2 April 1862

Wool, John E., 1784-1869

Letter signed

Title: to Preston King, Erastus Corning, and Abram B. Olin

Defends his actions, questions why McClellan should rank above him, and advocates a more aggressive military policy. States that he has done everything within his power to prepare his army, and any failings are the fault of others. Also claims that his actions saved Washington, even though he has not been given proper credit for this. Is angry that McClellan, a much younger officer, is being given command over him. Asserts that the Union could have already taken Richmond if they had listened to him and been more aggressive. Also states that he warned about the Civil War before it began,…

GLC05056

circa February 12, 1864

Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Rear Admiral Dahlgren to an unknown recipient. Dahlgren notes that "The Gunners perpendiculars & Levels you speak of must be some recently invented and highly skientific [sic] tools not generally known, as yet they are certainly beyond our limited ken here." Says "We are doing well as you say, and the Navy are just the ones to Foote the bill." ("are" and "Foote"are underscored; latter may be a humorous reference to Admiral Andrew Hull Foote ). Says last December he tried to get iron vessels, but was brushed off and claims "If they had heeded my prayer, the matter would have…

GLC05058

1863-1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Header Record

Title: [General orders, 1863, no. 1-400 (3 vols), and 1864 no. 1-380 (3 vols)]

Bound copies of general orders for 1863 and 1864 printed by the Government Printing Office. Includes Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (1863 #1), "Regulations for the care of field works, and the government of their garrisons" (1863 #45), Lincoln's proclamation "Respecting soldiers absent without leave" (1863 #58), orders "In respect to the regulating of intercourse with the insurrectionary states..." (1863 #100). Finally, concerning Black military troops, some of them recently freemen, "A Bureau is established... relating to the organization of colored troops" (1863 # 143). Volume 1, 2,…

GLC05061

18 February 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to pardon Nathan Darling].

1 black and white bust engraving of Lincoln included.

GLC05062

17 July 1939

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas McAllister

Mentions that he enjoyed reading McAllister's report and editorials on the Regional Conferences being held by the Women's Division of the Democratic National Committee. Discusses women's role in politics.

GLC05064

1861-1865 ca.

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph signed

Title: [Joseph Hooker]

GLC05066

1864

United States. Congress (38th, 1st session : 1864)

Book

Title: [House report no. 65 regarding the Fort Pillow massacre and no. 67 regarding returned prisoners of war]

Contains a full report of the April 1864 battle at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, based on an investigation of the battle itself, as well as the operations of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest "and his command immediately preceding and subsequent to that horrible transaction." Includes testimony from soldiers present at the battle, who witnessed Forrest's violations of the conduct of war, including shooting unarmed Union troops following their surrender. Contains the testimony of Lieutenant Mack J. Leaming, who wrote a detailed account of the events of Fort Pillow in 1893 (refer to…

GLC05080.06

1870s ca.

Peckham, Rufus W., 1838-1909

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Listing of court cases and abstracts]

Notebook listing important court cases and their abstracts, in Peckham's hand. Most of Peckham's papers are believed destroyed. A small group of 800 items is at the Library of Congress. A.K. Wigdor, The Personal Papers of the Supreme Court Justices (NY 1986).

GLC05085.02

5 October 1872

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Henry Smith, convicted of counterfeiting.

Pardon of Henry Smith, convicted of passing counterfeit money. (c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC05086

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Harpers Ferry, Va.

Writing on mount misidentifies the scene as Richmond, Va.

GLC05087

1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Items pertaining to Confederate General Dabney Herndon Maury]

GLC05012

12 October 1862

Pegram, John, 1832-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carter L. Stevenson

Orders Stevenson to try to hold his ground as the Confederate army makes preparation to retreat from Kentucky "Gen Smith wishes you to obstruct the road if possible...In case you are forced to abandon the present position, fall back to the nearest good position, but it is hoped you will be able to defend the crossings...Gen. Bragg thinks it is of vital importance that the position should be maintained as arrangements are being made for falling back to East Tennessee." Written at 2:40 p.m., four days after the Confederate defeat at Perryville halted the Confederate invasion of Kentucky.…

GLC05013

22 July 1864

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas C. Reynolds

Confederate General Price replies to a letter from Reynolds, Governor of Missouri, in which Reynolds asked whether Price would command an expedition into Missouri. Writes, "I consider such an expedition practicable, and in the contingency you suggest desirable and important." Price agrees to take command of the expedition if General Smith (possibly Edmund Kirby Smith) does not intend on taking possession of the Arkansas Valley. Transmits a copy of the St. Louis Democrat (not included) reporting Confederate possession of Platte City, Missouri. Of the possession, writes "It is significant…

GLC05014

22 April 1864

Thompson, Meriwether Jeff, 1826-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary G. Rogers

Thompson, a Confederate general taken as prisoner at Fort Delaware, writes to thank Rogers for a basket of "'goodies' such as only sweet ladies can make. ... which remind us of our dear homes in the days of 'piping peace' when Plenty and Happiness overspread our land, and before red-handed War had scattered Ruin and Desolations round our hearthstones." Petition style document signed by 11 Confederate officers (colonels) including Basil W. Duke, Hart Gibson, C.H. Morgan, Jas. J. Andrews, R.C. Morgan, Jno. A. Tomlinson, Cicero Coleman, Lucius H. Smith, W.W. Ward, Jas. Shecker, and Robert Vance…

GLC05016

4 May 1861

Ingraham, Duncan N., 1802-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Captain Ingraham writes to a general who remains unnamed in this letter. States "I drop you a line to say we are all quiet here... Lincoln seems determined to carry it on..." Predicts that the Union will not attempt to invade the location of the recipient. Reports that he will soon travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit his family. Writes "I wish you could trick up a few more deserters, they will demoralize the command of our genialBrown..." Relates that a mutual acquaintance, Warden, is still held as a prisoner of war. Docket states "About Pensacola." Accompanied by paper…

GLC05017

5 January 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: An Address to the People of the Free States by the President of the Southern Confederacy.

Contemporary fake on emancipation. Imprint, "Richmond Enquirer Print." A fictitious response of Jefferson Davis to the Emancipation Proclamation, threatening retaliation by enslaving Black people. It says in part "All negroes who shall be taken in any of the states in which slavery does not now exist, in the progress of our arms, shall be adjudged, immediately after such capture, to occupy the slave status, and in all states which shall be vanquished by our arms, all free negroes shall, ipso facto, be reduced to the condition of helotism...."

GLC05018

18 September 1863

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Requests that the Treasury Department provide $30,000 in gold for expenses of the Navy Department, as previously discussed. WIth autograph endorsement signed by Jefferson Davis on the verso: "Secty of Treasury for attention, the purpose is known and approved I hope the aid asked for can be promptly given - Jeffn Davis." With Confederate twenty cent tax stamp. Mallory was Confederate Secretary of the Navy.

GLC05019

15 April 1861

Moore, Andrew Barry, 1807-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie Moore

Moore, Governor of Alabama, discusses the Civil War with his daughter following the Battle of Fort Sumter. Expresses pride in Alabama's soldiers. Consoles Mattie in her husband's absence, stating "you must not be uneasy about your husband--rather glory in his ... order, & determination to do his whole duty to his country ... I assure you your patriotism would never have induced you to say to him stay ..." Predicts that Virginia will likely secede from the Union the same day he writes, with other border states soon following. Plans to travel to Pensacola, Alabama. Accompanied by a…

GLC05020

15 May 1861

Peyton, William M., 1805-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: A written and printed version of a letter from William M. Peyton to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05021

5 March 1863

Bidwell, Daniel D., 1816-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Titcomb Sprague

Written from Camp White Oak Church. Colonel Bidwell of the 49th New York Volunteers writes to Sprague, Adjutant General of the State of New York. Attests that John C. White is "a worthy and efficient man and one who has distinguished himself in service." Argues for White's promotion.

GLC05024

17 September 1862

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to M. Jefferson Thompson

Proposes an exchange of prisoners in response to Confederate General Richard Taylor's threat to execute ten Union prisoners from the 8th Vermont regiment. Refers to the deprivation of some property on Taylor's plantation and remarks that he believes it very unjust of Taylor to allow personal feelings to get involved. Makes no threat of retaliation and informs that he will not harm the prisoners he has captured. Written on stationary from the headquarters of the Department of the Gulf. 1 black and white bust engraving of Benjamin F. Butler.

GLC05025

15 May 1863

Carr, Eugene Asa, 1830-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair, Jr.

General Carr, commander of the 14th Division/13th Corps, writes to General Blair, commander of the 2nd Division/15th Corps. Encloses a dispatch (not included) from General John Alexander McClernand, commander of the 13th Corps. Writes "I have no idea that the enemy intends to attack tonight but think that he has been making believe all day for the prupose of making us look out for our rear and diverting us from Jackson: which probably, he did not know was taken." Indicates that he (Carr) is prepared to march at 6:00 am. Encloses a rough sketch (not included) of roads and troop positions…

GLC05026

3 July 1862

Cochrane, John, 1813-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Says the Union army "is inadequate to the capture of Richmond. I have at no time thought that it was" able to do so. Written just after the Seven Days, as the Union forces begin to withdraw and the Peninsula campaign comes to an unsuccessful close. McClellan's attempt to take Richmond from the South has failed, even though his force greatly outnumbered the Confederates. Many historians argue that it was the trepidation of McClellan and some of his officers that caused the Union failure at Richmond. Cochrane's view is similar to those expressed by McClellan. Of the president, says "The…

GLC05028

22 July 1862

Duffie, Alfred Napoleon Alexander, 1835-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Mauray

Colonel Duffie of the First Rhode Island Cavalry writes to Colonel Mauray, Assistant Adjutant General, Company H. Discusses the state of his regiment. Writes, "Since soon 15 days I have the honor to command this regiment it is for me a sad duty to say: that regiment has been raised very badly, that is to say men have not been inspected by a doctor Today my regiment is going very low because many men are not fit to be horsemen by some kind of disease... no man has pass the regular inspection prescribed by par. 937." Requests the blacksmiths William Sprague, Rhode Island Governor, had…

GLC05030

6 August 1861

Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890

Letter signed

Title: to Simon Cameron

Possibly written and signed by John's wife Jesse Benton Frémont. General Frémont, commander of the Western Department, writes to Cameron, Secretary of War. Frémont writes, "I am desirous of placing a force of three thousand men near the Southern part of New Mexico, from which to threaten Arkansas and Texas. In operating in the Indian Territory and Arkansas, we will be met and opposed by a large force of Texans, now encamped near San Antonio, unless we keep them idle by a force threatening them with attack... A force occupying El Paso, Texas, could be moved either upon San Antonio or into…

GLC05032.01