29 August 1862

Newspaper

Title: The Troy daily press. [Vol. 1 (August 29, 1863)]

Fort Sumter's surrneder, Pemberton's death

GLC08429.17

14 April 1865

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: The New York daily tribune. [Vol. XXV, no. 7495 (14 April 1865)]

Covers General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox in detail. Includes an account of the events leading up to the surrender and the terms of the surrender. Publishes articles on the dawn of peace, reconstruction, the Battle of Fort Sumter 12-13 April 1861, and other news surrounding the surrender and end of the Civil War. Includes an article on the proposed exploration of the North Pole. Other articles detail local, international, political, court, and ship news, advertisements, and public announcements. Issue is uncut.

GLC08429.20

16 August 1864

Newspaper

Title: New York semi-weekly tribune. [Vol. 19, no. 2006 (August 16, 1864)]

Farragut's victory at Mobile.

GLC08429.24

27 December 1864

Newspaper

Title: New York semi-weekly tribune. [Vol. 19, no. 2044 (December 27, 1864)]

capture of Savannah

GLC08429.25

17 September 1864

Harper & Brothers, 1833-1962

Newspaper

Title: Harper's weekly. [Vol. VIII, no. 403 (September 19, 1864)]

Cover illustration entitled, "Harry Davis Capturing the Battle-Flag of the Thirtieth Louisiana Regiment, at the Battle of Ezra Church." Includes articles on General William T. Sherman, the presidential election of 1864, General George McClellan, and Admiral David G. Farragut. Contains a map showing the field of operations under Ulysses S. Grant, Sherman, and Farragut. Includes sketches of McClellan, Farragut, and other subjects throughout. Also prints literary items such as poems and excerpts of stories.

GLC08430.05

circa 1911

Goff, Albert H., fl. 1842-?

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Description of the Battle of Mobile Bay]

Goff served as a 3rd Assistant Engineer aboard the USS "Chickasaw" during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Looking back at age 69, Goff provides an account of the battle. Relates that the "Chickasaw," an ironclad monitor, was ordered to take a position between Fort Morgan and the wooden vessels to protect them the fort's batteries. Says that "Then the fight was on & How vicously [sic] that water batter fired at us! I could feel their 10 ince shot and shell strike our turrets and side armor. I could hear the whir of the balls as they passed over our decks. Realizing there were torpedoes…

GLC08431

circa August 1861

Paris, George, fl. 1861

Map

Title: [Depicts the First Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas Plains, fought 21 July 1861]

Sketched in pencil and ink, with a later note describing Paris as a Mississippi soldier. Includes locations, camps, and positioning of troops. Inscribed on verso to George's mother Mary C. Paris.

GLC08432

February 3, 1781

Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794

Letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Von Steuben as the senior Continental officer in Virginia to General Greene as commander in the Southern Department. References Greene's letter of January 24, 1781. Congratulates Greene on his army's recent victory at Cowpens and in the race to the Dan River. Says the traitorous General Benedict Arnold's incursions in Virginia were causing him problems and keeping him from reinforcing Greene's army. Says the troops he wanted to send off on January 15, 1781 will not be ready until February 20, 1781. Mentions changes in his command and says General Robert Lawson will relieve General…

GLC00140

April 4, 1848

Burnett, Wellington Cleveland, 1829-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes about his enlistment and his promotion to sergeant. Tells his family about his ability to learn the drills faster than anyone in his company and mentions having seen combat. Discusses camp life, rations, and not having a uniform. Mentions the possibility of a promotion to lieutenant. Impression in the upper left-hand corner of an eagle clutching a scroll with a picture of a galleon.

GLC00155.01

1847

M., Murguia, fl. 1847

Map

Title: [Map of the part of the valley of Mexico which has been a field of battle]

Black-inked lithograph map of Mexico with route of armies in brown, blue and green inks. Denotes military travel during August and September of 1847. On back, note by Wellington Cleveland Burnett explaining locations. On front, cardinal directions written in margins by Burnett. Captions written in English, French, and Spanish. Mounted on cardboard backing with frame, mounted size is 40.8 x 46 cm.

GLC00155.02

April 7, 1883

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. E. Blair

Former President Hayes thanks Professor Blair for sending an article discussing the Civil War battle at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Corrects misinformation contained within the article, stating "The firing on Sumter in Charleston Harbor began Friday morning 12th April- the surrender was the next day Saturday. All day Saturday the whole North was aware of the attack and its details were discussed amid great Excitement in all the large cities."

GLC00162.04

June 11, 1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Writes to his wife that he "wept like a child" when reading her last letter. Expresses his thoughts before going into battle on route to Gettysburg. Discusses his concerns about his possible death, the welfare of his family, and his diminished wealth. Exclaims, "If my life be spared, we will have to return & live humbly & economically - If not spared, Oh! My Lord! What will become of my Dear, My Dear Family?" Mentions his life insurance policy and states that since his life is so uncertain, it might be best to renew it despite the cost. Sends love to the children and stresses the need…

GLC00101

circa 1776-1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dighton, Massachusetts]

Signed "W.E." Discusses his travels and expenses through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Contains descriptions of Moravian settlements near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; imprisoned Tories at Newton, New Jersey; room and board at Fishkill, New York; and news of General William Howe's evacuation of New York. William Whipple accompanied him on his trip.

GLC00107.01

June 28, 1778-July 23, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Journal of William Ellery's journey from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts]

Discusses his travels through Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, southern New York State, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Massachusettes. Describes the defeat of Sir Henry Clinton at the Battle of Monmouth and speaks of Philadelphia's mood after its liberation. Mentions Elbridge Gerry and Francis Dana, members of the Continental Congress. Item in original brown wrappers fastened with a pin.

GLC00107.03

January 29, 1813

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Morrison

William Henry Harrison writes to the deputy quartermaster in Franklinton, Ohio regarding matters of money, supplies, and ordnance. Optimistically describes his plans for the upcoming battle of Fort George. Notes that the cold is impeding his writing.

GLC00127

October 21, 1862

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Gives instructions to his wife to secure their property from the Union occupation of General Benjamin Butler during the Civil War. Directs her to go immediately across the Mississippi river to their plantation. Doubts that the Federals have visited the plantation yet but believes it possible that Dye (possibly the overseer) has run off. "...or, if he has remained at the plantation, that some of the negroes have run off to the Yankees." Advises that if she cannot get to the plantation, to secure any property and move the negroes. If she cannot stay on the plantation, he tells her to rent a…

GLC00175

October 31, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Lee provides a brief list of his recollections of the events during the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) August 29-30, 1862 in response to a request from Union General Fitz-John Porter. Union General John Pope refused to take the blame for the defeat, and charged Porter with misconduct at the Second Bull Run for not following his orders. Porter was placed under house arrest and was convicted. To aid his defense, Porter wrote to everyone involved in the battle and requested their recollections. Written while Lee was president of Washington College, later Washington and Lee. Excerpt: 1st.…

GLC00214.01

February 15, 1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nicholas Cooke

William Ellery voices concern about the financing of the national debt and the issuance of paper money. He has found in Congress some interest in naval defense. The American army is at Morristown and the British army is at Brunswick. There have been skirmishes. In one, the Americans would have defeated the enemy if not for the cowardice of Colonel Buckner, possibly Mordecai Buckner of Virginia. In another, the Colonial Commandant of the British was killed. Comments that their army on the east side of the Hudson has had to retire to White Plains because of the inclement weather. Comments on a…

GLC00202

1862-1865

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Edwin Jackson, D company, 6th regiment, Minnesota, infantry] [decimalized]

Fighting the Sioux [18 letters]. Edwin Jackson 6th Regt. Minn. Vols. collection of letters, many written on patriotic stationery. Very detailed and descriptive accounts of Indian atrocities against civilians and battles. On 12 October 1862, he writes "we found men women and children all along the road...the Indians killed them with a Club I have the club, when I got it there were Blood some of the brain and pieces of skul bones in the wood and still another case of a poor woman that was in the family way they killed her cut her head off placed it betw in her legs cut the child out of…

GLC00203

October 5, 1862

Stevens, Whitfield, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Archabald Wade

Whitfield Stevens, a Confederate soldier from Company A of the 4th Virginia Infantry (Stonewall Brigade) writes to his grandfather (letter addressed "Dear Granpa") and sends his letter in a "Yanky Envelope." Written from "Camp Bunkers Hill" outside of Winchester, Virginia. Mentions that his regiment has been badly wounded and predicts that they only have one big fight left in them before they break for winter.

GLC00220

July 1863

O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882

Photograph

Title: A Harvest of death, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by T. H. O'Sullivan

From Gardner's Photographic History, "No.36. July 1863"

GLC00244

circa 1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Battle of Gettysburg, Pa July 3rd 1863.

Handcolored lithograph, possibly contemporary with the battle. Depicts the men engaged in battle. Includes a brief paragraph describing the battle and the commanders on each side, Union and Confederate.

GLC00248

1890

Kurz & Allison

Print

Title: Battle of New Orleans

Published by Kurz & Allison at 76 & 78 Wabash Avenue in Chicago. Depicts General Andrew Jackson, on a white horse, leading his troops in the defense of New Orleans on 8 January 1815, the last major battle of the War of 1812. The American troops are a ragtag group of soldiers, some in uniform, others in frontier garb, and still others in civilian clothes. They crouch behind bales of cotton as neat rows of British troops, under Major General Edward Pakenham, charge to their death. A sword-wielding officer is struck by a round leading the British charge (this is probably not Pakenham…

GLC00249.01

1891

Kurz & Allison

Print

Title: Battle of Stones River

Published by Kurz & Allison at 76 & 78 Wabash Avenue in Chicago. Full title is: "Battle of Stone River. Near Murfreesborough, Tenn." Seems to have been partially hand colored. Depicts Major General William S. Rosencrans on a black horse directing the battle on the left side of the image. Shows the Confederates attacking Union soldiers, who are on slightly higher ground. This is before the Union troops were pushed back across the Stone River. Fighting is taking place in the background beyond the river, mostly by calvary and artillery. Railroad tracks run parallel to the river.…

GLC00249.02

September 20, 1779

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sydney Lee

Marked No. 31 in a different hand. Written by the discredited Continental General in retirement on his farm in Virginia to "my dear Sister." Recipient inferred as Sydney Lee, his only sister. Mentions his experiences during the Revolution and defends his honor. Says "I feel for the horrid ravages & desolation I have been witness of, on this Continent" and expressing Tory sympathies claims "I feel for the Empire of G. Britain, for its glory[,] We[l]fare & existence; I feel for the fortunes of my Friends and relations." Claims he cannot talk about politics because the letter will be…

GLC00251