Louise N. Burleigh
“Baby”, “Lulu”, “Loola”Louise Nancy Burleigh was the only child of Cecil and Caroline. She was born on March 6th, 1861, just one month prior to the outbreak of the war that would deprive her of her father for three long years. Even though she was only one year old when he left, the letters testify to the fact that she remembered “Papa” well, dreaming that he had come to visit her on at least one occasion.
Later in her life, she married George A. Morton and had a son named James Burleigh Morton. The name “Burleigh” is still common among her decedents. She passed away in 1910, a mere 49 years old.
Sources
In these letters:
- Description
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- Things start to get lively in Virginia when pickets are attacked, and Capt. Dickerman is not feeling so well. Joe cracks a joke against Tucker, and Lieut. Dickerman is trying to get a discharge.
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- After their house almost burns down, Cecil writes a distraught letter as he contemplates what could have been.
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- This letter is primarily about what is happening at home in Connecticut, but Cecil does mention the possibility of moving shortly and what role the 20th Connecticut might play.
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- As spring approaches, the camp begins to shake of the winter slumber and a nearby farmer is willing to bet his farm that the war will end in three months based off of a spring drying up.
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- Once again feeling rather homesick, Cecil sends some final details about his stay in Washington, some excitement caused by some nearby Confederates, and his love for molasses.
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- Back in camp on a stormy day, Cecil writes about the changes in the Army, cooking pancakes, and asks what the news of the world is.
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- Lamentations of being separated from his wife and home, a visit to Mt. Vernon, and O’Brien’s Pillow.
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- Cecil’s trip through Washington D.C. after his brief leave, during which he toured the capital building which he describes in detail.
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- Cecil write about staying the night in D.C. and having his friend get robbed.
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- Apologies for making Caroline “blue” in his prior letter, Austin’s trouble on the march, when their cow will calve, and other details.
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- A letter primarily about the difficulty of shipping boxes to the soldiers and the contents of a box she sent.
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- A short letter mentioning the cold and stormy weather, the state of their pay, shipping boxes, and what he would like.
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- Caroline writes about her mother going to a party and receiving money from Cecil along with a letter that made her “quite blue”.
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- In this interesting letter, Caroline writes an adorable account of Louise, a letter from Austin, the rising costs of fabric, and much more.
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- Cecil writes on a lazy Sunday in camp about the poor weather, the condition of his uniform and clothing, and the state of his pay.
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- Caroline writes about the cold weather, going visiting, the soldiers sending pay home, some other news, and complains about Adams & Co. Express not sending boxes to the 20th Conn.
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- Cecil writes briefly about building a winter hunt, picket duty, and the state of their pay.
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- Caroline writes about her cold, the baby, how her funds were doing, paying debts, and a birthday party.
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- Caroline writes a lengthy letter about the state of the war, their baby, her headaches, her low view of Austin, and lots more.
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- Cecil writes about a visit from Mr. Bristol, the untimely death of a captain, their child, and why he chose to fight in the Civil War.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil, and complains about the state of the war and how the soldiers were being treated.
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- Cecil responds to two of Caroline’s letters and speaks of justification for the war and slavery.
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- A brief letter about picket duty and a wintertime march.
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- Caroline writes a lot about Louise, reflects on her past life prior to marriage, tells Cecil how to care for his sore throat, asks about some business matters, and wishes for Cecil to come home soon.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil, wondering how he is doing, contemplating and bemoaning the chance of another battle, and speaking quite a bit about their toddler daughter.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil about her money situation, how she enjoys sending him things, complains how the government doesn’t care for their soldiers, and speaks about the local news.
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- Cecil writes a quick letter to Caroline, apologizing for deceiving her, informing her of their marching orders, and the health of the boys.
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- In this long letter, Caroline complains about the state of the war, the moral affect of the war upon the men who are fighting it, how the armies don’t respect the Sabbath, and her daily schedule.
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- In this long letter, Caroline complains about the Army having reviews on the sabbath, writes about their daughter, Christmas and New Years, a chicken-killing episode, and some matter of dispute between her and Cecil.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about the state of the war and how God will have vengeance on the Confederate leaders, speaks of the ill effects of camp life on the minds and morals of the soldiers, the possibility of moving again, and the ever colder weather.
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- In this letter, Cecil reassures his wife that although food has been scarce and fairly monotonous, he’s alright. He mentions working on their new winter huts, buying food from the sutler, and asks her to send some sausages.
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- A very short letter from Cecil mentioning the beautiful morning and orders to prepare to march.
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- In this letter, written on Christmas Eve, Cecil is quite depressed with the current state of the war. He speaks about the ever present nature of sickness, how difficult the last march was, how they are suffering from a lack of food, building new cabins for winter, and getting arrested for leaving camp without a pass.
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- In this letter, Cecil details what the men ate on the march and how they prepared the food. He then speaks of how the war has ravaged the country they marched through, and of sickness and death in his company.
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- In this short letter to Caroline, Cecil writes about camping and rations on campaign in poor weather and mentions getting a new pocket-watch.
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- Caroline writes a lengthy letter about the impending battle of Fredericksburg, her headaches, the potential of her visiting the 20th Connecticut, and Louise.
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- A short letter from Cecil alerting Caroline that the Twentieth would be marching the next morning and mentioning the increasing number of sick men.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about his improving health, the cold, his winter quarters cabin, and advises her how to feed their horse during the winter.
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- In this letter, Cecil scolds Caroline for worrying too much and working too hard, reminding her to place her faith in Christ. He speaks of his dissatisfaction with the chaplain, how he spent Thanksgiving, and worries about their daughter’s propensity for stammering.
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- In this letter, Cecil writes to Caroline about unsuccessfully chasing down CS cavalry in poor weather, another box he received, the health and camp of the regiment, the state of his pay, and the coming Thanksgiving.
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- A letter from Cecil to Caroline about the ongoing construction of winter quarters, business back at home, the cold weather, when they will be paid, and the fellow members of his mess.
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- Cecil writes a quick to Caroline to let her know that his unit has moved and that he is still healthy.
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- In this lengthy letter from Cecil, he tells of his Regiment’s waiting for marching commands and comments rather charmingly on his Aunt Laura’s view of wine (“oh my how nice she is”). He then describes the poor weather, prominent sicknesses, and uninspiring army commotion they’d been pleasured with.
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- A brief letter from Cecil about waiting to march, a “blue” letter he received from Caroline. He also debunks several lies that had been passed home by his fellow soldiers.
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- Cecil writes about receiving a box of edibles from home, McClellan’s inability to get into a fight, and building log huts. In a lengthy P.S. he addresses the rations and the weather.
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- Cecil complains about Col. Ross requiring the sick men to attend the inspection, thanks Caroline for sending a box, speaks about Harpers Ferry and the battle there, and writes of other business.
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- Caroline writes about friends visiting, her headaches, selling potatoes, and pleads with Cecil not to throw his life away in the case of battle.
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- Cecil writes about the chance of the 20th Connecticut going into battle in the near future, sleeping in the open, how much he loves receiving letters, then comments on some visiting that Caroline had done.
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- Cecil writes home about how they have been eating better, the chance of going into battle, the surrounding units, and what his wishes are for Caroline and their daughter in the event of his death.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about business at home, directions for shipping a box, complains about the army grub, and speaks about how lovely a place Frederick was and how the Rebs treated the townsfolk very well.
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- Caroline writes Cecil of how their Connecticut neighborhood is faring and tells him of how anxious she is for his health, inquiring if she ought to send more Dr. Foot’s pills. She then tells him how their daughter Louise is growing and becoming more talkative.
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- Cecil writes about traveling by train from Frederick to Harpers Ferry, tells Caroline to send him a box, and describes Harpers Ferry in the aftermath of a battle.
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- Cecil writes a letter to Caroline expressing how he wishes he would receive more letters, the journey to Frederick, how he would love to see her and their daughter again, and that as much as he wishes he could return home, he will do his duty for his country.
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- Cecil writes a quick note to let Caroline know about his trip from Washington to Frederick, Maryland. He speaks of traveling in cattle cars and the beautiful scenery.
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- Cecil writes about being frustrated by the tactical gridlock, how ugly the Potomac River and Virginia state are, and how he wishes that Caroline would write more often.
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- Cecil writes about shipping his pistol and several other items home, being sick with a cold, and then gives Caroline directions for sending a care box.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about whom to sell their horse to, and how well the boys take care of him.
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- Caroline briefly writes about an accident that happened while a friend was loading a wagon, Mr. Whitney’s promise to help the soldiers, and some other business.
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- Letter from Caroline Burleigh to her husband discussing how much their daughter missed him, selling the family horse, and how much she longs for his letters.
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- Caroline pining for Cecil, thanking him for writing her, offering him health advice, and speaking of the baby being ill.