August 1781

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: Draft of letter soliciting aid for patriots in South Carolina and Georgia

Letter written by Adams as President of the Massachusetts Senate. He references a letter he received on July 31, 1781 enclosing a Congressional resolution of support for South Carolina and Georgia. He says humanity should induce them to reply, but when you consider their patience and fortitude as patriots to their country's cause, they especially deserve recognition. He says that even though there are so many applications for funds to this body, that this one has weight because of the affliction the people of the south suffer and because of their early support of the Revolution in Boston.…

GLC00568

1784

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Pamphlet

Title: A Letter from Phocion, to the considerate citizens of New York

Evans 18515. Urging toleration for Tories and a united foreign policy, as the states had started infringing upon the Treaty of Paris with anti-Tory measures. Rebound in 20th C. cloth.

GLC00569

September 23, 1824

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

A long letter on politics, foreign relations, Pickering's relationship with John Adams and others, and attacks on him in print. Extensively discusses the politics surrounding his "Review of the Adams & Cunningham Correspondence." Comments on the relationship of his review to the writing of his memoirs. Also goes into detail about the personal attacks made against him in the newspapers. Discusses the political ambitions of Edward Everett, then a professor at Harvard. Among the prominent figures discussed are Jefferson and Adams, John Quincy Adams, Alexander Everett, and Edward Everett. A…

GLC00570

1862-1863

Ruggles, Edward, 1817-1867

Header Record

Title: [2 letters to Edward S. Ruggles pertaining to his appointments] [decimalized .01-.02]

Decimilized at GLC0571.01 and .02.

GLC00571

15 May 1862

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Edward S. Ruggles

On Confederate Navy Department stationery. Signed by Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory. Endorsed by Admiral Franklin Buchanan and Commodore Charles McBlair. Letter appointing Ruggles, who was in Jackson, Mississippi, as Acting Midshipman in the Confederate Navy, Signal Corps. Ruggles was assigned to the second class. Buchanan's endorsement says that Ruggles "Reported July 21st 62. Report for duty on board the 'Morgan.'" Edward S. Ruggles (1843-1919) was the son of Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles, who fought at Shiloh, Corinth and Baton Rouge before being appointed commissary general of…

GLC00571.01

20 August 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Document signed

Title: to Edward S. Ruggles

Partially-printed document signed by Confederate Secretary of War Seddon. Appoints Ruggles as Signal Officer with the rank and pay of Second Lieutenant in the Provisional Army (Ruggles had previously served in the Navy), effective 19 August 1863. Ruggles to report to "Maj. Morris for more thorough instruction in the Signal Service." Ruggles was the son of CSA brigadier general Daniel Ruggles.

GLC00571.02

1834-1866

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.38]

Documents relating to the arming of Georgia and Semmes's militia and early Civil War service. Most documents are housed together, although .4 and .18 are in oversize documents and .38 (button) is housed separately. Includes his Univ of Virginia instruction certificate, pre-war militia training, manuals.

GLC00572

21 April 1834

Partridge, N., fl. 1834

Document signed

Title: [Recommendation letter and certification of military instruction for Paul J. Semmes]

Partridge certifies that Semmes attended his course at the University of Virginia on military instruction "embracing the practical drills of infantry; permanent & field fortification; artillery; the attack & defense of fortified places; Ancient & Modern Tactics ..." Recommends Semmes and praises him as "attentive to the Instruction, correct in his deportment and his conduct that of the Gentleman and the Soldier." Docket crossed out on verso.

GLC00572.01

April 21, 1853

Gallie, John B., 1806-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Roswell Ellis

Addressed to Lieutenant Roswell Ellis, commanding officer of the Columbus Guard (Georgia). From Gallie as the Captain of the Chatham Artillery, W.H.C. Mills as the Captain of the Phoenix Riflemen, and C.A. Lamar as Captain of the Georgia Hussars. Invites the Columbus Guard to join the Oglethorpe Infantry of Augusta in a joint parade and picnic when they visit Savannah. Paul J. Semmes was the Captain of the Columbus Guard. Gallie reached the rank of major during the Civil War; he was killed in action at Fort McCallister in 1863.

GLC00572.02

30 June 1853

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders no. 1

Semmes's working draft of an order that gives instructions on baggage trains, ammunition and pitching tents for the move of the Columbus guard to Camp Montgomery. Possibly a draft as there are cross outs and insertions. By orders of Captain Semmes and Captain Cooper. Written from the headquarters of the Volunteer Battalion, Columbus, Georgia. On blue paper.

GLC00572.03

July 1, 1853

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Headquarters: Volunteer Battalion. Order no. 2. Camp Montgomery, July 1, 1853.

Orders for the daily schedule and other information for the volunteer battalion. Signed in print by Semmes as Captain of the Columbus Guard, A. H. Cooper, Captain of the City Light Guards, and T. Lomax, Adjutant. Semmes corrected version with autograph manuscript annotations and corrections, in his hand including an "s" after "Order." Written in Camp Montgomery

GLC00572.04

24 June 1858

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Printed document

Title: Orders, No. 26.

Printed orders for the Columbus Guard with three page autograph additions in Semmes hand, plus an autograph docket signed in Semmes hand on 25 June 1858. On blue paper. The orders concern assembling the company to celebrate the Anniversary of American Independence on 5 July 1858. Semmes's notes detail instructions for the day.

GLC00572.05

April 30, 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tennent Lomax Sr.

Semmes's retained copy. Addressed to Captain Lomax in Montgomery, Alabama. Writes that he is pleased to announce the cooperation of the City Light Guards and gives some information on the parade of ceremony. Docketed and signed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.06

May 3, 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Columbus Guards

Paul Jones Semmes announces his resignation as Captain of the Columbus Guard after six years of service.

GLC00572.07

30 June 1859

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Orders No. 7.

Printed orders of the Columbus Guard, of which Semmes was Captain, detailing how his battalion will participate in the festivities honoring the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States. Signed in print by Semmes and by Lock Weems, 1st Lieutenant, Columbus Guard. On blue paper. Weems reached the rank of 1st lieutenant during the Civil War; he was killed in action at Cold Harbor in 1862.

GLC00572.08

May 23, 1860

Dixon, George W., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Captain Dixon of the Auburn Guard asks Captain Semmes of the Columbus Guard if he can borrow tents for his company. Written and signed by Captain George W. Dixon.

GLC00572.09

June 27, 1860

Lomax, Tennent, Sr., 1820-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

States that they are forming a volunteer regiment in Montgomery and that he expects to be elected Colonel. Asks Semmes's advice on the positioning of certain companies in parades and in order of battle. Hopes Semmes can help him as he is "anxious to be right on this delicate point of rank, about which military men are so prone to quarrel and disagree." Lomax was Semmes's former adjutant. Docketed by Semmes. Lomax reached the rank of lieutenant colonel; he was killed in action at Fair Oaks in 1862.

GLC00572.10

August 3, 1860

Bolton, H., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Paul J. Semmes

Writes that he saw Semmes's letter to the New York Herald editor dated July 23 and published on July 30, 1860 in which he offered a copy of the rules written for the Columbus Guard to Captain Ellsworth. Elmer Ellsworth, the founder of the Chicago Zouaves, was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln and his family. On May 24, 1861, the day after Virginia voted to secede from the Union, Ellsworth led his New York Zouave regiment into Alexandria. He was shot to death after cutting down a large Confederate flag flying in that city, making him the Union's earliest martyr. He asks if Semmes could also…

GLC00572.11

August 7, 1860

Semmes, A.G., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Writes to his brother to inform him that he has found a man, Major A. Kleber, formerly in the French army, who will suit his purposes. Paul Semmes was looking for someone to train the Georgia troops. States that this man organized the Zouaves company in New Orleans. Advises his brother to engage him soon or else he will be employed elsewhere. Docketed by Paul Semmes.

GLC00572.12

August 20, 1860

Kleber, A., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter from a mercenary Semmes was considering hiring to train the Georgia troops. Kleber asks for $75 a month plus board and lodging. Also requests that his passage be paid and that he receive an $80 advance. Kleber was recommended by Semmes's brother (see GLC00572.12). Addressed to General Semmes and docketed by Semmes.

GLC00572.13

November 15, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul Semmes

Discusses the meeting of the legislature in Milledgeville, Georgia on the issue of secession. Writes that the general consensus in Milledgeville is one of resistance. States that Georgia Senator Benjamin Hill is demanding that Lincoln enforce the fugitive slave law. If the laws are not enforced, Hill will "help us dissolve the Union and we will all go together." Informs that "Many prominent men who have been here to force violent Union Men are now openly and strongly for immediate Secession." Written on blue paper. Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861. Bethune was a prominent…

GLC00572.14

November 17, 1860

Bethune, James N., 1803-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Informs that the Senate passed a bill calling for a secession convention in Georgia. Mentions the remote chance of war, "Amongst those who are doubtful or timid the feeling is getting out that they must take choice between the remote chance of a fight with the North and a fight at home..."

GLC00572.15

November 24, 1860

Williams, Charles J., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Informs that the General Assembly has passed a bill appropriating one million dollars to buy arms for Georgia and that Governor Joseph E. Brown requests his help in carrying this out. Asks Semmes to go to New York or wherever he needs to in order to get the arms. Colonel Hardee will offer counsel. Stresses the urgency of this, stating that, "the importance of prompt action need not be urged on you. Your heart is in this matter of resistance and we must have the means of rigorous defense." Gives instructions for telegraphing reports. Year inferred from content. Williams enlisted as a colonel…

GLC00572.16

September 5, 1860

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Discusses the hiring of a Major Kleber, a German mercenary, to train the Georgia troops. Advises that any information about training troops should be kept confidential and known only by those in the company. Relates that he is working on finding Semmes an overseer in time. Clemons, a member of the Columbus Guard, may have been the owner of a cotton gin company in Columbus, Georgia.

GLC00572.17

5 October 1860

Hambleton, James P., 1830-1897

Newspaper

Title: The Southern Confederacy. [Vol. 3, no. 30 (October 5, 1860)]

Articles on the 1860 presidential election, most focusing on Stephen A. Douglas. Also details the cotton crop in the south. Hambleton is listed as editor and proprietor.

GLC00572.18