SC MS 0047.01.09 Correspondence to Bartlett (Rhode Island) from Wills (Gettysburg), 1864 - 1867

(Letter mentions a letter from Mr. Frost of Buffalo in reference to the proposed Monument in the Cemetery and the Baltimore Convention adjournment.)

(Letter mentions Governor Curtin wish to have the corner stone of the Monument laid on July 4 as it would be the first anniversary of the great victory at Gettysburg)

(Letter informs that the Board of Commissioners will meet in Gettysburg on Friday June 10 and the Baltimore Convention will adjourn on Thursday. Mr. Wills says he wrote to Railroad companies to inquire about passes to Gettysburg for the Commissioners.)

(All the railroad companies over whose roads Commissioners would travel to Gettysburg have been contacted and very few have responded but some passes have been sent. The passes were sent to Bartlett in this letter.)

(Relates that at a meeting of the Commissioners held April 7 1864 a resolution was passed the President of the Board of Commissioners (Mr. Wills) request from various railroad companies passes to travel to Gettysburg because the members of the Board must incur their own expenses to attend meetings. This letter is impressed at lower left corner with the seal of the Soldiers' National Cemetery.)

(Relates that the designs for monuments by the architects: Ware & Von Brunt, William Walcott, John W. Gough, Richard Burton, K. M'ller, Alfred Stone(?) have been sent to Bartlett via Adams Express for him to distribute. A request is made to send a copy of the printed proceedings of the Board be sent to Judge Ira Perley of Concord, N.H. Upper left corner has an impressed seal EXTRA.)

(Mentions an enclosed letter [not included] and asks for addresses of all the Commissioners and a few copies of the proceedings of the Board.)

(Discusses avoiding the expense of a fence between two cemeteries and suggests a low ornamental hedge at less expense.)

(Discusses a bill for printing pamphlets of proceedings being delayed by approaching Rebels and the Postmaster fleeing. The bank has just resumed business and the excitement has suspended the work on the Cemetery driving away 12 masons and 20 laborers. Recommends Bartlett read the Editorial in the New York Tribune of July 13th on 'The Gettysburg Monument.')

(Sends circulars for bids for marble headstones and asks that they be distributed to marble dealers in the New England states and suggests that the marble from there can be finished more cheaply than locally. Upper left corner has impressed seal of an eagle over a shield)

(Mentions that the annual meeting of the Board of Managers of the Soldiers' National Cemetery will be held at the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia on Wednesday, December 7. Also a meeting of the Auditing Committee to meet December 6. Upper left corner is an impressed seal of a wreath.)

(Requests distribution of enclosed specifications (not with letter) for granite headstones in Rhode Island vicinity and mentions that the same request has been made of Mr. Edwards in Boston. Upper left corner has an impressed seal of a domed building.)

(Says he made report as President and just received proof sheets of the report. Wills says he expected the reports themselves two days ago but will correct the proofs and send them on to Philadelphia for printing. Wills finds the delay intolerable and postmaster. Upper left corner has impressed seal of a domed building, paper has foxing.)

(Reports that the amount apportioned to the State of Rhode Island toward the original expenses of the Cemetery was $841.06. Then the amount appropriated was $1000. The amount yet required to meet the requirement of the resolution of the Board at its last meeting will be $682.12. Wills requests that Bartlett request from the governor of Rhode Island to recommend to make the additional appropriation. The referred to money seems to concern the Memorial the Senate of the U.S. ordered to be presented and referred to the Military Committee.

(Letter reports a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Cemetery at McClellan's Hotel in Gettysburg on Thursday, June 15. Upper left corner impressed seal of oval wreath)

(Letter reports meeting now on Thursday June 25. Object of change is to enable to make arrangements for the formal laying of the corner stone of the Monument on the 4th of July again urged by Governor Curtin as the most appropriate day for the ceremonies. Upper left corner impressed seal of domed building.)

(Discusses the appropriation of the State of New York to the Cemetery and requested the Governor to reappoint Mr. Cooper to carry the matter to the Legislature. Reports receiving a letter from Governor Fenton appointing Robert H. McCurdy of New York City as commissioner in place of Mr. Cooper whose commission is expired as of May 1, 1865. Asks if there are other vacancies to deal with. Also Norris from Maine requests copies of the Board reports, Wills doesn't have any more to give him so asks Bartlett to send some to Norris. Upper left corner impressed seal of oval wreath.)

(Reports that Major General Howard has accepted invitation to deliver the oration at the corner stone laying ceremonies. Maj. Gen. Georg will serve as Chief Marshall. Indicates invitation sent to Governor Smith and members of Legislature, Judiciary and department heads. Asks Bartlett to send general invitation to people of Rhode Island and a state flag to be displayed at the ceremonies. Upper left corner impressed seal of oval wreath)

(Relates how he tried to get a pass for Bartlett to travel on Northern Central Railroad from Elmira but the railroad president refused. Upper left corner impressed seal of oval wreath.)

(Reports notifying members of the Board Managers annual meeting defined by the by-laws as December 6 at the Continental Hotel and requests a meeting with Bartlett as a member of the Auditing Committee to meet the Treasurer and Wills on December 5 at the same place along with Mr. Edwards and Col. Lofland. Wills remarks that this would conflict with Thanksgiving Day. Upper left corner has impressed seal of oval wreath.)

(Reports the death of John R. Latimer of Delaware announced by Mr. Ferry at the Board meeting of June 25 and ordered the electrotype of the map of the Cemetery grounds being in the care of Van Ingen & Snyder Engravers, Philadelphia. Upper left corner has impressed seal of oval wreath.)

(Reports sending four copies of State Report on the Cemetery and complains that Mr. McPherson (post master?) refuses to frank the mail of the Cemetery Committee. Upper left corner has impressed seal of oval scrolls.)

(Requests a change of date for the Board Meeting from December 5 to December 12 because Wills in involved with some trial cases. He also reports that his wife has received a published recollection from a woman who visited Gettysburg a month after the battle, Wills is passing this on to Bartlett in case Bartlett has not yet seen it. Upper left corner is a impressed seal of a domed building with eight stars in an arc above dome.)

(Reports the date change of the Meeting to December 12 in the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. Upper left corner has impressed seal of domed building with star arc.)