February 8, 1865

Unknown

Autograph letter

Title: to his mother

An officer named "Rob," writing to his mother. Says his most recent duty as "Brigade Field officer of the Day" kept him up all night. He was in charge of a long line of pickets and several scouting parties. Says "The troops in our part were negroes, & during Sat evening they made very peculiar demonstrations." Says he is inexperienced with infantry duty and had no orders about firing because of the tacit truce between pickets in this quarter. It seems like he gave orders to fire despite the truce and stayed up with his scouts all night. Says it was thrilling and that his actions were…

GLC01448.02

December 31, 1862

Jones, William W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip B. Jones

One letter addressed to Philip B. Jones from William W. Jones dated December 31, 1862. Pertains to paying $1,400 to enslave a man named Joe. Also states his concern that cost for enslaved people are rising. Mentions possibly selling two enslaved women named Sylvia and Betty. Says he has enclosed the bills of sale of other enslaved people. (see GLC01445).

GLC01449.01

February 18, 1863

Jones, William, 1760-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip B. Jones

One letter addressed to Philip B. Jones from William W. Jones dated Feburary 18, 1863. Letter pertains to paying $1,400 for a 35-year old enslaved man named Joe currently being held in Gradys Jail. Also mentions that Joe's wife (unnamed) was included in the bill of sale but found her unattractive. Details another enslaved woman named Maria being sold by a man named Cross for $3,500. Writes, "If this war is ever Ended [fairly], Women and Children are the property to put money in."

GLC01449.02

17 March 1864

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Morgan beseeches Confederate president Davis to return his former regiments to his command. Mentions Breckinridge's Regiment, Dortch's Battalion, and other units. On verso is a Davis autograph note signed (with initials), asking the adjutant general for remarks. This is followed by a April 16, 1864 note by Assistant Adjutant General Samuel W. Melton, who says that Morgan's claim to the troops is "absurd", but that it might be "politic to yield somewhat...." [from Morgan's letter:] "...As Chief Ruler of the Confederate States and Commander in Chief of our Army allow me respectfully to call…

GLC02460.10.01

26 March 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Words and music for the song "John Brown's Body"]

Transcription of the verses and the chorus for the song "John Brown's Body," with music. Also lists three Civil War regiments in which Jenkins served. One of these, the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was the unit that invented the song. Written on the verso of stationary for the Old National Bank in Oshkosh.

GLC02484.01

17 November 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles G. Stack

Promises that as soon as his health improves he will comply with the request to send a photograph. Some text lost on the right side of the letter.

GLC02484.02

circa 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Printed document

Title: The story of a song

Jenkins account of the origins of the song "John Brown's Body." Credits Jenkins as "the author of 'John Brown's Body.'" Says the song was created spontaneously by a group of Union Soldiers, inspired partly by a soldier named John Brown.

GLC02484.03

17 March 1865

Fenton, Reuben Eaton, 1819-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fidelia E. Stanley

Governor Fenton follows up on a letter written by his military secretary (see GLC02710.44.01) and reiterates that there are currently no openings for a lieutenant in the 107th New York Volunteers, but states that the he will promote her son, Lucius T. Stanley, into another regiment if he would prefer to avoid delay. Written on State of New York, Executive Department stationary. Mrs. Stanley's maiden name was Warner.

GLC02710.44.02

29 March 1865

Hastings, George S., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fidelia E. Stanley

Informs Mrs. Stanley, the mother of Lucius T. Stanley, that the New York Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, will promote her son, Lucius T. Stanley, to 1st Lieutenant in the 107th New York Volunteers as soon as there is a vacancy. But if it is preferred, Lucius can be immediately promoted within another regiment under General William T. Sherman. Written on State of New York, Executive Department stationary. Mrs. Stanley's maiden name was Warner. Hastings was the governor's private secretary.

GLC02710.44.03

15 May 1865

Fenton, Reuben Eaton, 1819-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fidelia E. Stanley

Governor Fenton sends Mrs. Stanley a duplicate of a commission for her son, Lucius T. Stanley, as a 1st Lieutenant in the 65th New York Volunteers. Tells her that he holds her son in high esteem. He was placed in the 65th because there were no openings in the 107th, in order to avoid a delay in his promotion. Written on State of New York, Executive Department stationary. Mrs. Stanley's maiden name was Warner.

GLC02710.44.04

6 February 1883

Farnsworth, John G., 1832-1895

Printed document signed

Title: [Lucius T. Stanley certificate of Civil War service]

Signed by Adjutant General Farnsworth and countersigned by the Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Partially printed document sent to Stanley by the New York Adjutant General's Office by his request (see GLC02710.46.01). The filled in blanks describe Stanley's enlistment history in the 107th New York Volunteers from 1862-1865. Numbered 281.

GLC02710.46.02

1860-1899

Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897

Header Record

Title: Collection of John Brown documents from Alexander M. Ross [Decimalized .01-.56]

Fifty three letters, one document, one photograph, and one letterbook, collected by Alexander M. Ross and related to John Brown's family. Mostly letters from John Brown's children to Ross.

GLC03007

1 September 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They have received already 230 conscripts, most of them seemingly content. Describes what people are doing there in the evening: singing, reminiscing, visiting with unintelligent local people, and enjoying local vegetables.

GLC03523.23.22

21 September 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They have moved to the Rapidan river under Lee's orders. Here the locals who remain are destitute, each house with its own distillery, with very few churches and schools. Speculates about Longstreet's future actions. Written from Camp 61st P.V., four miles west of Culpepper, Virginia.

GLC03523.23.23

3 October 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

A portion of their army has been moved to other points, thus weakening their army. He disagrees with this strategy, for the "rebels are as busy as bees strengthening their position." A meeting to express political opinion and support for Governor Curtin; Union support helps soldier morale.

GLC03523.23.24

26 October 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Lee has started playing "the brilliant game of strategy" with Meade, costing the Rebels 2,000 men. Soldiers have confidence in Meade but are waiting to see how he leads. "We hardly know whom to trust." Lincoln has called for more volunteers.

GLC03523.23.25

12 November 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They move towards Richmond. Describes a battle and the capture of 4 artillery, 2000 small arms, 2 brigade commanders, and 1600 privates with 120 officers prisoners, including the "Louisiana Tigers, the men who carried long knives for the purpose of butchering our wounded." The Rebels left supplies and excellent quarters. "We make ourselves comfortable, these cold evenings, over large fires, discussing the various agitated questions of the day."

GLC03523.23.26

23 November 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They held "un grand revue du Corps" for a party of visiting English officers, to which he is opposed. Heard about the Gettysburg dedication. Meade has reduced the 8-day ration to 5 because men cannot carry that much. Asks for a copy of the Constitution to better understand the conscription.

GLC03523.23.27

2 January 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Soldiers have agreed to extend service for three years with the promise of a 30-day furlough. At Christmas, everyone got drunk. Looks forward to his own 10-day furlough, though realizes it may not happen in all reality.

GLC03523.23.28

January 10, 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Is grateful for the news; it provides freedom from boredom for the entire camp. Describes their winter quarters, a rude combination of log cabin and tent. His roommate is a German soldier who participated in the disturbances of 1848 then fled his native land to the United States, hoping to live in peace.

GLC03523.23.29

9 February 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Has spent the last three days on picket, near a widow with 21 contraband slaves who refuse to leave her. "They are a careless, happy set singing and dancing from sunrise to sunset; their enslaved condition affecting them but little." Men are returning unwillingly from their month-furlough for three more years' service.

GLC03523.23.30

February 21, 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Reminisces upon reading about commencement at his old school. The administration is trying a new plan to enlist old troops, promising 60-days furlough and $500 bounty to enlist for five additional years. Believes the offer will be popular. Written from Camp 61st Reg. P.V.

GLC03523.23.31

14 March 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Complains about recent useless parades and reviews, preliminary to reorganization of the army into three corps, similar to Lee's army, under Sedgwick, Hancock, and a third General. Notes malcontent, particularly with the Army of the Potomac. Kilpatrick's men have ravaged the countryside, stealing, burning, and shooting horses. "I am not one of those who thinks that our armies should destroy indiscriminately. Such destruction does not tend to subdue rebels, it enrages them the more."

GLC03523.23.32

22 March 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Reports on local rumors of reorganization and a new focus on Richmond, with Grant moving his headquarters to the Army of the Potomac.

GLC03523.23.33

2 April 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Complains about rain; would rather march than be cooped up in his tent. Reports on recent army reorganization and Meade's current actions. Asks a hypothetical question translating the value of gold to greenbacks.

GLC03523.23.34