25 November 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

Written aboard USS "Fernandina." References her letter of 5 November, noting that it was the first definite news of the election they received, and the first information from the North. Says he heard from two South Carolina deserters that Lincoln won. Writes, "Wasn't it a glorious result! and Pennsylvania redeemed herself too! ... What will become of 'Little Mac' now I wonder? He must feel considerably 'littler' than he ever did before." Declares that the administration has made blunders, but that they have been vindicated for removing "such wretched trash" as McClellan, Buell, and Fitz-…

GLC03836.79

23 August 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter signed

Title: to Lewis West

Two official orders on one page. First one signed by Secretary of the Navy Welles. Co-signed by Captain Samuel Mercer and Commander A.S. Glipan. Says he has been appointed as Acting Master. Tells him to proceed to Hampton Roads to meet with Flag Officer Stringham for duty on the USS "Wabash." Marked that he reported on 3 October 1861. Second a note in a secretarial hand and signed by Flag Officer Silas H. Stringham (1798 - 1876) and dated 7 September 1861. Stringham was commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Stringham ordered him to take the USS "Flag" down to Charleston and report to…

GLC03836.19

13 March 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Sent 340 dollars in gold to his father's address. Says the USS "Flag" arrived with news that the Confederates fled St. John's on the approach of gunboats. Mentions the destruction of the USS "Cumberland" and "Congress," by the CSS "Merrimack." Says everyone predicted the result and that it was a topic of discussion for the last 6 months. Says the Secretary of the Navy or the flag officer of their fleet are "drivelling idiots." Says the arrival of the USS "Monitor" was providential. Reports that the army is at last on the move.

GLC03836.32

31 October 1862

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: to Lewis West

Printed Navy Department document orders West to proceed to Philadelphia without delay and report to Commodore Pendergrast for duty on the USS "Ladona." Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Note on bottom of document, signed by Commander C.H. Stribling, tells West to report to Commander Rolando. Docket signed by Commanders Paulding and Rolando says West reported on 5 November.

GLC03836.39

February 1, 1865

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Document

Title: [True copy of the Thirteenth Amendment]

Accompanied by Seward's certification (GLC03264.01) confirming this as a true copy of the Thirteenth Amendment: "Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." Approved 1 February 1865.

GLC03264.02

11 July 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: [Orders detaching John G. Walker from command of the "Baron de Kalb]

Printed document detaching Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker from the command of the USS "Baron de Kalb" in the Mississippi Squadron. Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy and co-signed by A.R.A. Porter. Docket says "Reply Forwarded Aug 20th 1863 David D Porter."

GLC03804.08

2 December 1861

McSherry, Henry F., fl. 1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Welles

Written by McSherry as Assistant Surgeon aboard the USS "Vandalia" to Welles as Secretary of Navy. Marked "Copy" at bottom. Acknowledges receiving Welles's order of 30 November 1861 to proceed to Philadelphia and to report to Commodore Pendergast for duty on board the "USS Sciota," a steam gunboat. Written at the Navy Yard.

GLC03523.21.62

June 10, 1862

Olmstead, Charles H., 1837-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Olmstead, a Confederate officer who surrendered Fort Pulaski and was taken as a prisoner of war at Fort Columbus, writes to Union Secretary of War Stanton. Olmstead is concerned that the Union is violating the prisoner of war terms signed by General Quincy A. Gillmore and himself at the surrender. The surrender terms stated that the Confederate sick and wounded should be sent up to the Confederate lines. Olmstead has found out that instead of these sick and wounded men being allowed to return home, they were kept and arrangements were made for them to be exchanged for Federal prisoners in…

GLC00319.01

1 June 1862

Ewing, Philemon, 1820-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Addressed to "My dear Cump," Sherman's nickname. Informs that he, Ellen (Sherman's wife), and Thomas Ewing (Philomen's father and Sherman's adoptive father), have discussed some problems vexing Sherman. He writes, "As to Mason there can be no doubt- It is universally known to the public that he played the Coward & his letter is a desperate effort to save himself from total disgrace - He makes no direct charge at you ... " Mentions a letter written to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Comments on Civil War events, "We are all right well pleased to find that Beauregard has been pressed…

GLC03601.03

1861

Mixter, Calvin Symmes, 1832-?

Diary

Title: [Civil War diary of Calvin S. Mixter]

Signed diary including printed almanac and eclipse calendar in the opening pages. Mixter writes from various locations. Relates the events of 1861, spending most of his time divided between his home in Hanson, Massachusetts, and his workplace in Boston. Reports political affairs, discussing the secession question with colleagues, and holding a Union meeting. Writes to various governmental officials, including Judge John J. Crittenden, but does not discuss the content of the letters. Reports moving to Boston. Records hearing of the attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, 13 April,…

GLC06583.01

12 May 1865

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

Telegram

Title: to Edwards Pierrepoint

Clerical telegram requesting Pierrpont prosecute Horace Greeley for "persistent effort the last four (4) weeks to incite assassins to finish wheir work by murdering me." Asks him to "secure copies of all Tribunes published since the night after the President's murder. Stanton wrote this telegram in Washington and it was transcribed by the American Telegraph Company in New York.

GLC04452.02

13 May 1865

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

Telegram

Title: to Edwards Pierrepont and J. B. Cutting

Clerical telegram stating Stanton has "proof of express personal malice against me by Greeley and Believe that I can establish a combination between him & others which may end in accomplishing my death as it did against Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward." Wants Pierrepont to prosecute Horace Greeley for what Stanton sees as Greeley's attempt to incite others to murder him. Stanton wrote this telegram in Washington and it was transcribed by the American Telegraph Company in New York.

GLC04452.03

11 May 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwards Pierrepont

Desires "to prosecute Horace Greeley and the owner of the New York Tribune for the persistent effort of the last few weekes to incite assassins to murder me." Requests that J. B. Cutting and Mr. Brady find out who owns the Tribune.

GLC04452.01

21 September 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has received a letter from Hyde about his investment with the Tolland County Bank in Connecticut. They have passed through the season without a yellow fever epidemic. The dismissal of the Surgeon General may affect his own orders. Dr. William A. Hammond was court-martialed on a trumped-up charge initiated by Edwin Stanton and was dismissed from the army in 1864 (later exonerated). "This will probably affect my position here as the Surg.-J. Mills[?]-who was here before me, is in favor with Stanton and will probably be sent back to spite Gen Hammond, as the latter after ordering him away…

GLC04195.20

17 March 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin Stanton

Recipient inferred because Stanton served as the Secretary of War under Lincoln. States that U.S. Representative from West Virginia, Kellian Whaley, called to know if General Robert Milroy might report to General Franz Sigel. Whaley says that Sigel declines the appointment. Asks if General Stahel can also be sent to General Sigel. Stahel commanded troops under Sigel at New Market, Virginia. Milroy commanded a brigade attached to Sigel's corps at the Battle of Second Manassas.

GLC08153

14 July 1862

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

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Petition to President Abraham Lincoln to arrange for the release of Union prisoners held in Richmond, Virginia].

Mary Morrison, Amanda Morrison, and Mary Wheeler, two wives and a sister of Union supporters imprisoned by the Confederate Army request that the Union Army take seven Confederate supporters living in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and arrange to have a prisoner transfer, citing a prior instance of such an exchange. The Union prisoners were Moses Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Major Charles Williams, and Peter Cousse. Secretary of War Stanton's endorsement supports the request and asks General John Pope to hold the "disloyal persons" until the petitioners' kin are returned.

GLC08160

29 March 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simon Cameron

Orders Secretary of War Cameron to send a naval expedition to resupply Fort Sumter. Indicates that specific instructions were in an attached memorandum (not included) and instructs Cameron to cooperate with Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles.

GLC08093

25 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 45 (April 25, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Front page is filled with military notices and advertisements for men to volunteer for various units. Copy of Robert Anderson's dispatch to Secretary of War Simon Cameron after the fall of Fort Sumter. Telegraphed updates from throughout the country, including one blurb referring to Northern troops as abolitionists: "Abolition Troops at Cairo." Reprint of report from "Charleston Mercury" that describes how the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received by abolitionists in Washington D.C. Several slave advertisements.

GLC05960.02.12

8 July 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Discusses George B. McClellan's oration at West Point. Describes Edwin M. Stanton's lack of respect towards McClellan, and Lincoln's efforts to "allow it to be so." Recounts fighting and near death experience during the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on 12 May. Also mentions receipt of the newspaper "The Independent."

GLC03523.18.18

18 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 39 (April 18, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Published 6 days after the start of the war. Issue filled with military news, including troops movements. Contains "Full Particulars" of the "First Day's Bombardment of Fort Sumter." Update on the Virginia state convention of secession. Includes news of Confederate policies from Montgomery. Page 2 article on European machinations in Mexico. Page 4 article says "every true Southerner" is subscribing to a loan for the defense of the Confederacy, causing an uptick in the Confederate markets. Page 4 blurb says "Mr. Lincoln's cabinet are very anxious to keep up…

GLC05960.02.08

29 March 1864

Smith, Bailey & Co. (publishers)

Newspaper

Title: The Sentinel. [Vol. 1, no. (March 29, 1864)]

Official Dispatch from New Orleans, two regiments captured, Fort DeRussey taken by assault, giving the Yankees control of the richest cotton region in the Southwest, Confederate Victory in Louisiana, Secretary Chase to issue "Gold Notes" under the new Act.

GLC05959.57.08

15 October 1861

J.A. Cowardin & Co., (publishers), fl. 1853-1880

Newspaper

Title: Daily dispatch. [Vol. 20, no. 88 (October 15, 1861)]

The Fremont and Blair Controversy, The Expedition to Santa Rosa Island, Resignation of General Twigg.

GLC05959.56.087

26 September 1863

Stuart, W., fl. 1863

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Michael Cassidy

Writes that the Secretary of State referred the matter of the cases of Cassidy, Patrick Fox, and James Bradley to the Judge Advocate to start an investigation. Written from the British Legation in Washington, D.C. to Cassidy at Camp Chase, Ohio. Author's signature is unclear but possibly W. Stuart.

GLC02414.170

18 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes all of the regiments in Annapolis being "reviewed" by General Burnside and other notable men including Seward, Cameron and Governor Andrews of Massachusetts. Believes his regiment will stay in Annapolis for two months and complains about the lack of pay and the need to buy each meal individually.

GLC03603.031

13 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the excellent service that Joseph B. Burlingame, the soldier from Company D, is providing. Says it may be possible to keep him as a servant even though he is a soldier. Has received a letter from William Tucker addressed to "CMC Adjt Genl 8th Regt C.V." Mentions that there are 958 men in his regiment, including the commanding officers. Believes that the division will have a very pleasant expedition because Burnside is married to Cameron's daughter and Coit does not believe he would send his son-in-law into dangerous situations.

GLC03603.053