14 April 1865

Newspaper

Title: The World. [Vol. V., no. 1501 (April 14, 1865)]

Covers the issues surrounding General Robert E. Lee's surrender and the end of the Civil War. Announces that drafting and recruiting has stopped, that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston will be urged to surrender, and details the pursuit of Lee's army up to the surrender, the Appomattox campaign. Prints articles on the news of various states, mostly related to the end of the war. Includes an item on the reconstruction movement in Virginia, and an article about Richmond in the aftermath. Other articles detail international, political, court, and ship news, advertisements, and public…

GLC03119

circa 1865

Engraving Signed

Title: Engraving of John George Walker

One engraving of John George Walker circa 1865. Bust portrait of Walker.

GLC08878.0689

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

22 October 1864

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

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pass permitting Virginia farmer Benjamin Hummer to bring crops into Washington]

Permits Benjamin Hummer, a farmer from Virginia, to bring his produce to Washington to sell. Also permits him to bring his family, and return with necessary goods. Written on stationery of the War Department. The envelope is an official Secretary of War envelope, also signed by Stanton. Noted at top as "Good for 80 days."

GLC03826

29 May 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government]

Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government, and appointing William W. Holden as provisional governor, who duty it shall be to subscribe rules and regulations for the purpose of altering or amending the U.S. Constitution. Signed in type by President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03827

10 March 1864

Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Steele, commander of the Department of Arkansas, writes to Lieutenant General Grant, commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi (just before Grant became commander-in-chief of the United States Army). Corresponded with Generals William Sherman and Nathaniel Banks regarding an expedition against Shreveport, Louisiana. Remarks, "they are both mistaken in regard to the strength of my command and also in regard to the situation of affairs in my Dept." Intends to transmit copies of his correspondence with Banks. Declares, "The forces under Banks will make Kirby Smith run without a…

GLC03834

23 April 1861

Newspaper

Title: Herald Extra. [(April 23, 1861)]

Headlines reads, "Very latest by telegraph his afternoon. Rebellious excitement in Maryland and Virginia. Northern students sent home. 14000 troops at Washington. Vessels arming for the Blockade." Reports on various events related to the 19 April 1861 Baltimore Riot, during which secessionists attacked Union soldiers passing through the city. Discusses a town meeting held in Calais' Horton's Hall, where "The vast assemblage was animated by one sentiment and that a determination to sustain the Government in the present emergency." States that citizens of Cockeysville, Maryland reported…

GLC03838

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

February 4, 1862

Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Mason

Brigadier General Early writes to Major Mason requesting information about recruiting and re-enlisting men. With Mason's 5 February 1862 autograph note signed, on verso of Early's letter, answering Early's questions. Written from "Head Quarters."

GLC03783

30 June 1863

Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Confederate Major General Hill writes to General Wise, expressing approval of Wise's troop's disposition and their burning of bridges. Hill reports in a postscript that James Ewell Brown Stuart captured Fairfax Court House (27 June).

GLC03784

25 October 1866

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Mason re: Jefferson Davis' imprisonment, his law career in England

Cross-written on p. 1. Benjamin mentions that Pres. Johnson is intimidated by the Radical Republicans from releasing Davis. He mentions his legal career in England and says he saw Slidell in Paris.

GLC03787

26 May 1863

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Phillip Dale Roddey

General Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee, writes "Enemy reported sending troop from Corinth to Grant." Requests Roddy to verify the information and report back as soon as possible.

GLC03788

30 October 1862

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Lovell

Confederate Major General Lovell writes to his son concerning his belief that the Emancipation Proclamation would create dissension in the North and ultimately aid the Confederacy. "I think Lincoln's proclamation will produce dissensions and trouble at the North, and will thus indirectly benefit our Cause. The Democratic party there is not willing to go headlong into any abolition war." Comments on Joseph's improvements in arithmetic and tells him to be a good boy and take care of his mother.

GLC03790

20 March 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Davis tells General Bragg that he is glad Bragg's threat of force against the Georgia State Railroad to forward arms and ammunition did not need to be carried out. Notes that the Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown, who had complained about Bragg's plan to seize the railroad, contended that he was doing all he could to help. Advises Bragg to ask for aid from the governor in the future, in fulfillment of his view that "Any conflict between Confederate and State authorities...should always be avoided if possible." Docketed by Bragg.

GLC03803

28 September 1864

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Document

Title: General Order

Printed general order from Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Porter was taking the leave of his officers and men as he assumed command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Praises their actions and says their efforts have been fruitful. Says that "Our commerce is now successfully, if not quietly, transported on the broad Mississippi, from one end to the other, and the same may almost be said with regard to its tributaries. These results are owing to the indomitable spirit evinced by the officers and men of the Mississippi Squadron." Stresses that they need…

GLC03810

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

January 31, 1864

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William B. Taliaferro

Describing various kinds of food available, and inviting Taliaferro to come and take some for himself.

GLC03812

06 May 1864

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Basil Wilson Duke

Basil Duke as Confederate prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Signed on mount. Written at Fort Delaware

GLC03819

16 October 1861

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas J. Churchill

Major General Polk (Confederate) informs Colonel Churchill "In the absence of Gnl Johnston your letter has been handed to me. I regret to say we have no arms to offer your command." Replies to a question posed by Major General Lewis (possibly Joseph Horace Lewis), stating "we would receive your Regt with this Column with pleasure if it were offered and armed." Instructs Churchill to place three new guns (which were, according to Lewis, in the Cumberland Gap) at General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer's disposal. Discusses the acquisition of guns and horses for Zollicoffer's reinforcement.

GLC03820

7 July 1863

Vaughn, John Crawford, 1824-1875

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on parole for Confederate Prisoner of War captured at Vicksburg]

Partially printed document created at Vicksburg, indicating that Confederate Daniel C. Staley vows not to take up arms against the United States. Signed 8 July by Captain and paroling officer William [Demean?]. Confederate General Vaughn's endorsement is written on verso. Vaughn signs across a notice created by Colonel John A. Rowan. Rowan's notice, written 21 July 1863, states that Staley is furloughed for 30 days to meet at a location specified by James Seddon, the Confederate Secretary of War. Includes calculations written in pencil on verso.

GLC03822

27 July 1863

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

Printed document

Title: [General order congratulating officers and soldiers of the 15th Army Corps after the fall of Vicksburg]

Major General Sherman issues General Orders from the Department of the Tennessee, camped on the Black River. Declares "Your Commander, in thus briefly reciting the events of the past seven months, thinks, in them, every officer and man has good reason to flatter himself that in producing this Grand Result, he has borne a part. In after years it will be the subject of pride to himself and children, and we know how our fellow countrymen were wild with joy when the telegraph spread the good tidings that the Mississippi was again made free by the courage and perseverance of their Brave…

GLC03828

circa 1861

Silsbee, Case & Co.

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Frank K Brownell

Brownell holding saber and wearing Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 20, 1877 for killing the murderer of Col. Elmer Ellsworth.

GLC03830

10 May 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio G. Wright.

Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, informs General Wright that General Gershom Mott "taken position on your left will be under your direction." Instructs Wright to General Ambrose Burnside's relief if Wright hears heavy firing at Burnside. Relates that Lyman (possibly Colonel Theodore Lyman, Meade's aide) will inform Wright of the existing condition of affairs. Year inferred from content; possibly written during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

GLC03832

4 May 1863

Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868

Letter signed

Title: to Irvin McDowell

Written at 2:00 am on Headquarters of the Army of the South West stationery, but Army of the South West has been crossed out, and 1st Division written in its place. General Steele writes to McDowell, who served as president of the court for investigating cotton frauds and president of the board for retiring disabled officers in 1863. Writes from Dawson's Plantation, and intends to try to be at Richmond, Virginia by 8:00 am. Written in pencil.

GLC03835