17 September 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Informs her that he received the stamps that she sent him. Mentions seeing her husband's cousin and that he sends his best. Reports that they are preparing for another expedition. Writes that he and the boys in camp think "old abe" (Abraham Lincoln) should be the next President. Comments that they would vote for him but they do not believe that they will be allowed to. Sends his best to everyone back home. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.39

2 December 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Mentions that he sent $50 home. Writes that they are building breastworks in case General John Hood attacks them. Comments that the general will receive a warm reception if he attacks for they have a large force of men and artillery. Teases about his health being affected because of a lady named Mill not writing him. Reports that the detachment that was with General William T. Sherman is now with them at their camp. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.40

November 1865

Skinkle, Esbon, fl. 1864-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes to his brother. Informs him that he has married and expects many happy days. Discusses the farm and the upcoming spring work. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.41

7 July 1867

Braithwaite, Ann, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes of a lady named Emma getting married. Discusses the importance of always remaining holy. Writes, "do not let your earthly lover draw your heart from the heavenly." Wishes her and her new family well. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. The letter does not list a date; date was taken from the envelope.

GLC03523.32.42

January 27, 1867

Braithwaite, Mary, fl. 1860-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs her of Emma's wedding. Discusses the wedding and all the festivities around the wedding. Describes her ordeal with typhoid fever. Writes that she was bed ridden for the first three years and so sick that every day everyone expected her to pass away. Notes that this last year has been much better and that she has only been sick for a few weeks at a time. Request that she writes her back with the latest news on all of her old friends. The city listed in the letter is Middlefield; state is not given.

GLC03523.32.43

14 June 1868

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs her that he is working by the month earning $18 a month for eight months. Reports that they are having fine weather and that the crops are looking well. City is listed as Otsego, but no state is noted. Could be Minnesota or Michigan.

GLC03523.32.44

23 November 1870

Carpenter, Abby, fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to her cousin. Informs her that they now have another baby. Reports on the rest of the family and friends. Request that she keeps her informed about all the happenings in Richmond, Illinois. City is listed as Otsego, but no state is noted. Could be Minnesota or Michigan.

GLC03523.32.45

2 June 1862

Belden, Josephine S., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libby Kessler

Reminisces of their childhood in the schoolroom. Discusses her school and teacher. Letter has an embossed seal in the upper corner.

GLC03523.52.01

8 August 1862

Belden, Josephine S., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libby Kessler

Informs her she did not receive her letter in time to meet her. Inquires if she will be attending the excursion next week. Mentions she would like to room together if they attend school. Letter has an embossed seal in the upper corner.

GLC03523.52.02

January 28, 1861

Porter, N. B., fl. 1861

Letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

South Carolina senate confirmation for cavalry officers William De Saussure and Nathan G. Evans.

GLC09195

February 12, 1861

Sears, Thomas, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Two Virginians offer to fight in the army of South Carolina, which had already seceded, "to show to the Rest that we are sincere in what we say and in the cause of... the Southern confederacy." With an autograph endorsement by Pickens.

GLC09196

January 28, 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Manuscript document

Title: to the House of Representatives

Informs the legislature of J. W. Hayne's confidential mission to negotiate with Buchanan over the right to reinforce Fort Sumter. "The letter of the President...asserts in plain terms, his right to send reinforcements, and I cannot disconnect this positive assertion of his right from an intention, or expectation, speedily to exercise it."

GLC09197

15 March 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to L. P. Walker

South Carolina Army units to be received into the Provisional Confederate Army. The "Convention...shall adopt the necessary ordinance for their transfer to the Confederate States. They will...be fully prepared & equiped to serve the country at any post to which they may be ordered."

GLC09198

30 March 1861

Potter, J. Sturgis, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

A Boston entrepreneur suggests that machinery for knitting hosiery be adapted to cotton thread. "All of the labor except a man to manage the carding machines, could be better done by female slaves than any other. There is a cotton factory in your state that can at once be turned a very profitable account by introducing this machinery."

GLC09199

30 April 1861

Beauregard, G.T. (Gustave Toutant), 1818-1893

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

General Beauregard supports Colonel R. W. Habersham's submitted plan for enlisting planters' help to provide grain and hay for army livestock. "I think the above suggestions of Col. Habersham of so much importance, that I have the honor to enclose them to your Excellency in the hope that they may be carried out before it becomes too late." Written on the letter of 30 April 1861 sent from Habersham to Beauregard and forwarded to Governor Pickens.

GLC09200

29 June 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Richard H. Anderson

Detailed instructions on how he expects Colonel Anderson to command the defense of the Charleston harbor. "If any great emergency should arise, I am determined to hold this fortress at all hazzards, as it is the key of the harbor, and is essential to guard the Independence of the State."

GLC09201

30 June 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Stephen Dill Lee

Writes about sending troops to Virginia. "Capt. Walker has a company of about seventy-five men who are prepared as he says to be mustered into service...to fill up the vacancies in the 7th Regt...you are authorized to furnish them with the ordinary transportation to Manassas Junction."

GLC09202

18 June 1861

Alston, Charles Jr., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Informs Governor Pickens that his constituents believe too many troops have been sent to Virginia, leaving the seacoast vulnerable. Senator Alston says "something ought to be done for our own Sea Board for they do not think that the troubles of South Carolina have ended with Fort Sumter."

GLC09203

13 June 1861

Manigault, Gabriel E., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Suggests furnishing privateers with captured guns. "Frequent applications are made at the Ordnance Office by persons wishing to fit out privateers, for guns to arm their vessels...this is one of the most economical and effectual modes of carrying on the war and distressing the enemy. With autograph endorsement of Pickens.

GLC09204

11 October 1861

DeSaussure, Wilmot Gibbes, 1822-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Detailed report from the secretary treasurer of South Carolina on finances, supplies, audits, etc. "...only Eighty three thousand dollars of accounts have been audited since I left Richmond. This delay is criminal..." With autograph endorsement signed by Pickens.

GLC09205

circa December 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the South Carolina Legislature

"The public mind has in some degree over-estimated the essential importance of our cotton to England & France - in supposing that if deprived of it they would be forced to interfere in this contest with our enemies. They will be governed solely by their interests.

GLC09206.01

1861-1865

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter fragment]

"...Why these appointments should cause such excitement amongst the junior officers in Fort Sumter I am at loss to understand."

GLC09206.02

20-29 December 1861

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher G. Memminger

Criticizes General Ripley's failure to report troops sent from South Carolina and requesting arms. "[Ripley's] proper place is in Fort Sumter & Moultrie & to command the batteries - and he is suited to nothing else...when I had Beauregard there never was the slightest misunderstanding...I hope the Secy. of War may allow the Confederate arms to be given out to our troops...I can make an exchange... [for] an equal number in Mississippi now in the hands of our Regts."

GLC09207

circa October - November 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document

Title: [Confederate Goverment document]

Document containing clerical copies of correspondence over conscription in South Carolina written by Jefferson Davis; Governor Francis W. Pickens and the Executive Council; James Chestnut, Jr.; and G. W. Randolph. "Four Regiments to be accepted for 90 days having conscripts in them during that time, then ... disbanded. Conscripts in them to be assigned by the Secretary of War. Others in the Regiments not liable to conscription to be then discharged."

GLC09208

9 March 1863

Boham, Milledge L., 1813-1890

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to General Pierre G. T. Beauregard

Defends his decision to suspend an earlier state militia reserve call-up, saying that the untrained militia are inefficient and would be more valuable planting crops at home. Supports his opinion with extracts from telegrams sent to General Garlington by Miles and Orr.

GLC09209