8 December 1875

Kemper, James Lawson, 1823-1895

Letter signed

Title: to Hugh McCulloch

Kemper, Governor of Virginia, discusses Virginia's repayment of post-Civil War debt with McCulloch, former Secretary of the Treasury and a member of the London banking firm Jay Cooke, McCulloch & Co. Offended that McCulloch did not respond to his previous correspondence, states " ... it must satisfy you that Virginia is honest and will in due time, that is as soon as she is able, perform all her promises ... No man or set of men can be so capable of knowing how much taxation the people of Virginia can stand, or how much of our revenues are necessary to preserve society and support our…

GLC02589

21 August 1865

Clay, Clement Claiborne, 1816-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Virginia Clay-Clopton

Clay, a former U.S. and Confederate Senator, writes to his wife while imprisoned at Fort Monroe. Informs her that, "The hardest part of my trial here has been my solicitude about you, my parents and other kindred, who, I feared, would be tortured by newspaper accounts of my condition, or bold assertations of my guilt, or possibly, reports of evidence establishing it." States that he is relieved to hear that she gives little faith to newspaper accounts. Comments on his health, which is fair. He has not had to use any of the medicinal remedies that frighten his wife, such as "prussic acid,…

GLC02590

1836/11/18

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863

Document signed

Title: Authorization of Charles Harrison to borrow $50,000 on faith of Texas (c/s Rusk)

Countersigned by Thomas J. Rusk, as Secretary of State.

GLC02591

1787/09

Carey, Mathew, 1760-1839

Magazine

Title: The American Museum. [Vol. II, no. 3 (September 1787)]

Contains the first magazine printing of the United States Constitution on p. 276-284. Also contains an essay by Benjamin Franklin on "Information for those who would wish to remove to America. Also features political sketches, an address to "friends of American Manufacturers," reflections encouraging commerce, articles on agriculture, political culture, and various prose and poetry. Provenance from the library of Henry Knox, although without ownership marks.

GLC02593.01

11 February 1876

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hamilton A. Hill

Urges that "the present is as favorable a time as we can expect for the agitation of the free trade question." Explains the importance of free trade and elimination of a protective tariff. Declares that "During the war the country went back to a state of ignorance and prejudice on the question of free exchange," and that a new generation "who know nothing of the subject [...] easily adopted the plausibilities of the protectionists." Argues that "the currency question" is "no doubt extremely important," but "who knows when it will be settled? By waiting for it, we may produce the…

GLC02595

November 1862-1865

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry] [decimalized]

This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's…

GLC02596

12 April 1861

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Memorandum of instructions for the troops tonight

Orders detailing preparations for a possible Union attack on Morris Island. Written at night on the same day the assault on Fort Sumter had begun. Part of the Confederate force for the assault on Fort Sumter was located on Morris Island.

GLC02600

13 April 1861

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865

Manuscript document

Title: to David R. Jones

Retained draft in secretarial hand for Whitings own files of a letter detailing the surrender of Fort Sumter. Describing attack on fort, says soon "Anderson's position will be untenable." Worries about a naval attack by Union forces, "more than probable that an attack will be made at night. States that at one p.m. "flagg staf shot away." At two p.m. reports the fort has "surrendered unconditionally to Brig. Gen. Beauregard," and again expresses worry about nearby Union ships. Though the Confederates at first believed that the surrender was unconditional, this was not the understanding of…

GLC02601

11 April 1861

Pettigrew, James Johnston, 1828-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Manigault

Requesting artillery supplies in case while taking Fort Sumter "a desperate battle" ensues. Written the day before the fort is attacked. Written as Colonel of the First Regiment Rifles of South Carolina on the day before Fort Sumter surrendered.

GLC02602

14 November 1863

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Wheeler

Confederate General Longstreet informs General Wheeler "Your dispatch for Col Sorrel is received- I desire you to cross Little River in pursuit if you have a decided success at Marysville, or if you see the probabilities of ours by crossing. If the enemy is retreating pursue of course with the greatest vigor. If it is evident to your mind that you can assist us as much where you are as you could here, pursue, or push them- unless you can produce some consternation amongst them however it would be better to be with us." Written in pencil.

GLC02603

21 September 1864

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Printed document signed

Title: [Warrant to the Confederate Treasury Secretary to pay $4,850 in gold for "foreign intercourse"]

Partly printed document filled in by hand and signed by Benjamin as Confederate Secretary of State. Apparently intended for Confederate Agents in Europe.

GLC02604

22 November 1844

Pillow, Gideon Johnson, 1806-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Jackson

Concerns the statements of Abbot Lawrence criticizing James Polk's treatment of enslaved people. General Pillow, formerly Polk's law partner, defends Polk. Attests that Polk inherited his enslaved people, treats them well, and has never participated in slave dealing. Relates several accounts of Polk selling enslaved people so they may be with their families. Challenges Lawrence to retract his criticism of Polk.

GLC02605

11 May 1805

Sevier, John, 1745-1815

Manuscript document

Title: [Affidavit of innocence]

Affidavit prepared for Tennessee Governor John Sevier as defendant in a case against Jenkin Whiteside. Co-signed by James Sevier as clerk that the contents of the affidavit were "sworn in Open Court." The case Jenkin Whiteside v. John Sevier revolved around money lost in a card game. This legal document states that Sevier was intoxicated at the time when he signed a promissory note. Says that Matthew Atkinson, a subscribing witness, can attest to the situation. Claims he never got any "Consideration" for the said bill and that the transaction was fraudulent. Says that after an investigation…

GLC02606

12 February 1864

Pleasonton, Alfred J., 1824-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to L. S. Perley

Major General Pleasanton transmits his autograph with a letter taken from a Confederate post office to Perley, Chairman of the Autograph Committee of the Soldier's Aid Society of Northern Ohio, for a benefit fair. Informs Perley that "It always gives me great pleasure to render any assistance to the Sanitary Commission, as the important benefits conferred by that institution upon our Armies in the field, have alleviated much of the misery, hardship, and suffering, to which our noble & gallant soldiers have been exposed."

GLC02607

1863-1866

Header Record

Title: Items pertaining to the Union League of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [decimalized]

GLC02608

9 February 1864

Rodes, Robert Emmett, 1829-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eugene Blackford

Confederate General Rodes thanks Major Blackford for a note and cake he sent through Captain Halsey. Writes that he arrived in Hanover Junction to protect Richmond, Virginia. Hopes "soon to be in my old place however with the Div: reassembled... I am glad to learn that the operations you have had performed are likely to be so successful..." Hopes Blackford will soon be back with his regiment. Mentions Riley's Company and the Greensboro Company. Mentions a discussion he had with McCall.

GLC02615

28 September 1863

Preston, William, 1816-1887

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Signed by John Gallaher as an official copy (possibly John N. Gallaher, aide and assistant adjutant general to General Simon Bolivar Buckner). Preston writes to Confederate president Davis, recommending the appointment of Colonel Robert C. Trigg from Virginia as Brigadier General. Includes the 30 September 1863 endorsement signed by General Simon Bolivar Buckner, written from the Headquarters of Buckner's command, near Chattanooga. Bucker supports Trigg's promotion, and relates that no brigadier has been assigned to the command Trigg seeks since the resignation of General Davis (possibly…

GLC02616

12 July 1781

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Major General Wayne discusses the campaign that led up to the Battle of Yorktown. Discusses forcing Lord Cornwallis to retreat, justifies his unorthodox tactics, and describes an amazing escape at the battle of Green Spring.

GLC02620

16 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Knox, Secretary of War, instructs Quartermaster General Hodgdon to send food, including chocolate, port wine, sherry, and coffee, to the hospital department in Pittsburgh.

GLC02621

11 January 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Sends a copy of a letter (not included) he sent to the Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and asks Hodgdon to comply its requests regarding public clothing from contractors for the present year. Signed as Secretary of War.

GLC02622

11 September 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Knox signs as Secretary of War. Writes "The want of instructions to Harleman was indeed an omission- No more stores are to be sent to Georgia at present. The returns of Clothing forwarded to the frontiers is enclosed. You will please to return it after copied. I am glad to learn your health- I am also well... " Written in the War Department.

GLC02623

26 June 1864

Adams, William Wirt, 1819-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Confederate General Adams discusses a concentration of Union forces at Natchez, Vicksburg, and Memphis. Expects Davis, President of the Confederate States, to transfer troops from the Trans-Mississippi Department to Jackson, Mississippi. Discusses transporting troops across a river (possibly the Mississippi). Writes "I have ventured to make this suggestion in view of the possible contingencies of our struggle and in the hope that it may possibly assist you in the great labors... of your position."

GLC02625

11 March 1862

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Plan to trap Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson near the Strasburg road. Written just after Jackson began his Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Three days earlier Jackson had defeated Fremont at Battle of McDowell, the beginning of his Valley Campaign. Banks believes Jackson will now try to retreat and that "his only escape" is to "reach Strasburg, and then by the way of Woodstock go down to Harrisonburg and Staunton." Banks plans to cut Jackson off along this route, and defeat him there. Believes this position on the Strasburg road "is now perfectly safe...There is now no danger of an enemy in the…

GLC02626

14 September 1861

Elmore, Edward Carrington, fl. 1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: to Alonzo B. Noyes

Confederate Treasurer Elmore sends a list of 10 signatures that appear on Confederate Treasury notes. Clerically signed by James Simons on behalf of Elmore; with actual signatures of R.L. Delaney, C.C. Thayer, J. Ellett, Henry [Sparniak?], R. McRae, R. Hill, Jr., L. J. Levin, H.H. Goodloe and R.H. Tighe. One additional signature is illegible. Created to detect counterfeit bills. Written on Confederate States of America Treasurer's Office stationery.

GLC02628

19 December 1862

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gross

Discussing the "terrible battle" of Fredericksburg, which had occurred six days earlier. States that "Our troops behaved well." Also "My old Division true to prestige drove back the enemy and retook the lost ground & held it under Artillery & rifles." Encloses a map (GLC02630.02) of the battle. Reports his "loss was 982 kill & missing," and has now returned to "same camps" as before the battle. Wishes to know if the division he now commands "Sustained Chantilly reputation." This refers to Chantilly, the last battle the division fought under its previous commander, General…

GLC02630.01