During his time of service, Arthur was faithful to write his mother and to his aunts and cousins. The letters in the donated collection were written by Arthur to these individuals. He wrote other letters to his uncles, giving reports and first-hand accounts about Company D. These letters were published in The Fredonia Censor.
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George Tate to "Mr." McKinstry
George Tate
Letter from George Tate to Mr. McKinstry. A camp six miles from Richmond: The letter contains details from Arthur's friend on what happend to his belongings after his death. Most was sent to his family.
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George Tate to Willard McKinstry
George Tate
Letter from George Tate to Willard McKinstry. Camp Near Harrisons Landing: The letter datails what happened to the belongings of Arthur. Also, it depicts engagements with the enemy and instructions on what to do with $1.00.
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Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza. Camp Wool: The letter describes that the regiment has moved twice, description of quarters, boots, cold weather, do not always get to eat, reading material in demand at camp.
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Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza. Camp Caldwell: The letter explains that the box still hasn't come in, cold weather, may be moving soon to South Carolina, sent correspondence to the newspaper The Censor, Union successes will shorten the war, box has come but cannot get it yet, planning Thanksgiving at camp.
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Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to Aunt Eliza. Camp Wool: The letter explains that Arthur is doing well, papers well received, gifts well received, stay is uncertain.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter describes that they are ready for a fight, description of uniform, description of food at camp, Bob is still unwell, ate melons, brigade doing well.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Scott: The letter contains details of health, denounces Tribune, description of Co. D, acquaintences there, asks for mother to send trunk.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Scott: The letter details Sickle's announcement that the brigade is to be completed in a week, mentions of Gen. Scott, Gen. Patterson, health is better, church, send trunk.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Wool: The letter explains that a box was sent too late to Caldwell, sending for it, Arthur is doing well but he claims he ""don't owe it to Uncle Sam."" He likes being the correspondent for Fredonia Censor, hoping to get box soon but afraid something will have spoiled, Ephraim Smith died, Aunt Eliza sends things.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Washington: The letter describes Arthur's condition, doing well, camp is strict, difficult to get a pass outside regt. lines, visited 2nd Rhode Island regt., sell horses now, do not be concerned about associations, do not like Cpt. Abell, sent back trunk but kept contents.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter describes that Oscar Ames is not dead, Doyle suggests visiting outposts of regiment and recording experience, Arthur is on sick list from diarrhea, drill is too severe, may be about to relieve Cpt. Austin's company from scouting, slaves help however they can and want freedom desperately.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter explains that the regiment is opposite the rebels, more soldiers coming to join, out of hospital, send woolen drawers and comforter, it's cold.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter includes a map, regt. got a mail horse, got paid, weather and health good, rebels near but their numbers shrinking from disease and desertion, praise for McClellan, doing really well
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter explains that Arthur was in hospital for fever but fine now, did not scout, likes Cpt. Abell more, got watch repaired, spent money on better food.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Marsh: The letter mentions how there is little leisure time, got here last Friday, expecting wages, healthy as everyone else, description of Bull Run, possible movements soon.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Wool: The letter expresses Arthur's desire to recieve more letters. Also, that he is busy writing for the newspaper The Censor, ordered boots, will probably be moving soon,regiment reviewed and inspected today by Gen. Hooker, drill hard, is a model soldier, please send stamps.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter describes the change of location, hot and rainy weather, beard to fight sunburn, slaves treated well but they long for fredom and appear nervous, food, wages, seeing military rule work, comments on southern cavalry, Thomas Chandler, Foster Swift, Ally Cushing, S.M. Doyle, Bill Rockwell, volunteer soldiers.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Scott: The letter describes tent quarters, food coarse butwholesome, coffe terrible, health is fine, description of troops nearby, 7th regt., will keep Willard posted on movements, geography around camp.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Caldwell: The letter describes that danger has passed, did not go scouting, drill 6-8 hours a day, camp life, talk of wages, getting on well with others, camp shenanigans, praise for McClellan.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Dunkirk, NY: The letter includes a description of camp life, interactions, and a medical examination. Arthur is expecting letter of introduction from Uncle Willard
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Wool: The letter contains description of rations, Thanksgiving at camp, rumors of movement to South Carolina, health is good, selected as orderly for Col. Taylor, think highly of Cpt. Doyle, got boots, description of food and cooking.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Wool: The letter explains that as the letter runner, Arthur has access to information even some of the officers do not. His job allowes him certain comforts like books. Things are slow, they building winter quarters.
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Arthur McKinstry to Mother
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to his mother. Camp Wool: The letter explains that they write must be examined and are limited to one page. He is comfortable and has plenty of clothes.
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Arthur McKinstry to Winthrop
Arthur McKinstry
Letter from Arthur McKinstry to Winthrop McKinstry. Camp Scott: The letter details that Francis was discharged bythe surgeon, sending him to relay details to Winthrop, sent list of officers, game of stealing guns, description of Sickle, mention of Scott.