February 12, 1863

Meacham, J.W., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Master's Mate Meacham to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Co-signed by Acting Lieutenant and Executive Officer Jonathan V. Johnston, attesting to the veracity of this letter. Meacham says he ordered Henry Hines to sweep down the boiler casemates to prepare them for whitewashing. Hines refused to follow the order. He was sent to the executive officer who threw him in the brig. Afterward William Fordham also refused the duty, "saying he was not contented while on board this boat."

GLC03804.05

February 13, 1863

Gorringe, Henry Honeychurch, 1841-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Ensign Gorringe to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Reports that William Fordam and Henry Hines both disobeyed orders while he was officer of the deck on 10 February 1863. The order was repeated and they both refused to do any more duty on the "Baron de Kalb." Written aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb" on the Yazoo River.

GLC03804.06

3 July 1863

Dorr, S.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W.H.S. Fintress

Written by Dorr as commander of USS "Hamilton" to Fintress as the commander of the USS "Rattler." Recommends that Dr. W.H. Wilson of the U.S. Navy on board the "Rattler" be forwarded to the North "to be designated for the benefit of his health." Dorr says Wilson is in a critical state. Also recommends that a trusted officer escort Wilson. Written while aboard the USS "Hamilton"

GLC03804.07

11 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker in command of the USS "Baron de Kalb." Says when his escort ships are ready, he is to proceed up the Yazoo River and capture all the guns at Yazoo City. Walker is also supposed to inflict as much damage to the enemy as opportunity offers. Says General Grant will send troops with him. Says the expedition will be ready to proceed tomorrow morning. Wants him to capture steamers if possible and destroy effectively those that are sunk. The "Baron de Kalb" was sunk on this mission.

GLC03804.09

16 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker, the former commander of the USS "Baron de Kalb," which sunk on its recent excursion up the Yazoo River. Asks him to call on General Grant 24 hours before he is ready to start up the Yazoo River "for the purpose of raising the De Kalb." Porter wants to save the hull of the "Baron de Kalb" if possible. Tells him to get all the materials necessary to do this. Asks him to save the machinery and everything movable on board if he cannot save the hull. Says the "Champion" will be used for a…

GLC03804.10

12 August 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Tells Walker that as soon as he is finished with the "Yazoo business" that he is to report to Cairo. Porter says he will be there.

GLC03804.11

22 August 1867

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Porter as Superintendent of the Naval Academy to Commander Walker as a member of Porter's staff at the Academy. Tells him to not worry about returning quickly as little is happening. Congratulates him on the birth of his daughter. Makes reference to rumors about him in Annapolis (the handwriting is hard to decipher here), but he hopes Congress will work it out. Written on stationery of the U.S. Naval Academy.

GLC03804.12

28 July 1869

Anderson (professor), fl. 1869

Autograph letter

Title: to the officers and men of the USS "Sabine"

Invitation says that Professor and Mrs. Anderson have the honor to write to the captain, officers and men of the USS "Sabine" inviting them to see the play "Magic & Second Sight" at the Theatre Royal. The professor says he has always felt kindness toward the United States, especially because two of his daughters are natives there. Hopes they will accept because the season ends on Saturday night. Written on Anderson's personal stationery.

GLC03804.14

31 July 1869

Wainwright, John Howard, 1829-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Writes that he heard the USS "Sabine," under the command of Walker has just arrived at Spithead, England. Wants to know "of the working of the water machine which I put up on board." Asks for a note informing of his experiences with the machine. Trusts he will meet him at some point during his cruise. Wainwright asks that letters to him be sent to Paris.

GLC03804.15

5 August 1869

Hancock, George, 1819-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Royal Navy Flag Captain Hancock, commander of the HMS "Duke of Wellington" has written to Walker as commander of the USS "Sabine." Hancock says that it appears 3 bondsmen have deserted from the Royal Marines and have taken refuge on Walker's ship. Says that he is certain Walker would not have admitted the men if he knew that they were deserters, but that they probably presented themselves to the Americans falsely. Sends along a separate sheet describing the men (not included here). Asks if the men are indeed on his ship that they be put on shore where the police can apprehend them. Hopes…

GLC03804.16

11 October 1869

Prevost, James Charles, 1810-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Rear Admiral Prevost of the Royal Navy to Captain Walker of the USS "Sabine." Writes that he is obliged for the honor "you did me in saluting me when I visited your ship - and I regret very much I have not the opportunity of returning it, except by thanking you which I now do." Says he is especially honored because his flag was not raised and Walker did not have to do it.

GLC03804.17

February 22, 1880

Telegram

Title: to the British consul in Nice, France

Appears to be sent to the British consul in Nice, France by an unknown creator. Asks for the consul to arrange for the Duke of Cambridge to pay a private visit to the American admiral and fleet next Tuesday (perhaps Walker's ship the USS "Sabine" was part of this fleet). On blue telegram form with date stamp.

GLC03804.18

19 August 1882

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Admiral Porter to Captain Walker as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Marked "Private." It seems Walker was reporting about an experimental ship that was in need of repairs. Porter says repairs should be made and that is important to "find a vessel that will turn on her center, and go astern." Porter is not concerned about the repairs. Complains to Walker about the Board of Inspectors and hopes there are changes. Letter has very illegible handwriting.

GLC03804.19

4 January 1858

Hammond, Amos, fl. 1858

Document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment for a slave named Delia]

Allen J. Poole pays eight hundred dollars for "a negro girl named Delia about fourteen years old..." Signed and sealed by John M. [Dovey?]. Signed by Hammond as Notary Public. Cosigned by N. I. Hammond. Includes an A. W. Hammond, Notary Public, Atlanta, Georgia embossed seal.

GLC06261.01.02

28 February 1862

McCall, Paul, fl. 1862

Document signed

Title: [Document regarding the mortgage of McCall's cotton crop]

Indicates that "the cotton crop of Paul McCall for the year 1862 and subsequent years is mortgaged to AS Morgan... conditioned that the said crop of cotton shall be delivered on the Ouachita River and thence shipped to New Orleans by said Morgan..." The shipment of cotton is impossible" on account of the condition of the country," thus McCall and Morgan agree the cotton should remain on McCall's plantation. Cosigned by A.S. Morgan. W. Johnson signs as a witness.

GLC06261.01.03

8 August 1864

Randolph, E. G., fl. 1864

Document signed

Title: [Order from the Conscript Department pertaining to Lieutenant A. J. Poole]

Colonel Randolph orders Lieutenant A. J. Poole (possibly either Allen or Adam Poole) to report, with his detachment of the Reserve Corps, to Captain S. L. Slack, Enrolling Officer of Claiborne Parish at Homer, Louisiana. Appears to be signed by P. M. Tennison, 1st Lieutenant Acting Adjutant.

GLC06261.01.04

6 September 1865

Poole, Allen J., 1817-1876

Printed document signed

Title: [Amnesty oath for A. J. Poole]

Poole (possibly Allen Jackson Poole) swears to "faithfully defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of States thereunder, and... abide by and faithfully support all Law and Proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion." Signed by Poole and [W. G. Coleman?], Justice of the Peace for Claiborne.

GLC06261.01.05

19 August 1822

Baylies, William, 1776-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses a recent court case involving property, and suggests future actions related to the outcome.

GLC06313.04.190

25 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Hopes that more men will be drafted to fill the regiments. Writes that he would like to see the North "whip" the South entirely with volunteers. He describes a reported rebel attack on a Union picket that forced the picket to retreat. Wheeler also describes the presentation of the regimental and national flags to the 105th. Of the national flag (battle flag) he writes, " is of blue and has on it but twelve stars- I think the absent one must be South Carolina." Wheeler describes a visit from the 79th Ohio which he describes as a visit of "mutual good feeling". The letter is accompanied…

GLC07460.025

30 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Thanks his family for the letter and the trunk of food they sent him. He has packed his winter clothing and will be sending it home so as to not carry it around during the summer months. Writes that there is rumor that his regiment will join the main Army in Murfreesboro. In a separate letter dated the evening of April 30th, Wheeler describes seeing "the darkies" dance to the music of his regiment's band. He also writes that General Rosencrans' wife announced that fighting had commenced in Murfreesboro.

GLC07460.026

5 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that furloughs have begun and three men will be allowed to go from each company. His brigade will be kept in Gallatan for the time being, as Gallatan is a very important position to keep. Writes that there will soon be a fight at Murfreesboro and is confident that Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army is equal to and possibly stronger than Confederate General Joseph Wheeler's. Describes an incident in which an escorted mail delivery was attacked by rebels, but the escorts managed to drive the rebels back. Describes seeing an Indiana soldier being carried to his grave, followed…

GLC07460.027

8 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Thanks his sister for sending him a letter and food with a fellow soldier. Playfully writes to his sister that as he is writing he is being distracted by a chunk of maple sugar sent to him by his aunt. He writes that while on picket he has found the perfect place to eat his pie and wishes that his family were there to join him as long as they brought their own food. Discusses the furlough of Charles Siedel, a fellow soldier and friend from home. His furlough was granted on the grounds that his wife was very ill and it was necessary for him to return home. Requests that his sister send…

GLC07460.028

20 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports that nearly fifty thousand men (about 25,000 from each side) were "used up" in the last battle of the Rappahannock. Writes that soldiers unfit for active service will be put in companies for garrison duty. Discharged officers will also be enlisted on certain conditions. In a second letter labeled " 2nd edition", Wheeler writes about stealing…

GLC07460.029

22 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Tells his family not to worry if they don't hear from him soon, as he is preparing to march and will not be able to write for a while. Reports that the rebs have moved but it is not exactly known where to. He comments on the poor quality of farming in the town, stating that "the farmers feared to put in their crops thinking the Yanks would be along." A review has been ordered by General Sherman. He writes that Lieut. Col. Valette was stunned by a blow from a piece of shell. Wheeler writes of Resaca, [GA] as a well fortified place where "dead rebs lay scattered all through the woods..."

GLC07460.030

25 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes about Capt. Fields' visit to Sycamore, where Wheeler's family lives. He complains about Fields' multiple absences without leave and feels that the lieutenants are working against him. Asks that his family not tell anyone about Fields' predicament. He also mentions a convention of copperheads in Indianapolis in which some soldiers were wounded. He hopes that the draft goes on in the North and is anxious to fight copperheads. Writes that he believes copperheads in southern Illinois and Indiana will resist the draft. In a note dated May 27th, Wheeler writes about grading the banks…

GLC07460.031