10 December 1862

Blair, Francis Preston, Jr., 1821-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair

Informs his father that he is leaving for Helena tonight to meet up with his command. Discusses the disposition of his property in case he is killed in battle. Provides for his wife and children. States, "I do not look forward with any despondency or apprehension but simply suggest what I think will not be disagreeable to you & will be some consolation to me."

GLC03209.06

23 March 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Letter signed

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne while an American prisoner after his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 to Major General William Heath as commander of the Convention Army (prisoners of war from the battle of Saratoga) around Boston. Apologizes for sending another dispatch so quickly after his previous one, but asks him to send along the enclosed letters (not included here) without any loss of time. Also asks Heath to send him along a good sailing boat to go to Cape Cod and that he will pay any expenses associated with the trip. Burgoyne left Boston for Britain on 5 April 1778. He…

GLC03231

23 August 1778

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Expresses surprise at the news that "Count D'Estaing has abandoned us in the present Enterprise." At Sullivan's request gives his opinion on the situation, saying he feels the siege of Newport is not worth continuing without the French fleet, since he expects British reinforcements soon. Instead suggests an immediate attack, for which he details his strategy. Opposes a retreat but in case "the General Council be of a different opinion" he lays out a plan for retreat as well. General Sullivan posed this question to a number of officers. In GLC04845 he writes William Whipple and asks his…

GLC03232

August 29, 1778

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports that his son left the recipient's horse at Daggets instead of at Sanfords in Bristol, where William Ellery had promised to deliver it in his last letter as his part in the "Newport Expedition." Comments on General John Sullivan and the withdrawal of Charles, Count d'Estaing, from the siege of Newport. Tells him he has heard from Philadelphia that the French Ambassador has met with an audience of Congress. Asks for any news he can be given and indicates that he has heard New York is to be evacuated by the British. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC03236

13 November 1777

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Written by Gerry as delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress to Warren as a member of the Continental Navy Board. References Warren's letter of 23 October 1777, in which he found news of General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga earlier that month. In that letter Warren expressed misgivings about the terms of surrender that General Horatio Gates gave to Burgoyne, known as the Articles of Convention. Gerry says he had the same misgivings, but says Gates was justified in giving generous terms because Sir Henry Clinton was making moves to reinforce Burgoyne. Says that they…

GLC03239

25 July 1776

McIntosh, Lachlan, 1725-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Also addressed to Lieutenant Seixas (possibly Abraham Mendez Seixas). Colonel McIntosh, commander of American forces in Georgia, replies to a letter from General Lee, Southern Department Commander. Mentions Colonel Samuel Elbert, also active in Georgia. States that an informant "saw a Fifty Gun Ship yesterday afternoon sailing on our Barr into the River, where four other Ships lay at anchor ... I imagine those Gentry will not be guilty a second time of the same delay as in Carolina ... " Relates that in his opinion, this is the fleet from Charleston, South Carolina. In a post script,…

GLC03255

24 December 1781

Johnson, J., fl. 1782

Newspaper

Title: The Salisbury and Winchester Journal [Monday, December 24, 1781]

Includes news related to the Battle of Yorktown. Publishes a letter from Lord Cornwallis to Henry Clinton dated 20 October 1781, in which Cornwallis announced his defeat. Prints several items of correspondence between Cornwallis and George Washington (related to the British captiulation at Yorktown) from October 1781. Also includes news from the House of Commons and various announcements and advertisments.

GLC03517

6 August 1863

Couch, Darius Nash, 1822-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Offers to give his recommendation regarding the recipient's character, but cannot testify to his bravery at Fair Oaks. The recipient's name is illegible, however he was a Captain in the Thirty Sixth New York Volunteers.

GLC03476.02

18 July 1862

Trobriand, Régis de, 1816-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin D. Morgan

Commending Captain George G. Williams for his service, especially his bravery at Malvern Hill. Mounted on paper 29.5 x 20 cm.

GLC03477.01

1888

Kurz & Allison

Print

Title: Battle of Antietam

Depicts fighting between Union and Confederate troops near the small stone bridge that crossed the Antietam. Mounted on heavy cardboard backing.

GLC03487

25 May 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Written at Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant writes to Sherman in the early days of the siege of Vicksburg. Relates he ordered Colonel Johnson to ascertain the number of Confederate troops north of the Black River, and to burn a bridge over the river, leaving Haynes' Bluff without a garrison. Writes "I deem that point of so much importance that I am willing to weaken our force here rather that to leave it unoccupied." Orders Sherman to send a brigade to assist in fortifying the bluff. Endorsed by Sherman, who orders Tuttle (possibly General…

GLC03512

May 10, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Broadside

Title: [Broadside version of a letter to Braxton Bragg]

Printed broadside version of a letter from Beauregard to Braxton Bragg encouraging aggressive tactics. Bragg had the letter printed as a broadside "for the information and guidance of this army." States "When without orders or at a loss to know what to do in action, they must rapidly advance in the direction of the heaviest firing-for the art of war consists in the concentration of masses against fractions of masses; moreover, our motto should be 'Forward, and always forward,' until victory may perch decisively upon our banners. The more rapid the attack, the weaker, habitually, the…

GLC03514

September 24, 1780

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dirck Romeyn

Varick says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. He says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss,…

GLC03265

6 August 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Broadside

Title: General Order No. 12

Written aboard the USS Hartford. Rear Admiral Farragut, as commander of the Western Gulf Blockade Squadron, sends thanks to the crews under his command for their conduct during the Battle of Mobile Bay, which took place on 5 August 1864. Remarks that despite having "witnessed the almost instantaneous annihilation of our gallant companions in the Tecumseh by a torpedo, and the slaughter of their friends, mess-mates and gun-mates on our decks, still there were no evidences of hesitation in following their Commander-in-Chief through the line of torpedoes and obstructions." See GLC04664.01 for…

GLC03310

7 July 1863

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: New York tribune. [Vol. 23, no. 6944 (July 7, 1863)]

"The Great Victory" at Gettysburg including a battlefield map with full accounts and lists of the dead and wounded. Reports from Meade, Kilpatrick, Couch, cavalry attacks, Lee's retreat, the Army of the Cumberland. Discussion of Vicksburg and an imminent battle there. Includes reports from Europe on page 5. Features stamp of "H. Wooster".

GLC03118

20 November 1863

New York Tribune, 1841-1842

Newspaper

Title: New York semi-weekly tribune. [Vol. 21, no. 1,929 (November 20, 1863)]

Provides a complete printing of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (page eight), preceded by a full printing of Edward Everett's address, also delivered 19 November 1863 in dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, located in Pennsylvania. Includes articles on women and work, Napoleon III of France, and various Civil War battles among other topics. This newspaper is fragile, with several areas of discoloration and several tears in the creases.

GLC03121

2 March 1945

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated March 2, 1945. He mentioned receiving letters from them Lorraine Fencil, Marguerite Graeff, Florence Huber, Robert Winemiller and Dick Miller. Dick, Robert Winemiller, and Wayne Stouffer are all in the same sector around Luxembourg. Dick is trying to visit them but having no luck. Dick also mentions an engagement to his girlfriend of two years from England. He has been trying to get back to England to get married. Leonard thanks Susan and Raymond for the newspaper clippings and photographs of snow.…

GLC09611.408

30 March 1862

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unnamed Union General hoping he improves from his wounds and stating his importance to the Union cause. Addressed simply to "Dear General," who was recently wounded while fighting Stonewall Jackson's forces. States that his recovery is essential to the Union's success in the war. Docket notes "A friendly letter."

GLC03817.01

22 December 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document

Title: to the Army of the Potamac

Printed executive order congratulating the Army of the Potomac for bravery during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lincoln writes that "Although you were not successful, the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than an accident."

GLC03825

9 January 1777

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Henry Lee

Written by Henry as Governor of Virginia to Lee as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress. Sends congratulations about Washington's victory at Trenton on 25 December 1776. Observes that the people of Virginia are firm. Believes a great number of volunteers can still be found. Hopes enlistments may be filled, but doubts it will happen quickly. Says the Cherokees are humbled, but fears hostilities will break out around Pittsburgh, and he has prepared accordingly. Says arms and woolens are needed. Says "I do indeed pity your situation ... Let me tell you that altho yr Fatigue is…

GLC03869

July 17, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Richard S. Ewell

Brigadier General Commanding Beauregard writes to General Ewell to give instructions on troop position and permit an attack on Centreville, if the opportunity arises. Letter written shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run.

GLC03782

circa 1780

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Manuscript

Title: Order of Battle

Organizational chart of General LaFayette's battle plan for reconnaissance down the west side of the Hudson River. Includes references to Brigadier Generals Hand, Poor, and Parsons, and Major Generals Lord Stirling (William Alexander), St. Clair, and Steuben.

GLC03796

circa 1828

Bowen, A., fl. 1828

Print

Title: A View of Col. Johnson's engagement with the savages

Wood block of early engagement in the War of 1812 between American troops and Indians commanded by Tecumseh, near the Moravian town, 10/5/1812. Actual battle took place in 1813, so there is a error in the printed title. Print was published circa 1828.

GLC03798

27 July 1863

Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence, 1828-1914

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick Locke

Asks for a 20 day leave of absence to recover his health following Gettysburg.

GLC03801.05

January 23, 1864

Allen, Littleberry W., fl. 1864

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: A Brief sketch of the war with the U.S. and of Battles in which I have been engaged or which I visited before the Dead Were Buried.

Signed by Allen as a Confederate prisoner of war and dated Johnsons Island, Ohio January 23rd, 1864. Allen signs as a captain in the Independent Cavalry of Virginia. He writes in the preface, "It is very hastily and therefore very imperfectly written as it was done amid a Bedlam of confusion: But being profoundly impressed with the mighty Struggle and being confidently hopeful of its grand success, I the more cheerfully write for my children that in after Years they may enter upon and enjoy the labors & sufferings of their Fathers; as I used to do when I was a child, to sit and listen…

GLC03811