13 May 1861

Crawford, Samuel Wylie, 1829-1892

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of the surrender of Fort Sumter]

Firsthand account of the negotiations for the surrender of Fort Sumter. Details conversation between Major Robert Anderson and Captain Lee negotiating terms of surrender. Finishes Crawford's narrative begun in GLC01127.01. Recounts the conversation between Captain Lee and Major Anderson. Anderson had already told Louis Wigfall he would surrender, but Wigfall was not actually sent by Beauregard. Lee was Beauregard's true emissary, and he and Anderson agreed on the official terms of surrender. Also lists men wounded on 13 April as Thomas Kernin, James Hays, and Edward Galloway, here…

GLC01127.03

8 November 1767-1785

Sylvester, Deborah, fl. 1760-1785

Header Record

Title: Collection of items belonging to Deborah Sylvester [Decimalized .01-.02.08]

GLC01144

October 14, 1776

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Robinson

Wayne writes just as the British are approaching Fort Ticonderoga for an attack. "I have just time to inform you that the Enemy are approaching - the shattered remains of our fleet arrived last night." Eleven of the sixteen ships were lost, as well as two hundred men. "The whole body of the Enemy are now within two hours march of us - and we expect to see them every moment." He promises that "the contest will be warn and bloody - they out number us - but if we are too die - we are enough - and if to conquer the few men the greater than of Honor." Says he is sending Robinson's brother away,…

GLC01154

July 1776 - December 9,1777

Tilden, Ezra, 1751-1819

Diary

Title: [Diary of Ezra Tilden]

Provides a detailed day by day account of Tilden's march through New York during the Revolutionary War. Writes extensively about daily duties, poor rations, hunger, hardships along the march, sickness and death amongst the soldiers, and the demoralized spirit of the men. Possibly writes something about the cruelty of the officers in code on p. 34 by mixing the letters of the words. Includes lists of towns he passed through (p. 12, 49, 107, 141), an item by item list of contents of his pack (p. 9), a list of the monthly wages for each military rank (p. 54), rations for each soldier (p. 55…

GLC01450.004

May 17, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Tecumseh Sherman

General Grant, leading operations against Vicksburg, writes to General Sherman the day following the Battle of Champion Hill, and the same day as the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, both Union victories. Informs Sherman, commander of the 15th corps, Army of the Tennessee, "Our bridges here will not be ready to cross before daylight in the morning. Secure a commanding position on the West bank of Black River as soon as you can. If the information you gain after crossing warrants you in believing that you can go immediately into the city do so. If there is any doubt in this matter throw out…

GLC01309

April 10, 1864

Lindsay, A.G., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. John G. Walker

Lindsay writes on behalf of General Richard Taylor. Reports on the Battle of Pleasant Hill. States that Confederate troops are now occupying Pleasant Hill and that Union forces have retreated. He lists prisoners taken, captured stores, and Confederate losses. Lindsay signed as Major and Acting Assistant Inspector General, District of Louisiana. Includes a collateral biographical note written at a later date.

GLC01405

24 August 1775

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Refers to the present dangerous affairs due to British barbarity. Alludes to "the Bravery of the peasants of Lexington." Describes the investment of a colonial army led by Washington and the beginnings of a representative government in Massachusetts.

GLC01800.02

August 22, 1814

Beall, William Dent, 1757-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Lieutenant Colonel Beall reports on the British advance into Marlboro, Maryland, and the strength of the British force. Also requests money. Adds in a postscript: "It is of great importance that Col. Hood should march immediately. The Flotilla is in ashes & the men with General Winder." Letter written in the field two days before the Battle of Bladensburg, where Beall commanded. The American defeat at Bladensburg allowed British forces to enter Washington, D.C.

GLC01836.01

January 15, 1861

Townsend, Aurelia W., 1820-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benson John Lossing

Indicates that she is sending two engravings of General William H. Winder to Lossing. Also suggests sources for Lossing's historical research on the War of 1812 and indicates that Mrs. Winder (Gertrude Polk Winder) is forwarding contacts to Townshend's mother. Hopes to exonerate General Winder of perceived errors in his defense of retreat from Washington, D.C., when the city was captured by the British in 1814. Lossing, an historian, published 'The American revolution and the war of 1812' in 1875. Townshend was clearly Winder's kin, but the exact relation is unclear.

GLC01836.02

February 1782

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Map

Title: Plan of the investment of York and Gloucester

Drafted at Washington's request, shortly after the battle of Yorktown, Virginia. Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 189, with references.

GLC01869

1763-1791

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Header Record

Title: Correspondence of Catharine Macaulay [Decimalized .01- .63]

Collection of correspondence of Catharine Macaulay Graham with various people from England, Scotland, France, and America, including a folder of transcripts of letters not included in this collection. Materials in this collection consist of retained drafts, letters received, drafts written on other letters, and some occasional pieces. According to a later note in GLC 1795, these letters were returned by her second husband William Graham to daughter Catharine Sophia Macaulay Gregorie. Some letters are in French. A full inventory is available, and transcripts of some letters are also…

GLC01794

1828

Binns, John, 1772-1860

Broadside

Title: Monumental Inscriptions!

Depicts 6 fictitious funeral monuments, each to a militiamen executed by Jackson on 21 February 1815, after the Battle of New Orleans, for being deserters. The tombstones bear inscriptions detailing how each was a good man and soldier, and regardless of this, was "By the Orders of General Andrew Jackson, Shot to Death." Each monument was supposedly erected on 4 July, 1828. One monument reminds the reader "Let not the splendor of Military renown Blot out from your indignant recollection this bloody deed DONE BY A HERO." Includes a verse at the bottom entitled "Mournful Tragedy." Jackson…

GLC01825

circa 1815

Lee, John T., fl. 1815

Print

Title: View of... the... action between HMS Shannon and USF Chesapeake

Hand-colored aquatint published by G. Webster. The battle was fought near Boston. (Title is abbreviated here.)

GLC01853

1784

Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Map

Title: Sketch of the position of the British forces at Elizabeth-Town Point

Original by John Hill. Oversize engraved map with hand coloring of troop positions. Engraved by Faden. Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 146.

GLC01858

23 July 1864

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

Letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Reports death of Brigadier General James McPherson to General Thomas.

GLC01875.01

30 May 1865

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

Manuscript document

Title: Special field order no. 76

Brigade-level copy of Sherman's farewell message to his troops and orders for their triumphant march, the Grand Review, through Washington, D.C. "The General Commanding announces to the Army of Tennessee, and Georgia, that the time has come for us to part. Our work is done, and armed enemies no longer defy us." Reminisces about past events and battles of the war in which the armies participated, including the famous march from Atlanta to Savannah. Ends by stating, " ... in war you have been good soldiers, so in peace you will make good citizens, and if unfortunately new war should arise…

GLC01909

1 July 1864

Colquitt, Alfred Holt, 1829-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G.G. Grattan

General Colquitt writes from near Petersburg, Virginia to Captain Grattan, a wounded soldier at Richmond, Virginia. Praises Grattan's qualities as a soldier, relates that others speak highly of Grattan. Expresses his wish that Grattan should not resign, and offers to recommend him to the position of assistant adjutant general on his staff. Offers Grattan sympathy, stating that the position of assistant adjutant "will require of you but little riding, exposure or active personal exertion... If you should find after awhile that you cannot go into the field in any capacity, or you be…

GLC01879.01

November 15,1864-December 21, 1864

Harris, Rodney E., fl. 1862-1865

Map signed

Title: Maps Showing the Campaign of the 20th Corps from Atlanta to Savannah with the Dates

Disbound booklet of ten chronological watercolor maps documenting the towns and cities General William T. Sherman passed through on his march to the sea, from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. At the end is a large manuscript account of the march documenting cities they passed through and what they destroyed enroute, such as "passed through Social Circle and Rutledge. Burned R.R. buildings at both places...Laid siege to Savannah...Ft McAllister captured...captured Confed steamer 'Resolute'...Flag of Truce demanding surrender of Savannah...Savannah evacuated in the night." Harris served with…

GLC01888

1861-1862

Mortimer, Caleb C.E., 1835-1862

Header Record

Title: Collection of Caleb C.E. Mortimer, 3rd regiment, Massachusetts, artillery [Decimalized .01-.23]

Mortimer was Lieutenant in the 3rd Massachusetts Artillery, covering action in the Peninsula campaign, skirmishing, casualties, picket duty at Yorktown, Hanover and New Bridge. One letter from 1861 describes capture of the "Steam gun." Most letters have been written to his wife. Includes 22 war-date union soldier letters, 9 envelopes, 1 receipt and 1 envelope that used to contain a photograph.

GLC01898

7 November 1863

Long, Eli, 1837-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Statement of the military service of Colonel Long]

Written when Long commanded the 2nd brigade, 2nd division of Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. Documents Long's service, beginning with his graduation from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1855. Notes his pre-war service, and a post at Fort Riley, Kansas. Remarks, "In my service in the west I think I can safely say that I did as hard duty and as much of it as any Officer of my Regiment." Went to Kentucky for service in February 1862. Mentions Generals Buell, Rosecrans, Stanley, and Crook, among others. Cites the battles of Corinth, Perryville, Chaplin Hill, and Murfreesboro. Writes, "…

GLC01901

29 June 1865

Long, Eli, 1837-1903

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Eugene B. Beaumont

Copy of part of the report on Battle of Selma given to private Henry Prince. A secretary's copy of the official Battle Report from the Battle of Selma, 2 April 1865, signed by Long. Prince is praised for distinguished service, exhibiting "coolness and bravery while in discharge of...duties." Because of this praise the secretary made a personal copy of the report for Prince to keep for himself. On the final page Prince writes an autograph letter signed to his wife "Lizzie" explaining the report and asking her to keep it for him. The copy contains only part of Long's battle report, mostly…

GLC01902

5 July 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

States that Union General Henry W. Halleck reported that the captured dispatches between Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee shows that there is no rebel force left between Lee's Army and Richmond, Virginia. Orders that Scammon "...at once organize a force and send it to cut the Virginia and Tennesse Rail Road." Advises to use his judgment as to the best point to do this and to send a reliable officer to command. U.S. Military Telegraph marked "Cifer," [Cypher] on front. Recipient's copy. Docketed by Scammon. Kelley signs as Brigadier General. Written the day…

GLC01903

1861

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Mentions first Bull Run.

GLC01921.01

1862

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Mentions McClellan, Fair Oaks, Lincoln visit.

GLC01921.02

1863

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Gettysburg, service in Virginia. Mentions coming late to Gettysburg, hard fighting there in Hancock's brigade and rumored loss of Confederate General Longstreet.

GLC01921.03