamps in this letr i wil close this letr fore this time They were almost that [Abner’s]107 son has gone over to Hamden108 to take a load of bark to Simon’s109 to lay. The weather is cold and unpleasant here. You must answer this as soon as you get this. I will send you 6 postage stamps in this letter. I will close this letter for this time. this is from your Wife Pheby Miller This is from your Wife Phebe Miller to John C. Miller
Letter 17: John C. Miller, Alexandria, VA, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, February 17, 1863 Information on the weather and camp life, questions about Alonzo F. Miller’s whereabouts. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Alexandria, Virginia, United States of America February 17, 1863 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 16: Phebe Miller to John C. Miller Letter 18: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller John C. Miller and his regiment have moved to Camp California in Alexandria, Virginia.
Camp Callafornia Feb the 17. 1863 Camp California, Feb. the 17th, 1863 Dear Wife Dear wife i now take my pen inhand to let you know that i am well and i hope that those few lines will find you the same. It is snowing quite hard hear to day the snow is about six inches deep it wont stay on long but the snow storms makes it vary bad for us. We have moved twice sence i wroat to you, we went first to a camp near Fairfax Semanary110 we staid thear one day and two nights then we left for the camp we now ocupi I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and I hope that those few lines will find you the same. It is snowing quite hard here today. The snow is about six inches deep. It won’t stay on long, but the snow storms make it very bad for us. We have moved twice since I wrote to you. We went first to a camp near Fairfax Seminary.110 We stayed there one day and two nights, then we left for the camp we now occupy. I like the camp vary well but our tents is not vary well we haft to lay on the ground that is some what hard for us but i guess i will come out of it if i live long enoughf. How long we will stay hear i cant tell we may move inless then two days I like the camp very well, but our tents are not very well. We have to lay on the ground. That is somewhat hard for us, but I guess I will come out of it if I live long enough. How long we will stay here, I can’t tell. We may move in less than two days. I want you to write and tell me what you think about Alonzo F,111 weather he writes the the truth
or not i think that thear is something wrong about him i want you to take good cear of my babies i want you to write how all of the folks do, espeacely my friends i sent you cheack of twenty dollars to you i dont want you to send me back eney of it untill i send for it i [c]ant112 write eney more this time i now close by biding you good by, for this time This is from youre I want you to write and tell me what you think about Alonzo,111 whether he writes the truth
or not, I think that there is something wrong about him. I want you to take good care of my babies. I want you to write how all of the folks do, especially my friends. I sent you a check of twenty dollars to you. I don’t want you to send me back any of it until I send for it. I can’t write any more this time. I now close by bidding you goodbye for this time. This is from your Dear Husband J. Miller Dear husband J. Miller to his wife Mis Phebe Miller To his Wife Miss Phebe Miller
Letter 18: John C. Miller, Chesapeake Bay area, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, April 16, 1863 Experience of John C. Miller marching from Virginia to North Carolina. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller Chesapeake Bay area, United States of America April 16, 1863 Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 17: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 19: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook John C. Miller and his regiment have moved to another new camp near the Chesapeake Bay.
April 16th, 1863 thissday April 16th, 1863 Thursday Dear wife Dear wife, I now take the opertunity to write a fue lines to let you no how I am geting a long I am well at present and I hope these fue lines will find you and all the children well I was sar rey to hear that you had ben sick when I was a way from home for I no you ned ead me at home then but I hope you have got a long good I ment to have ben thire then but it was imposiblle for me to get home I now take the opportunity to write a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well at present and I hope these few lines will find you and the children well. I was sorry to hear that you had been sick when I was away from home for I know you needed me at home then, but I hope you have got along good. I meant to have been there then but it was impossible for me to get home now I will tell you ware we are we left our old plase the 14th at
we got marching orders at too o clock in the morning but the cars did not get thire untill day light and then met our regment to alxandra and we all took the boats thire was five brigades that is with us and we have got now to the chesspect bay and we will get to fortus monro113 to night and then we will stop to leave the male and then we will go to norfolk north carlina Now I will tell you where we are. We left our old place the 14th and
 we got marching orders at two o’clock in the morning but the cars did not get there until day light, and then met our regiment to Alexandria and we all took the boats. There are five brigades that are with us and we have now got to the Chesapeake Bay, and we will get to fortress Monroe113 tonight and then we will stop to leave the mail. Then we will go to Norfolk [or/then] North Carolina. it came unexspected to me when we got our orders to march for we had a good plase ware we was but I think the war will be seddled in to months114 if is evr settled I think that we are going in a good plase It came unexpected to me when we got our orders to march for we had a good place where we were, but I think the war will be settled in two months.114 If it is settled I think that we are going in a good place. I want you to do the best you can and try to get a long untill I can get my pay and Jest as soon as I get it I will send it to you or fetch it my self and when I come I will try to find erlonzo if I can and fetch him a long now cant write iny more this time for every thing is up side down now an I will write a gane in a or to or come and tell you the perticlers so good by from John C Miller to my wife febhe Miller I want you to do the best you can and try to get a long until I can get my pay and just as soon as I get it, I will send it to you or fetch it myself, and when I come I will try to find Alonzo and see if I can and fetch him along. Can’t write any more this time for everything is upside down now. I will write again in an hour two or come and tell you the particulars, so goodbye from John C Miller to my wife Phebe Miller
Letter 19: John C. Miller, New York City, to Lucy Cook, Most Likely in upstate New York, March 11, 1864 Details of John C. Miller’s experience in the hospital. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America March 11, 1864. Lucy Cook Upstate New York, United States of America Letter 18: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 20: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller The next letter in the Miller collection is dated almost a year later. This time, John C. Miller is not writing to his wife, but to his mistress and cousin, Lucy Cook. Almost no information is available on Lucy Cook, but later letters suggest that it is possible she worked for the Millers. She was related to John C. Miller through his mother, Rebecca Cook. At this time, John C. Miller was injured and residing at a hospital in New York City. The hospital where Miller stayed was the Nursery and Child's Hospital, founded in 1854 as a place where women working as wet nurses for other families could leave their own infants safely while they cared for others' nursing infants. During the war, the hospital served wounded soldiers.
March the 11 1864115 March 11, 1864115 Mis Lucy cook116 Miss Lucy Cook,116 i have got to newyork a live i have got in a hospitle it is quite a cumertable place i have got under a good docter i think he will straton me up i ofton think of you i want to sea you but it is so at presant that i cant if i cannot sea you i think of you whenever i comb my hare or blow my nose i am the same man i was when i left thare and i havent changed my minde i often think of the time that is past and gone i often think of the bulfrug I have got to New York alive. I have got in a hospital. It is quite a comfortable place. I have got under a good doctor. I think he will straighten me up. I often think of you. I want to see you but it is as present that I can’t. If I cannot see you, I think of you whenever I comb my hair or blow my nose. I am the same man I was when I left there and I haven’t changed my mind. I often think of the time that is past and gone, I often think of the bullfrogs. you must ingoy yourself and take all the comfert you can and pas away the as well as you can if you stay in that place i may se you afore a grate while i cant tel when i may go to my rigemont and i may not hawlong i shal stay here i dont no i cant tel anything about it You must enjoy yourself and take all the comfort you can as well as you can if you stay in that place. I may see you before a great while. I can’t tell when I may go to my regiment, and I may not be. How long I shall stay here, I don’t know. I can’t tell anything about it. if you move away from whare you are you must send me a letter so i will no whare you are you must write to me as soon as you git this and let me no how youre helth is you must tel the trouth to i will write to you as soon as i receave a letter from you If you move away from where you are, you must send me a letter so I will know where you are. You must write to me as soon as you get this and let me know how your health is. You must tell the truth, too. I will write to you as soon as I receive a letter from you. John C Miller Direct to the Ladies Home Hospital, Lexington Avenue direct to the Ladis Home Hospitle Lexington Avenew 51 Street Corner 51 Street 5 wardWard
Letter 20: John C. Miller, New York City, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, March 11, 1864 Brief details about John C. Miller’s time in the hospital. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America March 11, 1864. Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 19: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook Letter 21: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook Dated the same day as his letter to Lucy Cook is a letter from John C. Miller to his wife. Miller’s letter here is short and succinct regarding his condition and hospitalization.
March the: 11……1864 March 11, 1864 To Miss feba Miller To Miss Phebe Miller you must write to me and let me no how yu and the children are a gitting a long thay are trying to play a little sharp with me here but i hante scart rt about it i am in a vary comfarteabal place i am not as lonesom as i thought i would be thay act as tho thay wanted to nock me out of my pay if thay could but i dont think thay can i harnt quite as well as i altho i hante much worce a little tiard you must write as soon as you gitthis John C. Miller You must write to me and let me know how you and the children are a getting along. They are trying to play a little sharp with me here, but I am not scared yet about it. I am in a very comfortable place. I am not as lonesome as I thought I would be. They act as though they wanted to knock me out of my pay if they could, but I don’t think they can. I haven’t been quite as well as I was although I haven’t been much worse, a little tired. You much write as soon as you get this. John C. Miller direct to theLadis Home HospitleLexington Avenew cornerof 51 Street NY Direct to the Ladies' Home HospitalLexington Avenue, Cornerof 51 Street, NY
Letter 21: John C. Miller, New York City, to Lucy Cook, most likely in upstate New York, April 5, 1864 Desire to see Lucy Cook and complaints about the hospital. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America March 11, 1864. Lucy Cook Upstate New York, United States of America Letter 20: John C. Miller to Phebe Miller Letter 22: John C. Miller to Alfred Miller John C. Miller is still recovering in the New York City hospital.
Ladies Home New York, April 5th 18.64 Ladies' Home, New York, April 5th, 1864 My dear Friend Miss Cook. My dear friend Miss Cook I take thiss opertunity of writing to you again for I have writen to you once Before since I reseived your first Letter and have not reseived any answer from them and I begin to think you are sick or hove Left thot Plase117 oll togather and iff you are sick you are escouseabel for not writing to me. I take this opportunity of writing to you again for I have written to you once before since I received your first letter, and have not received any answer from them, and I begin to think you are sick or have left that place117 all together. If you are sick you are excusable for not writing to me. I am not geting ony Beter than I was when I left home I should be much Pleased to reseive a leter from you and to know how you are geting along iff you are Dead and cold I supose I shall have to submit to it But iff you ore alive and warm I hate to give you up you must not
forget me for I hove not forgot you at all yet iff i could see you and hove ane talk with you I should Be very much Pleased and I think I sholl Before a very great while ta fas thiss is a very Lonesone Plose for me I can tell you for there hos 7 Died here since I have been here & all young men to and there is two more Just goone now I am not getting any better than I was when I left home. I should be much pleased to receive a letter from you and to know how you are getting along. If you are dead and cold I suppose I shall have to submit to it, but if you are alive and warm I hate to give you up. You must not forget me, for I have not
forgot you at all yet. If I could see you and have and talk with you, I should be very much pleased, and I think I shall before a very great while. The fact [is] this is a very lonesome place for me. I can tell you, for 7 have died here, and all young men, too. And there is two more just gone now. when I see you we well hove a setelment about the old tmes that we hove hod to gather I think Dont you when & I Lay Dow in the Bed at night I think about my old friend & awake in the morning I have very hord feelings I tell you & when I wake iff I should turn over Queck I should fly all to Pieses I am so Britel & hard When I see you we will have a statement about the old times that we have had together, I think, don’t you? When I lay down in the bed I might think about my old friend and awake. In the morning I have very hard feelings, I tell you and when I wake, if I should turn over quick I should fly all to pieces. I am so brittle and hard. I hove not spoke to any other womon since I Left Here I hove not hod a Brandy sling118 since I left there and you must think I om most damd dry I can tell you I shant take any Brandy sling tell I see you and then we will drink togather ogain I have not spoken to any other woman since I left there. I have not had a Brandy sling118 since I left there, and you must think I am most darned dry. I can tell you I shan’t take any Brandy sling till I see you, and then we will drink together again. I have not seen any wimen here that I care a darn about sleeping with there is some In the room now but they are high ass ducks & Look like hell & destruction & that is obout oll I can say for their good Looks I have not seen any women here that I care a darn about sleeping with. There are some in the room now, but they are all high ass ducks and look like hell and destruction, and that is about all I can say for their good looks. you must hald up good courage & not get Down Harted & hold up your head for about a copl of months & i think I shall see you By thot time iff not sooner Just os soon as I con get my Papers I sholl
aply for my Discharge & get out of this Devilish hall as Quick as I can iff you think Best for iff I stay tell the first of sept it will make obout 1.50 Dolors Differance with my money maters write to me & Let me know what you think obout it whether you think it Best or not You must hold up good courage and not get down hearted, and hold up your head for a couple of months. I think I shall see you by that time, if not sooner. Just as soon as I can get my papers I shall
apply for my discharge and get out of this devilish hell as quick as I can, if you think best, for if I stay till the first of September it will make about 1.50 dollars difference with my money matters. Write to me and let me know what you think about it, whether you think it best or not. write as soon as you recsive this from your Frend & well wisher Write as soon as you receive this. From your friend and well-wisher, John C. Miller U.S.O Gen. Hospital Lexington Ave. & 51 St St. N. York Sity New York City
Letter 22: John C. Miller, New York City, to Alfred Miller, Downsville, NY, April 19, 1864 Inquiries about home and Alfred’s siblings, notes on John C. Miller’s health. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America March 11, 1864. Alfred Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 21: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook Letter 23: John C. Miller to Phebe and Alfred Miller John C. Miller was still hospitalized in New York City when he wrote this letter to his son Alfred, who was home in Delaware County.
New York April 19th, 1864 Dear Son Alfred, I recived your letter of a recent date yesterday, and I need nat say I was glod to learn you wer well. About the cattle, if you can do any better, if you can make a treck thit will better you any, I have nothing to say. I do not know how soon if ever I sholl be able to help you any myself, I am no better, and if any thing, I am an th declin. I received your letter of a recent date yesterday and I need not say I was glad to learn you were well. About the cattle if you can do any better, if you can make a trick that will better you any, I have nothing to say. I do not know how soon if ever I shall be able to help you any myself, I am no better, and if any thing, I am on the decline. It pains me to learn that John119 is so unsteady, if I wos with him I am shur he would do better. Do you know where he is? if so, let me know soon. It pains me to learn that John119 is so unsteady, if I was with him I am sure he would do better. Do you know where he is? if so, let me know soon. I wish you to take charge of
of everything and try ond accumulate something for yourself. I would advise you to be shure and put in a good piece of Corn, — I wish you to take charge of
of everything and try and accumulate something for yourself. I would advise you to be sure and put in a good piece of Corn. as yet, I get no answer fron Johnson or Champlain,120 I am at a loss to know what they mean to do. I will close, wishing you well. do the best you can, and believe me ever your affectionate Father As yet, I get no answer from Johnson or Champlain.120 I am at a loss to know what they mean to do, I will colse, wishing you well. Do the best you can, and believ me ever your affectionte Father J.C. Miller P.S. Alfred, Hes Lucy121 milleked Johns lined beck Heifer yet?122 P.S. Alfred, has Lucy121 milked John's lined back Heifer yet?122
Letter 23: John C. Miller, New York City, to Phebe and Alfred Miller, Downsville, NY, April 30, 1864 References to the ending of the Millers’ marriage. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter signed by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America March 11, 1864. Phebe Miller Alfred Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 22: John C. Miller to Alfred Miller Letter 24: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook In this letter to his wife with an additional part for his son, John C. Miller alludes to the ending of the Millers’ marriage. Phebe Miller appears aware of his dealings with Lucy Cook. Miller may also suggest that Phebe has been unfaithful, but nothing can be proven.
New York City April 30th / 6430th, 1864 Mrs. Miller Yours of a recent date is at hand, and its contents noticed, which I call rother satiricol to say the least, as for your many troubles to get my papers, I am surprised you did not send your bill. if you will do so, I will forword the pay requisite for your many arduus duties immediately. Yours of a recent date is at hand, and its contents noticed, which I call rather satirical to say the least. As for your many troubles to get my papers, I am surprised you did not send your bill. If you will do so, I will forward the pay required for your many arduous duties immediately. With regard to confessions I care nat for them. I have heerd enough alreedy. But as it seems to be peramannt with you, I will listen, yet I will nat be your confessor With regard to confessions I care not for them. I have heard enough already. But as it seems to be permanent with you. I will listen, yet I will not be your confessor.
I am greatly surprised thot you should write as you did under the circumstances. The worst wish I shall ever wish you, is thot you may ever do well, and be happy at all times. I am greatly surprised that you should write as you did under the circumstances. The worst wish I shall ever wish you, is that you may ever do well, and be happy at all times. With regerd to Miss Cook,123 “By their fruits you shall know them”124 saith the prophet, and I think she has never injured either your or I, and I would suggest that you let her name olone under the curcumstances. With regard to Miss Cook,123 “By their fruits you shall know them”124 saith the prophet, and I think she has never injured either your or I, and I would suggest that you let her name alone under the circumstances. My general Health is or was no better, and your letter so injudiciusly written has not helped to recussocete me, I am worse. My general Health is, or was, no better, and your letter so injudiciously written has not helped to resuscitate me, I am worse. I hope this may not have the same effect an you God knows I would not willingly wunnd you more. I hope this may not have the same effect on you. God knows I would not willingly wound you more. Enclosed is a ring, as a slight testimoniol of my regerds for you, look an it as a mimento from me.125 Enclosed is a ring, as a slight testimonial of my regard for you, look on it as a memento from me.125 Alfred, I was pleased to learn thot you are doing so well, and I am pleased thot you did not sell or trade off th[al]tens. The weather is ver beckword here, but all in good time. I would have you write in your next letter how you hav succeeded in raising lambs, and calves, tell me how you get along in every thing it will help to relieve the dull monatimy of this contemptble Hospitel life. As yet, I hav not rec’d or heard from the papers, perhops they are on the way. Write soon your Father John C Miller
I hope I shall recive no more paper bullets from you. if I do, I sholl be forced to retalliate. and I hod rather be excused from that as it inflicts as deep a wunnd in my heart as yours.126 I hope I shall recieve no more paper bullets from you. If I do, I shall be forced to retaliate. And I had rather be excused from that as it inflicts as deep a wound in my heart as yours.126 There is no use of harping on what is past. You may rest assured I do not forget them, that will not make matters wear any diferent look not in my eyes at least There is no use of harping on what is past. You may rest assured I do not forget them. That will not make matters wear any different. Look not in my eyes at least. I am your well wisher wisher, J CJ. C. Miller Alfred, I was pleased to learn that you are doing so well, and I am pleased that you did not sell or trade off th[al]tens. The weather is very backward here, but all in good time. I would have you write in your next letter how you have succeeded in raising lambs, and calves, tell me how you get along in every thing it will help to relieve the dull monotony of this contemptable hospital life. As yet, I have not rec’d or heard from the papers, perhaps they are on the way. Write soon, your Father John C. Miller
Letter 24: John C. Miller, New York City, to Lucy Cook, most likely in upstate NY, May 13, 1864. Inquiries about Lucy Cook’s lack of communication. John C. Miller transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection John C. Miller Letter by John C. Miller John C. Miller New York City, New York, United States of America May 13, 1864. Lucy Cook Most Likely in Upstate New York, United States of America Letter 23: John C. Miller to Phebe and Alfred Miller Letter 25: Unknown, likely Lucy Cook, to Phebe Miller
Ladies Home Hospital Ladies' Home Hospital May 13th / 6413th, 1864 Dear Friend Dear Friend, Haveing a few leisure moments I will improve them in writing to you I would like to know wether you are liveing or dead. if you are still liveing I would like to have you write to me. this is the fourth letter I have written and have received no answer. if you have made up your mind not to write to me eny more pleas write me a few lines so I will know. – Having a few leisure moments I will improve them in writing to you. I would like to know whether you are living or dead. If you are still living I would like to have you write to me. This is the fourth letter I have written and I have received no answer. If you have made up your mind not to write to me anymore, please write me a few lines so I will know. I have aplied fore my Discharge127 I have not changed my mind at all from doing just whot I agreed to when I was at home. I have applied for my discharge.127 I have not changed my mind at all from doing what I agreed to when I was at home. I think the day is Close by when I shall be with you if wee live and when that day Comes there will be great times if ever we meet. You must keep up good couredge and keep a stiff back bone I think the day is close by when I shall be with you if we live and when that day comes there will be great times if ever we meet. You must keep up good courage and keep a stiff backbone.
My health is about the same as it was when I left home. I have not been out of the house since I hove been here. – I have not had a smell of a Brandy sling since I came here. and I think I shall not get one untill I see you. I expect my money soon, and whenever I get it I will send some to you if I can find out where you are. My health is about the same as it was when I left home. I have not been out of the house since I have been here. I have not had a smell of a Brandy sling since I came here. and I think I shall not get one until I see you. I expect my money soon, and whenever I get it I will send some to you if I can find out where you are. I think I have gat the lost letter from home I shall ever get. I got some pretty dry rubs in that letter, and I sent some back. I think it is so dry that it will take fire but I dont think it will ever burn me again. I dont think of eny thing more to write. I think I have got the last letter from home I shall ever get. I got some pretty dry rubs in that letter, and I sent some back. I think it is so dry that it will take fire, but I don’t think it will ever burn me again. I don’t think of anything more to write. I will send you a hundred kisses fore my duck – pleasfor my duck – please write as soon as you get this and direct to the Ladies Home Hospital, Corner of 51st Street Lexington Avenue, New York Citty 51st Street Lexington Avenue, New York City Ward 5, N.Y.
Letter 25: Unknown, likely Lucy Cook, location unknown, likely Delaware County, to Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, May 21, 1864 Anger regarding Phebe Miller’s opening a trunk belonging to Lucy Cook. Unknown, likely Lucy Cook transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Unknown, likely Lucy Cook Authographed Letter Unknown, likely Lucy Cook Location unknown, likely Delaware County, New York, United States of America May 21, 1864 Alfred Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 24: John C. Miller to Lucy Cook Letter 26: Elsy Cook to unknown person, likely Phebe Miller This letter to Phebe Miller is unsigned, and it is unknown who sent the missive. Likely subjects are either Lucy Cook or John C. Miller. The most probable writer is Lucy Cook, as the unsigned author of this letter alludes to the fact that they have recently been in the household of Phebe Miller.
May the 21 1864 May the 21, 1864 To Mrs. phebe Miller To Mrs. Phebe Miller I rescived yours of the 4 And was glad to here from you And I was glad to heer you had found the last likeness But when I hird said you found it in my trunk I was I was surprised to heer of such A Story for I no you never found it in my trunk Without it has bin put thiare by Sum Body that stoal it for I never stoal it I Can do Beter if you did but no it you Cannot find eny one in the hul none worlde that can or will say eny such A thing A bout me so you had better keep your Breath to coowl your broath with And if I had took that likiness I should have kept it with me for I new my trunk was unlocked Twise128 I received yours of the 4th and was glad to hear from you, and I was glad to hear you had found the last likeness. But when I heard said you found it in my trunk, I was surprised to hear such a story, for I know you never found it in my trunk without it having been put there by somebody that stole it, for I never stole it. I can do better if you did, but no, you cannot find anyone in the whole world that can or will say any such thing about me, so you had better keep your breath to cool your throat with. And if I had took that likeness, I should have kept it with me for I knew my trunk was unlocked twice.128 And I know my things in my Box was Distirbed And it is No more than I have hird of your doing before And Every body that will brake opon trunks or Meddle with things that Dont belong to them is No beter than A theaf And evrybody says Around here if you have broke in to my things I Can make you A very nse home in the States priesan And I think I will be just As good a frend to you As you Are to me if such is the Case you have taulked A Bout me shameful And you was well pleased with My work and me to and you wanted me to Come and See you Every Chanch I could get if you taulk A bout me as I have hird I will spiar no pains nor Send mo [subrey]129 And I have it in my power to hirt
A mint to And I know my things in my box were disturbed, and it is no more than I have heard of your doing before. And everybody that will break open trunks or meddle with things that don’t belong to them is no better than a thief, and everybody says around here if you have broken into my things I can make you a very nice home in the States prison. I think I will be just as good a friend to you as you are to me. If such is the case, you have talked about me shameful. You were well pleased with my work and you wanted me to come and see you every chance I could get. If you talk about me as I have heard I will spare no pains nor send mo [subrey],129 and I have it in my power to hurt
a mint, too. I Can enjure you very much if did you did but no it I have As meny friens here As you have gained And I heve spaird All the mersy I shall I can injure you very much if you did, but know it I have as many friends here as you have gained and I have spared all the mercy I shall. theur is four difarnde Pirsans that you be the filtheyest Pirson theay ever see in thair lives they say your house is like A hog Pen with 4 or 5 hogs nests And Every thing is so filthey they would not stay In your pig pen Over night I have four different persons that say you be the filthiest person they ever see in their lives. They say your house is like a hog pen with 4 or 5 hog’s nests, and everything is so filthy they would not stay in your pig pen one night. Now if your A friend say so A if not say so for I Doant Cair wother scool keeps or not But let me rest fo god sake I forbid Eny of your saying eny thing more A bout me now Sault it Down I hve Adveise to git my things Awy from thair A soon As posebel if one thing is missin rembir remember for god noes As I no And you well no Now if you’re a friend say so, and if not say so for I don’t care whether school keeps or not, but let me rest. For God's sake I forbid any of your saying anything more about me. Now salt it down. I have advice to get my things away from there as soon as possible. If one thing is missing, remember for God knows as I know, and you well know.
Letter 26: Elsy Cook, Beaverkill, NY, to unknown person, likely Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, June 24, 1864 Discussion on the affair between John C. Miller and Lucy Cook. Elsy Cook transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Elsy Cook Authographed letter signed by John C. Miller Elsy Cook Beaverkill, New York, United States of America June 24, 1864 unknown person, likely Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 25: Unknown, likely Lucy Cook, to Phebe Miller Letter 27: Elsy Cook to unknown person, likely Phebe Miller Elsy Cook (b. 1825) was the wife of Halsey Cook, a farmer who lived in Colchester before moving to Sullivan County. The Cooks had two known children, Parker (b. 1844) and Emma (b. 1846). Elsy Cook is the sister-in-law of Lucy Cook, and the likely recipient of this letter is Phebe Miller.
Beaverkill. June 24th. 1864.Beaverkill, June 24th, 1864 Dear Friend I take my pen in hand to inform you that we are well and I hope you are the same we received your letter in due time and we was glad to hear from you and to get Lucys reconmend she says now that she has got a letter that conterdicts that one you sent her I think that is not so I coppyed that one that you sent and I mean to let folks now what she is if they don’t all ready but I think they do. I take my pen in hand to inform you that we are well, and I hope you are the same. We received your letter in due time, and we were glad to hear from you and to get Lucy’s recommendation. She says now that she has got a letter that contradicts one you sent her. I think that is not so. I copied that one that you sent, and I mean to let folks now what she is if they don’t already, but I think they do. you nead not be alarmed about Lucys ataking you up for she has not got eny Friends hear she cannot go but to 2 places and that is to Chets and to Corneals Spragues130 You need not be alarmed about Lucy’s a-taking you up, for she has not got any friends here. She cannot go but to 2 places, and that is to Chet’s and to Cornelius Sprague’s.130 you must be shure and come over for I did’ent have eny chance to visit with you when you was over I thought you was a going to stay all night that night as much as could be. if you had of stayed hear I would of told you more about Lucy, but I suppose if I had you would not of believed it if I was in your place I would throw her trunk and things out doors I would not keep them in my hog pen as she calls it eny longer. You must be sure and come over, for I didn’t have any chance to visit with you when you were over. I thought you were a-going to stay all night that night as much as could be. If you had stayed hear I would have told you more about Lucy, but I suppose if I had you would not have believed it. If I was in your place, I would throw her trunk and things out doors. I would not keep them in my ‘hog pen,’ as she calls it, any longer. they was a Package come to the ofice and it was sent down to chets they supposed it was Hariet Stewarts,131 Marshel Stewart’s widow and when she came their she open it and it was that pretty Miss Lucys they was a prayer book and a valentine and John Millers name was on both of them and we did not hear what the rest of the things was, you need not dout but what she gets letters
she has had as much as 5 or 6 sence she has ban to Chets for they has ban a persson look over her shoulder pertending she could not read writing and she read part of them she made out enough to now that Lucy and John132 had had good times and they was again. Write soon There was a package [that] came to the office and it was sent down to Chet’s. They supposed it was Harriet Stewart’s,131 Marshal Stewart’s widow, and when she came there she opened it, and it was that pretty Miss Lucy’s. There was a prayer book and a Valentine and John Miller’s name was on both of them. We did not hear what the rest of the things were. She gets letters –
she has had as much as 5 or 6 since she has been to Chet’s, for there has been a person looking over her shoulder pretending she could not read writing, and she read part of them. She made out enough to know that Lucy and John132 had had good times and they will again. Write soon. From a friend and well wishes Elsy Cook From a friend and well-wisher, Elsy Cook Rockland Sull Co Rockland, Sull. Co. New York
Letter 27: Elsy Cook, Beaverkill, NY, to unknown person, likely Phebe Miller, Downsville, NY, July 7, 1864 Further discussion on the affair of John C. Miller and Lucy Cook. Elsy Cook transcribed and edited by Samantha L. Misa encoded by Raffaele Viglianti 2024 Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing http://www.scholarlyediting.org Association for Documentary Editing 2024 kol kol Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing is freely distributed by the Association for Documentary Editing and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Scholarly Editing: The Annual of the Association for Documentary Editing Co-Editor in Chief Noelle Baker Kathryn Tomasek Consulting Editor Silvia Glick Co-Managing Editor Robert Riter Jenifer Ishee Technical Editor Micro-Editions Editor Raffaele Viglianti 41 2167-1257 Delhi, New York, USA H. Fletcher Davidson Library and Archives at the Delaware County Historical Association Miller Collection Elsy Cook Authographed letter signed by John C. Miller Elsy Cook Beaverkill, New York, United States of America July 7, 1864 unknown person, likely Phebe Miller Downsville, New York, United States of America Letter 26: Elsy Cook to unknown person, likely Phebe Miller In this letter to an unknown person (likely Phebe Miller), Lucy Cook’s sister-in-law further elaborates on the situation between Lucy Cook and John C. Miller.
Beaverkill July 7th 1864 Beaverkill July 7th, 1864 Dear Friends I take this of opportunity to inform you that we are well and hope you are all the same. I thought I would write to you again to Let you now that Mr. John Miller had got back on Beaverkill again and he pays his addresses
to Miss Lucy Cook they go to travell the road together from Chets to Cornelus Spragues, I take this opportunity to inform you that we are well, and hope you are all the same. I thought I would write to you again to let you know that Mr. John Miller has got back to Beaverkill again, and he pays his addresses
to Miss Lucy Cook. They travel the road together from Chet’s to Cornelius Sprague’s. John come day before yesterday. folks thinks he has come after her133 to take her to cherry valley134. I don’t wish to do say enything to hurt your feelings but if I have please to excuse me. I thought I would let you now what was goin on for fear you would not hear of it. John came [the] day before yesterday. Folks think he has come after her to take her133 to Cherry Valley.134 I don’t wish to say anything to hurt your feelings, but if I have please do excuse me. I thought I would let you know what was going on for fear you would not hear of it. Jacob135 has been to the falls since he was your Son was hear I should like to have you and your Dauter come over to gather if you could if you can’t tell your Dauter to come Jacob135 has been to the Falls since your son was here. I should like to have you and your daughter come over together if you could. If you can’t, tell your daughter to come. we cant come till the hucklebarrys gets ripe, then I shall think I shall come and see you if nothing hapens I feel verry sorry for you and your family to think that such a good for nothing slut has destroyed the comfort of you all we all unite in send our best wishes to you, please to excuse my mistakes if you can not read it fetche it over and I will read it for you We can’t come till the huckleberries get ripe, then I think I shall come and see you if nothing happens. I feel very sorry for you and your family to think that such a good for nothing slut has destroyed the comfort of you all. We all unite in sending our best wishes to you. Please to excuse my mistakes. If you cannot read it, fetch it over and I will read it for you.
Rite soon Write soon, Elsy Cook Rockland, Sull. Co. N.Y.
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