8 January 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Notes that he has not informed their mother and father about their brother Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, who had been captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown (see GLC03676.05). Discusses a possibly scandal involving Ralph and his effort to clear his name. Comments on investigating information in a newspaper article (and getting it retracted) and asking one of George Germain's clerks for information, who told him that they had received a complaint about Ralph and were investigating. He also wrote Commodore Symmond who expressed sympathy with David's effort, but could not help…

GLC02549.20

7 May 1775

Ball, Burgess, 1749-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cyrus Griffin

Location inferred from content and previous correspondence between Ball and Griffin. Discusses previous correspondence from Griffin, who was managing Ball's business affairs in England. Discusses the sale of estates in England, paying off Campbell & Blackburn, and other financial transactions. States "The times seem daily to be growing more alarming ... It is beyond all doubt that the Regulars and Bostonians have had a Battle, occasioned (as we have it here) by the former firing upon the latter who were exercising, and killing some of them ... the regulars ... were obliged to retreat…

GLC04377.02

7 May 1775

Ball, Burgess, 1749-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cyrus Griffin

Marked as a copy (refer to GLC04377.02). Discusses previous correspondence from Griffin, who was managing Ball's business affairs in England. Discusses the sale of estates in England, paying off Campbell & Blackburn, and other financial transactions. Comments on events related to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Refers to Lord Dunmore's (John Murray, Governor of Virginia) recent seizure of gunpowder and the tumult it caused. Encloses a recent proclamation issued by Dunmore. Declares "I hope to hear that the Perpetrators of such times will soon meet with their deserts- Altho…

GLC04377.03

10 November 1779

Griffin, Cyrus, 1748-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burgess Ball

Takes "one moment to say that we have miscarried in Georgia; a storm was attempted against Savannah; ... lost about two hundred men- among others the brave General Pulaski." Possibly referring to his fellow Continental Congressmen, states "my Constituents must have a curious Idea of the Virginia Importance in this union to neglect it so greatly at this important period."

GLC04377.05

27 October 1777 circa

Manuscript document

Title: Prisoners

List of prisoners and ordnance taken by the Northern army in the course of the campaign up to and including Burgoyne's surrender. Counts 5,740 prisoners plus General Burgoyne and 12 members of his staff, including six members of parliament. Lists killed, wounded and deserters too. General John Burgoyne's expedition from Canada was defeated on 17 October 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne's surrender was the greatest victory for the Americans so far in the war, and an important turning point. Most likely written at or near Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered.

GLC07115.02

February 22, 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He refers to the Sanitary Commission's pretentious movement, and complains about their nurses. Laments the fact that while he and the Army medical department do all the work, and the government pays all the costs, they receive all the criticism while the Sanitary Commission ends up with all the credit. "The world you see is very much given to humbuggery. Even benevolence sometimes assumes that shape. Allow me to say, however, that the people mean well and freely give their money – give it more freely than I ever knew the bogus chivalry of the south to do, with all their flings and sneers at…

GLC04195.03

circa May 1865

Document

Title: Banquet programme

Fragment of banquet program, probably for a celebration following the victory of the Civil War. Sherman presided. Poems, songs, and reports given for each army. Verso has illustration of Union flags with lists of victories. On May 24 a Grand Review parade displayed all troops in Washington, D.C.

GLC04195.33

9 October 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Extends wishes for their mother's recovery, comments on his wife's improving health from sea bathing, and provides other family news. Reports hearing that Lord North received a message about Lord Cornwallis being attacked by General Horatio Gates. Explains news that Cornwallis repelled the attack, killed many, took 1,000 prisoners, and captured American artillery equipment. Suggests that "Gates thinking to circumvent him as he had done to Genl Burgoign [Burgoyne] had detached 1500 to attack him in the rear, they were received by Col Tarleton...who totally defeated them." The battle…

GLC02549.14

20 November 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses some family news, commenting on his separation from his wife. Thanks James for his work on a seal (also discusses in GLC025490.16), but asks him not to send it until after the lottery, fearing it might be stolen. Comments on the status of their brother Ralph Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, in America. Notes that in his last letter, Ralph was at Yorktown preparing for battle. By the time he is writing this he expects the battle to have been decided but does not know the outcome. Indicates that "people here differ much in opinion about what may be expected. I rather…

GLC02549.18

19 September 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written immediately following the battle of Antietam (17-18 September 1862), after Lee's troops had withdrawn across the Potomac. They rested after the previous battle before pursuing the rebels, overtaking their rear as they were crossing the water. He has worked with the rebel wounded left in the surrounding farm houses. "They probably lost 15000 men in wounded and killed. Our own loss is perhaps more than half that. It was one of the most magnificent battles of the war. The invasion of Maryland has thus ended ingloriously and their Army has left very greatly demoralized...No men ever did…

GLC04195.04

13 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

As he prepares to treat the wounded from the Battle of Fredericksburg, an attack launched by 50,000 Union troops at dawn on Dec. 13, he discusses the possibility of being hit and makes arrangements for his belongings. He believes heavy losses are inevitable. The spirits of the troops are high. "If you fancy the approach of such a battle depresses the spirits of men or officers you are greatly mistaken. I have never seen more mirth and joking among the hundreds of officers assembled about this building, which is used as the Hd. Quar. of Gen. Burnside, and within range of the rebel guns."

GLC04195.06

20 December 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The battle of Fredericksburg is over, with little accomplished. He describes the endurance required of the soldiers. The attack was made against the orders of Gen. Hooker. He describes hospital work during and following the battle. Excerpt: "Our troops, in several places got within 50 or 100 yds of the crest of the hill, in fact the division of regulars, got to this point on saturday-night, where they had to lie on their bellies all day sunday and sunday night. Any man rising up or even elevating his arm was shot; 200 of them were killed and wounded while lying in this position; with…

GLC04195.07

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

12 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes working with 30,000 prisoners to process their paroles. He praises General Meade particularly for the defeat of Lee, stating "I consider Meade one of the best soldiers in the Army of the Potomac." Also observes that despite "That charming attachment between master and slave, so often spoken of by advocates of the institution[, a]ll gentlemen and ladies of African descent, on the day following our entry into the city either left their overseers or stipulated for fixed wages."

GLC04195.15

15 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has been unwell and deems Vicksburg an unhealthy country: "It never was designed for Christians to live in." He praises Gen. Meade, and refers to some dear friends who fell at Gettysburg, including Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed and the injured Brig. Gen. A.S. Webb.

GLC04195.16

May 16, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

After three days of intense fighting in a rough area from Dalton to Resaca, they have subdued the rebels. Both Union and rebel wounded will remain there in field hospitals. He hopes the rebel forces will stand and fight. In the days preceding this letter, Sherman had tried to break Johnston's defenses around Resaca. Confederate forces pulled back on 15 May.

GLC04195.25

25 July 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He has just witnessed his bloodiest battle to date (the Battle of Atlanta, July 22), with 3,000 Union casualties and between 12-15,000 wounded. Local blackberries and peaches have been a great source of food. Most capable local people have left before the army arrived, leaving only the very poor. "I think I have not seen so severe and brilliant a battle during the war. I wish Mr. Hopkins had been here, as he came down to see war, he might have seen it on the 22nd to his heart's content."

GLC04195.26

December 24, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They arrived in Savannah ready for an assault but found the rebels had run away, leaving their artillery of a large number of guns. "The number of guns left is larger than we have ever found in any one place before; - it has not yet been ascertained, but is probably from 150 to 200. About 1000 prisoners were taken, but the Army left is so demoralized as to be but little reliable." With news of the victory near Nashville, the Confederacy may be close to ending. He mentions staying in furnished homes compared with usual outdoor lodging, but writes that "I find I can still sleep in a house,…

GLC04195.28

12 April 1863

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions Mr. Woodman and a provostship. Writes "Charleston is to be taken on the field of battle - by beating their armies," a reference to the unsuccessful ironclad attack on Fort Sumter 7 April 1863 undertaken by Union admiral Samuel F. DuPont.

GLC02095.11

15 September 1863

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Epes Sargent

Sumner thanks Sargent for his sympathetic praise. Writes, "The verses on Shaw I had enjoyed before, & had sent to England," likely a reference to Sargent's poem, "Colonel Shaw: On Hearing that the Rebels Had Buried His Body Under a Pile of Twenty Five Negroes," Boston Evening Transcript, 4 August 1863. Contains a 12 September 1878 autograph note signed by Sargent on page 2, giving a brief biography of Sumner: "Charles Sumner, United States Senator from Massachusetts... -a very conspicuous man in his day. He was a classmate of my brother, John O. Sargent, and we were intimate from…

GLC02095.12

circa 1897

Typed document

Title: [Draft of inscription intended for the Robert Gould Shaw monument]

Includes hand written corrections. Describes the Shaw monument as a tribute to the famous 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, organized in Boston and reviewed by Massachusetts Governor John Albion Andrew 18 May 1863. Includes extracts from Andrew's speech on presenting the regiment standards, in which he declares "These men, sir, have now, in the Providence of God, given to them an opportunity, which, while it is personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for the whole race of men." Honors Shaw and the 54th by stating "The conduct of these troops at Fort Wagner and elsewhere proved…

GLC02928.05

23 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

States that he is "mortified" that Sargent declined the office of Adjutant and Inspector General. He does not know who will be appointed. Discusses Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest territory. Writes, "When I last saw the governor, he seemed undecided whether he should return until the fall - but I hope he will as his stay here will excite disa[illegible] sensations in the minds of some people." Also talks about officers who lost their horses in action at the Battle of Wabash (St. Claire's defeat, 4 November 1791) and have not been compensated yet. The last page is a later copy…

GLC02437.05556

April 28, 1942 - January 19, 1945

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Header Record

Title: [Collection of WWII letters of Sidney Diamond to Estelle Spero] [decimalized]

Sidney Diamond (1922-1945) enlisted in mid-April 1942, interrupting the chemical engineering degree that he was undertaking at City College. Diamond was sent to the South Pacific in June 1943, where he served as First Lieutenant to the Eighty-Second Chemical Battalion. On January 29th 1945, Diamond was killed by a Japanese knee mortar while acting as a forward observer during an assault on Fort Stotsenburg, north of Manila. Throughout his time in service, Sidney maintained an epistolary correspondence with Estelle Spero, his sweetheart and subsequently fiancée, the letters from which she…

GLC09120

8 May 1792

United States. Congress

Printed document

Title: [House Report on St. Clair's Expedition]

House inquiry, led, by Mr. [Thomas] FitzSimons concerning the failure of an expedition under General Arthur St. Clair. Gives a report on what happened that day and all of the circumstances that led to the failure of the expedition. Noted as an extract from the [House] journal and signed in print by John Beckley, clerk with extensive handwritten annotations (many referencing a revised report) by Henry Knox.

GLC02437.10590

13 March 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to "Dear Darling Bell." Comments how fast her letter reached him, "...not three days on the road...." Proclaims his love for her and imagines her lips. Says he received three other letters from friends and relatives and relays their news to her. Reports the Mississippi River is very high and still rising, enabling the boats to travel quickly. Informs a man in his regiment died of typhoid after surviving the Battle at Nashville. Comments "I don't think it is an exhausting business for you to write two letters a week- and I don't think it would hurt you to write three."

GLC03523.10.171