11 June 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania. Mentions that they are under strict rules in the camp; two pages of paper are issued each day to a company and they can wash in the river every other day. Writes about a fellow who was court marshaled yesterday for striking an officer. The man had to spend five days imprisoned; he was then marched out of camp and taken to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was given a new suit and 30 dollars. Most of the camp took the man's side because the officer had abused him. A fight later broke out in camp where some men pushed the guards around.…

GLC03523.49.01

11 August 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Gibson. Says that they are placing a masked battery about a mile from camp. Writes that they are clearing an area of trees that is about a mile in width. Says that 14 men out of his company were chopping down trees yesterday and today. Reports that they are about nine miles from Fairfax Court House where there is a rebel camp. They have picket guards in place between them and the rebel camp with the bridge being heavily guarded. Describes an impending battle that General [Winfield] Scott is planning. He is preparing a masked battery to relieve the picket…

GLC03523.49.04

9 February 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Describes trying to get a furlough to go home but says that they stopped issuing all furloughs except for officers. Comments that Lieutenant Forrest has been home three times since they started marching and plans on going home again. Reports that Lieutenant Forrest went to trial and was found guilty of some of the charges. He was sentenced to be reprimanded by General George McCall. Writes that Lieutenant Forrest was taken again on other charges and will have another trial next Wednesday. Comments that Lieutenant Forrest has some bitter enemies…

GLC03523.49.08

January 30, 1862

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Signed by Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President. Also signed by members of Congress including Representatives from Maine; Lot Myrick Morrill, John N. Goodwin, Charles Wesley Walton, John H. Rice, Frederick Augustus Pike, Anson Peaslee Morrill, and Ohio Representatives; William P. Cutler, and Albert Gallatin Riddle. Recommends William Archer for promotion to lieutenancy in the regular army. Praises his history in the service. Describes his loyalty to the Union even when tempted with bribes from the other traitorous soldiers and rebel forces. With endorsements and notes on verso. One stating…

GLC05603.01.10

29 June 1875

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry C. Rives

States that he does not have an autograph of the late President Lincoln that he can send.

GLC05603.01.11

9 March 1894

Nicolay, John G., 1832-1901

Autograph note signed

Title: to Norris Howes

Note sending his autograph. On stationary of the Boston Athletic Association.

GLC05603.01.15

13 December 1862

Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Recommends T. J. Barnett of New York as a judge in one of the territories of the United States. On stationary of the Department of the Interior.

GLC05603.01.16

1 July 1867

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

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Albert Harrington as a cadet in the United States Military]

Signed by Stanton as Secretary of War and Edmund Schriver as Inspector of the Military Academy.

GLC05603.01.19

February 12, 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Collector of Customs, Alexandria, Virginia

Orders that the Commanding Officer of the Brig Perry require all vessels to produce a certified list of their crew from the Custom house at Georgetown or Alexandria. This is to prevent parties from avoiding the pass system on the Potomac by claiming to be part of the crew of a vessel.

GLC05603.01.21

January 19, 1829

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Recommends George Bass for a position in the Boston Port of Customs as a Boarding Officer. Addressed to Rush as the Secretary of the Treasury.

GLC05603.01.27

8 February 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. He writes that he's tempted to give up writing frequently to his sister because she seldom receives all the letters he sends. He expresses to his sister how even the most mundane details of her life are of interest to him. Inquires about the gossip regarding him and his love life. Comments that there are many Memphis ladies marrying rebels. Informs his sister that he's been appointed Judge Advocate of a court martial that is trying two men for staying past their furlough. Reports on the news that his regiment will be returning to Cheetham's…

GLC02232.29

2 April 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Complains about not getting any correspondence from his family. Comments on the "abolitionizing" of his hometown. Chides his sister for associating with "blue coats" and abolitionists and advises her not to flaunt her associations as some people will hate her for it. He writes: I would rather see you fight open and above board against our cause than cloak your enmity under the treacherous disguise of reconstructionist." (As an individual state, Tennessee had entered its reconstruction period before the end of the Civil War). Discusses…

GLC02232.30

21 April 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Asks if she can visit him at camp. Complains about the unusual cold weather and writes that men are living quite poorly as everything has become too expensive. Updates his sister on Miss Tillie and Kate Cook. On the verso of the letter he includes a short note "I would write more but can't write without tobacco and I have none or money to buy it."

GLC02232.31

17 July 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that their brother Marshall has returned from the hospital. As Ward had no immediate occupation to assign to his brother, he sent his brother back to the hospital and put him in the charge of one of the surgeons. He writes that Marshall is better off working in the hospital as he is paid $25 per month, which takes care of clothing and other necessities. Comments on the heavy trading of tobacco with Union soldiers. Some of the Confederate soldiers were found trading with the Union soldiers and have been punished. Ward describes the "ominous stillness" of the two armies; the calm…

GLC02232.32

7 August 1864

Thurman, B.S., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Ward

Written from the battle line near Atlanta, Georgia. Encloses the obituary for Ed Ward, which includes the autograph of each member of the company. He writes that Ed was beloved and esteemed by all of the men in the company. Informs Dr. Ward that Ed was first buried by the enemy which was unavoidable, but has since been reburied by the company men (including his brother Samuel Marshall Ward) in Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC02232.33

circa August 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: Obituary for Edward K. Ward

Obituary for Edward K. Ward, who was killed on 22 July 1864 near Atlanta, Georgia. The obituary is signed by all the members of the company.

GLC02232.34

18 November 1862

Nugent, John Perry, 1844-1920

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne L. Nugent

Writes to his mother because he has the opportunity to send a letter by hand. Comments that his shoes wore out and he had to walk 500 miles through Kentucky barefoot. Clothing and shoes in his unit are in similarly bad condition. Reports that his health is bad; he has had diarrhea for two months and still has it. He wants to return home on furlough, but his General will not allow it. A sister of an acquaintance has sent him socks. Notes that his company started with 112 men; it is now at 47. The captain has returned home to gather more conscripts under the draft. Speaks highly of the…

GLC03135.01.05

23 June 1864

Clifton, A. D., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sallie Clifton

Written from camp near [Colombus]. Describes a sore on his arm and the swelling it has caused. Teases her about the number of shirts she sent him and tells her the weight of them is ruining his horse's back. Assures her of his safety and says he has faith God will allow him to see his family again. Writes, "I hope to meete god at the judgement bare and then be welcome to a seete onn his right hand and it is my prayers that you may be prepared to go with me thare to dwell in piece and happiness where there is no wars and pestilence..." Complains about the contempt other regiments feel…

GLC03135.09.05

31 December 1862

Jones, Maxine Harris, fl. 1860-1920

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Jones

Letter from his wife, signed "Max." Expresses her fears, anxiety, and despair over the war. Says they have heard bombing all day. Writes, "what agony would be mine to-night, did I not know this field of duty to your Country calls you, leads not to constant exposure on the field of battle, &c that today your dear bosom has not be exposed to those missles of death hurled by our enemies."

GLC03135.13.043

9 November 1860

Braithwaite, Mary, fl. 1860-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Writes about the Prince of Wales, Edward Albert, passing through the area. Comments that they had special train cars (the royal train) that were done up in the most beautiful style. Describes the train cars as having silk velvet sofas, white muslin curtains, and rocking chairs. Inquires about the attire that the ladies wear and wants her to send some of the material.

GLC03523.32.01

18 November 1860

Braithwaite, Mary, fl. 1860-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to her friend about how much she misses her. Wishes for her not to move away in case they may return. Comments how she has not been to church but once and how she longs to go. Notes that she has spent the last week in bed and that she needs the prayers of all the Christians. Writes, "Isora are the young folks as wild as ever I hope they may see a beauty in religion for there is nothing else that can save them..." Inquires about friends and family.

GLC03523.32.02

circa 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Describes how they were supposed to go to Cincinnati, Ohio but just as they loaded the train car they received orders to stay put because their destination had changed. Discusses how the men behaved the night before they were supposed to leave for Cincinnati, Ohio. Describes them as building a great bonfire out of old barrels and pieces of boards and giving speeches. Writes, "you would not have known them when they had to come back by their actions for they was as sober as Deacons when they came back." Notes that several of the boys said that they would prefer being…

GLC03523.32.03

circa 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the condition of a friend of theirs named Spencer. Writes that the last time he saw Spencer was back at the junction in the hospital and that he heard that he was really sick. Notes that a gentleman told him that Spencer did not know anything at all for four days but that he has since improved. Comments that the rebels burned down the depot at Abbeville, Mississippi just before they arrived. Reports that several thousands of dollars were lost in property. They managed to save about 100 dollars in horse shoes, sugar molasses, and iron pots. Apologizes for not…

GLC03523.32.04

27 August 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he and the boys are well. Discusses promotions that have been given out in his company. Notes that two of their sergeants were promoted to captains in "Negro Companys." Comments on all the marriages, including hers, that have taken place back home. Writes of how he would have liked to see the fight between two men that took place back home. Request that she has their father send him some stamps. Pages five through six are on a separate leaf measuring 19.3 x 11.9 cm.

GLC03523.32.05

February 22, 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the men in camp. Writes of one man who is really sick in the hospital and of another who had "yelow janders" [yellow jaundice?]. Comments that several of the boys have had it. Describes his camp as being low and flat and that when it rains it gets very wet and muddy. The mud is so thick that it covers the men's boots and they cannot leave their tents without getting their feet wet. Requested that she writes him and tells him what the folks back home are doing.

GLC03523.32.06