circa 1864

Object

Title: [James Sanks Brisbin's epaulets]

Consists of two gold colored brass epaulets. Each epaulet contains (on the epaulet's top) a brass button and an eagle embroidered with silver thread. Measurements reflect epaulet as positioned on a shoulder (width is measured from inner shoulder). The underside of each is padded with red satin. Epaulets are contained within an oval-shaped tin container equipped with a front clasp for closure. The container includes an illegible inscription.

GLC01504.03

circa June 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Photograph

Title: Photograph of Brisbin in Brigadier General uniform [damaged]

Brisbin fought at Gettysburg. (Photograph damaged.)

GLC01504.04

1861-1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Header Record

Title: Letters from Brisbin to his wife Jane detailing Civil War battles [Decimalized .01-.06]

GLC01505

18 November 1863

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Complains that he has not received a letter from Jane, his wife, in two weeks. States "If I thought you had been so careless as not to write in all that time I would feel like casting you off- but I think you certainly have written and your letters miscarried." Relates seeing Beaver, Captain Patterson, Bayard Edmunds and other members of the Centre Company. States that he will soon see Major Jack, and encloses a note (not included) from Colonel Murray. Instructs Jane to save the note, revealing that the Colonel owes him money. Informs Jane that her colt is being trained. States "I hope…

GLC01505.03

4 March 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs Jane, his wife, that he is in great distress due to the fact that he has not received a letter from her in over a month. States "It is now a Month since I stood on the back platform of the car at Milesbury and saw your sweet form vanish from my sight ... it seemed after you were gone as if I had left the world and when I met the snow shoe Cars I could hardly help going back on them ... You are young and sometimes foolish but what you do is done in the innocence of your heart I know you would not wrong your poor husband for the world." Promises to send money, and instructs Jane to…

GLC01505.04

11 April 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Discusses the Battle of Sabine Crossroads with Jane, his wife. Writes, "We have had a great battle. Three days fighting. The 1st day we whipped them. The 2nd day they whipped us and the third day we whipped them. The fighting was dreadful and we have lost terribly. In the 2nd days fight, my horse had his head blown off by a shell and fell on me holding me fast. I came near being captured but got my leg out from under him and mounted on a rebel horse whose rider had been shot, I escaped from the field. I have the horse, saddle and bridle." States his company lost supplies and personal…

GLC01505.05

22 September 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Brisbin informs his wife Jane that his regiment arrived at Mount Sterling that day, and that they leave for the battle front (possibly referring to an advance on Saltville, Virginia) under General Stephen Gano Burbridge tomorrow. Writes, "The expedition has so far been badly managed and I fear will be a failure." Relates that General McClean (possibly Nathaniel Collins McLean) fares poorly. States "If I fall in the Expedition I have some money in Lilfords Bank" located in Lexington, Kentucky.

GLC01505.06

10 March 1792

Russell, Benjamin, 1761-1845

Newspaper

Title: Columbian centinel. [Vol. 16, no. 52 (March 10, 1792)]

Prints the federal act to establish the U.S. Post Office and post roads in the United States. Also includes local news, news from France and England, shipping news, and public notices.

GLC01508

5 March 1861

Greeley & McElrath, 1841-1866

Newspaper

Title: New-York Tribune. [Vol. XX, no. 6196 (March 5, 1861)]

Includes Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address and news about the inaugural ceremony. Other articles detail military news, local reports, Congressional updates, public postings, and advertisements.

GLC01509

1783/11/29

Newspaper

Title: Independent New-York Gazette, Num. II

Published by John Holt, printer to the state of New York. Prints the Treaty of Paris on front page. Also contains Governor Clinton's proclamation of a cessation of hostilities between the U. S. and Britain.

GLC01510

1841

Header Record

Title: Letter signed and judicial review concerning the case of Alexander McLeod [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01512

1841

Tallmadge, Daniel B., fl. 1841

Pamphlet

Title: Review of the opinion of Judge Cowen, of the Supreme Court of the State of New-York, in the case of Alexander McLeod

A review of the New York Supreme Court acquittal of Alexander McLeod, a Canadian fighting for the British who boasted that he had murdered an American in New York State during the 1838 border skirmishes.

GLC01512.02

1933, 1946, 1947

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Header Record

Title: [Collection of three letters of Grace Coolidge] Decimalized

GLC01522

1838/05/10

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863

Document signed

Title: Ordering audit of receipt signed by Cherokee Chief Colonel Bowls

A note written as President of the Republic of Texas on the verso of a receipt for payment to Cherokee Chieftain Bowls (signed with an "X") at a time when the Texas Senate was taking Cherokee Indian lands.

GLC01525

1777/09/01-1780/03/18

Lowell, John, 1743-1802

Autograph manuscript

Title: Copy of Robert Morris speech re: price of peace & cost of maintaining it

Lowell's copy of Morris' 1783 budget speech detailing estimates for the army, navy, foreign affairs, etc. noting that by focusing on naval strength, "the enemy will be convinced of the impracticality of subduing us." With a one page table listing the depreciation of the Continental dollar.

GLC01526

1795-1798

Header Record

Title: Collection of two items related to Robert Morris [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01528

1782

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Broadside

Title: Epitaph [mock epitaph on George III, "Button-Maker"]

Satirical epitaph on King George III. Compares George III to various dictatorial rulers, including Caligua and Cesar, Printed by F. Bailey. Inscribed at top to "Mrs. Rebecca Treat at Yorktown -- From Sam: Leatney [?]."

GLC01531

24 January 1865

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

Autograph document signed

Title: to Gustavus Vasa Fox

A telegram in which Grant asks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox if he would like to accompany him from Fort Monroe to Fort Fisher. Grant suggests the use of a "Naval Vessel" for the journey. Marked "Cipher." Fort Fisher had been captured on 15 January.

GLC01554

26 May 1779

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Weiss

Informs Weiss, the deputy quartermaster general, of the orders he received from George Washington to ready the Pennsylvania troops to march and asks Weiss to supply them with tents and others necessary stores. Indicates where Weiss can obtain some tents and canteens. Written from "Camp."

GLC01556

26 August 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to President and Directors of the Bank of New York

Secretary of War Knox transfers a letter from President Washington (not included). Requests a $10,000 loan and additional monies when needed for the commissioners negotiating treaties with Indians. Written from the "War Office."

GLC01561

22 November 1801

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

A long letter, in which Lafayette discusses revolutionary France, his personal affairs and associations, and the light his personal correspondence with George Washington will cast on the memoirs of General Washington being written by Bushrod Washington. On revolutionary France and the war being waged by Napoleon, he writes: "I am among the few who persist to profess that the Liberal seeds which among so much weed have been sown upon European[,] and particularly upon French, ground cannot and shall not be ultimately lost." He discusses personal relationships with Lord Cornwallis and Napoleon…

GLC01562

17 December 1810

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Header Record

Title: Letter and copied note from Timothy Pickering to James McHenry [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01578

16 October 1775

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holton

Written to fellow jurist Samuel Holton discussing the qualifications of a justice, the readiness of the American forces, and George Washington's opinion of his own army. Satirizes another judge who thinks all judges should have "the prime qualities of an executioner." He believes "the proper qualifications of a judge" are "integrity, ability, & knowledge of the law...a discerner between truth & falsehood, right and wrong." Believes that the colonies were not ready for war, and are still unprepared now, but insists in his full patriotism despite these doubts. Says Washington "…

GLC01579.01

26 September 1864

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

Autograph document signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

In this telegram Stanton, Secretary of War, writes "The Richmond Enquirer of Saturday rejoices that 'Beauregard has been assigned to the Command of the Army in Georgia, that his star ever led to victory and his very name inspires confidence of success.' A report comes to the Navy Department via Memphis and Cairo that Mobile has surrendered. I do not credit it." Mentions Union General Philip Henry Sheridan's Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.

GLC01583

1776/07/

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Benjamin Franklin] re: belated peace initiatives of the Howe brothers

A cryptic but important letter written in the same month as the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as commander in chief, in response to Franklin's letters. Possibly a draft since Washington has left the day and a name blank, but soon or shortly after July 30, when Franklin's response to Howe was delivered. This letter responds to two letters from Franklin, one commended Washington for his work with the inventor Joseph Belton to construct a submarine, while the other (now lost) was a copy of his response on behalf of Congress to the peace offer of the Admiral Richard and General…

GLC01588