January 12, 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Written on letterhead of the War Department of the Confederate States by Acting Secretary of War Judah Benjamin to Brigadier General Wise. States that the bearer of this letter, William A. Pratt, wants to import "some cargoes of iron" from abroad under the English flag. He wants to then run them ashore on small vessels. Asks Wise to facilitate the enterprise as far as he possibly could.

GLC02469.01

31 July 1863

Chesnut, James, Jr., 1815-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Colonel Chesnut writes to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, requesting a leave of absence so that he may visit home. Written on Confederate States of America Executive Department stationery.

GLC02469.03

26 June 1861

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Cobb discusses organizing a regiment and procuring arms. Reports that he will return to Georgia (Athens) the following morning, to put his regiment in the field. Marked private. Says "I have [offered?] a regiment & it has been accepted- I have more to ask a great personal favor of you- Can & Will you serve me in the matter? I want arms- & I have reason to believe that a friend... could procure some for me in your state- I should like to get five hundred guns but would gladly take any number I can get. I appeal to you to get from your Governor as many as he is willing to spare-"

GLC02469.04

26 March 1866

Davis, George, 1820-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benson John Lossing

Informs Lossing, "I answer to your inquiries in relation to the Seal of the Confederate States, I will state- that the seal was executed in England, in duplicate. One of them was sent over, and was received in Richmond in the last days before the evacuation. But the machinery for impressing it was not sent with it, and never arrived; and the seal was never used."

GLC02469.05

2 September 1852

Foote, Henry S. (Henry Stuart), 1804-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to F. N. Beard, Esq.

Mississippi governor Foote, writes to [Beard?] in Lexington, Kentucky. Thanks Beard for the "kind and complimentary letter of August" and notes that he recently declined a visit to Lexington, for causes he previously explained. Mentions [C.S. Norrison?], also of Lexington. Accompanied by an envelope fragment.

GLC02469.06

25 June 1860

Harris, Isham G., 1818-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Thompson

Harris, Governor of Tennessee, writes to Thompson, United States Secretary of the Interior. Recommends George Western Thompson, of Wheeling, (present-day West Virginia), for the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. Notes that the Supreme Court vacancy resulted from the death of Justice Peter V. Daniel. Writes, "I knew Judge T. intimately when in the House of Reps, and am satisfied that he is in every way well qualified to discharge the duties of the position in question A gentleman of lofty tone and bearing, decided talent, and thourough legal learning..." Written…

GLC02469.07

5 May 1861

Hunter, R.M.T., 1809-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher

Hunter writes to Letcher, Governor of Virginia. Relates that John Preston, son of Colonel John M. Preston, hopes to obtain a commission in the Army of Virginia. Writes, "Virginia is the nation state of his father & he wishes to retire to it- He is an educated young gentleman anxious to serve Virginia in a military capacity..." Docket notes that John Preston lives in South Carolina.

GLC02469.08

22 April 1856

Johnson, Hershel V., 1812-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Land

Possibly written in Milledgeville, which served as the Georgia State Capitol 1807-1864. Johnson, Governor of Georgia, writes to Land (possibly Nathan Land, a farmer and lawyer, who had moved his family from Twiggs to Cass County in 1848). Replies to a letter from Land, in which Land requested Johnson's assistance (possibly regarding an appointment he sought at a local civic post). Writes, "I am desirous for you to have a situation. The changes you allude to have occurred. But I did not suppose any of the places except the Kingston station would suit you..."

GLC02469.09

circa 1862-1864

Letcher, John, 1813-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zebulon Baird Vance

Letcher, Governor of Virginia (1860-1864) replies to a note from Vance, Governor of North Carolina (1862-1865). Discusses Colonel James P. Dillard, 70th Regiment, North Carolina militia. Writes, "On enquiry I can hear nothing of the criminal therein mentioned. If he can be found and arrested, I will cheerfully deliver him to you on requisition. I will most cheerfully unite with you in all efforts to arrest deserters and return them to their commands." Relates that many deserters are along the line between Virginia and North Carolina. Written on State of Virginia, Executive Department…

GLC02469.11

10 March 1861

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V.M. Randolph

Written on letterhead of the Navy Department of the Confederate States. Written by Mallory as Secretary of the Navy to Captain Randolph. Says Randolph is to be relieved of command of the Warrington Navy Yard by Captain D.W. Ingraham, who will be there as early as practicable.

GLC02469.12

18 February 1864

Marmaduke, John Sappington, 1833-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Caute Reynolds

General Marmaduke writes to Reynolds, Missouri Governor in exile. Invites Reynolds to visit, stating "I desire to have a talk with you about Mo affairs- Should you come- do so as early as possible." Docket notes that this letter was received and replied to 26 February 1864. Reynolds was in Marshall, Texas.

GLC02469.13

26 April 1858

Mason, James M., 1798-1871

Letter signed

Title: to George F. Gordon

Informs Gordon that former President John Tyler now lives in "Charles city Court House Virginia," where Tyler's home, Sherwood Forest Plantation, was located.

GLC02469.14

5 September 1861

Memminger, Christopher G., 1803-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to B. D. Boyd

Memminger, Secretary of the Confederate Treasury, responds to two previous letters from B. D. Boyd, president of the bank of Newberry, South Carolina. Seeks to clarify Boyd's request for a loan of fifteen million dollars. Inquires whether the loan should be granted in bonds or stock, and if he can draw on Boyd for the money. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC02469.15

February 15, 1861

Morgan, Edwin D., 1811-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. Denniston

Possibly to Robert Denniston, who served on the New York State Senate 1841-47. Letter of introduction from Governor Morgan for George D. Lamont of Lockport, a former State Senator from the Niagara, Genesee, and Orleans district of New York. Notes that Lamont hopes to discuss compensation pertaining to his settlement of the "Kingsland matter." Written on State of New York Executive Department, Albany stationery.

GLC02469.16

January 1862

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Harlee

Possibly to General William Wallace Harllee. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina, writes: "I told the council at our last meeting I must go home, and I notify you that I shall go, in all probability tomorrow. I feel every assurance that every thing is safe in the hands of yourself & council." Written on State of South Carolina, Head Quarters stationery.

GLC02469.17

5 July 1862

Randolph, George Wythe, 1818-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Alexander Wise

Randolph, Confederate Secretary of War, writes to general Wise, commanding a brigade at Chapin's Bluff, Virginia. Randolph orders Wise to discontinue the impressment of Union horses, and to send a record of horses taken, and from whom they were acquired. Reports, "Persons are waiting here for settlement without proper vouchers, and I must request by the courier such information as you can give."

GLC02469.18

15 May 1862

Reagan, John H. (John Henninger), 1818-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ruggles

Reagan, postmaster general of the Confederacy, informs General Ruggles that his letter of 23 April (accompanied by a letter from Ruggles's son and a sealed letter to Confederate President Jefferson Davis), have arrived. Relates that he will present the letters to President Davis, and hopes Ruggles's son will receive the appointment he seeks. Notes, "The Enemy's gun boats are in eight or ten miles of this place, and have been exchanging shots with our batteries yesterday and to-day." Written on Confederate States of America, Post Office Department stationery.

GLC02469.19

24 June 1843

Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abel P. Upshur

Rhett, a United States Representative from South Carolina, writes to Upshur, Secretary of the Navy. Recommends the Naval appointment of a young man from Beaufort. Writes, "I am but slightly acquainted, but from the character of the Father, I have no doubt he will do credit to the Navy..." Contains several dockets.

GLC02469.20

14 April 1822

Ruffin, Edmund, 1794-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry J. Harrison

Ruffin, a farmer and agriculturist, writes to Harrison, a lawyer. Discusses financial matters. Notes that he ordered the American Farmer for Harrison, and Harrison may pick up the magazine at Campbell's bookstore in Petersburg, Virginia. Writes, "I never was more necessary to, nor more pleased with my matters than at present; & I pay severely for every neglect: my trip to the coalpit coast be a covered drain of 320 yards..."

GLC02469.21

January 26, 1864

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Seddon, Secretary of War, replies to a communication from Smith, "concerning the statements of the Senators and Delegates of the Counties of Hardy and Hampshire, in reference to the conduct of some of the Cavalry of the Confederate States in the recent expedition unto those counties." Informs Smith, Governor of Virginia, that necessary papers have been sent to General Robert E. Lee, so that Lee may investigate the matter. Written on Confederate States of America War Department stationery.

GLC02469.22

September 19, 1861

Slidell, John, 1793-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre G. T. Beauregard

Introduces Mr. Pike, who has arrived in camp to pay the Louisiana troops for prior service.

GLC02469.23

June 20, 1861

Smith, William, 1797-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Smith relates that Nicolas King, a topographical engineer under General Milledge Luke Bonham, desires permanent employment as a military engineer. He admits that he does not personally know King, nor has knowledge of his ability as a draughtsman. He praises King's loyalty to the South, declaring him above suspicion. He writes, "Should Mr. Kings services be needed I have no doubt he will fully meet the public wants, while his modest, quiet deportment, gives the assurance that he would prove an agreeable companion." Possibly written to General P.G.T. Beauregard, Commander of the Alexandria Line…

GLC02469.24

February 3, 1863

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Stephens, Confederate Vice President, informs an unknown recipient that John Thomas Dawson of the 3rd Alabama Regiment was wounded in the Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia (31 May -1 June 1862), and has been since unable to perform field duty. Notes that Dawson's injury consists of a lame ankle. Remarks that Dawson is from an excellent family, and requests that other departmental heads in Richmond to consider adding Dawson to their staff.

GLC02469.26

October 27, 1861

Toombs, Robert Augustus, 1810-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre G.T. Beauregard

Written from camp near Centreville, Virginia. General Toombs, former Secretary of State (February-July 1861), writes to Beauregard, commander of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. Discusses General Walker. He relates, "I will write to the Presdt & the Secretary to day on the subject. While I do not think the President would do the Genl injustice some past incidents between them might influence him to do him tardy justice, that is, do it in his own way & own time..." This letter possibly refers to General Leroy Pope Walker, former Secretary of War, or William Henry…

GLC02469.27

11 March 1874

Trenholm, George Alfred, 1806-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Storm, Esq.

Trenholm replies to an inquiry from Storm. Relates that he was appointed as the successor of Charles G. Memminger as Secretary of the Confederate Treasury in July 1864.

GLC02469.28