Bush Family Collection

Incomplete letter from Cornelia to Edwin A. Bush on an unspecified date. In the short letter, Cornelia talks about a violent battle in Tennessee and wonders if victory is possible for the North with such ambitious military leaders.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his cousin, Melissa, dated March 29, 1863. In the letter, Melissa provides a descriptive update on life back at home including the status of the their families farm.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his cousin Cornelia dated March 13, 1863. In the letter, Cornelia provides various updates on wounded soldiers and regiments that come through the town. She provides a brief update on life at home, but spends most of the letter discussing the soldiers she encounters.

Letter from L. Richardson to Edwin A. Bush dated April 14, 1863. In the letter, Edwin's uncle mentions having the privilege of reading a letter Edwin wrote from Memphis and how every one at home is waiting to hear of the fall of Vicksburg. He decides to enter the draft, which is now recruiting men ages 20-45 years old and he believes this is the only way the war will come to an end.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his father Frederick E. Bush and F.W. Bush dated May 22, 1863. In the beginning of the letter, Frederick provides the latest news about life at home and that he will send him stamps and money. The letter ends with a few lines from F.W. Bush, who mentions his latest fishing trip on the lakes.

Letter from Willard Bush to his brother, Edwin A. Bush, dated August 2, 1863. In the letter, Willard may have heard that Edwin was wounded in battle and wanted to confirm its truth. He also discusses the draft and believes that the draft is the best and quickest way to save the country. The letter is finished by updating Edwin about life at home.

Letter from Frederick E. Bush to Edwin A. Bush dated November 23, 1862. In the letter, Frederick provides updated news on the family and home front. He hears that there is a major battle approaching and that the two great armies are near each other. He hopes the war will be over in six months.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends at home dated October 13. 1862. In the letter, the 17th Michigan Regiment was ordered to march to Fredericksburg, Virginia to protect the city from Confederate cavalry. He also describes how he is getting along with his new life as a soldier.

Letter from Amanda to Frederick E. Bush dated July 20, 1864. In the letter, Amanda expresses great sympathy to Frederick after the loss of Edwin E. Bush.

Letter from Henry to Edwin A. Bush dated October 31, 1862. In the letter, Henry talks about the draft and recruitment into the army. He discusses his struggle between choosing to go to school or enlist.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to his brother Henry Bush dated November 22, 1862. In the letter, Edwin reaffirms his decision to enlist in the army. He state his regiment is currently camped on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, Virginia, and provides updated news on the status of the war.

Letter from John Scotford to Edwin A. Bush dated April 14, 1863. In the letter, John is pleased to hear that Edwin is under the command of General Burnside and will primarily be stationed in Kentucky and Tennessee. He also mentions President Lincoln's Proclamation 97 on March 30, 1863, which calls for a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to Friends at home dated May 25, 1864. In the letter, Edwin provides little update regarding the war, though he suggests a strategic move will be made by General Grant; the location is unspecified. He concludes his letter by addressing a care package meant for him. 

"Thy will be done" poem or song written to Edwin A. Bush.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends dated November 16, 1862. In the letter, Edwin mentions his regiment intend to march towards Richmond to support a retreating Union Army. He also inquires about gloves being made for him by his mother and sister and he sends his family a rock from John Brown's cave in Harper's Ferry.

Letter from Cynthia and Summer Bush to Edwin A. Bush dated July 19, 1863. In the letter, Edwin's mother hears of the surrender of Vicksburg and a cannon celebration that took place in Kalamazoo. She mentions other news regarding the war as well as how the family spent the fourth of July. The letter ends with few lines from Edwin's sister.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends at home dated August 31, 1862. In the letter, Edwin expands on the Second Battle of Bull Run and the possible role his regiment might play in the battle. He also describes Washington D.C. and the challenges that face a soldier in camp.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his father, Frederick E. Bush, dated July 19, 1863. In the letter, Frederick mentions that last news from the front he has received at home, including the fall of Port Hudson and Charleston. He ends the letter by updating Edwin about life at home.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to a friend dated May 8, 1863. In the letter, Edwin mentions his recent picket duty and sends a company roll to be framed as an ornament. He also mentions the complexity in a soldier receiving a furlough, stating one cannot simply request one just to see his mother.

Letter from Samuel Willard to Frederick Willard dated October 30, 1863. In the letter, Samuel is performing guard duty at the U.S. General Hospital in Annapolis. He discusses the death of soldiers at the hospital as well as the arrival of some prisoners. He describes his experience on the battlefield and only hopes the war will end soon.

Letter from Willard Bush to his brother Edwin A. Bush dated December 5, 1862. In the letter, Willard updates Edwin on Henry who has recently fallen ill with typhoid fever. He continues his letter by providing Edwin the latest updates on life at home.

Letter to Frederick E. Bush from F. Duvel dated June 20, 1864. In the letter, F. Duvel thanks Edwin's father for a package that was sent to him. He also praises his son, Edwin, for being a fine soldier and tent mate. 

Letter from Samuel Willard to his sister dated July 30, 1863. In this letter, Samuel discusses the long marches he has endured from Stafford, Va. to Gettysburg, Pa., a distance of about 200 miles. He describes the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3 and lists the casualties of his regiment.

Letter from Frederick Willard to his brother and sister dated February 2, 1864. In this letter, Frederick discusses the latest news about his family and expresses his opinion of the draft. He continues describing Franklin, Louisiana and how the war has impacted the surrounding region.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his father, Frederick E. Bush, dated May 17, 1863. In the letter, Frederick provides updates to Edwin about life at home and on the farm.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his mother, Cynthia Bush, dated May 17, 1863. In the letter, Edwin's mother reflects on time since he departed for war, and pleads with him to request a furlough in exchange for the sacrifice he has provided in defending the country. She discusses news relating to the war and the status of family members who are fighting on other fronts.

Letter from Willard to Friends dated June 20, 1861. In the letter, Willard describes seeing steamships on the Ohio River carrying 2 or 3 regiments. He believes they will head into West Virginia to fight General Henry Wise. He also mentions that a German regiment from Camp Dennison and the Coldwater Artillery Co. also came through the area.

Letter from H.C. Richardson to Edwin A. Bush dated November 11, 1862. In the letter, H.C. Richardson had recently heard that Edwin had enlisted and wishes him the best. He briefly talks about the draft in his town, as well as the latest election.

Letter from Henry Bush to his brother, Edwin A. Bush, dated October 4, 1862. In the letter, Henry talks about his enrollment in school and life back at home.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends at home dated September 15, 1862. In the letter, Edwin mentions a potential battle forthcoming, possibly the Battle of South Mountain. He states part of his regiment has already march ahead and the remaining troops are rejoining the regiment to fight.

Letter from Samuel Willard to his sister dated August 18, 1861. In this letter, Samuel provides insight into his life before he enlisted in the army in 1862.

Letter from Frederick Willard to Frederick E. Bush dated October 18, 1863. In this letter, Frederick Willard describes his regiments in the Siege of Port Hudson, lasting about six weeks. He further describes the regiments journey throughout Louisiana following the siege.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends at home dated August 30, 1862. In the letter, Edwin has just arrived to Washington, D.C. and explains the route of his journey. He mentions that a battle occurred the day prior, assumably the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Letter from Willard Bush to his brother Edwin A. Bush dated November 3, 1862. In the letter, Willard provides his brother an update on the latest news from the war front and recent political matters. He discusses the change of leadership within the Army of the Potomac and the election results for the northern States.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to friends at home dated October 8, 1862. In the letter, Edwin discusses his regiment's movement over the previous days, as well as their current camp location. He concludes his letter by inquiring the status of his family.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to his mother dated July 24. 1863. In the letter, Edwin sends his mother a piece of linen taken from his house during his march to Jackson, Mississippi.

Letter from Edwin A. Bush to his brother Willard Bush dated July 27, 1863. In the letter, Edwin expresses his appreciation for the work Willard has done at home. He also mentions how important religion has played into his life as a soldier and how that effects his interaction with fellow soldiers.

Letter to Edwin A. Bush from his cousin, Clay, dated June 28, 1863. In the letter, Clay mentions the draft and realizes that he may be called upon, and hopes that he will perform his duty well. The second part of the letter discusses life on the home front.