15 June 1850

Ewing, Thomas, 1789-1871

Document signed

Title: Widow's pension certificate

Widow's pension certificate for Isabella St. Clair, wife of Daniel St. Clair, Drum Major in the Revolutionary War. The certificate is sealed with the Department of the Interior seal. the docket indicates that the pension is to be paid in Philadelphia by James R. Snowden, agent for paying pensioners in Pennsylvania.

GLC02016.176

25 May 1864

Peyster, John Watts de, 1821-1907

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to W. H. Whitimore

Thanks Whitmore for four volumes and accompanying pamphlets. Writes that the cost of publishing has deterred Mr. Morgan from publishing biographies on [John] Watts (New York politican and member of the Third U.S. Congress) [John George] Leake (New York lawyer and founder of the Leake and Watt's Orphange), and another de Peyster family member. Encloses photographs (not included) of the dePeyster and Watts family vaults at Trinity Church in New York City. Mentions a letter from his son regarding the battle of Williamsburg in 1862. His son was aide de camp to General Philip Kearny, a member…

GLC02016.177

5 July 1864 - 6 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. States that he is in good health and that his division is near the 23rd Corps. The 1st and 2nd divisions of his Corps is on the front lines where the Confederates are making a stand near Marietta, Georgia. He thinks the 23rd Corps will move to the right to allow his division to move up to the front line. Reports that Union skirmishers found the rebels strong breastworks deserted. As their division advanced on the rebel breastwork they found them severely damaged by the Union cannon. Reports that he saw a body with at least 50 bullets hole in…

GLC07460.085

15 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. A friend of the family - a colonel in the Union Army- will be visiting his family soon if he has not called on them already. He has sent his watch home with the colonel because the crystal is broken and he would like to have it repaired. Writes that they are improving their camp daily since they arrived on 6 July. They are sending out pickets towards the river bank because the rebels are on the other side of the river. Reports that there is not much firing but a good deal of trading between Union and…

GLC07460.086

18 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois south of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. His Corps. has crossed the river on a pontoon bridge. Soon afterward his regiment was sent on picket duty. To his left he has heard the sound of musketry. The 3rd Brigade of his division is currently building a bridge across a stream. He describes the area as "all woodland" and the country is "as rough as ever." He regrets that they could not prevent the rebels from crossing the river last night. Writes that they are only 10 or 11 miles from Atlanta, Georgia which is doomed to fall soon. Writes that if he…

GLC07460.087

21 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

He writes that his regiment played an important role in the Battle of Atlanta. They marched to within two miles of Atlanta, 22 July, 1864, Georgia and formed two lines of battle in an open valley on the hill to their front. The pickets kept up a steady fire as word came to them that the Confederates appeared ready to charge them. Writes that both the Union and Confederate forces marched on the double quick to the top of the hill trying to gain an advantage. Despite the steady pressure of the Union skirmishers the Confederate soldiers reached the crest of the hill first and came down the other…

GLC07460.088

29 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Martha and all at home

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that the 20th Corps. has moved back towards the rear closer to the river. His picket did not leave the front line until four in the morning. The 1st Division was then deployed near the bridge acting in support of the rear. His regiment worked all day felling trees to their front. Write that some Confederates pickets advanced but made no aggressive movement. The 2nd Division crossed the river on 16 and 17 July. The other two brigades of the division moved down river to ford there and skirmished…

GLC07460.090

30 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

He write that he is now on the right wing not far from the Atlanta, Georgia railroad. Reports that during the night as they were moving they were attacked by Confederates who were severely "whipped for their tenacity that they may stick to Atlanta." He has heard reports that if the main Confederate Army cannot hold Atlanta the Georgia militia will surrender. According to the papers from Illinois Atlanta has been captured by the Union which is not true but they will soon be in possession of it. Last night the rebels attacked and were repulsed suffering heavy casualties. His division was order…

GLC07460.091

5 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

The items he requested from home were brought to him by the colonel. Some of the items, the cheese and butter, will start to melt soon due to the hot weather. He was sent up to the right-center of the line and his corps. relieved some of the 14th Corps. Working parties continue to improve and expand the Union defenses under the cover of darkness. He notes that the Confederate and Union lines are close now, no more than 750 yards apart. He writes that the skirmishers are close enough to taunt each other although the Confederates do not usually respond. Writes that one of the Corps. attacked…

GLC07460.092

15 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law Davis and all at home

He write that he is well but he cannot say so for other members of the regiment as they have just recently learned that Chas Tubbs has died. The report is that he died of the bloody flux [dysentery]. Details some of the other casualties received by the regiment. Writes that there has been a steady drain on the regiment and that the war must surely end when all men are dead, "offered up to the Goddess of Liberty." He hopes that the recent losses will not discourage the men as they must fight on in order to assure liberty. The men have been busy constructing a fort for the cannon. The rebels…

GLC07460.093

22 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

Writes that one month and 15 days ago the Union army began the siege of Atlanta, Georgia. There are reports that the right of the Union Army is within a half-mile of the Macon Road. States that is difficult to find out what is really going on as each part of the line hears or sees something different. He writes that what they read in the papers is probably not much better. Due to the attacks on the railroad the mail has been delayed a few days. The skirmishers on each side have made a small truce to stop firing for a while near his picket. This is not the first time the Union has tried for a…

GLC07460.094

20 March 1864

Breese, Kidder Randolph, 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: Orders

Ordering the "officer in charge of Picket Tug" to relay Porter's order to the fleet: "Keep the tug as close to the falls as possible and a bright lookout for anything up the bend. Blow one whistle if you see a vessel coming down. Examine all floating objects and tow any suspicious looking things clear of the vessels - giving warning with two whistles if she sees anything like a Torpedo...this order will be turned over to Relief...at daylight to be given to the officer of the deck..."

GLC09146

10 June 1861

Wayne, Henry C., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: Orders

About a Union rally by Baptists and Methodists. "The leaders of these two systems, are either designing demagogues, or ignorant enthusiasts...The President [Jefferson Davis] has proclaimed next Thursday as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, and the sects are getting up a Grant Union demonstration to be held in the State House...I have advised our people not to reply, but simply when do charged to ask for the prayers of the accuser that we may be enlightened as we are earnest seekers after truth..."

GLC09147

circa 1862

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David D. Porter

During Arkansas expedition. "admiral Porter As soon as General Steele reports in the Continental, will fire a Gun and run down the Gaines's Landing at the rate of ten miles the hour Sherman."

GLC09148

February 24, 1893

Smith, Edmund Kirby, 1824-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Darwin C. Pavey

"Fitz John Porter was my classmate and has always been and is one of my dearest friends. He was always faithful and true in his allegiance and devotion of his country and I place him amongst the very best of your Generals...a born soldier and leader. His friendship for and attachment to McClelland [sic] was his cardinal sin and produced that cruel and unjust finding of the court which degraded Porter as a soldier and citizen. The whole country now recognizes his loyalty and devotion...Mr. Hayes is a good and true man and his administration as honest and pure is well recognized throughout…

GLC09149

29 July 1862

Broadside

Title: Civil War recruiting broadside

Partially printed recruiting poster for Captain Pierce's company of Monroe County Regiment, headed "War!" above an eagle bearing slogan, "Stand up for the Old flat, Now or Never!" A. Strong & Co., Rochester. 14 x 20 inches.

GLC09150

29 April 1788

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser

Letter from "A Free Negro" printed in the Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser. "I am one of that unfortunate race of men who are distinguished from the rest of the human species by black skin and woolly hair, disadvantages of very little moment in themselves, but which prove to us a source of the greatest misery, because there are men who will not be persuaded, that it is impossible for a human soul to be lodged within a sable body..." Issue also includes one of John Dickinson's "Letters of Fabius" supporting the Federal Constitution.

GLC09151

January 19, 1845

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Brinkeroff

"I cannot refrain from explaining the satisfaction with which I have read your speech on the Texas question. It would have delighted me to have been able to hear you deliver it, but the effect will tell upon the public mind as "A wood in season.' There is too much inclination among Northern men to submit to the insolent demands of the South, and one of the chief duties that will devolve upon us, as citizens of free and independent states, will be to curb the spirit of domination that has too long been suffered to prevail..." To Congressman Jacob Brinkeroff, Texas annexation opponent.

GLC09152

circa 1864

Sketch

Title: Escape of 'contrabands' from Col. Avery's estate near Petersburg Virginia

Pencil sketch signed "S.H.S." The siege of Petersburg lasted from 15 June 1864 to 25 March 1865.

GLC09153

24 May 1863

Hill, Ambrose P., 1825-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

"If a judicious appointment of Major General is not made, I fear that all this will be lost... Gen. Pender has fought with the Divisions in every battle, he has been four times wounded and never left the field, he has risen by death and wounds from fifth Brigadier to be its senior, had the best drilled and disciplined Brigade in the Division, and more than all, possesses the unbridled confidence of the Division. At the battle of Chancellorsville he seized the colors, and on horseback led his Brigade up and in to the Federal intrenchments. The effect of such examples of daring gallantry at…

GLC09154

4 July 1864

Pickett, George Edward, 1825-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to LaSalle Corbett Pickett

To "Sallie." "Does not your husband wish, pray and sigh to be with his Sallie, his only only love...You know...how much I detest outward show, and manifestations of religion...but to offer up you silent prayer with a truthful heart, and an entrusting spirit to our God to make us better, ...that I think is the true way. Thank God my wife I have tried, to follow the example which you have set me. No night do I close my eyes without a prayer to our Father enlisting him to preserve us both through our troubles, and to permit us hereafter to becomes better, no I should say good - for I have done…

GLC09155

11 April 1865

Pickett, Charles F., fl. 1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Pickett

"Last Return of Pickett's Division as surrendered on April 9, 1865." Grid shows troops, listed by brigade, with officers and enlisted men counted separately. Just 987 men appear on the return. Also signed secretarially for his brother General George Pickett.

GLC09156

29 May 1864

Johnson, Edward, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily S.B. Brune

"I thank you for the box you and my other friends must not send me any more clothing...as I am taxing your genorosity too much. I am now well supplied with almost everything..." Emily S. B. Brune, "the Angel of Fort Delaware."

GLC09157

25 April 1864

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jubal Early

Writes of Jubal Early's arrest. "Your remarks upon the enclosed communication of Maj. Brown and G. are considered improper. They are therefore returned for withdrawal. Your attention is now called to the enclosed paper, marked A, showing the decision of the War Dept. and the comdg. General as to the method of transmission of orders in the Staff Departments. The instructions given by Maj. Brown to Maj. Hale are in accordance with their decision."

GLC09158.01

26 April 1864

Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Swift Pendleton

Writes of his arrest, "I desire to know what is the extent of the limits of my confinement. When you informed me that I was placed under arrest, the condition was that I would confine myself to the limits of my camp. I wish to know if this means the camp of my quarters or my division..." With Alexander Pendleton endorsement on verso, "The limits of Maj. Gen. J.A. Early's arrest are extended to embrace all points within the limits of this army."

GLC09158.02