September 29, 1861

Lay, Creed A., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

GLC01013.02

October 13, 1861

Lay, Creed A., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

GLC01013.03

1864-1865

Tucker, John S., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of John S. Tucker, D company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry]

Tucker's 1864-1865 autograph manuscript diary signed includes his account of the famous mine explosion at the Siege of Petersburg as well as other daily events. Also mentions the death of General William E. Jones at the Battle of Piedmont.

GLC00653.19.02

22 September 1781

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph document signed

Title: A General Return of the American Artillery & Stores Appropriated thereto with the Army in Virginia.

Chart enumerating various types of ordnance held with units under the charge of Captain Coleman, Captain Savage, Lieutenant Ingersal, Captain Duffey, and Captain Ferguson. Carrington commanded the 4th Artillery Regiment and was one of the chief assistants to Henry Knox at the Battle of Yorktown. The ordnance listed was needed for the siege of Yorktown, which began later that month.

GLC02437.01187

4 January 1784

Manuscript document

Title: [Return of the troops retained in the service of the United States stationed at West Point]

Lists infantry and artillery. Cites artillery officers who composed the corps retained for service. Lists invalids and the names of men in Brigadier General Henry Jackson's regiment.

GLC02437.02910

18 August 1783

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Victualling return]

Return for victuals for men of the light infantry. Addressed to Mr. [Robert] Bell, with the docket signed by a P. Gardnere.

GLC02437.02397

25 July 1783

Mill, W., fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Provision return for army rations issued]

Signed by Captain W. Mill, Major J. Sumner, and West Point Fort Major John Doughty. Provision return for 12 men belonging to the light infantry from 23-24 July. A total of 24 rations were issued over the two days. Signed on verso that rations were received.

GLC02437.02328

24 November 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes that he is unwell but not unwell enough to prevent him from doing his duties. He says that there were about 10,000 infantry and cavalry along with 120 pieces of cannon. He thinks that he will be unable to come home this month but will try to come home in January and stay as long as possible.

GLC03523.13.025

January 30, 1777

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Recommends a young officer named Ebenezer Finley to Knox's artillery corps Finley is "intimately acquainted with those branches of knowledge with are connected with the Science of war." Is currently a third lieutenant in another artillery group, but has been offered command of a Maryland infantry company. But since "his genius & inclinations both mark him for the artillery," Rush is hoping top secure him a company of artillery under Knox instead. States Finley is also "a perfect little gentleman." Also mentions that his father is the late Doctor Samuel Finley, the President of the…

GLC02437.00525

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