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General Order

Printed general order from Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Porter was taking the leave of his officers and men as he assumed command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Praises their actions and says their efforts...

GLC03810

A Brief sketch of the war with the U.S. and of Battles in which I have been engaged or which I visited before the Dead Were Buried.

Signed by Allen as a Confederate prisoner of war and dated Johnsons Island, Ohio January 23rd, 1864. Allen signs as a captain in the Independent Cavalry of Virginia. He writes in the preface, "It is very hastily and therefore very imperfectly...

GLC03811

to William B. Taliaferro

Describing various kinds of food available, and inviting Taliaferro to come and take some for himself.

GLC03812

Carte de visite of Basil Wilson Duke

Basil Duke as Confederate prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Signed on mount.

Written at Fort Delaware

GLC03819

to Thomas J. Churchill

Major General Polk (Confederate) informs Colonel Churchill "In the absence of Gnl Johnston your letter has been handed to me. I regret to say we have no arms to offer your command." Replies to a question posed by Major General Lewis (possibly Joseph...

GLC03820

Carte de visite of William Preston

Half-length image of Preston in Confederate general's uniform. Signed on mount.

GLC03821

[General order congratulating officers and soldiers of the 15th Army Corps after the fall of Vicksburg]

Major General Sherman issues General Orders from the Department of the Tennessee, camped on the Black River. Declares "Your Commander, in thus briefly reciting the events of the past seven months, thinks, in them, every officer and man has good...

GLC03828

Carte de visite of Frank K Brownell

Brownell holding saber and wearing Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 20, 1877 for killing the murderer of Col. Elmer Ellsworth.

GLC03830

to Edwin M. Stanton

Halleck writes to Stanton to report on Union troop strength in the western theater. Llists the number of troops under Generals Grant, Pope, Curtis, Strong, Steele, and Schofield, and the numbers in several state militia. Written on stationery of the...

GLC03831

to Horatio G. Wright.

Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, informs General Wright that General Gershom Mott "taken position on your left will be under your direction." Instructs Wright to General Ambrose Burnside's relief if Wright hears heavy firing at Burnside...

GLC03832

[Carte de visite of Irvin McDowell]

Signed on mount. Published by E. Anthony.

GLC03833

to Irvin McDowell

Written at 2:00 am on Headquarters of the Army of the South West stationery, but Army of the South West has been crossed out, and 1st Division written in its place. General Steele writes to McDowell, who served as president of the court for...

GLC03835

Correspondence of 90 letters and documents with 3 maps on the blockade of Port Royal, South Carolina [decimalized .01-.90]

West was a Union naval officer in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, mostly serving off South Carolina and Georgia. This collection begins with three documents from West's service on a merchant marine ship off China. He served on the USS "Perry"...

GLC03836

[Three volumes of letterpress copy books of G. F. Tindall]

Three volumes of letterpress copies of letters written by Tindall. First volume contains mostly letters written as assistant superintendent for the railroad in Dunkirk, New York, from November 1861 until May 1864, though many of these were written...

GLC03837

to Anzolette Page

Writes to ask his mother if his sisters, Mary and Rose, may travel to Richmond, Virginia to attend the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as Confederate President. Humorously phrases the request in military terms, describing the request for a...

GLC03844

Maine at Gettysburg.

Title continues, Report of Maine Commissioners, Prepared by the Executive Committee. Chamberlain's presentation notice pasted onto the front flyleaf. Includes maps, photographs, narrative reports, rosters, monument dedications, and casualty reports...

GLC03852

Soldier's diary, Co. I, 7th Regt. Vermont Vols. re: Mobile, with photograph

The diary is about 65 pp. Includes a postwar cabinet photograph of an elderly Vaughn in uniform.

GLC03856

[Collection of George M. Eveleth, H company, 25th regiment, Massachusetts, infantry]

The correspondence concerns Roanoke Island, the Union advance on Richmond, joining Sherman's army. Also includes non-wartime letters.

GLC03857

[Collection of John A. Parrot, B company, 34th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

This is a collection of the Civil War letters of John A. Parrott to his family at home. 34th Illinois. Father is C Parrot Esqr. Emma? Wife Sarah. William?
Most of John's letters are addressed to one of his sisters, though it is often unclear...

GLC03858.01

Lieut. in 75th Illinois Vols. [decimalized]

GLC03858.02

Letters, some wardate with post-war collateral, 15th Mich. Vols.

Collection includes 29 letters, 5 receipts, 1 drawing, 1 carte-de-visite, 3 news clippings and 10 envelopes.

GLC03858.03

[Collection of Byron E. Churchill, A company, 15th regiment, Michigan, infantry] [decimalized]

Sometimes signs as "Biron." Churchill's mother was Drazilla of St. Joseph Co., Burr Oak, Mich. His regiment served at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg and in the Atlanta campaign. His last letter in the field is dated Atlanta 8/24/1864 (#25); he was...

GLC03859

Petition of inhabitants of Scipio and Venice to the Congress of the U. States

Inhabitants of Cayuga County, New York, ask Congress to pass a law "reducing all the rebellious States to Territories declare all the slaves free and as soon as the rebels can be drove out of a State or subdued give each resident of the State without...

GLC03860

to Charles D. Cleveland

Written from the U.S.S. Kearsarge by Commander Winslow, who replies to a congratulatory note from Charles Dexter Cleveland, the U.S. consul at Cardiff, Wales. Winslow had sunk the C.S.S. Alabama off the coast of France on June 19, 1864, one of the...

GLC03867.01

to Captain Davies

Tells Captain Davies he will be unable to visit Cambridge for "some weeks," even though he would like to go. Says he will visit him if he finds the time to make it to Cambridge. Also thanks Mrs. Davies for the invitation. Semmes was writing from the...

GLC03867.02

to Godfrey Weitzel

Grant telegraphs instructions for what he thought might be the final assault on the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. "You need not assault in the morning unless you have good reason for believing the enemy are leaving. We have a good...

GLC03868

Proclamation relative to liability to military service

Partially printed document authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to Lincoln's proclamation permitting the conscription of foreigners. This was under the Enrollment Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, for foreigners who...

GLC03877

to Benjamin B. French

Reports the results of a meeting with Secretary of War Stanton, "who...will return to the Trustees their own building now in control of the Surgeon General." Lincoln is referring to a Washington, D.C. school house that the War Department took...

GLC03878.01

to Jefferson Davis

Marshall believes "unless Col Morgans movement into Kentucky formed part of a plan of invasion intended to be permanent and effective, it would do harm instead of good." Thoroughly details his plan for such an invasion of Kentucky. Thinks Colonel...

GLC03906

[Pardon of Robert Barnett by Abraham Lincoln]

Barnett was arrested during the New York Draft Riots and convicted of discouraging enlistments, he was pardoned due to poor health. Endorsed on verso on the date of Lincoln's death. (c/s F.W. Seward)

GLC03912

to Lewis Doughty

Receipt from the Confederate States Navy Department for $518.18 for repairs and equipment for Confederate gunboats. Payment made to Lewis Doughty, who signed this document twice, of the Marine Railway Co. Marks down work on 9 ships and the supplies...

GLC03914

to Edwin M. Stanton

Marked Cipher at top and copy on verso. Grant writes to the Secretary of War that he had a 100 gun salute fired yesterday for the capture of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, and has sent out Stanton's order to have it repeated.

GLC03923

to Philip St. George Cocke re: organizing Virginia's forces, Virginia's borders

Written two days after Lee accepted command of Virginia's forces. Noting that an invasion of Virginia would be considered an act of war. With an initialed postscript.

GLC03874

to John B. Hood

Writes to Confederate General Hood to discuss a prisoner exchange. Also discusses the deplorable conditions at Andersonville Prison, asking him to give the Union prisoners more room and food, and to allow them to construct shelters. Written on...

GLC03882

[Affidavit concerning the lies of General L.C. Baker in regard to the case of Henry Wirz]

Wirz, the wife of the recently executed Captain Henry Wirz, denies Baker's allegation that she attempted to deliver a poison to her husband during one of her visits to him before he was convicted of war crimes at Andersonville Prison during the Civil...

GLC03887

to George B. McClellan

Declining McClellan's offer for medical supplies for captured sick and wounded because he hopes that "in a few days your sick and wounded will be under you own care...."

GLC03905

to Caroline Flagg Foote

Written by Foote as commander of the Mississippi River Squadron to his wife. Written from Island No. 10, the day after Foote's Squadron captured it. Says he can barely lift his pen to write after the recent fight and the "intense mental anxiety for...

GLC03910

to the Commissary General of Subsistence

Confederate Colonel Magruder requests 100,000 rations of bacon, coffee, vinegar, salt and molasses immediately, noting that his soldiers' supply will be exhausted in two days. Instructs the Commissary General to send the supplies with Mr. Johnson...

GLC03913

to Elizabeth Winthrop

Following the 10 June 1861 Battle of Big Bethel, General Butler writes a letter of sympathy to Winthrop, informing her of the death of Major Theodore Winthrop, her son. States "After Major Winthrop had delivered the order with which he was charged...

GLC03915.01

[Special order of General Benjamin Butler]

Written 3 days before Winthrop famously became the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. Winthrop was an aide de camp to General Benjamin Butler at Fortress Monroe in Virginia. Document marked "Special order." Winthrop wants this order posted...

GLC03915.02

Wartime carte de visite of Confederate Brig. Gen. signed on mount

GLC03916

[draft account of cavalry operations of Army of Northern Virginia]

Draft account of cavalry operations sent to Robert E. Lee, detailing actions of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry division during May through June 1864, from Grant's crossing of the Rapidan River through the death of General J.E.B. Stuart. Details movement of...

GLC03917

[Braxton Bragg]

Signed on mount and trimmed at top of oval (affecting photograph paper but not touching image). Hair on top of head and on face has been badly retouched. Previously owned by General Joseph Wheeler

GLC03918

Fort Sumter & Charleston, SC - 9 Confederate stereoviews by Osborn & Durbec

GLC03919

to Sam Chapman re: letters on slavery, the war, Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Stuart [decimalized]

A collection of letters from John Singleton Mosby, of Warrenton, Virginia, to Samuel Chapman of Covington, Virginia, most written on stationery of the Department of Justice. (Other recipients are noted in the inventory.) The letters discuss the...

GLC03921

[General Orders No. 143 regarding the organization of African American troops]

Establishes a bureau for organizing and recruiting African American troops. Issued by Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General based upon the orders of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Excerpts include: "III. Boards will be convened at such posts...

GLC03721.01

General Order #147 re: reversing dismissal, remitting death sentence of Private

Reversing a decision against Lt. John C. Walsh, 28th Reg. NY Vols.

GLC03721.02

General orders no. 190

Order stating that "All men enlisting in the Regular Army for five years' service...shall receive a premium, advance pay, and bounty, of $402."

GLC03721.03

General orders, no. 191

An order regarding the recruitment, enlistment , pay, and service of veteran volunteers.

GLC03721.04

General Orders no.152

Appointing R. M. Scott as secretary to General in chief.

GLC03721.05

[Presidential pardon of Robert L. Weakley who had fought against the United States].

A citizen of Tennesse, Weakley, was pardoned by Lincoln because he had taken the oath prescribed in the proclamation of the president dated 8 December 1863. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03743

to Joseph Barnes

Addressed to the Surgeon General and marked as "Confidential Circular" at top. Instructs that the Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton] directs that all supplies for General William T. Sherman's army be sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina immediately.

GLC03749

to Robert E. Lee

Reviews confederate military position on the eve on Gettysburg. Discusses General U.S. Grant's entrenchment at the Mississippi and attempt to take Vicksburg from General Joseph Johnston. Mentions the need to reinforce Johnston with troops from...

GLC03778

to Charles A. Morton

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Colonel Morton regarding the destruction incurred on Sherman's March to the Sea. He discusses the term "Sherman's Monuments" for the chimneys left after houses burnt down, claims that he never...

GLC03780

to John E. Wool

Major General McClellan writes to Major General Wool regarding Yorktown. He discusses the strength of enemy positions, reports of Joseph E. Johnston's arrival in Yorktown, the possibility of a union attack near Yorktown, his lack of troops, and his...

GLC03781

to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Asking for Howard's assistance in his pardon application. "I write this truly trusting the war has not changed your feelings towards me personally..."

GLC03722.01

to Oliver O. Howard

Howard was head of the Freedmen's Bureau. Lee reponds to Howard's letter (not present) of 26 July 1865 in which Howard declined to take an interest in his pardon application. He describes his motives in fighting for the Confederacy and refers to the...

GLC03722.02

to Joseph E. Brown

Disagreement over whether the replacement for a deceased officer in a Georgia regiment is to be elected or chosen by the President. Brown, who often believed Jefferson Davis exercised too much power, believed that the officer should be elected...

GLC03723

Appointment of Alexander H. Stephens as agent to treat with Va. (c/s Toombs)

Countersigned by Robert Toombs. Stephens was to negotiate Virginia's joining the Confederacy.

GLC03724

to Thomas Scott

Reports on capture of Clarksville, Curtis' defeat of Price, desire for stores and steamboats, and the need for Buell to move urgently. States "have taken Clarksville," Tennessee, as well as "large supplies." General Samuel Curtis "has again...

GLC03736

Memoranda During the War [presentation copy to J.Q.A. Ward]

Inscribed on a printed "Remembrance Copy" notice. To Ward from "his friend the Author."

GLC03737

[Pro-Lincoln campaign speech by a Union army officer who commanded the 15th corps, 2nd division] [incomplete]

Reminds the soldiers of the necessity of the Civil War and why they are fighting, " ... the suppression of the Rebellion and the preservation of American Liberty." Urges the soldiers to vote for the Union ticket and influence their friends and...

GLC03738

to William M. Stone

Cochran writes to Major Stone at Mobile, Alabama. Draws Stone's attention to the case of James L. Godbold, "who before the passage of the last Exemption Act applied for exemption from military service under the 20 negro law, & paid $500." Notes...

GLC03740

to Parents re: soldier's letter recounting details of Sherman's march

Unsigned letter, describing Sherman's march from Savannah, through Georgia and the Carolinas from 1/29/1865.

GLC03741

to Asa Smith

Letters from William Smith to his brother Asa Smith. The Smith family appears to be from Newton, Massachusetts. See GLC03681.01-.03 for letters by Asa Smith to his mother on the battle between the USS "Monitor" and the CSS "Merrimac."

GLC03742

Letter and printed document related to the fall of Richmond during the Civil War [Decimalized .01-.02]

See descriptions in GLC03744.01-02

GLC03744

to John S. Thrasher

Accepts Thrasher's offer to telegraph him relevant news items and send him a Richmond newspaper daily. Expresses his desire that the state authorities would help find army deserters and "get them back." Also discusses military movements.

GLC03745

[James B. McPherson diary describing early Union successes in the western theatre.]

Notebook with McPherson's diary discussing the western theatre under Grant, with some 1861 diary entries relating to Fort Donelson, diagrams on making pickets, lists of artillery at different forts, and a hand-drawn map of Chickasaw (from 1864)...

GLC03746.01

to Joseph E. Johnston re: defense of Richmond during Peninsular Campaign, plans

Also concerns his plans to obstruct the James River.

GLC03747

to Anthony Thornton

Discusses South Carolinians view of the Union, and worries that America may be punished. States "All give me much more credit for what has been done here, than I deserve...I fear that as a Nation we have taken too much upon ourselves - that we have...

GLC03748

to William Pitt

Notes the retreat from Peninsular Campaign, Richmond. Also mentions the destruction of Federal supplies when retreating.

GLC03754

to Lewis Anthony

Discusses the Election of 1864 and soldiers support for President Abraham Lincoln.

GLC03755

[Collection of letters belonging to Clarence Calkins, 1863-1888][Decimalized .01-.46]

Collection of letters belonging to Clarence Calkins dated 1863-1888. Correspondence is primarily sent between Clarence to his family members; Samuel J. Calkins, his father; Nettie and Nellie his sisters; and his brother Oscar Calkins. Contents...

GLC03766

to Thomas R.R. Cobb re: Congress meeting in a few days, defense of Col. Benning

Noted as Private at top.

GLC03768

The Old Flag. First Published by Union prisoners at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas.

Postwar souvenir facsimile of prison camp newspaper from 17 February 1864 to 15 March 1864, six issues. According to the preface, written by J.P. Robens, "The Old Flag" was published during an imprisonment of 13 months in Tyler, Texas. Contains...

GLC03772

Report of the Committee on Federal Relations in Regard to the Calling of a Sovereign Convention

Also on the committee were J.H. Gordon, G.W. Goldsborough, James T. Briscoe, and Barnes Compton. Printed by E.S. Riley in Frederick, Maryland. Opposes all efforts to defeat rebellion in the Confederate States. Says "If a President of the United...

GLC03773.01

Free Masonry and the War

Full title is "Free Masonry and the War. Report of the Committee Under the Resolutions of 1862, Grand Lodge of Virginia, in Reference to Our Relations as Masonic Bodies and as Masons; in the North and South, Growing Out of the Manner in Which the...

GLC03773.02

Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina

Printed at the "Daily Confederate" Office in Raleigh. Consists of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for 1864. Back of cover says these proceedings should be "read at some convenient time, for the information of members of their...

GLC03773.03

to Daniel Butterfield

Commander Military Division of the Mississippi Sherman writes to General Butterfield to discuss preparations for the campaign against Atlanta and problems with rail transportation. He also comments on the high quality of General Thomas Hooker's...

GLC03779

to Richard S. Ewell

Brigadier General Commanding Beauregard writes to General Ewell to give instructions on troop position and permit an attack on Centreville, if the opportunity arises. Letter written shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run.

GLC03782

to A. P. Mason

Brigadier General Early writes to Major Mason requesting information about recruiting and re-enlisting men. With Mason's 5 February 1862 autograph note signed, on verso of Early's letter, answering Early's questions. Written from "Head Quarters."

GLC03783

to David Hunter

To Major General Hunter, Commander of the Department of the South, Brigadier General Rufus Saxton, military governor of the region including South Carolina, A. C. Smith, W. E. Wording, and William Henry Brisbane. President Lincoln authorizes these...

GLC04001

[Carte de visite of Fitzhugh Lee]

Pictured with a very full beard, in full Confederate uniform. Edges have been trimmed. With a series of notes on verso which include: "Given me by Gen'l Lee -- Aug. 65." (The writer confused Lee's.)

GLC03987

[Collection of two documents of Captain J. S. James] Decimalized

GLC03988

to T.W. Colley

Offering to purchase artificial foot for T. W. Colley, a Confederate amputee. Hopes to purchase the foot with the money he raised during a fair "for the relief of the South." Lee is now "engaged in farming."

GLC03990

General orders, no. 65

Order appointing General H. W. Halleck in command of the Army of Virginia, and General E. O. C. Ord in command of the Department of the South. Order issued by the Secretary of War, signed by Burger as Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC02878.01

Map of the Vicinity of Richmond, and Part of the Pennisula

Rare lithographic Confederate map "from surveys made by order of Major General J.F. Gilmer Chief Engineer C.S.A.," the cartographer is unknown. Shows Richmond and its environs in great detail, including roads, rivers, railroads, and towns. Probably...

GLC02877

to Dr. F.S. Bell

Orlando, Union Colonel Commanding the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, sends Bell his official report of the capture of Fort Anderson in order to clear up erroneous statements being made about it. States "I was in command of all the...

GLC02878.02

Collection of signatures, calling cards, and other documents related to political who also served during the Civil War [Decimalized .01- .16]

Collection of signatures and documents, including items signed or related to Benjamin Franklin Butler, Joshua Chamberlain, Orris S. Ferry, Walter Q. Gresham, William T. Sherman, Joseph Wheeler, and Samuel Francis Du Pont.

GLC02878.04

Collection of Civil War prints

GLC02881

Battle of Williamsburg Va. May 5th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "Victorious charge of the gallant Soldiers of the North and East, under Genl. McClellan, the invincible leader of the...

GLC02881.03

Battle of Mill Spring, Ky. Jan 19th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption beneath the title reads: "Terrific bayonet charge of the 9th Ohio Volunteers (Col. McCook) and total defeat of the Rebel under Genl...

GLC02881.04

Bombardment & capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet, N.C.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption below the title reads: "By the U.S. Fleet under Commodore Stringham and the Forces under Genl. Butler. Aug. 27th 1861." Depicts the Union...

GLC02881.07

Bombardment of Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island, Geo 10th & 11th of April 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "After a bombardment of 30 hours, the Fort surrendered unconditionally to the U.S. Forces, under the immediate...

GLC02881.08

Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Jany. 2nd 1863. Betwen the Union forces, under Genl. Rosecrans, and the Rebel Army under General Bragg.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "This was one of the greatest battles of the war, commencing on the 31st December 1862, and (after terrible losses)...

GLC02881.09

Battle of Fair Oaks, Va. May 31st 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption beneath the title reads: "General McClellan having advanced 'The Army of the Potomac' to near Richmond, the Rebels took advantage of a...

GLC02881.10

Battle of Pittsburg, Tenn. April 7th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Depicts the Battle of Shiloh. Caption under the title reads: "This plate represents the moment, when the heroic Genl. Grant rode to the left of the...

GLC02881.11

Bombardment & capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Full title: "The Bombardment and Capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863. By the Gun-boats, commanded by Rear Admiral D. D...

GLC02881.12

Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. View of Fort Sumter under heavy bombardment and returning fire. The United States flag stands tall in the center of the print. Fort Moultrie and...

GLC02881.15

Terrific combat between the "Monitor" 2 guns & "Merrimac" 10 guns

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Title continues: "in Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862. In which the little "Monitor" whipped the "Merrimac" and the whole "School" of Rebel Steamers."...

GLC02881.16