circa 1791

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expense/supply report and a copied letter written by Hodgdon]

Copy of a report written by Sargent as Adjutant General. Discusses Samuel Hodgdon's role as Quartermaster for the army raised for General Arthur St. Clair's 1791 Western expedition. Contains a letter from Hodgdon to Henry Knox, Secretary of War. Final page contains a morning report for the army commanded by St. Clair 89 miles from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10356

June 5, 1864

Kirby-Smith, Edmund, 1824-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

General Smith writes to Davis, Confederate President. Relates that General Walker (possibly William Henry Talbot Walker) was informed by General Thomas Neville Waul that Davis attributes him (Walker) with the failure to assist in the relief of Vicksburg. Writes "It is but justice to a gallant & efficient officer that this impression should be removed.- The blame, if it rests anywhere, is with myself & Genl Taylor, the Depart & District Commanders." Relates that while marching from Arkansas to Alexandria, Virginia, Walker had asked for permission to act with his Division against…

GLC01707

circa 1853-1897

Header Record

Title: Collection pertaining to John and Nathaniel Collins McLean [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC01740.05.01 and .02 were previously attached together with metal clips. These two letters discuss Nathaniel McLean's participation in the Battle of Second Manassas (McLean outlines events which took place under his command on Bald Hill, 30 August 1862). Contains a leave of absence granted to N. McLean during the Civil War (.03), and a biographical sketch of John McLean (.04).

GLC01740.05

February 15, 1779

Howe, Robert, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John F. Grimké

Letter written by Major General Howe as Commander of the Southern Department after the defeat at Savannah, Georgia that led to his court martial (he was later exonerated). Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Grimké as Deputy Adjunct General for South Carolina and Georgia. He acknowledges Grimké's last letter and tells him to send future correspondence to the President of Congress. He is travelling north to Philadelphia after the popular outcry against him for the loss at Savannah. He hopes they can remain friends after he leaves. Mentions that "the present Patriot" - meaning John Rutledge, who was…

GLC01764

July 9, 1780

De Kalb, Johann, 1721-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Caswell

Letter signed as "Baron de Kalb." Writes to Major General Caswell about the Camden campaign. Discusses trouble procuring provisions. Judges that it would not be prudent to travel "not even to Cole's bridge with our whole Body of Troops, for we durst not expose parties of Collecting Provisions, when the Enemies are So near, So Superior in Cavalry & for what I know in Infry; if you would chuse not to go as far as Cole's Bridge but halt Where you now are...We might with propriety reassure our plan for Coxe's." Notes that he will send back some artillery to lighten their traveling load. Also…

GLC01766

September 5, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Col. A. C. Moore

Lee writes a letter to Moore discussing preparations for the Battle of Cheat Mountain. Moore commanded the 29th Regiment of Va. Vols. The Battle of Cheat Mountain was Lee's first campaign of the war.

GLC01769

July 20, 1861

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife, Jane, of his travels from Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., through Alexandria with a company of 120 men, supported by artillery men from Rhode Island Governor William Sprague's "celebrated Rhode Island Battery." States that he is in camp south of Alexandria, and will march for Fairfax Court House in the morning en route to Bull Run. Reports that the previous day at Bull Run, the Union lost several hundred men, while Confederate forces lost over one thousand. Refers to the actions of the New York and Massachusetts 8th Regiments. Writes, "A Desperate fight has been…

GLC01505.01

July 10, 1863

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Informs his wife that he arrived in Washington, D. C. the previous day. Referring to his introduction to Colonel Windham, an Englishman, he states "I hate foreigners particularly the dutch- Windham offered me a very nice place but I asked to be sent to the field." Received orders to report to General [George] Mead[e]. States that only three officers (Solen, Carpenter, and Balk) of the 6th United States Cavalry were not killed, wounded, or captured. Describes injuries sustained by Balder, McQuisten, Claflin, Cram, Paulding, and Chaffee, stating that only 108 men are left in the regiment.…

GLC01505.02

May 8, 1814

Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Edward Mitchell

Major General Brown notes receiving Colonel Mitchell's letter reporting the British capture of Oswego, New York, at the Battle of Big Sandy during the War of 1812. Indicates that he is satisfied with Mitchell's actions against the superior British forces. Discusses military plans and mentions the location of the enemy fleet, directs an express be established. "…with this reinforcement you will be able to make the enemy pay dearly…"

GLC01469

30 June 1780

Avery, John, 1739-1806

Broadside

Title: [Massachusetts Order to recruit aid to fight against the British in New Jersey]

One broadside from Massachusetts calling for recruiters, officers and town selectmen who "are fired with love of Freedom and scorn to be Slaves" to fight against the British army in Morristown, New Jersey. Message printed by John Avery.

GLC01495

1862-1868

Header Record

Title: Items pertaining to James Sanks Brisbin. [Decimalized .01-.04 (20 items)]

GLC01504

August 11, 1862

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Captain Brisbin writes to his wife following the Battle of Malvern Hill, which he describes as "the memorable occasion when General [George] McClellan changed his base of operations from the York to the James River." Refers to Captain Kantz (possibly August V. Kantz), Captain Gregg, and [Lieutenant Kermin]. Describes the stench of rotting corpses and witnessing the death of a severely wounded soldier. Recounts delivering his Company to safety during a mission by ordering them to take off their blue shirts, exposing grey shirts underneath, thus disguising themselves as Confederate soldiers.…

GLC01504.01

1864-1868

Mills, Albert L., 1854-1916

Header Record

Title: [Collection of typed military transcripts regarding James Sanks Brisbin] [Decimalized .01-.17]

These records are typed and witnessed by Albert L. Mills, first Lieutenant and adjutant of the first cavalry. Includes information regarding General James Sanks Brisbin's service in the Civil War. Brisbin's leadership, possible promotion in rank, wounds obtained during battle, and success as a recruiter are discussed, among other topics. These documents are written by Brisbin and by various political and governmental officials. These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

GLC01504.02

April 11, 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Discusses the Battle of Sabine Crossroads with Jane, his wife. Writes, "We have had a great battle. Three days fighting. The 1st day we whipped them. The 2nd day they whipped us and the third day we whipped them. The fighting was dreadful and we have lost terribly. In the 2nd days fight, my horse had his head blown off by a shell and fell on me holding me fast. I came near being captured but got my leg out from under him and mounted on a rebel horse whose rider had been shot, I escaped from the field. I have the horse, saddle and bridle." States his company lost supplies and personal money in…

GLC01505.05

September 22, 1864

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Brisbin

Brisbin informs his wife, Jane, that his regiment arrived at Mount Sterling that day, and that they leave for the battle front (possibly referring to an advance on Saltville, Virginia) under General Stephen Gano Burbridge tomorrow. Writes, "The expedition has so far been badly managed and I fear will be a failure." Relates that General McClean (possibly Nathaniel Collins McLean) fares poorly. States "If I fall in the Expedition I have some money in Lilfords Bank" located in Lexington, Kentucky.

GLC01505.06

September 18, 1866

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Pierce, former President of the United States, discusses General Porter's court martial and conviction for his actions at the Battle of Second Manassas. Writes, "There are reasons why I am disinclined at at [sic] present to address any request to the President, altho' I concur with his views upon the issues which now particularly Engross the public mind." Transmits a "brief expression of my convictions with regard to yourself- your services and the infamous sentence with which these services have been rewarded" (document not present). Remarks that if Porter wishes, he may send the enclosed…

GLC01513

May 18, 1862

Hardee, William Joseph, 1815-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sterling Alexander Martin Wood

Confederate General Hardee discusses the impending battle of Corinth. Explains that his sickness, and "the possibility that I might be unable to command this army corps," makes establishing a chain of succession vital. He thanks Wood for relinquishing his claim to command to Bushrod Johnson. Hardee then commanded the 3rd Corps, Army of the Mississippi.

GLC01642

September 1, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Lyons

Davis informs Lyons that General Robert E. Lee sent a dispatch indicating that General William B. Taliaferro was slightly wounded at Manassas Junction (during the second Battle of Manassas, AKA Bull Run). He does not want Lyons to be alarmed by "exaggerated reports." Lyons was a representative from Virginia in the Confederate Congress.

GLC01651

December 26, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances Lucretia Thomas

Letter addressed to Mrs. Thomas (possibly Frances Thomas, formerly Kellogg), wife of Union General George H. Thomas. Tower, chief engineer of the defenses of Nashville, describes the December 15-16 Battle of Nashville. Thomas, commanding Union forces at Nashville against Confederate General John Bell Hood. Referring to Thomas, he writes "to inform you how beautifully matters have transpired here since you left & how glorious the Gen has demolished the Rebel Army of Hood who had the presumption to fancy it in his power to besiege Nashville..." Mentions Generals John McAllister Schofield (…

GLC01654

7 May 1863

Manuscript

Title: [Casualties of Battle of Chancellorsville May 2 & 3, 1863]

Field report listing soldiers killed, wounded, and missing from the First Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers Infantry in the Civil War Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Contains the name, rank, and company of each soldier. Lists nine men as being killed on either 2 or 3 May 1863, 44 wounded with remarks on the injury sustained, and 42 identified as missing. Created at camp near Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC01655

20 June 1862

Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Report on Battle of Shiloh]

General Wood's explanation of his own actions at the Battle of Shiloh, sent to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The report appears to be in response to negative testimony about Wood's conduct given by Judge Walters. Wood details all of his own actions during the battle, and denies the charges Walters has made. Wood describes the chaos that surrounded the entire battle, and the actions of himself and his regiment, mostly around Shiloh Church. Written at "Head Quarters 3d Brigade." The pages are joined by a ribbon.

GLC01666

circa 1862-1864

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [List of articles lost or destroyed, in the Public Service, at Nashville Tennessee]

Enumerates articles, such as axes, tin cups, tin plates, and forks and knives, which were lost in the public service. In a column marked "Circumstances and Cause," refers to a Voucher No. 1 and a Voucher No. 2, which are not present. Signed as military governor of Tennessee and Brigadier General, and countersigned by Quartermaster F.H. Rugar.

GLC01678

September 9, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Mora Gross

Sherman discusses cadet appointments to West Point for Mora's nephew (the Military Academy did not fill the slots left by seceding states with candidates from loyal states) and how his influence has lessened since commanding a defeated brigade at the battle of Bull Run. He also briefly alludes to his current help to Gen. Robert Anderson in Kentucky and his feeling that "[w]e are in for a long & bloody Civil War."

GLC01686

November 3, 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louis Janin

Benjamin informs his friend Janin, who is in Paris, of the death of his son Eugene Janin at the battle of Antietam. "He fell in the battle of Sharpsburg...doing his duty to his country in the front ranks...He was wounded so severely...it was found impossible to convey him and he was left...with not a hope of recovery." Eugene is buried "with numbers of the other victims to the Carnage now which the insensate ferocity of the accursed and demoniac Yankees now wage against us." Letter written on "Confederate States of America, Department of State," stationary. Military records indicate that…

GLC01697

July 20, 1862

Hay, John, 1838-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Jay

Letter written while serving as Assistant Secretary to President Abraham Lincoln to a family friend. Writes of General George McClellan and his failed Peninsula campaign, "...What a wretched conclusion of all our little General's boasting addresses and orders have we seen on the bloody banks of the Chickahominy! Sad as is the result to himself and the country..." Mentions General David Hunter's attempt to emancipate enslaved people, "How gloriously General Hunter has justified my statement that the future would prove his soundness in hatred of Slavery..." Hints of the coming of Lincoln's…

GLC01569