1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Document

Title: [Facsimile of John Brown's last written words]

Reproduction on paper of the original copy of John Brown's last written words.

GLC04463.08.02

1860-1899

Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897

Header Record

Title: Collection of John Brown documents from Alexander M. Ross [Decimalized .01-.56]

Fifty three letters, one document, one photograph, and one letterbook, collected by Alexander M. Ross and related to John Brown's family. Mostly letters from John Brown's children to Ross.

GLC03007

February 7, 1791 - February 11, 1791

Polinaire, Jean Baptiste, fl. 1791

Manuscript document signed

Title: The Examination of Polinaire taken the seventh day of February 1791

A summary of the testimony of Jean Baptiste Polinaire, a freemen, regarding the recent slave revolt in Dominica, in which he participated. "The Examinant...makes a voluntary Declaration of the truth of all he knows concerning the late Revolt knowing he must die knowing." Polinaire explains that the enslaved people believed that John Orde, the British Governor, was trying to help the enslaved people and free "mulattoes" of the colony, but was being prevented from doing so by the White enslavers. Thus the enslaved people organized a rebellion against them. Describes the plans of the revolt…

GLC02542.32.15

January 19, 1864

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Senator J. M. Howard

Defends against accusations that he was "an opponent to the Lincoln admistration." States that he is against slavery, rumors of his disloyalty bear no truth, and are from "those who want to see me defeated ... I would, and do, favor a war of extermination. I would hang every human being who possesses a drop of rebel blood in their veins whether they be men, women, or children.

GLC09024

6 January 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his mother in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Reports that he is well and received his box. Reports that a man was shot nearby for desertion. Discusses his discharge and is worried that if his father puts up the money, they still might not give him the discharge papers. Writes, "there is a Rebel Congressman in the house at Washington a trying to Negotiate peace none of the soldiers here want to see peace ... when our armies if on the point of victory they dont want to see a dishonerable peace." Describes seeing…

GLC03523.26.06

1915 circa

Collin, James C., fl. 1906

Printed document signed

Title: [Printer's prospectus for "The Capture and Execution of John Brown"]

Original publisher's prospectus for "The Capture and Execution of John Brown," by Elijay Avey. Claims the book is "crammed from cover to cover with the most thrilling events in the life of the fearless, justice-loving John Brown." Avey was an eye witness to the execution, who later wrote a book on the event and Brown's life. Collin was the publisher's agent.

GLC06806.02.01

July 17, 1913

Sweeney, J.D, 1869-?

Photograph signed

Title: [Photograph of house of John Brown's widow]

Photograph of the house of John Brown's widow in California. Photograph taken by T. Major Edgecomb. Docket on verso in green ink states "After the execution of John Brown, his widow and several of her young children came to Red Bluff. Citizens raised a sum of money which came from near and far and built a home for her. There she lived for several years, then moved over the Coach Range. A few still remain who recall having played with the Brown girls."

GLC06806.02.02

1915 circa

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Printed document

Title: John Brown's Prophesy

The last words of John Brown, and a poem he wrote in prison, printed on a piece of paper that may have been intended to go inside Elijah Avey's book on Brown. A hand written note at the bottom reads "One of these to every book."

GLC06806.02.03

1863

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Gottshall returns to the Army after being wounded in the arm by a cannonball. Throughout the early months Gottshall sees little action and he discusses his recovery and soldiering in the winter. In [13-15] February he reports an insurrection taking place in which a regiment refused to do picket duty due to the location of their camp and the cold weather. Writes of another incidence that took place on 1 July where he was defending the baggage and supply train from Confederates, 2 miles from Hanover, Pennsylvania. Also discusses [Confederate…

GLC04564.04

8 September 1847

Scott, H.L. (Henry Lee), 1814-1886

Printed document signed

Title: General orders - No. 281.

Proceedings of a Court Martial for 29 soldiers accused & convicted "of desertion to the enemy" during the Mexican War. The men, all privates, all pleaded not guilty, all were sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until dead." Three, who deserted before war began, and four others, had their sentences commuted to fifty lashes and being branded. Another was remitted because his son, "remained faithful to his colors." The remaining men were executed on 10 September 1847.

GLC08954

1865

Chester, John, 1832-1910

Pamphlet

Title: The lesson of the hour : justice as well as mercy, a discourse preached on the Sabbath following the assassination of the President, in the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. by John Chester

Published by Washington Chronicle Print. Blames Lincoln's assassination on the rebel Southern states, slavery, and those from the North that have aided and sympathized with the rebels. States that the "duty of the hour" is to make sure that the heaviest punishment is given to rebel leaders and instigators by the hands of the government.

GLC02913.06

January 20, 1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 27

Signed by H.L. Scott. Docket reads "Genl. Scott's Order No. 27, [illegible]." Announces the proper military burial of all soldiers regardless of rank, except those executed as felons.

GLC00911.58

23 March 1848

Butler, William Orlando, 1791-1880

Document

Title: Orders No. 37

Signed by L. Thomas. All court Proceedings resulting in death sentences passed by military commissions must be forwarded to the Commanding General of the Army in Mexico

GLC00911.75

1 January 1784

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of Commissioners for Augusta County, Virginia]

Harrison, Governor of Virginia, appoints Commissioners "for the purpose of trying, condemning and executing, or otherwise punishing and acquitting, any slave committing a capital crime within the said County..." Appoints James Powell Cocke, John Givens, John [Tatespin?], and Charles Cameron [spelled Cammeron] as Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer for the trial of slaves in Augusta County. Affixed to a cardboard page.

GLC08884

21 November 1786-3 December 1786

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox and Samuel Ogden

Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a lengthy letter updating his friends Knox and Ogden on the status of his business in China. Says he is pleased to finally be able to write, but is sad to report on the illness and death of their mutual friend Mr. [Isaac] Sears, who had been in China with him. Describes the cool reception he received from the Europeans when he arrived in China, because of the threat of competition the Americans posed. Discusses their business prospects, including the high prices and poor sales for tea and other goods. Includes a detailed…

GLC02437.03311

February 4, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses the mutinies of Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops, and the quelling of the latter by forces under General Robert Howe. References execution of two of the mutinies' leaders.

GLC02437.00882

24 April 1861

Olmstead, Lemuel Gregory, 1808-1880

Broadside

Title: Conditions of Peace Required of the So-called Seceded States

Eight articles express severe pro-Union sentiments. First article calls for unconditional surrender. Second article calls for one hundred "arch traitors" to be delievered up and hung. Third article calls for record of names of traitors so they can be disfranchised forever. Fourth article calls for property of traitors to be confiscated. Fifth article calls for seceded states to pay the balance of all expenses. Sixth article calls for the payment of debts due to Northerners. Seventh article calls for "the immediate and unconditional abolition of Slavery." Eighth article says seceded states…

GLC08057

15 December 1862

Newspaper

Title: Spirit of the age. [Vol. 14. no. 17 (December 15, 1862)]

Large Yankee Fleet on Rappahannock, The Missouri Massacre.

GLC05959.33.07

25 March 1863

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877

Newspaper

Title: Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 1, no. 22 (March 25, 1863)]

"Army Correspondence" includes several letters from soldiers. An editorial examines the topic of "Death," while another short article titled "Last Words" discusses a soldier's last words and actions. "Secular News" includes a report that 200 Negro soldiers were hung by Confederate troops: the editors comment, "Better hang the white officers and put the negroes to work." Additional reports in this section include a skirmish at Culpepper Court House and developments at Port Hudson amongst others.

GLC05959.39.17

19 August 1863

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877

Newspaper

Title: Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 1, no. 42 (August 19, 1863)]

An editorial titled "Thoughts" discusses the recent request by Jefferson Davis for a day of fasting and prayer. A long obituary for "Col. Oliver Evans Edwards" gives a lengthy biography as a lawyer, legislative member, and heroism in war. An article titled "Dedication" reports a spiritual jubilee in Orangeburg and the dedication of a new Baptist church there. "Divine Tokens" teaches the ways of God and his economy of grace, in particular application to the war. "Notes on the Times" criticiztes Abraham LIncoln's uncivilized warfare and mentions developments in Mississippi and Virginia, amongst…

GLC05959.39.34

6 July 1863

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 48, whole no. 3701 (July 6, 1863)]

Details of execution at Franklin. Poem to Stonewall Jackson. List of casualties in the 17th Texas Volunteer Infantry. Ad for slave sales. Editorial on the affairs at Vicksburg. General Taylor's victories.

GLC05959.51.082

January 16, 1864

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 1, no. 4 (January 16, 1864)]

Murfreesboro battleground, Speech of A.H. Stephens, Arming the slaves, The hanging of Dodd.

GLC05959.50.04

January 30, 1864

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 1, no. 6 (January 30, 1864)]

Proposition to hang Governor Johnson, Message of Governor Andrews of Massachusetts, General Grant on the conduct of war, Abolitionism in Arkansas, Abraham Lincoln & an undivided country, Assault on Knoxville, a rebel account.

GLC05959.50.06

15 March 1865

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 2, no.5 (March 15, 1865)]

Sheridan moving upon Lynchburg, President Linocln's inaugural message, Execution of a Yankee Spy.

GLC05959.50.52

10 May 1865

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 2, no. 13 (May 10, 1865)]

The end of Booth, The abolition of slavery in Tennessee, Order of the President, Proclamation by the President.

GLC05959.50.59