J.O. Hanford to Aunt [Elizabeth Hanford]. Written from Camp Bliss, VA, 1862 November 17

The collection consists of 38 letters written between 1862-1865 to both Mr. and Mrs. Levi Hanford of Hobart, Delaware County, N.Y.; a couple of letters are written to their son Charles. Most of the letters are written by four of their nephews and a family friend all serving in the Civil War; others are written by Nancie Hanford, Chauncey Hanford's wife. Two of the letters have incomplete dates and two are unsigned.

The letters discuss various aspects of camp life such as living conditions, weather, illness among the recruits, religious services, drills, and going out on picket. They also write about family concerns as well as their feelings concerning the war and the politics and issues surrounding it.

In addition to the letters, the collection contains two copies of The New South, a newspaper published out of Port Royal, South Carolina (dated April 9 and July 23, 1864) and a copy of The Palmetto Herald, another newspaper published out of Port Royal, South Carolina (dated April 7, 1864).