October 21, 1861

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Document signed

Title: [Confederate/Union prisoner of war cartel for exchange of prisoners]

Details exchange terms agreed upon by Quin Morton, who signed for Union General John C. Frémont, and Confederate General Sterling Price, who commanded the Missouri State Guard. Includes Confederate prisoners captured at Camp Jackson, Missouri on 10 May 1861 and Union soldiers captured since then. The Confederate commander of Camp Jackson was General Daniel [written as David in document] M. Frost whose name is first on the cartel along with another Confederate general, John Bowen, who died during the Vicksburg campaign. The cartel lists terms and name and rank of exchanged prisoners of…

GLC00703

April 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Header Record

Title: [Deposition of Edwin M. Stanton and related legal documents] [decimalized]

Six documents relating to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's deposition as a defense witness in the case of John Benjamin (plaintiff) vs. Robert Murray and Jacob H. Perkins (defendants), being heard before the New York Supreme Court. The case, and Stanton's deposition, concerned Lincoln's 1862 call for a draft and Stanton's order to arrest anyone discouraging enlistment. At the top left of each page is the identifier "761-A" (the number is stamped; "-A" is handwritten), followed by a stamped page number (beginning with 86 and ending with 108). Documents (decimalized .01-.06) held together…

GLC00720

August 17, 1861

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. A. Collins

Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. He states "The papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." He also thanks…

GLC00705

March 17, 1864

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John M. Forbes

James A. Garfield writes to Forbes after he visited and made a speech in Boston. He thanks him for his support. In lieu of an apparently requested copy of the speech he made (for which Garfield states he made no notes), he sends a similar speech (not included) on the confiscation of rebel property. He mentions that "The edition of 30,000 is almost exhausted" and suggests revising it for "publication by the society to which you referred." Letter written on stationery of the House of Representatives. Prior to his election, Garfield had served as an officer in the Union Army.

GLC00655.14

May 28, 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

George Brinton McClellan informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Letter written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest to Richmond. McClellan states "Nothing especially new except combination of reports that reinforcements making Richmond from South. It is not confirmed that any of Bragg's troops are yet here. My opinion is more and more firm that here is the defence of Washington, and that I should be at once reinforced by all available troops to enable me to…

GLC00664.01

August 4, 1863

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable wounds, and have never left my command for a single hour (Except once when my left arm was badly shattered) to devote even one moment to my own private affairs, or like many that you and I could name, parade ... around Washington to make political capital and ensure promotion." Discussing his opinions on current policy, he states that "Patriotism…

GLC00673

February 28, 1865

Grant, Jesse R., 1794-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank A. Hilton

Letter written in response to a request for an autographed letter written by his son, Ulysses S. Grant. He writes, "I have no letter from him written for such a purpose..." He also gives a brief history of the family and concerning his son he states, "...it affords me some satisfaction think that I have reared a boy that has rendered a little assistance to Father Abraham in finishing his 'big job.'" Letter written on lined paper.

GLC00655.12

January 14, 1863

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Arnold Elzey

Retained copy of a letter to Elzey on which a pencil signature of Wise has been added by a secretary. General Wise (Confederate) describes a recent Union raid near White House, Virginia. He informs Major General Elzey, commander of the Department of Richmond, that during the raid, Union troops stole thirty cattle from William P. Taylor's farm. He discusses coordination with Colonel Tabb (possibly William B. Tabb) and Captain Wynn at locations such as Bush's Mill, N. Kent Court House, and the wharves at West Point in order to prevent further raids. He states "all the slaves of abandoned…

GLC00662

May 19, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Document signed

Title: General orders, no. 44

General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt for Union soldiers will be treated as prostitutes is reprinted here, as well as Beauregard's words rallying the men to "drive back from our soil, those infamous invaders of our homes and disturbers of our family ties."

GLC00666

March 15, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Robert Crooke Wood

Sherman writes to Assistant Surgeon General Wood (Sherman incorrectly addresses the letter to "C.R." Wood). Sherman writes about his armies' medical preparedness, commenting that they are well supplied with surgeons, medicines, medical supplies, and hospital accommodations. He extensively praises his Chief Surgeon, Dr. Charles McMillan. Sherman shows concern for soldiers wounded in the Vicksburg campaign. He writes from camp before Vicksburg.

GLC00667

4 April 1864

Hughes, Thomas, fl. 1864

Newspaper

Title: Natchitoches union daily. [April 4, 1864]

Advertises Lincoln-Johnson election ticket, proclaims fervent unionist sentiment, local and international news. Light brown (wood grain) wallpaper (on back).

GLC00678

May 25, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. Rufus Saxton

"If Banks reaches Martinsburg is he any the better for it?" The letter mentions Gen. Banks's retreat before Jackson.

GLC00790

3 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Promotion of Edward O.C. Ord to Major General of Volunteers]

Partially printed form from an engraving signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. With a docket signed by Adjutant General Lorenzo. Thomas indicating the commission was recorded on 3 May 1862 in "Volume 17. Page 77." With a blue seal intact.

GLC00792

circa 1884-1893

Society of the Army of the Potomac, 1869-?

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of Membership for Thomas Ward]

Duo-tint lithograph attesting to membership. Undated. Cloth-backed.

GLC00778.15

December 4, 1863

Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Recommends that Brigadier General John W. Geary be promoted for his service in the Battle of Wauhatchie. Endorsement on the verso signed by generals Ulysses S. Grant, Joseph Hooker, George H. Thomas, and James A. Hardie support the request. Thomas's endorsement dated December 5, 1863, Grant's endorsement dated December 4, 1863.

GLC00782.04

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

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

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

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 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648

20 May 1863

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [John H. Morgan's endorsement on an offer for an exchange of prisoners]

Morgan's endorsement as Brigadier General and Confederate raider. On verso of a letter copy to Union Major General Ambrose Burnside from John W. Finnell, Adjutant General Kentucky Volunteers, dated 21 April 1863, regarding the exchange of a pro-Union Kentucky senator and Judge Buster and William Ingram. Morgan states these two men were arrested at Monticello, Kentucky, by Colonel Chennault of Morgan's command. Morgan reports that they have been " ... placed under bond & parole to Exchange themselves for Southern-rights men who have been arrested and placed in confinement by the Federal…

GLC00649

September 14, 1862

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to T. B. Roy

Will obey orders he has just received regarding surveillance. Is scouting enemy pickets and estimates enemy troop strength. Describes Union recruitment meeting and wonders what to do about disloyal citizens. Roy was Hardee's Assistant Adjutant General. Docket contains Hardee's autograph endorsement signed. Docket states the letter was forwarded to Braxton Bragg, and contains the signature of George G. Garner, Bragg's Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00650

circa 1864

Manuscript document

Title: The Red River Expedition [incomplete]

Mentions Generals Andrew Jackson Smith, Joseph Anthony Mower, and Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, among others. Lists details of the campaign. Writes "We marched back to Alexandria... Gen Banks had arrived some days previous and taking command of the entire forces, prepared to move on toward Shreveport. Up to this time the expedition had been entirely successful but after this time I cannot say so much..." Possibly by Lieutenant Colonel William Heath. Written for publication in a newspaper.

GLC00653.02.02

1863-1864

Ives, Warren A., fl. 1863-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Warren A. Ives] [Decimalized .01- .03 ]

Ives served in H company, 151st regiment, New York volunteer infantry. Collection contains three letters: an autograph letter signed dated 26 June 1863 and written from Maryland Heights (4 pages); an autograph letter signed dated 23 May 1864 and written from Fredericksburg, Virginia (1 page); and an autograph letter signed dated 24 October 1864 and written from Middletown, Shennandoah Valley (4 pages). The 24 October 1864 letter graphically describes "Sheridan's ride" at Cedar Creek.

GLC00653.03