February 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, transmits announcements (not included) of deaths of soldiers in his company. Informs Curtis, his uncle, of the deaths of Enos Scudder, and fears that Daniel Collins might die soon. Writes "Nearly every one of the wounded are so disabled that they will never be fit for service. Taken all together it was a severe stroke on my company." States that he was surprised to see a previous letter he wrote published in the Telegraph, a newspaper (possibly the Hamilton…

GLC00653.09.04

February 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the editor of the Hamilton Telegraph

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, requests that the editor of the Telegraph publish a message announcing the death of Enos Scudder. Scudder died January 16, 1863 after the Battle of Arkansas Post. Also announces the death of Thomas Deem, who died February 2, 1863. Relates that Jeremiah Reese, who died February 3, 1863, was the first man Gorsuch's company lost from disease. Cites the locations where wounded members of his company are receiving treatment.

GLC00653.09.05

February 12, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, informs his aunt and uncle "I write to you quite frequently, and hear from you but rarely." Transmits a box of things he does not want or need, such as white shirts, a gown, books, and Confederate breast plates. Of the breast plates, he writes "They are worn inside of the vest, and I think are a pretty good sign of a coward... If my flesh is too tender for bullets and shells, then I had better quit soldiering." Predicts that the Curtis's could use the plates,…

GLC00653.09.06

February 23, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, replies to a letter from his aunt and uncle. Relates that two men from his company, Daniel D. Avey and Hillrick G. Walker, died. Reports that previous sanitary supplies sent by the Curtis's were used by other men. Instructs the Curtis's to send future boxes in his care, so soldiers serving under him from Butler County, Ohio, will receive their benefit. Relates that Joe Harris is his present secretary. Relates that he has been busy on General Court Martial duty.…

GLC00653.09.07

March 23, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, replies to a letter from his aunt and uncle. Expects the Battle of Vicksburg to commence soon. Has heard rumors that Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet is ready to cooperate with ground troops against Vicksburg. Doubts whether the Union army will perform as well at Vicksburg as they did at the Battle of Arkansas Post (January 9-11, 1863). Discusses his wages and savings. Discusses money he owes to George Wood, of Delta, Ohio. States "Alphonso wants me in his…

GLC00653.09.08

May 14, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Written in the field between Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, writes to his uncle. He wishes to describe the movement of his troops in detail, but writes that newspapers have covered their activity from Williken's Bend to Perkin's Plantation. He relates that his regiment engaged in the Battle of Port Gibson (May 1, 1863), and suffered no losses. He discusses the battle in detail, expressing pride at compliments on his bravery in battle. He describes the harsh conditions to which he has endured while marching, including lack of…

GLC00653.09.09

June 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Sallie F. H. Keely

Author inferred based on handwriting and content. Gorsuch writes to Sallie, apparently a former member of a Sunday School class he taught in Brookville (possibly Ohio or Indiana). He reminisces about life before the war: "Dear old Brookville... How my heart warms and a smile creeps up to my sober face, at that name, whose very sound fills me with dreamy memories of quiet happy days. I forgot for a moment that I am a soldier, in whose ears have rung, for more than a month, almost unceasingly, the deep roar of artillery, the quick rattle of rifles, the screaming of flying shells, and their…

GLC00653.09.10

June 13, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes to his uncle Joseph during the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He states "My office is perfectly over run with business worse than ever you were 1st of March. In the first place I have to feed all the rebel citizens between here and... Black River... You may believe that this is galling to these bitter secessionists to have to come to a Yankee, and ask for something to eat... Then I have charge of all the prisoners and deserters from the rebel army, and have to examine them as we get them, to get…

GLC00653.09.11

July 4, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Beckett

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his friend the day the Union won the Battle of Vicksburg. He declares "Today is an era in our career as an army, and as individuals, for today Vicksburg has fallen. Long and patiently have we marched, and toiled and fought for this, and it is very fit that on Freedom's Day, Freedom's flag should wave from the parapets of Slavery's boasted redoubt." He mentions his pride of the soldiers he led from Butler County, Ohio as Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He discusses the hardships soldiers had to endure…

GLC00653.09.12

July 11, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his aunt and uncle as his corps attacks Jackson, Mississippi. He writes that the Union army attacked General Joseph E. Johnston's force, which was entrenched at Jackson, the previous day. He reports that Johnston shot a prisoner. Also he relates that as Johnston retreated before the Union army, he killed livestock and threw the carcasses into the water along the road, contaminating the Union's closest water supply. Referring to Johnston, he writes "If he does not soon evacuate we will surround him and have him in the same…

GLC00653.09.13

October 18, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his aunt and uncle in Hamilton, Ohio. He states that his corps will soon embark on the Texas Expedition. He discusses details regarding recruitment of Union soldiers in the South. Administered the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in French to many Louisiana French-speakers. Due to his own ability to speak French, Gorsuch has become popular among the Louisiana soldiers. He discusses the possibility of raising a brigade in Louisiana, and the likelihood that this would advance him in the military and politics much…

GLC00653.09.14

March 29, 1864

Dana, Napoleon Jackson Tecumseh, 1822-1905

Letter

Title: to Joseph B. Gorsuch

A copied letter from General Dana to Gorsuch, Provost Marshal 13th Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Appears to be copied in Gorsuch's hand. Dana writes before he leaves his command on the Texas Gulf to serve elsewhere. He states "I desire before going, to express to you particularly the gratification I have felt at your association with me on my staff, while I was in command of the Corps, and subsequently while I was in command of the Forces on the Coast of Texas. To the high respect I owe you for your extraordinary talents, I add admiration for the unusually industrious and persevering manner…

GLC00653.09.15

20 August 1864

Lesourd, Elisha, 1842-1888

Document signed

Title: [Resolutions passed at a meeting of Company I, 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry]

Sergeant Lesourd and Privates John Wilkinson and William A. Simpson draft resolutions following the death of Joseph Gorsuch, former Captain of the company and Provost Marshal, 13th Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Relate that Gorsuch died at Hamilton, Ohio 6 August 1864. Resolution II states "That in the death of Captain Joseph B. Gorsuch we sustain the loss of a faithful friend, a bright example, And a brave and efficient Officer. Our Country, a well tried and true Soldier and Officer. Our Flag, a devoted admirer and gallant defender..." The committee notes that a copy of the resolutions…

GLC00653.09.18

August 22, 1864

Kearns, Joseph V., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Kearns, commanding Company I, 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, writes to Curtis in Hamilton, Ohio. He encloses resolutions expressing the Company's sentiments regarding the death of Captain Joseph B. Gorsuch (refer to GLC00653.09.18). He intends the enclosed resolutions for Laura Gorsuch, possibly Joseph Gorsuch's sister. Includes news of the company.

GLC00653.09.19

29 March 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter signed

Title: to paymaster Joseph Howell

Authorizes two month's pay for two artillery companies, one infantry company, and an account of monies due to officers at West Point on 1 April 1790, stationed at St. Mary's River, Georgia.

GLC09060

circa 1864

Manuscript document

Title: [Report, possibly by Lieutenant Colonel William Heath, regarding the 33rd Missouri Volunteers]

An anonymous detailed history of the "Merchants Regiment"(33rd Infantry Missouri Volunteers) from its inception in March 1862, through August 1865. Describes numerous skirmishes and battles, including the Yazoo Pass Expedition and Red River Campaign. Relates the regiment's march through several counties in Missouri, participation in the Yazoo Pass expedition, and return to Helena, Arkansas, where they engaged in battle before leaving 28 January 1864. At this time, they left Helena with troops of William Tecumseh Sherman to join the Expedition to Meridian, Mississippi. 10 March 1864, the…

GLC00653.02.01

February 8, 1865

Unknown

Autograph letter

Title: to his mother

An officer named "Rob," writing to his mother. Says his most recent duty as "Brigade Field officer of the Day" kept him up all night. He was in charge of a long line of pickets and several scouting parties. Says "The troops in our part were negroes, & during Sat evening they made very peculiar demonstrations." Says he is inexperienced with infantry duty and had no orders about firing because of the tacit truce between pickets in this quarter. It seems like he gave orders to fire despite the truce and stayed up with his scouts all night. Says it was thrilling and that his actions were…

GLC01448.02

26 March 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Words and music for the song "John Brown's Body"]

Transcription of the verses and the chorus for the song "John Brown's Body," with music. Also lists three Civil War regiments in which Jenkins served. One of these, the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was the unit that invented the song. Written on the verso of stationary for the Old National Bank in Oshkosh.

GLC02484.01

17 November 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles G. Stack

Promises that as soon as his health improves he will comply with the request to send a photograph. Some text lost on the right side of the letter.

GLC02484.02

circa 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Printed document

Title: The story of a song

Jenkins account of the origins of the song "John Brown's Body." Credits Jenkins as "the author of 'John Brown's Body.'" Says the song was created spontaneously by a group of Union Soldiers, inspired partly by a soldier named John Brown.

GLC02484.03

1779-1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of the waggons, horses &c. necessary for 30,000 infantry 7c. for 1 year no:1

Main page is a large list counting the necessary amounts of various types of wagons, where they are required, their cost in 1775, and the total cost in 1775 of all wagons. Second page contains the title and a note explaining that deductions for upkeep will have to be factored in. Prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, for the budget of 1780.

GLC00634.01.01

1779-1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of camp equipage necessary for an Army of 30,000 infantry &c. for 1 year no: 3

Main page is a large list counting the necessary amounts of various military stores, where they are required, their cost in 1775, and the total cost in 1775 of all these stores. Stores include items such as tents, buckets and iron cups. Second page contains the title and a note. Note explaining that if the army is forced to fight in the winter the tents may be ruined, and that a stationary army needs fewer kettles, canteens and knapsacks than a marching army. These factors will affect the total cost. Prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, for the budget…

GLC00634.01.02

1779-1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of intrenching, coopers &c mason's tools, necessary for an army of 30,000, infantry &c for 1 year no:4

Main page is a large list counting the necessary amounts of various entrenching tools, where they are required, their cost in 1775, and the total cost in 1775 of all these tools. Second page contains the title and a note stating that the amount of entrenching done will affect the number of tools needed, and thus the cost. Prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, for the budget of 1780.

GLC00634.01.03

1779-1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of house carpenter's tools, necessary for an army of 30,000 infantry &c. for 1 year also of falling axes. no: 5

Main page is a large list counting the necessary amounts of various builders tools and axes, where they are required, their cost in 1775, and the total cost in 1775 of all these tools. Second page contains the title and a note stating it is hard to know if the number of tools is appropriate, and if any deduction should be made for them. Prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, for the budget of 1780.

GLC00634.01.04

1779-1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of Saddler's Tools &c. necessary for an army of 30,000 infantry &c. for 1 year. no: 6

Main page is a large list counting the necessary amounts of various sadler's tools, where they are required, their cost in 1775, and the total cost in 1775 of all these tools. Second page contains the title and a note stating it is the tools may suffer in the harsh weather, but that no deduction seems necessary. Prepared by the office of the Quarter Master General, Nathanael Greene, for the budget of 1780.

GLC00634.01.05