Jefferson Barracks Mo August 16 1861 My dear wife Since my last letter matters have quieted down a little, and I still remain here in Command of the unarmed and undisciplined regiment that remains after I have sent away everything that could be of use for fighting purposes. Henry telegraphed that he would start over [...]

[By Special Order No. 42, Head Quarters Western Dept. St. Louis, dated Aug. 9, 1861, Curtis was ordered to “command a Camp of Instruction for Volunteers at Jefferson Barracks. General Curtis will use the utmost expedition in drilling and disciplining the Regiments which will be directed to report to him. The School of the Company [...]

Head Quarters Jefferson Barracks Mo August 12th 1861 My dear wife Being ordered to take command at this post I came down here yesterday evening, and stayed all night with Major Macrae1 the for[mer] commandant. Being senior officer I am entitled to choice of quarters, and have taken rooms (5 or 6) here within the [...]

St Louis August 6. 1861 My dear wife & daughters I have a little more leasure than I ought to have in these times of troubles; but not being here long enough to learn the ropes I can find a little more time to write you. I have been busy writing and telegraphing to get [...]

St Louis Mo. August 5. 1861 My dear wife I arrived here some time last night, and had a very comfortable rest on a good large bed in the Ladies Cabin till 6 ½ Oclock. On opening the mornings papers, I found General Fremont1 had returned to this city yesterday: so I was fortunate in [...]

Washington July 26 1861 My dear Wife The best way to keep an account of my “daily walk and conversations” is to write you very often and trust that my letters to you may serve as a continuance of my journal which I can not carry about the country. At ½ past 4 I repaired [...]

Washington July 25 1861 My dear Wife I met a few moments ago, Col Henry Van Rentzelear1 one of Genl Scotts aids who says he carried in my name and that of Rufus King2 as appointments for Brigadiers. So that matter is a fixed fact. I was requested not to resign and [illegible] till the [...]

“Camp Lyon” July 18th 61 Col Curtis Dear Sir. An opportunity offering to send you a word I embrace it. Enclosed is a petition for your appointment as Brig. Genl. Capt Huston1 undertook to engineer it thro’ & as we all supposed sent it a week ago: he didn’t do it however & Lieut Archer2 [...]

[Copy] Head Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Oct 17th 1861 Captain The street order from the Commanding Genl Fremont, sending back my patrolls, which with much trouble I had found means to equip, was, in the face of surrounding circumstances, more than a surprise, but your explanation to me of the pendency of an [...]

To Abraham Lincoln President of the United States of America Greeting We your petitioners, Commissioned Officers of the Second Regiment Iowa Volunteers, would most Respectfully beg leave to Express our desire, as well as the wishes of our respective Commands by them unanimously expressed, that the Hon Samuel R. Curtis be appointed our Brigadier General. [...]

“Camp Lyon” St. Joseph Mo July 10th 1861 Genera] Order No 9 1st The use of profane and obscene language by the officers or men is strictly prohibited in camp. The commissioned officers will enforce obedience of this order. 2nd Gambling in Camp is forbidden. Any member found engaged in gambling will be deemed in [...]

[July 8] General Order No. 7 [Court martial trial of Lt. Huntington dispensed oners in custody discharged from arrest.] “Camp Lyon” St. Joseph Mo July 7th 1861 __________ Special Order No 16. [Three companies ordered to prepare for an expedition against Marysville with 4 days rations and 20 rounds of cartridges. To leave at 5 [...]

“Camp Lyon” St. Joseph Mo1 July 5 1861 General Order No 6 [Applications and the granting of leaves from the camp were tightened. Guard mounting at seven o’clock A. M. ordered each day.] 5th A General Court Martial will convene at this post, at the tent of Major Crocker on the 8th day of July, [...]

Washington Jany 26. 1861. My dear wife We were glad to receive your letter to Sadie last night, and very glad to hear you and Caddie are so well. Some sore throat prevails here. Sadie has been complaining of it for a day or two, but she is about and attended a party with me [...]

Washington Jany 19. 1861. My dear wife I have not anything very late from you, but before going to bed I feel desirous of writing you a few lines. I know the rumours of threatened attack on this city, and the continual advance of revolution, must create much anxiety; and my letters will therefore be [...]

H. R Washington Jany 19. 1861 My dear wife Your letter of the 12th and 13th and 14th was duly received and has caused us great anxiety on account of the illness of our dear little daughter. We shall be trembling with fear for every hour that hangs over the uncertainty of her illness. I [...]

H R Washington Jany 9. 1861 My dear Wife Your letter of the 2d and one from Goodi– on the subject of changing our household arrangements were received last night. I am inclined to think we had better give up housekeeping, some time soon, but I dislike to do so without some further reflection: for [...]

[copy] Benton Barracks Mo. Oct 29. 1861 A delicate but important duty is devolved on you.1 One of two Communications, one directed to Major General John C. Fremont and the other to Major General Hunter, are to be delivered to these Generals under certain Conditions which are given in a letter from the President of [...]

Executive Mansion Washington Octo. 24th 1861. Brigr Genl. S. R. Curtis1 Dear Sir On receipt of this, with the accompanying inclosures you will take safe, certain, and suitable measures to have the inclosure addressed to Major General Fremont, delivered to him with all reasonable dispatch–subject to these conditions only, that if, when Gen Fremont shall [...]

Benton Barracks Mo. Oct 22, 1861 General1 I was ordered yesterday by telegraph to march back all the troops I had sent down on the Iron Mountain road, which was no doubt intended as a preliminary for sending them West. The order conveyed also a scathing reproach saying “the whole affair has been grossly exaggerated [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 20, 1861 His Ecy Abraham Lincoln President In further response to your letter Concerning affairs in this Department I feel it my duty to present, that orders from the Commanding General are draining the Northern and Eastern portions of this State, and pressing them [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 18 1861 General1 I asked by Telegraph a suspension of your order directing the 8th Wisconsin to report at Jeffersonville to Genl Sherman; mainly because General Fremont was draining this point when Thomson was moving against us, to pursue Price2 who was retreating far [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 16 1861 Brig Genl L. Thomas Sir I am exceedingly embarrassed in the matter of Staff officers. I am entitled to 2 Aids and you know I need them. Yet I have none. I now ask that Geo S. Pierce distinguished in the fight [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 11th 1861 Honored and dear Sir1 Your excellency’s letter2 the 7th Ins’t desiring me to express my views, in regard to Genl Fremont frankly and Confidentially to the Secretary of War ; was presented by him this morning, and I have complied with your [...]