1861-1883

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Dr. Thomas A. McParlin][Decimalized .01-.48]

Includes personal and professional letters and documents to and from Dr. Thomas A. McParlin, medical director of the Army of Virginia and the army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Among the individuals represented in this archive are Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, generals George Meade, George D. Ruggles, John Pope, Rufus Ingalls, noted reformer Dorothea Dix, and numerous Civil War medical officers. Documents include wartime and post-war items. Of particular interest is a lengthy (40 page) manuscript report, prepared by McParlin for General William A.…

GLC02649

28 June 1861

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Dennison

McClellan, Major General of the Ohio Volunteers updates Dennison, Governor of Ohio, on the condition of troops, supplies, and other military matters. Reports that upon receipt of a previous letter from Dennison, "I at once [struck: write] telegraphed the [Secty] of War asking for a commission in Carrington's Regt for your son." Relates his initial trouble with organizing wagons, rations, and troops. Reports that the soldiers are in good spirits, and most difficulties have been resolved. Mentions assuring [General Chase?] that no misunderstanding existed between them. Possibly referring to a…

GLC02902

15 October 1861

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hooper

Written from camp near Damstown. Banks, commanding a division, Army of the Potomac, replies to a note from Hooper, a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Relates that he has been busy organizing his staff, and will soon make arrangements for Mr. D'Hautville (possibly Captain D'Hautville). Needs the approval of General George McClellan before he can proceed. Discusses troop movement, and the possibility of obtaining winter quarters farther south. Of Abraham Lincoln, writes, "The President looks to me fatigued and oppressed- He is sadly changed since I rec'd from him my…

GLC02944.01

17 October 1862

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hooper

Banks, commander of the Military District of Washington, Army of the Potomac, writes to Hooper, a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Discusses the court martial of Lt. Goodrich (possibly the son of John Goodrich, former Representative and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts). Writes, "It is very difficult to get a reversal of the judgment of a court martial for the reason that the discipline of the army is so low, and the gov't so weak." Asks if it would be sufficient for President Lincoln and the Secretary (possibly Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War) to annul the sentence…

GLC02944.02

2 September 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter

Title: to Silas Stringham

Welles, Secretary of the Navy, congratulates Stringham, Flag Officer and Commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, for the Squadron's August 1861 capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, North Carolina. Declares "The successful result thus far of an expedition projected with great care and the occupation of the positions commanding the most important inlet on the Coast of North Carolina, will be attended with consequences that can scarcely be over-estimated. This brilliant achievement, accomplished without the loss of a man on your part, or injury to any one in the Federal Service, has…

GLC03097.02

8 September 1861

Stringham, Silas Horton, 1797-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Mercer

Written at Fortress Monroe. Stringham, Flag Officer and Commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes to Mercer, Captain of the Wabash, flagship of the Squadron. Reports, "It affords me pleasure to be the medium for forwarding to you a copy of the Hon. Sec. of the Navy congratulations on our recent victory at Forts Hatteras & Clark. You will please have it read to the Officers and crew." Gideon Welles served as Secretary of the Navy 1861-1869. In August 1861 General Benjamin Franklin Butler's army joined force with Stringham's Squadron, capturing Forts Hatteras and Clark,…

GLC03097.01

16 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of James B. McPherson to Major General of Volunteers]

Official document promoting McPherson to Major General of Volunteers beginning October 8, 1862, signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a blue paper seal from the War Office. Docketed at top by Adjutant General L. Thomas on March 16, 1863.

GLC03327

9 January 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness about the quarrel he had with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton over the terms of Confederate General Joseph Johnston's surrender in 1865. Sherman suggests that he may have acted wrongly. " ... I do not profess to be infallible, or more than mortal. I have made some fearful mistakes in life which in a retrospect would be corrected, among them in regard to Mr. Stanton." Admits that he felt Stanton was trying to destroy him, " ... because he supposed I was not acting in full harmony on the then policy with the Negros - And failing…

GLC03341.01

February 4, 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness recounting information that he has learned about Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He comments on Stanton's maneuvering to boost General Joseph Hooker and "pull me down." Sherman remarks, "There is one fact that has since come to my Knowledge, which I long suspected, that there existed a Combination to sweep me into oblivion before the War closed." Mentions revising his memoirs to include this information, "I would not have put in the Memoirs any of that, only I thought to have avoided it would have been a confession of Wrong - I…

GLC03341.02

February 11, 1876

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Conness

Commander in Chief of the Army Sherman writes to Conness discussing his memoirs. Mentions that although his Memoirs are subject to criticism, he felt he had to express his opinions. Despite the criticisms, he states, " ... I am sure I am not jealous or malicious, and I feel the greatest possible love for my old Comrades in Arms ... " Except General Joseph Hooker, about whom he expresses his feeling that Hooker constantly finds fault in others. Remarks that he does have a high opinion of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's administration, but that both Stanton and General Henry Halleck…

GLC03341.03

1860

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: "The Irrepressible Conflict" or the Republican Barge in Danger

Published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Cartoon making reference to the so-called "Irrepressible Conflict" speech given by New York Senator William Seward at Rochester, New York on 25 October 1858. This speech ignited a firestorm of criticism and probably cost Seward the presidency. The cartoon reflects the considerable bitterness among New York Republicans at the party's surprising failure to nominate Seward for president at its May 1860 national convention. The print was probably issued soon after the convention's nomination of Abraham Lincoln. The "Republican Barge…

GLC03489

5 July 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authorization to affix the seal of the United States to Lincoln's proclamation]

Partially printed document authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the seal to Lincoln's proclamation suspending the privilege of habeas corpus and establishing martial law in Kentucky. The proclamation is not present but states in part, " ... Whereas many citizens of the State of Kentucky have joined the forces of the insurgents ... have overborne the civil authorities and made flagrant civil war ... I, Abraham Lincoln ... do therefore hereby require of the military officers in the said state that the privileges of the writ of habeas corpus be effectually suspended within the said State…

GLC03493

24 October 1864

Dennison, William, 1815-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Galloway

Writes as Postmaster General regarding a visit to President Lincoln to discuss sick and wounded Confederate prisoners of war. States Lincoln said, " ... that he couldn't see the wisdom of our Keeping and maintaining at the Expense of the Govt. prisoners when we dont Expect to Exchange with the Rebels, and while a certain per centage of all we release will be likely to take up arms against us, still he is not satisfied it would not be better to cure those sick than Keep all the prisoners of the class you refer to." Remarks that he was impressed with Lincoln's views and feels he is in…

GLC03500

February 14, 1864

Francis, Joseph, 1801-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwards Pierrepont

Discusses the delay in the army for the order of his pontoon bridge. Mentions General John Adams Dix. Informs that Colonel Edward Serrell needs to go to Washington to see Francis's bridges but there is a problem getting the orders for Serrell to get there by train. Francis asks Pierrepont to write to Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, and ask him to allow Colonel Serrell to go stating, "It is merely to ask Mr. Stanton to allow Coln Serrell (who is the best & most popular Engineer officer in the Army) to examine my system. He cannot object to this, and I should think he would be glad…

GLC03502

February 2, 1865

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Document signed

Title: [Sealed certification of the Thirteenth Amendment]

Seward, Secretary of State, certifies accompanying true copy of Thirteenth Amendment (GLC03264.02). Contains faded seal and fragmented dark blue ribbon. Partially printed on United States Department of State paper.

GLC03264.01

21 March 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Promotion of Henry Eugene Davies to Major General]

Official document promoting Davies, signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Partially printed from an engraving, with blanks filled in by hand. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a blue paper seal from the War Office. Docketed at top by Assistant Adjutant General E. D. Townsend on March 22, 1865.

GLC03113

17 August 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed document signed

Title: [Notification to George H. Thomas of his appointment by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Partially printed document issued by the War Department. If Thomas accepts the appointment, he is instructed to return an oath enclosed with the letter. Thomas is also instructed to report to Brigadier General Robert Anderson for orders.

GLC03816.01

27 October 1863

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

Printed document signed

Title: to George Henry Thomas

Partially printed document informing Thomas that he has been appointed Brigadier General by the President of the United States. Signed by Stanton as Secretary of War. A note at the bottom of the page indicates that Thomas accepted this appointment 2 November 1863, the day he received this notification.

GLC03816.02

30 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unnamed Union General hoping he improves from his wounds and stating his importance to the Union cause. Addressed simply to "Dear General," who was recently wounded while fighting Stonewall Jackson's forces. States that his recovery is essential to the Union's success in the war. Docket notes "A friendly letter."

GLC03817.01

22 October 1864

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

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pass permitting Virginia farmer Benjamin Hummer to bring crops into Washington]

Permits Benjamin Hummer, a farmer from Virginia, to bring his produce to Washington to sell. Also permits him to bring his family, and return with necessary goods. Written on stationery of the War Department. The envelope is an official Secretary of War envelope, also signed by Stanton. Noted at top as "Good for 80 days."

GLC03826

1839-1875

Reynolds, Joseph, fl. 1839-1875

Header Record

Title: [Collateral collection of 18 items containing mostly printed general orders detailing other commissions and appointments of General Reynolds.] [decimalized]

Includes official notifaction of Joseph J. Reynolds commission to major general of volunteers, dated November 29, 1862, signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The only letter in the collection (#16) describes various improvements to the city of San Antonio. GLC 3614 is the official commission of Joseph J. Reynolds, signed by Abraham Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, to the rank of Major General. This collateral collection contains mostly printed general orders detailing other commissions and appointments of General Reynolds. Reynolds, a West Point…

GLC03614.02

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Album of 20 cartes de visite plus 6 of Lincoln and his cabinet

Cartes de visite by Brady, Anthony, Barr & Young, and J. Carbutt. Includes Lincoln's cabinet: Lincoln, Hannibal Hamlin, William H. Seward, Edwin Stanton, Salmon P. Chase, Edwin Bates, Gideon Welles, Montgomery Blair (Postmaster Gen.), Caleb B. Smith (Interior), Stephen A. Douglas, Edward Everett, Horace Greeley, Richard J. Ogelsby (Illinois Gov.), Gen. Joseph Hooker, Gen. George B. McClellan, Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, Gen. William S. Rosecrans, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. John A. Logan, Gen. William T. Sherman. The album was assembled in the 1920s by Illinois rare book dealer Edward T.…

GLC03589

5 December 1864

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Barnes

Addressed to the Surgeon General and marked as "Confidential Circular" at top. Instructs that the Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton] directs that all supplies for General William T. Sherman's army be sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina immediately.

GLC03749

19 August 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin B. French

Reports the results of a meeting with Secretary of War Stanton, "who...will return to the Trustees their own building now in control of the Surgeon General." Lincoln is referring to a Washington, D.C. school house that the War Department took control of to convert into a Medical Museum. Written on Executive Mansion stationary.

GLC03878.01

February 22, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Marked Cipher at top and copy on verso. Grant writes to the Secretary of War that he had a 100 gun salute fired yesterday for the capture of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, and has sent out Stanton's order to have it repeated.

GLC03923