May 1, 1775

Warren, Joseph, 1741-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

General Warren laments, in dire terms, his inability to get supplies for the troops under his command. He implores Gerry not to "triffle away this only Moment we have to employ for Salvation of our Country." A signed note on the verso from Artemas Ward urges immediate attention. Gerry was Chairman of the Committee of Supply of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

GLC00782.23

24 October 1787

Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for 101 and 1/6 pounds provisions for Indian prisoners]

To be taken out of the Contingent's funds. On verso is a receipt dated 25 October 1787, noting the receipt of 5 and 11/15 pounds on an Army Debt Warrant.

GLC00783

January 11, 1863

Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891

Document signed

Title: [Report on the Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone's River]

Written from the Headquarters of Wood's Brigade, General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne's Division, Army of Tennessee (Confederate). Brigadier General Wood directs this report to Captain Irving A. Buck, Cleburne's assistant adjutant-general. Discusses the battle in detail, naming generals present, mentioning troop movement and position, and citing weapons and tactics used. Relates "In conclusion, the Brigade Commander Expresses the opinion that in this battle the 1100 men he took into action vindicated by their blood the determination of our people to conquer their freedom or die in the struggle…

GLC00784

1878

Custer, Elizabeth Bacon, 1842-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary F. Stoughton

Custer congratulates Stoughton on the appointment of her husband, Edwin W. Stoughton, to U.S. Minister to Russia (served from 1878-1879). She wishes her well on her trip and asks to be remembered to their Russian friends, particularly Admiral Poisson. In a despondent tone, she notes that "My work absorbs most of my time and I am so fatigued by it I can sleep now. My cousins are living here with me so I am not utterly alone." Letter written on mourning stationery and signed "Libbie B. Custer." Libbie's husband, George Armstrong Custer, died at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876.

GLC00785

circa 1860

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Wilson, a Republican Senator from Massachusetts, replies to a previous note sent by an unknown recipient. Provides a list of Republicans who might be interested in anti-Democratic Party ideas, including Maine Governor Israel Washburn, Jr. Reports that he has prepared a speech to be presented in Newark, New Jersey to reveal that the Democratic party "is hostile to the interests of the free White Laboring men." Letter written on Republican Headquarters stationery. The date printed on the stationery is 1860. Washburn went on to serve as governor of Maine (1861-1863). Possibly a personally penned…

GLC00789

February 13, 1949

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peggy Fabian

He writes to a young lady with his "hope that you grow up a staunch American woman - and a lady." Letter written on personal stationary.

GLC00793

1865

Butler, George H., fl. 1865

Diary

Title: [George H. Butler's Diary for 1865]

Autograph manuscript signed of George H. Butler, who served in G Company, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Signed and dated 28 January 1865 on free front endpaper. Discusses the march through the Carolinas and the destruction it caused. Describes Negroes helping Union POWs (February 8); innocent Rebel prisoner shot in retaliation for Union death (March 2); mention of enemy in Union uniform (March 5); 300-500 "hombly" women in a cotton factory (March 11); Battle of Bentonville (March 20); rumors of Johnston's surrender (April 12, 15, 16); news of Lincoln's…

GLC00794

16 July 1795

Blount, William, 1749-1800

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to pay troops protecting the southwest frontier]

Issues William Rickard, paymaster pro tem for the territory south of the Ohio River, $279 for payment "of a Detachment of Mounted Infantry" in Colonel Isaac Roberts' regiment, under the command of Sergeant John Childress. Pay was for work from 11 October 1794 to 28 October 1794. A note on the front page signed by "Chas. M Clung" indicates that the order was recorded in the secretary's office on 16 July 1795. A note on the verso signed by Rickard confirms his receipt of the money. The docket identifies this as "Warrant / No. 323." With white paper territorial seal

GLC00795

April 1, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

In hand of Ely S. Parker, Seneca Indian Chief, who was Grant's Secretary, per Charles Hamilton. Letter reports of victory near Appomattox.

GLC00639.21

June 19, 1812

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Circular letter notifying the governor of New Hampshire of the declaration of war made against Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812. Letter sent with copies of the act declaring war and a report of the Committee of Foreign Relations (not included). Signed as Secretary of State.

GLC00639.22

May 17, 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Sherman writes to General Halleck about the Atlanta campaign. He discusses the movements of Union generals James B. McPherson, George H. Thomas, and John M. Schofield. Sherman is on his way to Adamsville, Georgia, to engage enemy forces led by Joseph E. Johnston. He discusses potential strategies for this engagement, and his anticipation of taking either Altoona or Rome. Johnston has Confederate generals Hardee, Hood, and Polk in his lines of communication, and a larger cavalry. Although Sherman has abundant supplies and the animals are grazing well, he realizes that bloody battles "such as…

GLC00639.23

[ April 1789 ]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.36-37]

Concerning foreign relations, American trade, manufacture and defense. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting. Sparks regarded the document as unimportant since Washington had not actually used this draft. See also GLC 1589 and 4443.01.

GLC00639.25

April 14, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

Washington writes that he had sent to General McLean (commanding at Niagara) communications of Sir Guy Carleton including the proclamation of the King for the cessation of hostilities and a "New York newspaper, containing articles of general pacification between all belligerent parties." In closing, Washington alludes to reports of problems at the Wyoming, PA settlement, which he hopes are "without foundation."

GLC00639.26

December 11, 1775

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to John Tayloe

Washington discusses the sale of the Mercer estate and the siege of Boston. He writes "I have no doubt that you... as well as others are wondering how it happens that two armies almost in stone's throw of each other should keep so long from action." He explains "that we cannot get to them and they do not choose to come to us...." With a postscript signed "G.W." Washington concludes by discussing the stalemate between British and American forces in Cambridge.

GLC00639.27

January 23, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Pres. of the Convention of New Hampshire

Washington pleads for the troops allotted to the state of New Hampshire and argues that "nothing but their [i.e., British] ignorance of our number protects us." The second leaf is not conjugate.

GLC00639.28

August 18, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Marquis de Lotbiniere

A kind letter in which Washington thanks the Marquis for his friendly sentiments. New York's ratification of the Constitution had been uncertain. Docketed on verso of second leaf. Lotbiniere's letter is in Library of Congress's Washington Papers. Noted but not published in Fitzpatrick 30:56n.

GLC00639.29

March 12, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

With Clinton's docket and note in another hand on page 2. Washington says that the "army has been pretty well supplied" since previously asking for supplies. The letter also answers complaints about Israel Putnam's command on the Hudson River. Washington says the charges, which he has had from other persons, embarrassed him because they arose from "want of judgement [rather] then any real intention to do wrong."

GLC00639.30

April 5, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Wharton, Jr.

George Washington forwards a letter from Mrs. Mary Pemberton to Wharton, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Pemberton had requested a passport for wagons with supplies for her husband, Israel Pemberton, and other Philadelphia Quakers exiled to Virginia. Suggests indulging her request.

GLC00639.31

March 8, 1789

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth

Ellsworth, a Senator from Connecticut, reports to his wife, who he calls "Nabby," concerning the first Presidential election. States that "the Votes for the President-& Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of-General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter." States that a public building was erected and finished for the new national leaders.

GLC00641

December 12, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses his recent election to Speaker of the House, alludes to its possible effect on his presidential run in the election of 1824, and explains that his political opponents desire to form a caucus. Also notes his improving health. Remarks on foreign affairs, particularly "the affairs of Spanish America," which had resulted in the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine ten days earlier. Clay argues: "Physically we can not, morally we may interfere in the affairs of Europe; and the great sheam [sic] of moral power would not be small nor unfelt."

GLC00645

October 1, 1883

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Audenreid

Signed on top of the first page. Sherman writes to Mary Audenreid, the widow of Sherman's aid from 1863 to 1880, Col. Joseph C. Audenreid. Sherman began an eight-year romantic relationship with her starting in 1880. He discusses remodeling his house. He explains his plans to retire due to his age; he will be turning over command of the Army to Philip Sheridan, on November 1, 1883. He plans to then move to St. Louis, and morbidly adds: "to wait for the final summons to Bellefontaine [Cemetery]."

GLC00651

July 10, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Washington

In the letter, George Washington discusses Pennsylvania troops mutiny and Treaty of Paris. Docketed on page 4 by his nephew. Also mentions Congress moving to New Jersey. The letter is in very poor condition from severe mold damage (inactive).

GLC00652

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

July 4, 1863

Fuller, Josiah C., 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Detailed description of the 32nd Massachusetts Volunteers, E Company at Gettysburg. Mentions moving their headquarters several times due to shellfire.

GLC00653.06.01

October 27, 1851

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son, Robert Tyler. He discusses the defeat of Judge Campbell, who had been rejected because he was a Roman Catholic: "to make a man's religious opinions the test for office is to break down the fairest and most beautiful pillar of the Constitution." He believes the Presidential election remains an open contest, and that his support of the tariff of 1842 would be a suitable point on which Robert Tyler might speak. He believes that Millard Fillmore is likely to obtain the Whig nomination. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC00639.24