1862

Fox, Gustavus Vasa, 1821-1883

Book signed

Title: Reports of the naval engagements on the Mississippi River

Title continues as: "resulting in the capture of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the City of New Orleans, and the destruction of the rebel naval flotilla." Printed by the Government Printing Office. This first edition copy was owned by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox, who signed the first page "Compliments of G.V. Fox." Contains a detailed folded-up map (38.2 x 31.5 cm) titled "General Sketch of Approaches to New Orleans From the Charts of the U.S. Coast Survey." Contains 45 reports by different officers (from several lieutenants up to Admiral Farragut) involved in the…

GLC04608

13-14 September 1863

Slagle, Jacob, ?-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes in great detail about the battle of Gettysburg 1-3 July 1863, where he served as Union General Abner Doubleday's adjutant. Describes his duties during the fighting, which mainly consisted of delivering messages back and forth between generals and officers. Mentions General Thomas A. Rowley, General James S. Wadsworth, and General John F. Reynolds who was killed in battle, among others. On page eight, he remarks on the condition of the men during the battle, " it was a pitiable sight; the tired, worn out remnants of our five regiments, who had gone so proudly into the field in the…

GLC04585

circa 1865

E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm)

Photograph signed

Title: [Richard S. Ewell]

Carte de visite in uniform, published by E. Anthony.

GLC04594

1863

Photograph

Title: Cartes de visite of Port Hudson, La. (3), by McPherson & Oliver

GLC04596

circa 1864

Osborn, Henry M., fl. 1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of Henry M. Osborn of the 14th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry]

Autograph manuscript signed by Henry M. Osborn, a soldier in the 14th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Osborn was killed at Jonesboro, Georgia, on 1 September 1864. Diary includes battle content regarding Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the siege of Atlanta. Partially written in pencil.

GLC04598

3 November 1864

Upton, Emory, 1839-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Edwards

General Upton intends to do all he can for Edwards, who did not receive promotion to the rank of general. Writes, "...it has been your misfortune to have performed your bravest deeds unwitnessed by a superior officer but justice must and will be rendered you your promotion should go back to May 12th, for what you did on that day, of which I was a personal witness; but aside from all that Winchester alone entitles you to promotion. I shall never forget how beautifully you brought your noble Brigade forward..." Promises to inform General Philip Sheridan, commanding Army of the Shenandoah and…

GLC04622

2 April 1862

Plattenburg, Alfred W., fl. 1862

Broadside

Title: to Alfred P. Putnam

Plattenburg, an agent working for the Western Sanitary Commission, sends Reverend Putnam a report of his mission to deliver hospital stores to Union troops fighting in Arkansas and Missouri. His report is printed on the same page with the orders he received to undertake the journey. To encourage donations to the Commission, he states "I am fully convinced that no army was (so far as provision for the wounded was concerned,) ever sent into the field in such destitute condition as ours ... Could the kind and sympathizing men and women of our loyal States, who place these abundant…

GLC04633

7 December 1864

Defoe, William W., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emery Defoe

Defoe, a Civil War soldier, updates his parents on Union progress, stating "as yet we have had few killed the soldiers are all in good Spirits and fear nothing." Continues writing at a later time, requesting that if he is killed in battle, his parents ensure that his son George W. Defoe receives a proper education. Again resumes writing at a later time to relate the events of a recent battle, stating "this has been one of the bloodiest battles that has been fought since the war began. the Rebs have lost in killed and wounded Near (17,000) seventeen thousand." Accompanied by a United States…

GLC04634

16 September 1864

Kappes, Charles, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sim Van Winkel

Kappes, a Union soldier waiting for his discharge in the Annapolis United States General Hospital, relates the events of his capture to friends in New Jersey. Reports that while engaged in battle near Richmond, Virginia, his corps was surrounded by Confederate soldiers and forced to surrender, after which he was taken as a prisoner. Complains of poor conditions prisoners were exposed to while on Belle Island, near Richmond, stating "I was almost starved and then such rations as they do give why the farmers of the north would not be guilty of giving it to his hogs if he did the old Pig would…

GLC04635

30 June 1862

Campbell, Fannie, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas E. Vermilye

Campbell, a nurse, informs Pastor Vermilye of events which took place while she rode aboard the Union hospital steamer, the Kennebec, travelling to White House, Virginia. States that while on the Pamunkey River, the Kennebec met many transports traveling in the opposite direction, escaping fires and battle that raged behind them. The Kennebec then retreated to Yorktown, Virginia, as "mild flowers were blooming on the banks Nature in her rich June dress enthroned like a queen sat bland and smiling as if the bloodred hand of civil war was not lifted in her domain." Reports that General…

GLC04636

circa 1864

Gillespie, Elizabeth Duane, 1821-1901

Broadside

Title: [Announcement for the Central Fair Letter Boxes]

Gillespie, postmistress for the Central Fair, directs Fair participants to "Letter-Boxes, as a great convenience to all desiring to correspond with visitors to the Fair; as well as for letters to be delivered throughout the City, or at the Post Office for mailing." Summarizes mailing requirements and rates.

GLC04637

30 October 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln note to Edwin M. Stanton on letter of George C. Burling to William A. Newell]

Lincoln endorsement on an autograph letter signed by Colonel George C. Burling to William A. Newell dated 25 October 1862 concerning an order of the War Department that would result in the disbanding of the New Jersey volunteers. Burling stresses the sacrifices made by the Second Brigade of New Jersey volunteers by saying, "Virginia's soil made sacred with the blood and body of a large number ... That is what we left home and its comforts for, to sacrifice health and even life to sustain our glorious flag, and country." Informs Newell that the War Department has issued General Orders No.…

GLC04921

2 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gordon Meade

Grant, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army, writes from Headquarters of the Armies of the United States to Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Discussing an assault on Petersburg, states that General Horatio Wright can contribute his force, except for a garrison of enclosed works. Relates that General Edward Ortho Cresap Ord is moving to assist Wright. Reports that General Philip Henry Sheridan "intended to start at day break and sweep the White Oak road and all North of it down to Petersburg." Accompanied by two collateral maps; one depicts the Siege of Petersburg 31…

GLC04907.01

January 20, 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Brigadier General Sherman reflects upon his suitability for high command and notes the handicap of having been influenced by his years spent in the South, "I am not fit to be a leader in such a war, and have from the first desired to keep in the background ..." Written from Benton Barracks near St. Louis on stationary marked "Head-Quarters, Camp of Instruction."

GLC04931

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Monitors on the James River with ALS to Hallie Mayers from "Joe" and album

Albumen print of monitors on the James River and an accompanying letter. ALS measures 20.2 x 12.5 cm.

GLC04938

2 May 1863

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the authorities of Rome, Georgia

Forrest, commander of a cavalry brigade in the Army of Tennessee, writes from Headquarters (of an unspecified post), "twenty miles west of Garrison." Informs the authorities of Rome "There is a Federal Force of Fifteen Hundred cavalry marching on your place I am pursuing them prepare your selves to Repulse them- they have 2 Mountain Howitzers. I will be close on them I have kild 300 of thir men They are Runing for their lives."

GLC04940

May 1864

United States. Congress (38th, 1st session : 1864)

Printed document

Title: H. R. 244. An Act to guarantee to certain States whose governments have been usurped or overthrown a republican form of government.

A rough draft of the Wade-Davis Bill, passed by the House of Representatives 4 May 1864. Changes noted throughout this document in ink. Docketed by H. R. U. L., an enrolling clerk. Docket states "2nd July 1864-- This is in the precise shape it was presented to President Lincoln." Accompanied by a fragment of string.

GLC04716

12 March 1883

Logan, John Alexander, 1826-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. E. F. Strickland

Written on Senate stationery. Logan, a United States Senator from Illinois, writes "Prior to the success of the Union armies, in the contest against secession, Freedom in this country was a sham and a mockery. Now it is a verity. There is however a danger to free institutions, arising in our midst, that should be watched with a zealous eye, that is the corrupting influence of the use of [money?]..." Written on U. S. Senate Chamber, Washington, D.C. stationery.

GLC04732

14 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Thomas W. Sherman to Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th Regiment of Artillery].

This document is a record of the promotion of Thomas W. Sherman, signed by Abraham Lincoln as President and countersigned by Simon Cameron as Secretary of War. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Accompanied by an orange seal and docketed in the upper left corner.

GLC04741

1862-1863

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

Header Record

Title: Collection of Nicholas A. Dederer, E company, 114th regiment, New York, infantry [Decimalized .01-.12]

Letters written as Captain and Quartermaster. By end of his letters, Dederer was Provost Marshall. Rathbone seems to have been his son-in-law. The letters discuss Louisiana and New Orleans. There is much talk of arresting deserters. Brief mention is made of enslaved people's relations with Federal soldiers.

GLC04703

9 November 1862

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Welch

Discusses his relief from command of the Army of Virginia and the political maneuverings that have undermined his reputation and led to his relief. "Whether the impression already made upon the public mind by this cause of designed and persistent malice & misrepresentation, can ever be eradicated by the truth is doubtful, but if such sacrifice of my personal reputation will advance the cause in which we are all enlisted, I shall submit to it cheerfully and silently." Pope, who had been put in charge of all the Armies in the East not under McClellan was relieved of this command after his…

GLC04704

February 21, 1861

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General B. Welch, Jr.

Apologizes for not meeting Welch. Explains that on the way to Welch's house, he was persuaded to attend the opera: "Mr Lincoln told me that he was going to the opera... As I was the only one of his Army friends present I felt bound to do so-" Written on Astor House, Stetson & Company, New York stationery. Marked "Private" under docket.

GLC04705

1862-1865

Winchell, Almira, fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [New York Civil War soldiers' archive, letters to Almira Winchell from four soldiers] [Decimalized .01-.26]

Letters to Winchell, from Belleville or Belle Isle, New York (Onondaga County). Winchell received letters from three soldiers, stationed mostly in Virginia: Thomas Donahue (1st NY Art., Batt. B), William Remington (101st NYS Vols.) and William Newman (101st and then 40th NY, Co. J; mostly in hospital). There is an additional letter to Winchell's mother from Pyrrhus H. Lawton ([15th] NY Co. A), and a song-sheet "When this Cruel War is Over," (released 1863). The song became one of the most popular songs of the war. The hand-colored picture, "Reconnoitering Party after the battle of…

GLC04706

circa 25 March 1892

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Final page of manuscript praising book on Civil War by Mr. Trent ]

Writes that Trent has "studied too deeply to waste his time" and discusses his proposition "that a battle for human slavery can really be called a battle for civil liberty." Roosevelt's signature is struck. Date is inferred from a stamp on verso reading "Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass. March 25, 1892."

GLC04725

4 May 1862

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Kimball

Asks Kimball to get "your train in motion as early as possible." Written four days before the nearby battle of McDowell, the first major encounter in Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The lack of Union troops at Harrisonburg would prove to be of great importance towards the end of this campaign. Most of the docket is lost. 1 full length black and white engraving and 1 black and white bust engraving of Nathaniel P. Banks.

GLC04727