Box 1

Stilson speaks of teaching and of playing chess, and talks of the sexes: "So the poets do dare say that the longing to love and be loved is the strong passion of a woman's heart, do they? . . . Well, all right, I presume they know, but then you don't know but I may be an exception to all women. I may have no desire to love and be loved, you know? Suppose you ask the poets where the case stands."

A note written for Sarah Stilson, certifying Stilson's membership in the Baptist church at Nunda, New York. Metcalf was the church's pastor. The certificate enabled Stilson "to avail herself of the half fare ticket" to attend the meeting of the American Baptist Missionary Union in Cleveland.

Outline notes for a letter to West, titled "Letter to Quad June 1863". Stilson enumerates 18 points to be made in the letter, and elaborates on point 3 ("Long story of my cold stiff letter, causes &c." )

A letter written in haste just before Gifford's regiment (the 33rd New York Infantry) recrossed the Potomac after the battle of Gettysburg.

West recounts the regiment's movements over the previous month through Loudon, Fauquier, and Prince William counties, Virginia; reports the 130th New York has been converted to cavalry, and is drilling as such (though still without horses); speaks of encamping near the "estate of Rev. Mr. Pollock" outside Warrenton, and of his friendship with the eldest Pollock daughter, Maggie.

Stilson speaks of assuming a teaching position, presumably at the Corning, New York Academy. Responds to details of West's letter of August 13-15, above.

West directs a great deal of sardonic criticism at Meade and the Army of the Potomac, regarding the recent "reconnaisance in force" across the Rapidan (i.e., the Mine Run campaign of 26 November to 1 December).

Outline notes for a letter to West, titled "Letter to Quad". Stilson enumerates 16 points to be made in the letter, and elaborates on several.

West sends Stilson a group photograph of Pleasanton and his staff, in which he himself appears (the taking of the picture is described in MSN/CW 5061-26, above).

West says that he has written his sister Mary a scolding letter, for her (apparent) gossip that he and Stilson were engaged: "Deuce take it! Almost every young lady I ever corresponded with, has been held up by some officious person or other as my 'intended'. I don't care anything about it on my own account . . . . But 'tis often quite unpleasant for a young lady to have such reports and innuendo floating about concerning her."

West speaks of leaving winter camp, and of his recent duties as Judge Advocate. Describes a visit to the Union signal station atop Pony Mountain near Culpeper, Virginia, where he encounters Grant: "It was the first time I ever saw him. I was not disappointed. He has a look of immense determination and force about his face." Now back with the 1st New York Dragoons, West mentions that 240 men in the regiment are currently dismounted.

Responding to an inquiry of Sarah Stilson's, Mary West writes that her brother Waldo ". . . was taken prisoner by the rebs. May 7th and, with others, immediately taken to Libby Prison, Richmond . . . ." West is unwounded but, according to the report of a surgeon who left the prison on 28 May, in need of food.

Stuart, chairman of the U. S. Christian Commission, writes to thank Stilson for a donation of $12.25 from the Elocution Class of Corning Academy.

Though this letter obviously ended up in Stilson's hands, it was addressed not specifically to her but to "one of the Numerous Pretty Young Ladies of Corning." The author identifies himself only as J. B. M., a member of Troop L, 6th New York Cavalry, then attached to the Army of the Shenandoah. Asserting that his intentions are "no other than honorable," he describes himself, says he was formerly a resident of Corning, and asks that the recipient write him in return.

West writes from Camp Parole in Maryland, where paroled Union prisoners of war were required to report pending exchange for Confederate prisoners. He writes that he is just returned from a trip home to Dansville, but lacked the time to visit Stilson at Corning. He also mentions that the officers at Camp Parole were allowed to attend Lincoln's funeral in Washington, which he did.

The concluding sheet of a letter of uncertain date, in which Stilson writes at length of her teaching.

The concluding sheet of a letter of uncertain date.

Written in a fine hand on one side of a small sheet, this is doubtless a draft. Stilson writes with great indignation of West's possessiveness: "What is more I am not your jewel nor your pride nor your pet—not a bit of it . . . . I have written to you for my amusement. I am under no obligation to do so. There is not a hair of my head nor a little finger of mine that belongs to you and if you tell me again that I am your pet &c I will not write to you in a great while."

Three enclosures, which cannot be readily associated with any individual letter. These are: 1) an oval pencil drawing (perhaps by Stilson) entitled "News from War," showing four family members seated in a drawing room, listening to the reading of a letter; 2) a newspaper clipping with the box score of an intrasquad game played by the Dansville (NY) Base Ball Club (the "second Nine" was captained by West); 3) a cotton boll.

A patriotic cover which bore a letter from Lyman Stilson to Sarah Stilson; the letter itself is not present in the collection.

The author, the Livingston County school commissioner, confirms a teaching appointment for Stilson for the coming term.

The author, a local newspaper editor and publisher, acknowledges an item submitted by Stilson for the Nunda News.

West recalls the circumstances of his first meeting Sarah Stilson, at Mt. Morris Teachers Institute in October 1860; responds to Stilson's theories about marriage; explains the game of baseball (with attendant diagram); muses on nature and religion.

Stilson comments at length on West's letter of 27 April.

The author (1839-1912) was a cousin of Sarah Stilson's and, when the letter was written, a member of Co. D, 49th New York Infantry. Stilson relates his and his regiment's actions from 4 to 7 May 1862, including service at the Battle of Williamsburg (5 May 1862); he goes on to describe the field of Williamsburg in the aftermath of the battle.