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to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from Camp Douglas. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Requests she begin making him a red quilt. Informs her he was unable to get a furlough. Provides her with a list of items to send him. The letter has a...

GLC03523.52.30

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Discusses the music his band is playing. Informs her they may get a discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Addressee name and year taken from envelope.

GLC03523.52.31

to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Informs them he does not believe that they will get a discharge and has given up trying. Notes two or three of the band members will be discharged. Comments their band finally got paid. Writes of the call...

GLC03523.52.32

to Mary L. Kessler

Writes to his mother from Camp Douglas. Reports they may be heading to Mexico within a month. Notes they will go to New York City and connect with General Ambrose E. Burnside's expedition. Comments no furloughs are to be granted to their regiment...

GLC03523.52.33

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from Camp Douglas. Requests that she send him a shirt and a pair of boots. Informs her that another soldier wants her picture after seeing his picture of her. Discusses his picture and other soldier's pictures. The letter has...

GLC03523.52.34

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Discusses his trip back to camp. Informs them that another regiment arrived at their camp to relieve them. Comments that they may be leaving camp Douglas soon. The letter has a watermark on the top left...

GLC03523.52.35

to Nancy S. Kessler

Writes to his cousin from Camp Douglas. Discusses the cold weather. Describes shooting a gun and beating her father at target practice.

GLC03523.52.36

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to her sister from Camp Douglas. Discusses the nice weather. Comments that everyone is in high spirits and having a good time. Notes they may be heading to Michigan. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.38

to brother and sister

Writes to his brother and sister. Reports a lot of sickness and cases of smallpox. Describes attending three cases of small pox in one house. Comments that the whole town has been exposed to it and expects more cases. The letter has a watermark...

GLC03523.52.39

to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Reports they will be leaving camp Douglas tomorrow and will head to Annapolis, Maryland. Believes they will finally go into battle. Comments he did not get paid enough to send any money home. Informs them...

GLC03523.52.40

to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Discusses the weather. Describes how green everything is in Maryland. Complains about another soldier exaggerating his sickness to get a discharge. Comments the other soldier should have been discharged a...

GLC03523.52.41

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports on the sickness back home and in camp. Writes, "we have 8 or 9 kinds of lice five or six kinds of [each] put these altogether would make it rather sickly…" Notes she should not fret too much about the...

GLC03523.52.42

to Libbie Kessler

Writes to his friend from Camp Blue Springs. Discusses the weather. Notes they will not be doing any hard marches before the fall of Richmond, Virginia. Writes, "the fall of Richmond which I judge will come to pass before long for Gen. grant is...

GLC03523.52.43

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they will not get a discharge. Comments the officers voted to keep the band and have promised to buy them new instruments, provide back pay, and have pledged themselves to prompt payment hereafter. Comments...

GLC03523.52.44

to his brother

Writes to his brother from camp. Discusses the weather. Reports seeing General Ambrose E. Burnside pass through his camp. Notes there have been thousands of soldiers pouring into their camp. Describes oyster fishing and growing tobacco as the...

GLC03523.52.45

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Reports that his band has broken up and they are now waiting for orders. Believes they will either be transferred into a brigade band or will be discharged. Expresses his disappointment with the officers for not...

GLC03523.52.46

to A. P. Kessler [incomplete]

Writes to his father. Discusses the farm and the prospects of his father buying a new farm. Comments he does not believe he will be fit enough to work on a farm or to do any hard work. Reports on a battle that took place a week ago. Notes they...

GLC03523.52.47

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports his band has broken up and their case (an appeal for a discharge) is now before the Secretary of War. Informs him he is hoping for a discharge. Discusses the price of potatoes and apples.

GLC03523.52.48

to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from camp. Describes living in small tents with three other men. Reports not having a cook or a stove. Notes they do all their cooking over the fire, meet twice a day for bread and coffee, and get three meals a day. Writes,...

GLC03523.52.49

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders for tomorrow. Relays a rumor that General Robert E. Lee may be heading towards Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and they may head there too. Notes he sent a trunk of clothes home so...

GLC03523.52.50

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Reports after marching 50 miles from Annapolis, Maryland, they finally arrived in Alexandria, Virginia. Writes, "it was Hard for us not doing anything for so long a time I am not able to walk today as my feet are...

GLC03523.52.51

[Amnesty Proclamation]

Full printing of the oath with several circular letters appended. [The proclamation states the terms on which the citizens of the Southern states could be restored to their civil rights; Johnson's terms were much more stringent than Lincoln's...

GLC09326.03

To the voters of Oswego and Madison counties New York

Thanking them for electing him to a seat in Congress, and reprising his anti-slavery, pro-equality platform.

GLC09329.02

[Carte-de-visite of John E. Smith]

CDV signed as Brigadier General. Smith commanded a division in the 17th Corps in the western theater. A native of Galena, he was an intimate friend of Ulysses Grant.

GLC09348

[Carte-de-visite of Osband Emory]

Signed as Col., 3rd US Col Cavalry. CDV, Barr & Young, Vicksburg imprint. Osband entered service as became colonel of the newly organized 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry in February, 1864. He was brevetted brigadier general for "gallant and meritorious...

GLC09349

Capt Wilson and men of the "Iron Brigade"

8th Kentucky placing colors on Lookout Mountain after Hooker's victory. R. M. Linn's CDV was a restaged portrayal.

GLC09350

Incidents of the war. Group--Generals Meade, Humphreys, Hunt, French, Sykes, and Warren.

Famous photograph of the commanders of the Army of the Potomac, taken after the Gettysburg campaign. Taken near Culpeper Court House in Virginia. Included are Generals George G. Meade, A.A. Humphreys, Henry J. Hunt, William French, George Sykes, and...

GLC09351

[Seven photographs taken by A.J. Riddle of Andersonville Prison]

Rare complete series of seven photographs taken by A.J. Riddle, in August 1864, of Andersonville Prison republished with captions in 1883 by Theodore Wiseman, who claims to have secured the "original views in 1865, in an old chest, in old Captain...

GLC09352

[Diary of Luther Martin Hess]

Diary of soldier in 93rd Illinois Infantry, Co. G. Took part in Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta campaigns, and Sherman's "March to the Sea." Vivid writing throughout, some daily, some retrospectively. Confronted with the prospect of death during the...

GLC09353

[Collection of Samuel Keyes]

11 letters with covers, written by a private in the 16th Massachusetts Regiment. He describes actions in the Army of the Potomac from the troop buildup at Fort Monroe, initiating the Peninsula Campaign, to the Second Battle of Bull Run, where he was...

GLC09354

[Diary of Samuel K. Thompson]

Officer diary of a Civil War veteran who had served as lieutenant in the 54th U.S. Colored Infantry during the war. The three diaries were written during service in one of four "buffalo soldier" regiments created after the war, comprising African...

GLC09357

[Collection of Barwood James]

Three letters, two of war date, from a British-born American seaman. One written during the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863. He offers fine detail on life aboard Civil War naval vessels, as well as the conflicted attitudes of many...

GLC09358

[Newspaper]

Offers Confederate view of the First Battle of Bull Run from a newspaper in Sandersville, Georgia. Page 2 is dedicated to reports of "The Great Battle of Manassas: …The Southern troops were again victorious, but the slaughter on both sides was...

GLC09359

[Instructions for guard duty]

Instructions for all enlisted and commissioned officers doing guard duty, issued by Major Wm. H. Haskell, 67th Regt. Ill, Guard Instructor, and Col. Joseph H. Tucker, Post Commander. Camp Douglas was a training camp near Chicago, but was used through...

GLC09360

to John Coffee

To John Coffee, General in the Tennessee state militia. During first year of his administration, Jackson forecasts his support for removal of the southeastern Indians, which would be made public in his message to Congress in 1830 and would result in...

GLC09361

[Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy]

Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy, organized to protect legitimate American trading activity in western Africa, as well as to suppress "the Slave trade, so far as the Citizens of Flag of the U.S. may be found engaged...

GLC09362

to David D. Porter

To Adm. David D. Porter. Vicksburg campaign letter re frustrated attempt to dig a canal to bypass Confederate forces. "At the present stage of water the submarine pump cannot be used. Capt. Prime therefore has had it put aboard the Champion. Will you...

GLC09363

[Pay warrant for African American soldier]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War pay warrant issued to African American soldier Nero Cross, for five pounds, eight shillings, and five pence. Signed by John Lawrence, treasurer of the State, "X" on verso by Cross, and docketed...

GLC09364

[Certificate of service for African American soldier Primas Hubbell]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War African American soldier Primas Hubbell. Certification of service signed by three Kent, CT selectmen; with order for delivery of pay to Joseph Pratt, signed with "X" by Hubbell; and with...

GLC09365.01

[Receipt of payment]

Receipt of payment of eleven pounds, three shillings, and fourteen pence to Primas Hubbell, signed by selectman Joseph Pratt.

GLC09365.02

[Certificate of enlistment and discharge for Samson Cuff]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War African American soldier Samson Cuff. Certification of enlistment and discharge signed by four Windsor, CT selectmen. To the Committee of Paytable.

GLC09366.01

[pay request for Samson Cuff]

Pay request, signed "X" by Samson Cuff, and signed by Justice of the Peace Henry Allyn.

GLC09366.02

[Receipt of payment]

Receipt of payment of eighteen pounds and ten shillings to Samson Cuff, signed by Jesse Phelps.

GLC09366.03

to Harriet Buchanan

The only U.S. president who never married, to his sister Harriet: "When you have determined (as I trust you will not) never to marry I shall cheerfully provide you a comfortable home. It would afford me great pleasure & promote my own comfort &...

GLC09367

to A.C. Moore

General orders to Col. A. C. Moore to recall all troops on furlough from the 29th Va. Volunteers: "Events render it imperative that there shall be no delay in executing this order. The country demands the energies of all its soldiers, and the General...

GLC09368

to his brother

Re Burnside's ill-fated "Mud March." Firsthand account by a soldier in the 1st Mass. Volunteers, who writes to his brother: "…nor did our movement benefit the 'Glorious Cause' in the least, except it cause Burnside to be removed and a better man put...

GLC09370

to James

Captain of 36th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, mentions the locations of fellow Harvard alums, including "[Robert Todd] Lincoln in the army," and the health of those released from POW camps. He announces the news that "at this moment [received from]...

GLC09371

[Orders from the State of Maine]

Two Executive Orders and three General Orders from the State of Maine, printed together, re the necessity of raising additional troops for the Union cause. Bottom of page is a statement addressed to "the Patriotic Citizen Soldiery of Maine: …With the...

GLC09372

to a cousin

[Slavery] From Cleveland, Ohio to a cousin in North Carolina: "I am here surrounded by abolitionists, yea in the very hot bed of this class of people.… Three weeks since there was a negroe woman who said she was a fugitive slave from Mississippi, got...

GLC09373

to her cousin

Alabama woman writes to her cousin in Michigan about family news and her mother's illness, and how life has changed since Emancipation: "It does not seem possible that I could go through the same amount of labor and endure the anxiety and suspense of...

GLC09375

Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Monthly return for June 1865. Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC02016.111

Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Monthly return for August 1865.

GLC02016.112

Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Monthly return for November 1865.

GLC02016.113

Monthly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Monthly return for December 1865.

GLC02016.114

Account for quarter ending September 30, 1862

Indicates that all the clothing, camp and garrison equipage are accounted for with the exception of fourteen hat trimmings and ten pairs of stockings.

GLC02016.115.01

Inventory and inspection report

Includes nineteen shelter tents which are to be turned into the depot quatermaster and sold at public auction.

GLC02016.116

Invoice of camp and garrison equipage

An invoice of camp and garrison equipage delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant Thomas Birmingham of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania. Also signed by Thomas Birmingham as received by Captain Buyers.

GLC02016.117

Returns of ordnance and ordnance stores

Includes returns for the quarter ending December 31, 1862. Adds remarks on the loss of some Austrian rifles. There are three copies of this document numbered 118a, 118b, and 118c. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

GLC02016.118

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Heber Painter.

GLC02016.119

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Heber Painter. Written at the Hanover Court House

GLC02016.120

Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

A list of clothing delivered by Lieutenant Samuel Freedley to Captain John Buyers. The docket indicates that this is the first invoice of the quarter for "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

GLC02016.121

Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

A list of clothing and camp equipment delivered by Lieutenant Samuel Freedley to Captain John Buyers. The docket indicates that this is the second invoice of the quarter for "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

GLC02016.122

Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Includes a list of camp and garrison equipment delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant Thomas Birmingham. The invoice is also signed by Thomas Birmingham as received.

GLC02016.123

Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage

Includes a list of clothes, camp and garrison equipment delivered by Lieutenant Samuel Freedley to Captain John Buyers. The docket indicates that this is the third invoice of the quarter for "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

GLC02016.124

Orders for leave of absence

Captain John Buyers is granted a leave of absence to attend to urgent private business. A second note states that due to lack of transportation on the date of 27 February, 1863, the leave of absence will take into affect on March 4, 1863. The...

GLC02016.125

Invoice of tents

Includes a list of tent equipment delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant [Angello] Jackson of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Jackson as received.

GLC02016.126

Invoice of tents

Includes a list of tent equipment delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant [Angello] Jackson of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Jackson as received.

GLC02016.127

Invoice of tents

Includes a list of tent equipment delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant [Angello] Jackson of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Jackson as received.

GLC02016.128

Invoice of arms and accoutrements

Refers to seventy-two Austrian rifles delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant Thomas Birmingham of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Birmingham as received.

GLC02016.129

Invoice of camp and garrison equipage

Includes a list of camp and garrison equipment delivered by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant Thomas Birmingham of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Birmingham as received.

GLC02016.130

Invoice of arms and accoutrements

Refers to the delivery of seventy-two Austrian rifles by Captain John Buyers to Lieutenant Thomas Birmingham of "I" Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also signed by Lieutenant Birmingham as received.

GLC02016.131

to Captain John Buyers

Writes that Buyers is able to make out certified invoices and use them as vouchers to his returns. Signed by order of George T. [Balckl], Captain of Ordinance.

GLC02016.132

Invoice of camp and garrison equipage

Invoice of equipment transferred from Lieutenant Alva Z. Rogers to Lieutenant Heber Painter.
Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC02016.133

Invoice of clothing camp and garrison equipage

Invoice of equipment ransferred from Lieutenant Alva Z. Rogers to Lieutenant Heber Painter.

GLC02016.134

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores

A partially prnted document including ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Heber Painter.

GLC02016.135

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He writes that spring is coming and the army is excited. Notes that the weather is much better and that some of the apple trees are beginning to blossom. Believes that the farming here at camp will be poor as...

GLC07460.073

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written in Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He reports that the weather is nice but there has been some rain. States that he left his overcoat in Nashville, Tennessee with Ann the regiment's "negro woman." Notes that prices are high both at home in...

GLC07460.074

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written in the woods near Ringgold, Georgia. The regiment marched through Chattanooga, Tennessee and camped just past the Chickamauga battle ground. At Gordons Mills near Chickamauga, Georgia the regiment got into its first fight. The regiment went...

GLC07460.075

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Snake Creek Gap, Georgia. The regiment marched again and is currently working on roads for the army to march on. Writes that he thinks they are about five miles from the main body of the rebel army. The brigade took such a circuitous march...

GLC07460.076

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written on the battle field near Dallas, Georgia. He explains that he is unsure of what effect the army has had on the war being in Georgia but hopes that it is good. Writes that they have had all the rations they can eat and keep several days worth...

GLC07460.077

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Camp of the Illinois 105th. States that he is in good health although he is worried about the casualties the Union army is sustaining. Writes that he is glad his mother worries less even though her feelings are natural. Part of the...

GLC07460.078

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written behind the breastworks of the Illinois 105th regiment. Reports that his regiment had received marching orders but it rained so hard they only marched a short distance. He marched with the regiment toward the left wing and then to the front...

GLC07460.079

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. Explains that the mail has not gone out for a while because of the Battle of Resaca. He is glad to hear everyone at home is doing well. Writes that he hopes that when the fighting is done the war is...

GLC07460.080

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He explains that they are still in the same camp as the last time he wrote. Writes that the Union artillery ha been shelling the rebels for two or three days but the effect of the shelling is not...

GLC07460.081

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He is glad that everyone is doing well and states that he is as well. Writes that he is unsure of exactly where the army is as they have marched on such a "crooked course" through Georgia. Reports that...

GLC07460.082

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He is unharmed and doing well. His corps, the 20th, has been joined by the 23rd Corps. Others have told him the corps are only a few miles from Marietta, Georgia. Reports that both armies are...

GLC07460.083

[Fragment]

Unsigned fragment. "It would be dishonourable, and might be ruinous if without a redress of our wrongs war did not promptly follow the expiration of the embargo. No other alternative is left to our choice. Every other expedient has been tried and...

GLC09135

Proceedings of a Board of Survey

Signed by Major Francis Lee. "Lt. U.S. Grant, Commissary & Regimental Quartermaster, 4th Infantry, had deposited in the trunk of Capt Gore, 4th Infantry, for safe keeping, the sum of $1,000 public money...and the trunk [was] stolen...[N]o blame can...

GLC09136

to Quartermaster General Hale

"All quiet in front! No enemy here to fight. Our transportation will not allow us to go into the interior of the state to hunt them up: we want to go to Richmond. In the grand review of our Corps de Armee by Genl. Burnside, the 51st was the largest...

GLC09137

to Dr. George Work

Abolitionist and future Union Brigadier General writes of tension in "Bleeding Kansas." "I was stationed here about a year ago, after leaving California. I have marched about 450 miles in reaching here...we were ordered...to protect the emigrants...

GLC09138

to Mother

He bought a camp chair which he is hoping he can take with him. He sees Henry snd Gilbert every day. Everyone is well and going to prayer meetings.

GLC02167.26

to Miss Sue Johnston

They started drilling on the big guns again. The colonel has the authority to bring the regiment up to 1200 and if he does, they will stay where they are for some time.

GLC02167.27

to Miss Sue Johnston

He is concerned because it looks Edgar will be drafted. Though he, himself, enlisted he has never for one moment regretted his decision. Later he describes getting attacked by mosquitos.

GLC02167.28

to Miss Sue Johnston

There are no longer any colored men or dutchmen in his department. The colonel wants to change them to an artillery regiment. He is taking a trip to Beaufort with Lt. Hebbard.

GLC02167.29

to Miss Sue Johnston

There is a recruiting agent whose job it is buy colored troops to fill up their qouta. He talks about the difficulties of the draft and the reservations of the one-year men.

GLC02167.30

to Miss Sue Johnston

He is glad for the news about Sherman's grip on Petersburgh Farragut. Though he thinks it is unwise to enlist men for one year. Lt. Lohiske has been sick but is getting better.

GLC02167.31

to Miss Johnston

He thinks Elliot has improved since joining the army and is now a man. Seymour Graves is going to have a comission in a negro regiment. He had dinner with some exchanged prisoners

GLC02167.32

to Miss Johnston

When he heard the glorious news that Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania went into the Union, he shouted outloud. He refers to some of the officers' wives. They are finally getting paid tomorrow.

GLC02167.33

to Miss Sue Johnston

The weather is unpleasant and he has not gotten much mail lately. In the future he says she should see an improvement in his letters.

GLC02167.34

to Miss Sue Johnston

He mentions Aunt Jule and Cousin Henry. He thinks the election will come out all right. He heard Mr. Marvin preach.

GLC02167.35