24 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Written by Major General Knox to Hamilton who had left the army in March 1782. References Hamilton's letter of 7 July. Discusses retaliation against "a captain of the 57 regmnt" (Captain Charles Asgill), for the murder of Captain Joshua Huddy by Loyalists. Asgill was to be executed after the British refused to hand over Lippincott, who the Americans said was responsible for Huddy's death. Washington felt he could not recede from this course of action but wants all other possibilities exhausted before the execution is carried out. Reports Washington will likely demand of Sir Henry Clinton that…

GLC02437.01498

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Sketch of Jefferson Davis in a dress

Drawing shows Jefferson Davis in a woman's dress, with a bayonetted musket pointing at his head, a snake about to bite his leg and an ominous vine/noose hanging from a tree. He is holding a very large knife. There is an A-frame tent in the background with a group of people gathered in front. Ink inscription on image "Jeff's Soliloquy, To be or Not To be (hanged), that's the Question." Imprint on recto "Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1865, by Francis Hacker, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Rhode Island."

GLC05111.02.1371

1861-1877

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Header Record

Title: Letters 1st Cal. Regt. re: camp life; southerners; McClellan; slavery [decimalized]

Collection of 60 ALS by Foot Soldier, in first Ca. Regiment. "It is turned into a war to put money in political pockets and to free the niggers;" Lincoln: "His mind is not able to comprehend the simple game of checkers let alone the war like game of chess." Charleston; Maryland, Winchester; Richmond, Deserter Executed; with 8 collateral letters and gold nuggets (0.2 ounces) accompanying #7.

GLC07164

1851-1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Header Record

Title: to his brother and sisters [Decimalized .01- .13]

Group of 13 autograph letters signed of John Brown's associate about abolitionist activities in KA, IA, NM, and Charlestown. Written from various locations, including Charlestown jail awaiting execution for his participation in Harper's Ferry uprising. With envelopes.

GLC07231

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Execution of Captain Wirz, the keeper of Andersonville Prison

Red mount. Printed by Taylor & Huntington. With list of views on verso.

GLC07220

2 December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph quotation signed

Title: to Aaron D. Stevens

Written on the day Brown was hanged from Charlestown Prison, Virginia, present day West Virginia. Writes in full, "He that is slow to anger; is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, that he, that taketh a city" Solomon."; with Stevens autograph endorsement "This was given me an hour or two before he was executed. A.D.S."

GLC07230.01

8 November 1865

Russell, G.B., fl. 1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Admission ticket to the hanging of Captain Henry Wirz at the Old Capital Prison in Washington, D.C.]

Wirz's hanging is not mentioned but the date of admission is 10 November 1865, the day he was hanged at the Old Capital Prison. Small yellow printed card. The name of the bearer has been scratched out.

GLC07271.04

27 April 1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Albumen of Lewis Payne]

Inscribed on verso: "Lewis Payne Conspirator. Hanged." Photograph shows Payne (also known as Lewis Powell) in wrist irons aboard the U.S.S. Saugus. The photograph is mounted on board.

GLC07738.01

27 April 1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Albumen of George A. Atzerodt]

Inscribed on verso: "George A. Atzerodt Conspirator. Hanged." Photograph shows Atzerodt wearing a heavy coat and hat, imprisoned on the U.S.S. Saugus. The photograph is mounted on board.

GLC07738.03

27 April 1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Albumen of David Herold]

Inscribed on verso: "David E. Herold Conspirator. Hanged July 7, 1865. Was with Booth in the barn, but surrendered and came out before the barn was set on fire." Photograph shows Herold wearing coat, vest, and tie, in wrist irons, aboard the U.S.S. Montauk. The photograph is mounted on board.

GLC07738.05

3 March 1895

Wallace, Lewis, 1827-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. E. Allen

Apologizes for the delay of the photograph. States that assassination trial was "perfect in every respect." Provides the name of the officers that tried the Lincoln conspirators. The list of names accompanies a photograph that has been pasted on a piece of board along with the letter (GLC07740.02). The letter is also accompanied by three newspaper clippings entitled: "Was Mary Surrat guilty?", "He might have hanged", and "Gen. Holt dead." A short biography on Lewis Wallace is pasted adjacent to the photograph. The extent given is that of the board on which various pieces are pasted on.

GLC07740.01

25 November 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that General Putnam is engaged in the business of the Ohio Company. Informs Knox that "Mr. King is chosen as one of the Delegates to the Convention for the town of Newbury and the other three gentlemen for that town are high Federal Men, Indeed all the Towns that have as yet chosen, have confined their choice wholly to Federal Men & those of the best abilities - thus far it looks well, indeed, more than well, I pray god it may finally be adopted in this State - if it were not, I dread the consequences that must & will follow - there is, and will be an opposition against it…

GLC02437.03715

February 13, 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits the proceedings of a recent court martial (GLC02437.02949). Reports that soldiers Samuel Sanders and Samuel R. Andrews, are sentenced to death for raiding the home and store of Quaker David Sands. The other participants are to receive 100 lashes each. Awaits Knox's confirmation of the men's sentence, writing "The crime was of so daring and atrocious a Nature, that I have nothing to plead in favor of those who are condemned."

GLC02437.02953

26 December 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George G. Meade re: hold off execution of Christopher Delker

Also requesting a meeting to discuss death penalty cases.

GLC06578

1915 circa

Header Record

Title: [Materials related to "The Capture of John Brown"] [decimalized .01-.03]

Items accompanying Avey's book: the original publisher's prospectus signed by James Collin as publisher's agent, small printed leaflet facsimile of Brown's last written words (included with the book, according to the note written on it), and a photograph of Brown's widow's house in California. The prospectus notes "Avery... was learning the watchmaker's trade in Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia in 1859 in the days of the John Brown troubles. He heard John Brown's trial and those of his associates. He saw him and his six men executed."

GLC06806.02

1849

Mott, Lucretia, fl. 1849-1860

Pamphlet

Title: A Sermon to the medical students

First edition. 12mo. Printed gray wrappers. An important speech on anti-slavery and women's rights. Described on the cover as a "revised Phonographic Report." Mott rejects the doctrine of original human depravity, credits the birth of reform movements to "people... thinking and acting for themselves." Other topics include abolition (which caused some people to leave the meeting), capital punishment, and peace. DAB notes that Mott was acknowledged as a minister among the Quakers. The Feminist Companion pp. 766-777 notes this sermon as especially noteworthy.

GLC06857

29 August 1778

Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Hall, an army physician to Colonel Langdon as a commander of militia. Says day before yesterday the British fleet arrived with reinforcements for Newport. A retreat was ordered to their first encampment at midnight last night and was carried out in good order. Reports on a general action outside Newport after the retreat. Says "Our Army fought like Trojans! ... tomorrow morning will give the bloody dogs their Quietus." Claims American losses were less than 100 killed and 200 wounded. Mentions that his brother Woodbury Langdon survived unscathed. Says his friend Samuel…

GLC06523

circa 19 September 1880-1883

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. Kalenski

Signed "HJH." Date range inferred from Hunt's location. Mentions [Kalenski's?] application for the Ordnance Department. Finds fault with the conclusions, not the facts, of an article on the Peninsula campaign. Defends McClellan's strategy in that campaign, and suggests there was a plot in Washington against the general: "What a misfortune for the cabal in Washn. that McC did not lose the battle of Antietam! They could have shot him then for his audacity in assuming the command of an army usurping the powers of the president and fighting in disobedience of his instructions. But alas! he won…

GLC05561

1828

Broadside

Title: An account of the bloody deeds of General Jackson

Broadside with four woodcuts. The first shows an officer, likely Jackson, ordering an execution squad to "Fire!!" on six militiamen. In the second two Jacksonian officers, one ordering "F-F-Fire!" against a kneeling man in front of his coffin, saying "O God!! My poor mother," while another, probably Jackson, exclaims "Blow ten balls thro' the d-d rascal." The third depicts Jackson dueling with Charles Dickinson, saying as he shoots, "I'll have your heart's blood." The fourth is a simple coffin illustrating "The Case of Neil Cameron." The text summarizes the events depicted, and a number…

GLC05566

1927

Sacco & Vanzetti, ?-1927

Header Record

Title: 2 Broadsides and 1 newsletter related to the Sacco Vanzetti case [decimalized]

Materials relating to the execution of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti in 1927.

GLC05712

September 1927

Newspaper

Title: The official bulletin of the Sacco-Vanzetti defense committee [Vol. I, no. 15 (September 1927)]

Newspaper or newsletter issued after the execution of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. The first page has a printed statement denouncing the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti and comparing the case to the Salem witchcraft trials. The rest of the newspaper contains articles defending Sacco and Vanzetti and pledging to continue the fight. The last letters of the two men are printed on pages 7-8. Scattered quotations include the Governor of Massachusetts, Alvan T. Fuller, "Thank God it is all over!" and Judge Webster Thayer, "Did you see what I did to those anarchistic bastards?".

GLC05712.03

5 July 1777

Clift, Samuel, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Gallup

Reports "The enemy have all mov'd on Staten Island." Also "John Murry was executed here last Tuesday for deserting and Inlisting several times," and others are sentenced to die for the same crime. Hopes to be "making our fortunes, this year, as our living is so very cheap," and lists prices of certain items. Men in high spirits and good health, "I hear very little complaints among the soldiers." Signs himself "Upon the Highest Hill in America."

GLC05729

1818

Whelpley, Samuel, fl. 1818

Book

Title: Letters addressed to Caleb Strong... [attacking capital punishment & war]

Full title: "Letters addressed to Caleb Strong, Esq., ... showing that retaliation, capital punishment, and war are prohibited by the Gospel...." Third edition printed by Miller & Hutchen. Justifies pacifism.

GLC05208

1862-1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of James K. Magie, C company, 78th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .01-.51]

Private in the Army of the Cumberland. The letters are written to his wife, Mary, who lived in Macomb, Illinois. (There are 46 manuscript items plus 5 printed items which include 3 newspaper clippings.) Magie also held the position of Brigade Postmaster while stationed in Franklin, Tennessee. This position allowed him to make frequent trips into Nashville, where he bought newspapers for 5 cents each and sold them in camp for 10 cents. He frequently discusses his profits and cautions his wife not to let anyone else know how much money he is able to send her. At home Magie was a co-owner…

GLC05241

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Broadside

Title: Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death, for his heroic attempt at Harper's Ferry...

Small broadside with lithograph signature of Brown produced by the Liberator, reprinting his address to the Virginia Court before sentencing. Brown denies wanting to murder or cause an uprising. He argues that his raid on Harper's Ferry was just and aligned with the teachings of the Bible.

GLC05508.051