9 August 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.M. Flinn

Spent three weeks as a prisoner at Fort Delaware. Has not heard from his family since he returned to camp. While at Fort Delaware, his father had come to camp to visit and went home without knowing the fate of his son. He discusses the losses from Battle of Gettysburg, " the hardest battle that has ever been fought on this continent," and lists a page and a half of friends and comrades who lost their lives in Pennsylvania. Flinn was ill during the battle. Written along the Rapidan River

GLC04573.04

January 10, 1864

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.M. Flinn [incomplete]

His regiment suffered heavy casualties in the battle. They were caught in the crossfire of several Yankee infantry units and within the sights of an artillery battery. He also speculates on whether Yankees in Virginia or Tennessee fight harder. The end of this letter is missing. Docketed on the top of page one, " Jany 10th 1864."

GLC04573.05

31 December 1864

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. M. Flinn

He has not received a letter since 26 November. He encloses a clothing permit, which will allow his father to send him items from home. The permit is to be fastened to the articles of clothing and "permit inside" is to be written on the box. He requests: "(1) hat (1) coat (1) pr pants 2 shirts 2 pr drawers 1 pr shoes 1 towel & handkerchief & smoking tobacco."

GLC04573.07

November 1893

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Typed document

Title: A Southern Soldier's Experiences in a Northern Prison

Originally written for the students of a "lady cousin" who was concerned her pupils were being misinformed about the "kind treatment of Southern Soldiers in Northern prisons." Flinn later presented the address at "S. C. College Nov. 1893." He begins by providing a brief history of his military service and then launches into an in-depth description of his sufferings as a prisoner at Point Lookout, Maryland from July 1864 to March 1865. The manuscript contains a two-page description of the camp's physical layout. Flinn emphasizes the inadequate clothing, foul water, bitter cold, and ravenous…

GLC04573.13

10 September 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

The regiment's journey from Elmira to Baltimore by rail. Their march through the city, his wish for "the shoulder straps of a captain instead of a Lieut[ant's]."

GLC04703.01

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

January 22, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Says that he is disturbed by the news that the family has not received any of his letters. Expresses joy at the arrest of one deserter from his unit and wonders why another has not been arrested as well. Scolds his family for publishing his letters in the Chenango American. Asks about friends at home and describes members of the regiment who are sick.

GLC04703.03

January 30, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His leg and ankle are swollen. The regiments receives orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with a blanket, change of clothes and a few days rations. Held together by two contemporary postage stamps.

GLC04703.07

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

13 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is in the hospital with jaundice. He had been sick for a week, but put off getting medical attention because he felt an engagement was immanent.

GLC04703.09

23 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is still in the hospital. Reassures his family that he is getting better. Acknowledges receipt of a package (the cheese was spoiled but he appreciated the brandy). General Banks orders Dederer and two other captains to report for duty or tender their resignations. The captains decide to resign. Dederer's doctor sent a letter certifying his illness and declaring him unfit for duty. [Accompanying envelope appears as if the stamp has been clipped.] [According to Civil War Day by Day, Federal troops at Brashear City surrendered on 6/23/1863.]

GLC04703.10

14 July 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Writing from the Marine Hospital, Dederer, with the New York Volunteer Regiment notes the success of Grant at Vicksburg. His opinion of pardoning rebel soldiers: "Gen'l Butler is the damned'st Scoundrel in the whole Federal Army, but it needs such a man to deal with these pretended senior men; men who just as soon as our backs are turned render all the possible aid and comfort to these small armies or bands of Guerrillas. I would not allow so many of them to take the oath, as but few of them regard it as all binding, and it only furnishes them with a cloak by which they hide their…

GLC04703.11

17 November 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

"A man in charge of a gang of Negroes at work on the Levee Shot a Negro and then came over here to deliver himself up to me . . . . [T]he only offense of the Negro was that he refused to work . . . ." Also writes that sugar season is coming to an end and he fears that the blacks will be forced to steal once they become unemployed. He promises to send sugar and molasses home.

GLC04703.12

27 March 1862

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter

Title: to Louis M. Goldsborough

Mentions the receipt of dispatches from Goldsborough and Rowan, who had been involved in the capture of "rebel batteries upon the Neuse River." Writes about the "brilliant victory" at New Bern and requests that Goldsborough "convey to Commander Rowan and the Officers and men of the Flotilla, the thanks of the Department and of the Government." Welles was secretary of the Navy.

GLC02254.03

8 November 1862

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Letter signed

Title: to Henry K. Davenport

Reports "a most successful trial of one of the Machines for blowing up vessels constructed by Second Assistant Engineer John L. Lay." Describes the trial, during which a "Sch'r of sixty tons floated over catching the wires and blowing her to atoms." Mentions that three other explosives are being built and promises to send drawings to Davenport. Lay invented the spar torpedo, which was used by the United States Navy to sink the C.S.S. Albemarle in 1864. He later invented the Lay dirigible submarine torpedo. Davenport was senior officer of the Union Navy in North Carolina Sounds.

GLC02254.05

2 April 1863

MacDiarmid, John, fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes from aboard the U.S.S. Ceres, having just traveled from New Bern "last evening at 11 PM." Discusses his plans "of passing the batteries and proceeding to Washington," and sends ammunition "by the Boats of the Ceres, Lockwood, and Granite." Lt. MacDiarmid was the Acting Master of the U.S.S. Ceres.

GLC02254.09

9 April 1863

McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to say he is sending "to night three (3) Schooners, with ammunition for the Army and the Gunboats." Mentions that "Davenport thinks it is imprudent to send more boats past the batteries without silencing them." Assures Renshaw that "the force from Newberne [sic] is rapidly advancing to meet you" and briefly mentions that he will be ready for an attack on the Hill's Point Batteries. Letter written aboard the U.S.S. Hunchback. McCann, commander of the Hunchback eventually rose to the rank of Commadore.

GLC02254.10

11 April 1863

McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to Renshaw about the plan to "attack Hills Point Battery at 5 Oclock tomorrow morning, and cover the 'Escort' as she passes through the obstructions." Notes that the Escort will be carrying ammunition. The attack McCann references is the start of the Battle of Suffolk at Hill's Point (sometimes known as the Battle of Fort Huger), which spanned from 11 April to 4 May 1863. The Union Army captured Fort Huger, creating a safe river route for Union ships and trade.

GLC02254.11

14 April 1863

Hoffman, Southard, fl. 1863

Manuscript

Title: [General Orders]

Announces that Commanding General Foster "is about to leave for a brief time the Gallant Soldiers and Sailors comprising this Garrison; Brigadier General Potter will remain in command." Mentions that Foster will be leaving "for the purpose of putting himself at the head of a relieving force" and congratulates the naval forces and soldiers stationed at Fort Washington for their "excellent courage which has distinguished them during the 16 days of the enemies attack." Written by Assistant Adjutant General Hoffman "by command" of Foster. The Confederate siege of Fort Washington took place…

GLC02254.13

23 September 1863

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Letter

Title: to Douglass Ottinger

Sends Ottinger orders to "proceed to Beaufort, N.C. and take command of the Revenue Cutter 'Forward'." Encloses "copies of Regulations recently issued governing the trade between the loyal States and those States heretofore declared to be in rebellion." Mentions the "immense frauds which have been practiced in the shipment of goods" which it is Ottinger's duty to prevent, and also places him in command of the Revenue Cutter Agassis at New Bern. Describes Ottinger's duty to visit "places in the waters of North Carolina...and minutely and carefully to investigate the character of their…

GLC02254.15

1862-1864

Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864

Photograph

Title: [Tintype portrait of Nelson E. Dodge]

GLC02162.16

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: The Sanctuary

Marked "Plate 40." Depicts a family of former enslaved people who just came in sight of fortified lines of the Union Army. An old mother is praying to God on her knees, while the rest of her family from behind are contemplating the scene. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.1 x 39.5 cm. Title and image information taken from the table of contents. Top edge is frayed where it appears the page was torn from the binding of the book.

GLC02199.40

22 March 1862

Goldsborough, Louis Malesherbes, 1805-1877

Letter

Title: to Stephen C. Rowan

Congratulates Rowan on his victory at New Bern and confides, "I expected nothing less. I trust that Beaufort and Fort Macon will soon share a similar fate with Newberne [sic] -- that is be in your possession." Rowan was a captain in the United States Navy when he assisted in the capture of New Bern, North Carolina, on 14 March 1862. The battle was led by Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside.

GLC02254.02