1 April 1892

Howard, Oliver Otis, 1830-1909

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Howard writes, "In the battle of fair Oaks Va. the first day of June 1862 (second day of the battle) I was twice wounded in my right arm. The first wound was by a Mississippi rifle ball through the wrist. The second by a minnie-ball entering at the Elbow joint. The two wounds necessitated amputation about six hours after the second blow." Contains a Headquarters, Department of the East stamp at the top.

GLC02464.06

16 June 1863

Roberts, Benjamin Stone, 1810-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Titcomb Sprague

Brigadier General Roberts writes to Sprague, Adjutant General for the State of New York. Remarks that he recently passed through Ilion, New York, where he experimented with improved shot for rifle guns. Asks Sprague to "send a commission of artillery officers to that place to witness further trials & to report to you their opinion of my shot." Notes that other artillery officers, including General William F. Barry, Chief of Artillery, report in the favour of the improved shot, and that the Army is too occupied to order an ordnance board to assess the shot. Notes, "The Remingtons will…

GLC02464.15

3 September 1857

Walker, William, 1824-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heiss

Replies to a letter from Major Heiss received 30 July 1857. Instructs Heiss to send Walker's sword as soon as possible, addressed to Walker at the City Hotel. Inquires if Heiss met General Charles Frederick Henningsen on Henningsen's way north. Expresses gratitude to Heiss for not giving his sword to Mr. Lockridge (possibly Colonel Samuel A. Lockridge), who "has proved himself utterly wanting of credit or confidence."

GLC02475.14

18 March 1851

Colt, Samuel, 1814-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ned Dickerson

Requests information from Dickerson, a lawyer, regarding an extension for the Whittier patent. Informs Dickerson that he hopes to schedule his patent suit the following Monday.

GLC02480.02

1865

Greeley & McElrath, 1841-1866

Pamphlet

Title: The border ruffian code in Kansas

A pro-Republican, free-soil pamphlet published by Horace Greeley's Tribune. "The character of the Code of pretended Laws enacted by the bogus Territorial Legislature of Kansas- a Legislature notoriously forced upon the people of that Territory, at the hands of invading ruffians from Missouri, using the persuasive arguments of the Bowie-Knife and Revolver- may be judged from the following extracts..." Many pages are disbound. Last page, on verso of fifteen, consists of a map of free and slave states.

GLC08471

7 March 1872

Schurz, Carl, 1829-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannibal Hamlin

Responding to Hamlin's "letter requesting me to furnish the Committee over which you preside, any and all evidence" for an investigation into misconduct in arms sales. Discusses his speeches in the Senate on the issue. Stands by his accusations and indicates that he knows of people who could offer evidence by way of testifying. Suggests himself as the most able examiner, which is problematic since he had been excluded from the committee.

GLC08680

1 September 1861

Dawes, Rufus Robinson, 1838-1899

Printed document signed

Title: [Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores, 6th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry]

Signed by Dawes as Captain of Company "K" in the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers. Printed form filled out by hand listing ordnance stores Dawes turned over to Colonel Lysander Cutler. Written at Camp Kalorama.

GLC08638

8 June 1865

Hanscom, Alfred A., fl. 1833-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: Lizzie Wilkins and Annie

Written by Hanscom as a private in Company L, 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment New Hampshire. Writes to his friends informing that they are waiting to be discharged soon, hopefully by June 11 or 12. States that he heard many Massachusetts troops have already been mustered out and that Governor John Andrew is in Washington trying to get all the troops home. Comments on General William T. Sherman's army, "Sherman's Army has been Camped all around us and a ruffer set you never saw - steal all they could get their hands on rob Hen roosts, gardens cut & tramp down beautiful grain fields &…

GLC08407

June 23, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James T. Austin

Comments on the loss of a ship, the Chesapeake. Also notes the slow progress of the Ways and Means Committee, the resignation of General Henry Dearborn for health reasons, and the recovery of President James Madison from an illness. Discusses witnessing a demonstration of "liquid fire, inextinguishable for a period, by water" by a "Mr Lloyd of Adams in Pennsylva" and the products potential for weaponry. Gerry was then vice president. Written from the chamber of the senate. One engraving of "Elmood," once the residence of Elbridge Gerry, included as collateral.

GLC00137

September 9, 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gov. Edward Rutledge SC

The letter discusses the European war and military preparedness.

GLC00122

August 15, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Penfield

Abraham Lincoln directs Penfield to supply ordnance and cavalry arms by contract to P. B. Fowke's regiment. Penfield had an existing contract to supply the government with ordnance.

GLC00183

April 29, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ... I by no means can…

GLC00194

circa 1861-1863

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Brady's Incidents of the War. 17th Regiment New York Volunteers Colonel Henry Seymour Lansing. Butterfield's Brigade. Fitz John Porter. Division Pauls Hill. Vol.

One undated photograph entitled, "Brady's Incidents of the War," taken by Mathew B. Brady. Captures New York's 17th Regiment standing in dress parade formation and holding rifle-muskets raised upward at their sides.

GLC00243

December 19, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Contract with Robert P. Parrott to buy 16 rifle cannons for Georgia]

Unsigned copy, written on one side. Contract to buy cannons, guns, and ammunition from Colt, Dupont, Ames, etc. to prepare Georgia for war. Semmes acted as agent for Georgia in preparation for the Civil War. Docket in Semmes' hand. "... This Contract made and entered into... That the said Robert P. Parrat hereby covenants and agrees to manufacture furnish and deliver on board Steamer in the Port of New York and bound for Savannah Georgia suitably prepared and packed for safe transportation within sixty days from the date just above written... (16) Sixteen Rifle Cannons..." New York was a…

GLC00474

April 18, 1775

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks

Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county; this letter was sent to Berks County. This is an answer to the letter of Berks County from April 15, 1775. Says now that "Ministerial violence" - meaning attacks by British troops under Parliament's orders - has occurred they need to act and not deliberate. Says their "despotic" intentions are "beyond doubt." Says word came that the Houses of…

GLC00496.022

December 1860 - March 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Paul J. Semmes archive regarding buying arms and military equipment [decimalized .01-.14]

14 copies of documents and letters, most in the hand of Paul J. Semmes about his efforts as agent to buy arms for the state of Georgia before the war. Contracts with Parrot for guns and DuPont for gunpowder.

GLC00508

December 21, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract for 300 Colt New Model Army pistols to be delivered in two weeks. Mentions that the same factory, the Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. of Hartford, Connecticut is now filling orders for the U.S. Government at the same price of $22.50. Comments on the pistol, "...this is a very superior arm - a little longer & larger than Colts Navy and lighter than Colt Dragoon pistol and better than either." Informs of other contracts made for "...cavalry & artillery sabres, cavalry & Infantry equipments, rifle cannon &…

GLC00508.03

December 25, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Semmes's retained copy. Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract made with James T. Ames of Chicopee, Massachusetts (Ames Manufacturing) for cavalry equipment, postal pouches, haversacks, knapsacks & straps, Infantry equipment, carbine equipment, cavalry sabers, artillery sabers, and artillery saber belts and plates. With a pencil note signed PS stating he has had a cold since leaving Georgia. Written from the 5th Avenue Hotel, New York.

GLC00508.06

February 1, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel H.C. Wayne

Semmes's retained copy. Encloses letters (not present) from Augustus Viele, Mr. Kemble, Captain J. G. Britons, and E.J. Dupont de Nemours & Co in Wilmington, Delaware. The letters concern the inspection of gun carriages and the shipment of powder, cannon and cartridges. Addressed to Wayne as Adjutant General, Milledgeville, Georgia.

GLC00508.10

January 22, 1861

Dupont de Nemours, E. J., fl. 1861

Manuscript document

Title: [Bill from E.J. Dupont de Nemours & Co. for the state of Georgia]

Bill for Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia for cannon, muskets, cartridges and other munitions. Totals $8452.12.

GLC00508.14

November 3, 1781

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Davies

Written by Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a legislator in the Virginia Assembly to Davies as Commissioner of the Virginia War Office in Richmond. Asks Davies to see that arms taken from militiamen at Gloucester, probably used at the battle of Yorktown, be returned to them. Says near 200 arms were taken from the militia and they have returned home unarmed. Says the situation leaves 40 miles along the shores of his county "exposed to the ravage of piratical vessels." Says General George Weedon told him that the government detained the arms to furnish militia rotations, but…

GLC00513

20 April 1820

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph document

Title: [Commendation for service]

Describes a soldier's courage under fire and bravery in the face of the enemy. According to the Monroe Papers, these are remarks made by Monroe during the presentation of a sword to Richard M. Johnson for service during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.069

November 24, 1860

Williams, Charles J., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Informs that the General Assembly has passed a bill appropriating one million dollars to buy arms for Georgia and that Governor Joseph E. Brown requests his help in carrying this out. Asks Semmes to go to New York or wherever he needs to in order to get the arms. Colonel Hardee will offer counsel. Stresses the urgency of this, stating that, "the importance of prompt action need not be urged on you. Your heart is in this matter of resistance and we must have the means of rigorous defense." Gives instructions for telegraphing reports. Year inferred from content. Williams enlisted as a colonel…

GLC00572.16

December 22, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Retained copy, docketed by Semmes. Semmes writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract (not present; probably GLC00508.04) for the purchase of rifle cannon, projectiles, and lead. Discusses the pros and cons of different types of guns, shells and ranges. Letter has initialed postscript.

GLC00572.19

December 24, 1860

Cooper & Pond, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter from a New York arms dealer informing Semmes that they have 930 Enfield rifles made for the British government. The rifles are brand new and inspected. The arms dealer states that the rifles are in great demand and if Semmes is interested, he should act quickly. Docketed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.21