27 October 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel G. French re: coordinating Va. Govt. and militia with C.S.A. Govt.

GLC03491

18 April 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Bryant

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aid-de-camp. States he is sorry to hear that Captain Bryant's company is weak but says "it is out of my power to add to it, except by ordering such men of the artillery to it, who are unable to do field duty." Approves of Bryant sending samples of "fuzes, rockets and tubes" of Bryant's making. Asks Bryant to inform Colonel David Mason that Knox applied to Colonel Timothy Pickering for an order on the quarter master in Springfield. Bryant was a member of Colonel Mason's corps of Artillery artificers stationed at Springfield. "…

GLC03495

April 18, 1859

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio G. Wright

Discussing the poor health of a "promising...young officer" and possibility of "another such terrible epidemic" as had recently hit the men.

GLC03499

21 May 1864

Garrard, Kenner, 1828-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Thomas

Reports that the bridge that Thomas was looking for has been found, and that the Confederates have burned it. Reports he was unable to save the bridge. Recipient inferred.

GLC03504

circa August-September 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Document signed

Title: [Deposition of Judy Taylor against Joseph Coombs]

Written in clerical hand and signed by Porter as Acting Rear Admiral commanding the Mississippi Squadron. Deposition where Judy Taylor accuses Joseph Coombs of being a Confederate supporter. Says she was hired as a chambermaid to Coombs, who was the captain of the "Louisville," from July 1861-September 1862. She was then hired again in December 1862 and was under his employ until the ship was captured by U.S. forces. She was hired for $20/month. Claims she was last paid in April 1862. Taylor also said that Coombs always hoisted the rebel flag when coming to a landing. She also reported…

GLC03508

January 1, 1897

Photograph signed

Title: Cabinet photograph of John L. Worden

Signed on mount as Admiral.

GLC03510

09 December 1808

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Isaiah L. Green.

Written after retirement to Congressman Isaiah L. Green concerning repeal of Embargo Act and arming of ships.

GLC03511

25 May 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Written at Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant writes to Sherman in the early days of the siege of Vicksburg. Relates he ordered Colonel Johnson to ascertain the number of Confederate troops north of the Black River, and to burn a bridge over the river, leaving Haynes' Bluff without a garrison. Writes "I deem that point of so much importance that I am willing to weaken our force here rather that to leave it unoccupied." Orders Sherman to send a brigade to assist in fortifying the bluff. Endorsed by Sherman, who orders Tuttle (possibly General…

GLC03512

May 10, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Broadside

Title: [Broadside version of a letter to Braxton Bragg]

Printed broadside version of a letter from Beauregard to Braxton Bragg encouraging aggressive tactics. Bragg had the letter printed as a broadside "for the information and guidance of this army." States "When without orders or at a loss to know what to do in action, they must rapidly advance in the direction of the heaviest firing-for the art of war consists in the concentration of masses against fractions of masses; moreover, our motto should be 'Forward, and always forward,' until victory may perch decisively upon our banners. The more rapid the attack, the weaker, habitually, the…

GLC03514

September 24, 1780

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dirck Romeyn

Varick says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. He says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss,…

GLC03265

10 May 1783

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Glen

George Washington's secretary describes to Glen, a deputy quartermaster general in the Revolutionary War, his eyewitness account of Washington's meeting with Sir Guy Carleton at Tappan, New York. Provides details of the meeting, which was intended to arrange the terms of British withdrawal.

GLC03266

24 December 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because…

GLC03269

09 May 1907

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sam Chapman

Written on stationery of the Department of Justice. Discusses Grant's endorsement of Lee's pardon after the war, and Johnson's refusal to grant it. He discusses politics during the Reconstruction era. He comments "there was more vindictiveness shown to me by the Virginia people for my voting for Grant than the North showed to me for fighting four years against him." Various politicians and judges mentioned.

GLC03293

25 July 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions that business and ill health have kept him from writing. Congratulates him on the arrival of the French fleet and the minister. Informs that the fleet has gone to Rhode Island. Addressed to "Dear General." Washington is suggested as a possible recipient based upon Arnold's comments about the French fleet. The letter has suffered severe damage and lacks its address leaf.

GLC03302

05 March 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Y. Mason re: opinions on the annexation of Texas, US claim to Oregon

Written to Mason, Secretary of the Navy. Also requests an appointment for John Adams (no relation to JQ Adams) to midshipman.

GLC03318

November 28, 1780

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Lafayette states that he arrived last night and will set out for Philadelphia. He writes about his recommendation to General George Washington that Hamilton should be made Adjutant General. Explains the reasons he gave in support of his recommendation. Assures that Washington values Hamilton's friendship greatly. Comments on his own friendship with Hamilton and his fondness for him. He gives compliments to Mrs. Hamilton, General Philip Schuyler, and the Schuyler family.

GLC03323

1813

Jeakes, Joseph, fl. 1812-1813

Print

Title: His Majesty's ship Shannon... capturing the American... Frigate Chesapeake

Published G. Webster. War of 1812 print.

GLC03282

August 10, 1776

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: A Plan of the attack on Fort Sulivan, near Charles Town in South Carolina. by a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships, on the 28th of June 1776. with the Disposition of the King's Land Forces, and the Encampments and Entrenchments of the...

Title continues: "Rebels from the Drawings made on the Spot." Mentions Lieutenant Colonel Tho[mas] James of the Royal Regimental Artillery. Hudson River is hand colored. Kenneth Nebenzahl's "Battle Plans of the American Revolution", page 64.

GLC03283

13 August 1813

Birch, Thomas, 1779-1851

Print

Title: U.S. Frigate Constitution... capturing... Frigate Guerriere

Hand colored engraving

GLC03284

November 1776

Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794

Map

Title: The Theatre of war in North America [with:] A compendious account....

Not in Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, but possibly related to 6 (?). With text "A Compendious Account of the British Colonies in North America" which contains a 1765 popluation chart of the British Colonies in North America, listing numbers of men (both African American and white) able to carry arms. Engraving with hand color on borders and on table (green/yellow). The map has some slight losses on the left side in the upper Mississippi River and also in West Florida; the "Account" has some slight text losses (noticeably: Nova Scotia).

GLC03285

1863

Magnus, Charles, 1826-1900

Map

Title: Panorama of the Mississippi Valley and Its Fortifications

Four-paneled, printed Civil War map showing the Mississippi River from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico up to St. Louis, Missouri and its junction with the Missouri River. Shows counties and towns, with inset drawings of major cities along the way. Oriented from the north along the river from the left panel to the right. Charles Magnus (1826-1900), a artist and printer, was one of the few printers who were allowed unlimited access to visit Union camps, hospitals, and even battlefields during the Civil War. He produced images through Charles Magnus & Co. in New York City. He is best known…

GLC03291

12 June 1776 - 21 June 1776

United States. Continental Congress.

Letter signed

Title: Resolution appointing Congressional "Board of War and Ordinance"

Signed by Charles Thomson as secretary. Includes attached circular letter addressed to Artemas Ward re: founding of War Office and instructions for monthly reporting; signed by John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Harrison, James Wilson, and Edward Rutledge. Written in the hand of Richard Peters; docketed by Artemas Ward on address leaf. (Formerly cataloged as GLC 3295.01 (p. 3) and .02 (p. 1-2).)

GLC03295

1 August 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Letter signed

Title: to Lord Frederick North

Transmits extracts of letters (not included) written by an unknown member of Congress to a friend which have come into his possession. Advises that the letters, " ... contain so much information, and appear to be written with so much judgment, that I cannot delay transmitting them to your Lordship." This letter is Carleton's retained copy, noted as duplicate no. 97. Written as Governor of Quebec to North as the British Secretary of State. One black and white bust engraving of Guy Carleton included.

GLC03305

February 23, 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Pickens re: introducing Maj. Whiting, to survey Charleston forts

Written as President of the Confederate States, to Gov. Pickens of South Carolina. Docketed by Pickens on the verso.

GLC03308

6 August 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Broadside

Title: General Order No. 12

Written aboard the USS Hartford. Rear Admiral Farragut, as commander of the Western Gulf Blockade Squadron, sends thanks to the crews under his command for their conduct during the Battle of Mobile Bay, which took place on 5 August 1864. Remarks that despite having "witnessed the almost instantaneous annihilation of our gallant companions in the Tecumseh by a torpedo, and the slaughter of their friends, mess-mates and gun-mates on our decks, still there were no evidences of hesitation in following their Commander-in-Chief through the line of torpedoes and obstructions." See GLC04664.01 for…

GLC03310