Collection Search

[Navy signals]

Partially printed document. Mentions pendants, flags, color, location, and signification of signal. A separate section indicates night signals. Regiment numbers hand written.

GLC05219

[Orderly book of British troops in Boston]

Contains detailed orders, passwords, information on supplies and behavior, and court martials, among various other topics. Possibly the orderly book of Generals William Howe and Henry Clinton.

GLC04427

to Edwin M. Stanton

Written by General Halleck as commander of the Department of the Mississippi to Stanton as Secretary of War. Has heard that the rebels are building one or more riverboats "clad in rail road iron like the Merrimac." Says if it is true they can wreak...

GLC04536

to Thomas A. Scott

Asks that all possible reinforcements be sent to Cairo to assist "as I wish to cut the enemy's line before Beauregard arrives. Noted "in cypher."

GLC04537

to George Wood

Thanks Wood for sending a letter written by Secretary of State William H. Seward concerning a petition for government aid in constructing an overland international telegraph line. Remarks upon the rapid progress of the telegraph throughout the world...

GLC04080

to William Sampson

Attempting to correct newspaper reports that he was responsible for victory over the Spanish fleet on 3 July. Encloses a copy of the cipher telegram.

GLC04276

Signaux de Reconnoissance pour servir a tous les vaisseux du Roi, dans les rencontres a la mer, & en se presentant devant les ports appartenans a la France, en Europe & dans les Colonies, pendant l'annee [in French]

French signal book of the Yorktown campaign. Lists the signals used for recognition by French naval vessels. Ten different sets of signals. Different signals used for night and day, for European and Colonial waters, and for contacting land and...

GLC04323.02

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 R. West

Letter begins on 8 June at sea and continues on 17 June (he writes July 17, but that is impossible) at Fernandina, Florida; 27 June; 8 July; and 16 July at Hampton Roads, Virginia. On 8 June says he is 30 miles south of Savannah and near their...

GLC03836.08

Burgoyne-Kingston collection: papers concerning Convention Army after Saratoga [word processed inventory available] [decimalized]

Bulk 11/1777-04/1778. Papers retained by Lieut. Gen. John Burgoyne's Adjutant General, mostly his (frequently strained) communications with Maj. Gen. William Heath concerning the conditions of the British officer prisoners (41 items). The...

GLC04764

[Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with his superiors while a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. On verso are the names of the people who seem to be in on the coded messages: General Sir William Howe, General Robert Pigot...

GLC04764.01

[Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with Sir Henry Clinton in code. "Sir Henry Clinton" is written in pen at the top of one side, along with the word "Top" as a direction of how to place the cypher. There are 4 cut outs. When placed over a...

GLC04764.02

[Cypher]

Cypher for coded messages probably made by Kingston as a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. Has four long rectangles cut out. When placed over a letter of the same size the cut outs allow the true message to be conveyed. The name "L...

GLC04764.03

[Receipt for Elijah Grout and Robert Perry]

Related to GLC04764.07. Record of Captain Justus Sherwood for the payment of four guineas to Elijah Grout and Robert Perry for their expedition to the Connecticut River and four guineas to Jeptha Hawley for his party to go to Albany. Sherwood says he...

GLC04764.09

to Timothy Pickering

Written by King as American Ambassador to Britain to Secretary of State Pickering. Written in numeric cipher, probably concerning the implications of XYZ Affair. Letter was unable to be uncoded at this time. Cipher could possibly be in the Rufus...

GLC04798

to John Barry

Hancock, Thomas McKean, Richard Henry Lee, John Alsop, Joseph Hewes, Robert Morris, and Edward Rutledge sign as members of the Marine Committee (all but Alsop went on to sign the Declaration of Independence). Hancock et al. inform Captain Barry that...

GLC03714

to William McBlair

Directing McBlair to proceed to the Congo River area to suppress the illegal traffic in slaves and ordering him to cooperate with British naval forces already in the area. Sends "private instructions" (possibly related to GLC00722.04) on how to deal...

GLC05832.03

Information regarding slavers, received from the master of the "Jupiter" captured by Her M S "Antelope"

Clerical copy of a deposition taken by Lt. John W. Pike, captain of the HMS "Antelope," from the master of the "Jupiter," an illegal slaver captured by the "Antelope" in June of 1857. The statement describes the operation of an illegal slave ship...

GLC05832.05

[Joseph Chew's discussion of a letter from Benedict Arnold]

The note, signed by Chew, explains how the accompanying letter (no longer present) was kept undercover, "This Letter was delivered as a Blank Sheet of Paper put over one or two newspapers - which by wetting with a Proper Composition made it Legible."...

GLC05533.02

Cipher for telegraphic correspondence

Printed book with manuscript annotations indicating classified code words. The book lists code words for telegraphs, the actual words they correspond to are written by hand. Book was printed for the years "1861 & '62" but contains note on the cover...

GLC06233

Pocket diary

14 prefatory and almanac pages + 121 diary pages + 37 memoranda and account pages. Entries throughout, plus notes.
Summary of selected entries
1. 01/04/64. Resignation of General Stoneman. Also, "Reconnaissance to Shenandoah Valley has returned not...

GLC06738.04

Military Telegraph Operators at City Point.

Caption: Photographer. 7 men in two rows, 2 standing and 5 seated, grouped between two pine trees in front of two tents. The man furthest right in the picture sits on an upended suitcase and leans against a fence; the man to his right sits in a...

GLC06738.06

Group of 12 men in front of tents, among pine trees.

Negative by T.H.O. Sullivan; Positive by Alex Gardner. 8 seated men, 4 standing in the background. Possible variant of # 7, though some figures appear different. Positive IDs possible for: 1. Dennis Doren. 6. James Caldwell.

GLC06738.08

to Ethan A. Hitchcock

Writes to Major General Hitchcock about exchanging prisoners. Believes that prisoners not wanting to return to Confederate service should be exchanged first. "Those who preferred Northern prisons to a return to the rebel service were invited to...

GLC05727

to George H. Thomas

Grant, commander-in-chief of the United States Army, instructs General Thomas to move out of Nashville, Tennessee, "and force the enemy to retire or fight upon ground of your own choosing." Informs Thomas, commanding the Department of the Cumberland...

GLC05730

to Philip H. Sheridan

Marked cipher at top and copied on verso. Writes to Major General Sheridan at Winchester, Virginia about General William T. Sherman's movements. "General Sherman's movements will depend on the amount of opposition he meets from the enemy." Feels...

GLC05734

to Edward Richard Sprigg Canby

Written in the clerical hand of C. Christensen, Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General of the Military Division of West Mississippi. Marked as a true copy. "Cipher" is written at the top. Sherman, commander of the Military Division of...

GLC05747

[Orders for U.S. Colored Troops in the campaign on Cole, Battery, and James Islands]

Orders indicating the role of Union African American troops during the campaign leading to the 18 February 1865 Union occupation of Charleston, South Carolina. Issued by the command of Colonel A. S. Hartwell. Walton, Assistant Adjutant General at...

GLC06379

to George B. McClellan

Written aboard the USS "Galena" by Commander Rodgers to Major General McClellan. Says he thinks the flag officer has written to McClellan. The flag officer does not like to answer official questions sent to an officer under his command. Reports that...

GLC02466.13

to William E. Jones

Congratulates Jones for his cavalry raid into West Virginia. Remarks, "I wish that I could be with you" on Jones's next expedition.

GLC02711.05

to Milledge Luke Bonham

Ferguson, aide-de-camp for General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to General Bonham, stationed at Fairfax County. Ferguson has been directed by the General commanding (Beauregard), to send a list of names to be used as countersigns (list not included)....

GLC02459.08

to William Pinkney

Discusses congressional proceedings, foreign affairs, the Chesapeake affair, British and French aggression, and the Embargo Act of 1807. A portion of the letter has been written in code and is translated in another hand. Letter signed as Secretary of...

GLC01191

to Gustavus Vasa Fox

A telegram in which Grant asks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox if he would like to accompany him from Fort Monroe to Fort Fisher. Grant suggests the use of a "Naval Vessel" for the journey. Marked "Cipher." Fort Fisher had been captured on 15...

GLC01554

to Henry W. Halleck

Marked "Cipher" at top. Grant sends Halleck this telegram in response to a false alarm speculating that Lee might retreat south, and indicates the priority of providing his army with more horses for operations against Lee. Gives instructions on...

GLC00325

to Edwin McMasters Stanton

Union General Grant transmits a communication just received from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Stanton, Secretary of War, regarding the exchange of "Citizen prisoners and prisoners of War improperly captured." States that Union General Edward...

GLC00445

[to Miller A. Wright]

Written from Headquarters, Military Post, Atlanta, Georgia. Lee informs the recipient of the letter [probably Miller] that he can receive his pay at the post at which he is stationed.

GLC02691.11.042

to Thomas H. Sullivan

He lists the countersigns by date and city.

GLC02745.021

to William Pinkney

Indicates that he is sending a series of gazettes reporting on congressional proceedings, which "will give you a view of our internal affairs." Explains the route by which Mr. Nourse will deliver them to London so that Pinkney can arrange other...

GLC03419

to Benjamin Tallmadge

Notes that although the Culper spy ring [which he addresses as "he"] does not propose giving anymore information until the middle of March, he hopes if anything important comes up, he will be notified. Asks Tallmadge to communicate this. Samuel...

GLC03884

[Instructions to James Brown, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to France]

Written by Quincy Adams as Secretary of State to Brown as American Ambassador to France. Lists 14 items he included with instructions, including: a commission for his post, a letter of credence to King Louis XVIII, full powers for negotiating...

GLC03922

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

1863 Diary

Henry Cook describes his life in camp, including his reading and other pasttimes, day trips into cities, soldiers' pay, food, and signal corps duty. He also writes of the movements of the signal corps and of his regiment (9th NJ Volunteers) in...

GLC03958.02

to Joseph E. Johnston

Writes in a telegram, "A scout reports that Genl. Lee surrendered the remnant of his Army near to Appomatox [sic] C.H. yesterday. No official intelligence of the event, but there is little room for doubt, as to the result." Davis orders General...

GLC03233

Countersign and Parole list

GLC02745.026

Circular

Countersign and parole. Also ordering troops to have one day's ration cooked. They must be in bed by 8 o' clock.

GLC02745.047

[Private signals for British vessels to identify one another at sea by day and night]

Provides very specific instructions for identification procedures. Written on board the H.M.S. Perseus. Written to Captain George Darby, commander of the sloop Pylades. Based on the command of Admiral Leonard Horner.

GLC01450.412.16

Instructions [signals]

Written during the war with Cuba. Signal instructions for the Squadron under the command of Sir George Pocock, Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. Addressed "To the Master of the Prince George Transport, By Command of the Admiral."...

GLC01450.450

[Printed secret codes, nomenclator]

The document is printed and handwritten on both sides. One side is typeset with various words beginning with each letter of the alphabet and the other side is printed with numbers 1-1700 in chronological order. The handwritten notes next to each word...

GLC01450.601

to Edward Richard Sprigg Canby

Marked "(Cipher)" at top. In this telegram, Grant criticizes Canby's request for men and material to build 70 miles of railroad, and orders him to "Take Mobile and hold it." He writes, "I expected your movements to have been cooperative with Shermans...

GLC01555

to Anna Ralston and Robert James

Frank James writes to his wife Anna and son Robert (referred to as "My Precious Ones") while being pursued by state and federal authorities. References the Shakespearean character, Timon of Athens, who also spent time exiled in the forest. Reflects...

GLC01692

to John Brown

Madison writes to Brown, then a Kentucky lawyer and later a senator, to promise further communication of his thoughts on making Kentucky a state. Also comments cryptically, because he has no cypher established with Brown, about his sentiments...

GLC01742.01

to Eliakim P. Scammon

States that Union General Henry W. Halleck reported that the captured dispatches between Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee shows that there is no rebel force left between Lee's Army and Richmond, Virginia. Orders that...

GLC01903

Collection of Jeremiah M. Tate, H company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry [decimalized .01-.63]

Private Tate served for a time with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah; he appears to have come from Pickensville, Alabama. Tate's letters, written to his mother and sister Mary Jane at Jenna Point (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama), concern First Bull...

GLC02082

[Sermons collected from the manuscripts of the late Rev. John D. Blair].

Signed by John Marshall. With pasted signature of E. J. Laughlin on front pastedown. Blair was Chaplain of the Virginia House of Delegates and the sermons are about the death of Washington; criticism of the writings of Thomas Paine; and various...

GLC05605

to Edwin McMasters Stanton

Grant, Commander in Chief of the United States Army, writes to Stanton, Secretary of War. Relates his receipt of a dispatch from General Foster (possibly John Gray Foster), describing the capture of Savannah, Georgia "with artillery, munitions of...

GLC05978

[General orders no. 29 regarding countersign signals]

Issued by S. William and John Jones as Assistant Adjutant Generals at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Includes specific instructions on both day and night countersign signals. Includes an unsigned handwritten note on the last page...

GLC06628.05

Wallet dairy.

10 almanac and preface pages + 120 diary pages + 30 memoranda and account pages. Entries include details of working life, war news. NB.
No entries from June 22 - July 10. Emerick was ill during this period, with "symptoms of typhus." (Entry for...

GLC06738.03

Military Telegraph Operators in Richmond.

Negative by T.H.O. Sullivan; positive by Alex Gardner, 511 Seventh Street, Washington. 11 men grouped between pine trees in front of two tents. Seven of the men sit on chairs, while four stand behind them. A small dog occupies a director's stool at...

GLC06738.07

to James W. Nesmith

Union cipher letter written on stationery of the Head Quarters of Army of the Potomac, office of the Chief Quarter Master.

GLC00537

to John Saunders

Written by Scottish officer Colonel Balfour as commandant of Charlestown, South Carolina to Captain Saunders, a Loyalist, as commandant of Georgetown, South Carolina. Written in numeric code. Cypher included in collateral file. Letter says: "You wil...

GLC00609

to Edward O. C. Ord

"(Cipher)" written at top. In this telegram, Grant informs Ord that Sheridan reached White House, VA today; and tells Ord to hold crossings of the Chickahominy River and send a division of troops to meet Sheridan. Marked "Copied" on verso. Written on...

GLC00639.10

to William T. Sherman

Telegram to General William T. Sherman above which Grant has penned a note requesting a member of his staff at City Point, Virginia, to send the dispatch in cipher to General Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, regarding his progress, the flight of...

GLC01102

[Instructions on the use of ciphers and codes]

Discusses ciphers and the numerous ways their messages may be concealed. Date estimated from other items in the group. In a collection with a letter by James Longstreet to John G. Walker.

GLC01404.02

[Diary of Ezra Tilden]

Provides a detailed day by day account of Tilden's march through New York during the Revolutionary War. Writes extensively about daily duties, poor rations, hunger, hardships along the march, sickness and death amongst the soldiers, and the...

GLC01450.004

to: [Robert] Allen. (Louisville, [Ky.])

secretarial copy of a telegram requesting a special passenger train to carry Jefferson Davis to Washington, D.C: "Keep quiet about the object of engaging the special train but it must be at Parkersburg on Friday next…." Note at upper right reads "By...

GLC07642.03

To: Henry Knox.

Protecting the Hudson, adjusting the system of signals (including rockets) guards in New York.

GLC07965

to unknown

Indicates that he received intelligence from his correspondent about the British receiving reinforcements from New York in Charleston, he is "of opinion that the reinforcement you have received from General St. Clair, must have put you in a position...

GLC08903

General signals

Explains a secret numeric code to be used when transmitting signals between ships.

GLC00722.05

Copy of telegram in cipher to Jefferson Davis

Recipient's copy of a telegram to Confederate President Jefferson Davis written in Confederate cipher, decoded above each line of the message in pencil. The telegram concerns military strategy and Beauregard's advice not to divide the Army of...

GLC00806

to Edwin M. Stanton

Discusses future appointments within the army. Suggests that the state of Tennessee should be under one commander and that west Kentucky and west Tennessee should be added to General George H. Thomas's command. Mentions General Cadwallader C...

GLC00090

to Mary

The letter is written faintly in pencil on foxed paper. The third page is written in his code. Mentions still being on hospital duty.

GLC02082.57

to his sister

Continues GLC02082.30. Comments on a code for writing letters.

GLC02082.31

to Dorcus and to his sister

Letter on first page to cousin Dorcus, hoping that her sweetheart Robert has fared well in the late battle. Uses a numeric code. Letter of last three pages to his sister. Describes Gettysburg and their retreat: "Hear we have bin for several days...

GLC02082.39

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written on the battle field near Dallas, Georgia. He explains that he is unsure of what effect the army has had on the war being in Georgia but hopes that it is good. Writes that they have had all the rations they can eat and keep several days worth...

GLC07460.077

to Rutherford B. Hayes

Marked "send in cypher" at bottom. Writes to Colonel Hayes of the 23rd Ohio to give instructions on their next move. Tells him to be ready to move by Wednesday. "Ammunition, Tents & 10 days rations for men & horses will be ready. Make no unusual...

GLC02414.028

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry regarding scouting activities. Reports on the Confederate troops's whereabouts and requests again more artillery...

GLC02414.110

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Duval. Explains the report of a scout named Jim Webb but states he does not have confidence in it. Informs that five of Colonel Tomlinson's men were...

GLC02414.115

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Duval. Reports that Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry says that a company of Confederate troops is moving toward Gauley bridge and that another...

GLC02414.112

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Carr Bailey White of the 12th Ohio Infantry. Gives Major Cadot's report of an ambush of the cavalry: "...two men killed and five wounded asks for surgeon...

GLC02414.117

[Scammon endorsement on a telegram from Carr Bailey White]

Possibly a decoded cypher telegram to General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio Infantry reporting on 4000 Confederate troops at Meadow Bluff. Might be a copy in Scammon's hand. With autograph endorsement signed in...

GLC02414.108

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Carr Bailey White of the 12th Ohio Infantry. Reports on scouting activities. Only dated July, year inferred from similar documents in the collection.

GLC02414.114

[Scammon endorsement on a manuscript letter from John T. Toland] [incomplete]

Toland writes to General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio in cypher about moving to Wyoming [Courthouse]. Might be only part of the letter. With autograph endorsement on verso by Scammon, signed in initials of Scammon stating that "Lt Hastings will...

GLC02414.083

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry reporting on scouting activities in West Virginia. Not dated, date inferred from similar documents in the collection.

GLC02414.109

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry regarding Lieutenant Blazer's report on scouting and the location of Confederate troops. Written stationary marked Head...

GLC02414.111

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Carr Bailey White of the 12th Ohio Infantry. Reports on Lieutenant Blazer's letter of 4 December where he informed that he infiltrated the Confederate...

GLC02414.113

[Decoded cypher telegram]

Possibly in General Eliakim P. Scammon's hand. States that eight deserters came into Gauley, West Virginia and the author asks what to do with them while in custody. The author could possibly be Colonel Carr Bailey White, who wrote other similar...

GLC02414.116

[Decoded cypher telegram to unknown]

Copy of a telegram from Colonel Toland possibly to General Eliakim P. Scammon. Written in cypher in one hand, and decoded underneath possibly in the hand of Scammon. Toland writes that the powder and fuse are not in any of the wagons and that...

GLC02414.185

to Henry W. Halleck

Discusses strategy to engage General Robert E. Lee's army. After much deliberation he decided "to attempt the movement by his right, throwing the whole army rapidly & secretly, across the Rappahannock at Banks ford & Fredericksburg & taking...

GLC08902

to Estelle Spero

Diamond outlines the day's course of events, which included watching two films - one on "Booby traps" and one on signal communication, instructing a group on map-reading and map-making,

GLC09120.070

to Estelle Spero

Diamond outlines his day for Estelle - watching a series of films on defense against mechanized war agents, sitting through a lecture on sex hygiene, participating in a dismounted foot drill, two hours of instruction in basic signal communication...

GLC09120.104

[General Order. No 16.]

Orders for the establishment of a set of signals "as the means of communication between the Army & the fleet." Signals are to be made with rockets, but "the color of the rocket make [sic] no difference."

GLC02254.35

to Elbridge Gerry re: frustrations and doubts on British commercial treaty

Written as U.S. Minister to Great Britain after formally presenting his credentials to George III. Enclosing letters (not included) "sent to Mr. Jay in Cypher." America had been flooded with British imports after the Revolution, but Congress was...

GLC02293

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe tells the story of a man called into the army whose wife was pregnant. He wanted to keep his first baby a secret so he had the hospital authorities inform him in code. He also realizes that he and Sylvia were playing the same game at the same...

GLC09414.0781

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Copy of a telegram to Brigadier General Eliakim P. Scammon possibly in his hand. Marked cypher. Colonel White states that the Confederate cavalry came within sight last night. Says that he sent his cavalry force to the front and ordered them to...

GLC02414.138

to Eliakim P. Scammon

marked "Cifer." Gen. Kelley asks for Scammon's views on how to hold Meadow Bluff over the winter "I am at a loss to determine what to do in regard to holding Meadow Bluff this winter…I am determined how ever that the Enemy shall not occupy Lewisburg...

GLC02414.249

to Operator

In code addressed to Operator. Written in Camp Piatt

GLC02414.339

to Thomas

In code. Docket reads "Col. C.B. White/Statement of Mrs. Miller/about 22nd & 45th Va"

GLC02414.341

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Marked cypher at top. Brigadier General Kelley writes to Brigadier General Scammon discussing the journey of General William Woods Averell from Beverly to Lewisburg, West Virginia. States he is taking 10 days of rations. Advises that Scammon give...

GLC02414.171

to unknown

Copy of a telegram from Colonel White to unknown recipient. Possibly decoded cypher. Informs that General Eliakim P. Scammon's cavalry went out to the front last night but encountered a blockaded road and were ambushed near Raleigh, West Virginia....

GLC02414.184

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Telegram to Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio. Partially in code, signed with code name "Graham."

GLC02414.229