February 11, 1876

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness discussing his memoirs. Mentions that although his Memoirs are subject to criticism, he felt he had to express his opinions. Despite the criticisms, he states, " ... I am sure I am not jealous or malicious, and I feel the greatest possible love for my old Comrades in Arms ... " Except General Joseph Hooker, about whom he expresses his feeling that Hooker constantly finds fault in others. Remarks that he does have a high opinion of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's administration, but that both Stanton and General Henry Halleck…

GLC03341.03

16 August 1862

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Discusses Battle of Baton Rouge and Bragg's planned invasion of Kentucky. Expects Bragg's invasion to be a success, "I feel that you will reach the Ohio River, if you don't do more." Would join Bragg, but cannot leave his own command, which has been reduced from 8,000 to 2,500 men. States "I did the best I could at Baton Rouge, and with inferior forces whipped them soundly. Under the circumstances it was impossible to accomplish more than we did." Written just after the Battle of Baton Rouge, where the Confederates were actually defeated by a force of equally small size in their attempt…

GLC03348

29 October 1863

Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

Asks for help advertising for information regarding Lieutenant John H. Maury, captured below Vicksburg 27 January 1863. Maury was in England, possibly outfitting the raider CSS Savannah. John Herndon Maury, son of Matthew F. Maury, disappeared 27 January 1863 on a late-night scouting expedition on the Warrenton Road. Only the evidence cited in this letter was found; Grant and other Union officers said they could not find him among the captured. After the war an eyewitness reported that the younger Maury had been murdered that night by bushwackers.

GLC03350

1864

Dunham, W. H., fl. 1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of soldier W. H. Dunham, with drawings]

Diary of W. H. Dunham, a soldier in Company D, 20th Ohio, during the Atlanta campaign. Entries cover period 1 April - 16 September 1864, and document Sherman's March to Atlanta and the Battles of Atlanta and Jonesborough. In the first part of the diary he describes his post as a surgical nurse in an army field hospital, discussing amputations, surgeries and deaths. At the start of the Atlanta campaign, Dunham was transferred to the front and fought in the Battle of Atlanta. Contains a vivid account of the decisive battle of Jonesborough, 1 September 1864. Pasted into the diary are 11…

GLC03351

1866

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Book signed

Title: Mr. Buchanan's administration on the eve of rebellion [inscribed, with telegram]

Inscribed to Dr. James R. Speer, With telegram glued to front pastedowns, to Speer, announcing Buchanan's death.

GLC03354

06 March 1868

Fairchild, Lucius, 1831-1896

Document

Title: Joint resolution, no. 16.

Title continues, "Instructing our Senators and requesting our Representatives, to adhere to the policy of the loyal people of the Republic, as adopted by Congress." The Wisconsin legislature condemns Johnson for firing Edwin M. Stanton. Proclaims support of Stanton.

GLC03355

January 22, 1864

Winder, John H., 1800-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Writes to the governor of Virginia about the release of a prisoner of war, F.A. Winston, who was charged with "disloyalty" and sent from Lynchburg with two Yankee deserters. Discusses the regulations concerning those charged with disloyalty. On dark blue paper. Winder was a brigadier general in the Confederate army. In May 1862, President Jefferson Davis placed him in command of Richmond. He was also given the task of organizing care for all Union Army prisoners east of the Mississippi.

GLC03356

February 22, 1863

Tracy, Edward Dorr, 1833-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Matt] Steele

General Tracy writes to Steele, his brother-in-law. Notes that Mr. Atwood will transmit this letter. Sends a "written sketch" of his deceased friend, Dr. Fearn, with instructions for Steele to pass it on to an editor if he deems it worthy of publication. Promises to write to his sisters, and requests a servant.

GLC03357

January 30, 1864

Tyler, Daniel, 1799-1882

Letter signed

Title: to William Buckingham

Written by Union Brigadier General Tyler from "Head Quarters Delaware District." Discusses Colonel Fish of the 1st Connecticut cavalry, who has been accused of misconduct.

GLC03358

08 July 1863

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Apparently a telegram. Major General Banks, commander of the Department of the Gulf, sends word to Major General Grant, commander of the Department of the Tennessee, to announce the capture of Port Hudson, Louisiana. This letter marks the advent of unfettered Union control of the Mississippi River. The Vicksburg garrison had surrendered to Grant on July 4, four days prior to this note.

GLC03374

August 17, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bragg

Draft of a letter defending General Braxton Bragg (he had been criticized for his leadership in the campaign in Kentucky earlier that year). Written in response to an article his correspondent send about Bragg. Davis wrote the draft on the address leaf of another letter (not present) docketed received on 24 August from John Bragg (Braxton's brother), who is likely his correspondent. Signed with initials. Contains several pencil revisions.

GLC03384.01

13 August 1862

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Hayes writes as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. States that he cannot get enough information about mill privileges and navigation on the New River. "At Richmond there is a fall of 8 to 12 feet - at other points there are falls which have always been Supposed to prevent all navigation, but 'impossible' is a hard word. I wouldn't speak it on my meagre information. I can say very difficult and dangerous."

GLC03385

20 July 1870

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Albert Bierstadt

General Sheridan forwards a book (not included) of Indian illustrations supposedly found in Black Kettle's tent after Custer's 1868 victory over him "on the Washita in the Indian Country." The book illustrated the "heroic deeds of Black Kettle & his band, or at least some of his Warriors."

GLC03386

22 June 1863

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864

Document signed

Title: Daily memoranda for information of the major general commanding.

Lists communications and dates from headquarters to the 3rd corps. Also lists marching activity and nearby attacks.

GLC03387

1868

Read, Thomas Buchanan, 1822-1872

Autograph quotation signed

Title: Sheridan's ride

Read's famous poem "Sheridan's Ride" written out in full in his own hand. Contains a portrait photograph of the author attached to the last page. The pages are bound, with a cover attached.

GLC03391

28 April 1863- 6 May 1863

Moore, Alexander, fl. 1863

Manuscript

Title: [Report regarding the Battle of Chancellorsville]

Moore writes as aide-de-camp to Union General Joseph Hooker, who commanded forces at Chancellorsville. Reports troop movements, the repair and creation of roads, weather, and military skirmishes. Mentions the names of some participating commanders, including Hooker, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Darius Nash Couch. Written in Headquarters Second Army Corps stationery.

GLC03392

1861-1865 ca.

Leonard, Samuel H., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Samuel H. Leonard, field and staff, 13th regiment, Massachusetts, infantry] [decimalized]

Leonard was a Colonel in the 13th Mass. Vols. Contains 50 wartime letters and 12 postwar documents, as well as 1 card and 2 envelopes.

GLC03393

1861-1908

Lakeman, John R., fl. 1861-1908

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John R. Lakeman, 23rd regiment, Massachusetts, infantry] [decimalized]

Most letters are focused on New Berne, N.C. Lakeman served as a Lieut. in the 23rd Mass. Vols. Collection contains 61 documents, 43 envelopes, and two photographs. 44 letters have Civil War dates. 1 photograph in Photos, Size 1.

GLC03394

30 May 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Rev. T. V. Moore re: crisis in southern affairs

Thanks Moore for a gift of wine and for his prayers. Lee offers sympathy for the capture of his sons. Of the wine, Lee writes "It was what the Surgeon thought I required...." Lee has signed twice, once in initials after the postscript.

GLC03398

18 April 1870

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward O.C. Ord

Remarks upon issues mentioned in General Ord's last letter such as the death of General George Henry Thomas, the assignment of John McAllister Schofield to his post, and the creation of a new department in Arizona. Sherman also writes that there is no need to keep more than three companies in Alaska. He discusses conditions in Arizona and mentions his desire to visit Ord in California this summer. Wants to move back to St. Louis, Missouri, "As soon as I can properly I think I will move back to Saint Louis, and have leave the Politicians to run the Army. They need its patronage and will…

GLC03219

4 January 1874

Spinner, Francis Elias, 1802-1890

Letter

Title: to C[harles]. L[afayette]. MacArthur

Thanks him for a copy of the second series of the Breitmann Ballads since his copy keeps getting stolen. The "Hiram Irvines are largely on the increase just now, and I fear the party has not the right kind of men at the front to lead them off." Feels it is possible that Congress will enact a workable monetary policy: "what is really needed, next to the resumption of specie payments, is a currency, that will at all times adapt itself to the business wants of the country." Written as Secretary of the Treasury.

GLC03224

[ 06 December 1864 ]

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: Speech fragment of annual address to Congress re: reconstruction in Louisiana

One page from his State of the Union address, printed in full, Basler 8: 136-153. This fragment, mentioning reconstruction of Louisiana and Arkansas, appears on p. 148. Written in larger than normal handwriting to help Lincoln read it. With John D. Defrees autograph endorsement (docket) on verso certifying its authenticity. GLC 5805 is the following page.

GLC03252

12 August 1866

Sutter, John Augustus, 1803-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George W. Wright

Apologizes for lapse in correspondence due to recent traveling through Pennsylvania. Discusses Pennsylvania's hot sulphur springs and compares them to those in California. Thanks Mrs. Wright for her dinner invitation and will be sure to dine with the Wrights once he returns to Washington. Sutter was a pioneer of California who was ruined by the famous discovery of gold at his mill in 1848. Wright was a businessman, inventor, and U.S. representative from California.

GLC03262

10 December 1862

Blair, Francis Preston, Jr., 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Informs his father that he is leaving for Helena tonight to meet up with his command. Discusses the disposition of his property in case he is killed in battle. Provides for his wife and children. States, "I do not look forward with any despondency or apprehension but simply suggest what I think will not be disagreeable to you & will be some consolation to me."

GLC03209.06

February 5, 1865

Buckner, Simon Bolivar, 1823-1914

Letter signed

Title: to Edward R. S. Canby

Buckner, a Confederate general, signs as Lieutenant General Commanding the District of Western Louisiana. Writes to Union Major General Canby commanding the Military Division of Western Mississippi, in New Orleans to propose the special exchange of a prisoner now in the Trans Mississippi Department for 1st Lieutenant William D. Chipley, Adjutant in the 9th Kentucky Militia Infantry, now confined at Johnson's Island. Chipley was taken as a POW on 22 July 1864 at Intrenchment Creek, Georgia.

GLC03211