1859-1890

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Christian M. Epperly, 54th regiment, Virginia, artillery] [decimalized]

The collection contains 136 letters (122 war-date) mostly from Private Christian M. Epperly to his wife, Mary Epperly, living in Floyd County. The collection also contains a few letters from Mary Epperly to her husband. Throughout the war, Epperly's units consistently managed to avoid major engagements until the Atlanta Campaign of 1864. In his letters, Epperly frequently discusses deserting the Confederacy. His wife Mary also encourages Epperly to desert and often tells him about friends and relatives who successfully left the army (GLC02715.065, 69, 70). In September 1863, Epperly…

GLC02715

February 4, 1863

Hollins, George N., 1799-1878

Letter signed

Title: to John H. Winder

Signed by Commodore Hollins of the Confederate Navy to General Winder as commander of the Department of Henrico. Says this letter will be carried by B.L. Haden (the docket says Hayden), a loyal Confederate who wishes to visit Maryland. Asks Winder to supply him a passport. The docket says the passport was granted. Before the Civil War Hollins had fought Barbary pirates for the U.S. Navy. On 29 June 1861, he disguised himself as a woman and took control of the Chesapeake Bay steamer "St. Nicholas."

GLC02722

January 29, 1863

Coghill, Robert A., fl. 1860-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. M. T. Hunter

Coghill asks Hunter if he can obtain a passport for Robert L. Cobbs, now living in Canada, to return to Virginia. "... Permit me to introduce to you Mr Ro L Cobbs, of Canada, formerly of Nelson County, Va., where he resided for many years. He is a gentleman of character, and most respectably connected in the counties of Amherst, Nelson and Bedford being the grandson of David S. Garland Esq, decd, well Known to you. He desires to obtain a passport to return to his residence and I respectfully commend his care to you ...".Autograph endorsement signed by Hunter at bottom, in support of Cobbs.

GLC02723

January 18, 1864

Johnson, Hershel V., 1812-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Seddon

Requesting a permit allowing the bearer, Mr. Barnett, to cross Confederate Lines. Barnett "requires a pass to cross our lines in order to ship in wire for making cotton cards." Johnson says he has faith in Barnett, and hopes he will be issued a pass.

GLC02725

18 March 1862

French, Samuel Bassett, 1820-1898

Autograph note signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Informs Lee that the 130th Virginia Militia Regiment, commanded by John Williams, from Floyd County, in southwestern Virginia, has left for Richmond. Docket repeats the contents of the note. Verso also contains Taylor's autograph endorsement signed. Lee had just recently been called to Richmond to be President Davis's principal military advisor. With Union armies on the offensive on the Peninsula, in the Shenandoah Valley, and north of Fredericksburg, it was incumbent upon Lee to work with the state militia to bring out all available regiments to help reinforce vital positions, especially…

GLC02736

1861-1862

Davis, Samuel H., ?-1862

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Samuel H. Davis, A company, 35th regiment, Mississippi, infantry] [decimalized]

Most letters written to his wife, Dolly Davis. Letters describe the soldiers' poor health and living conditions in the camps. Briefly mentions the First Battle of Murfreesboro fought in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Draft transcripts available.

GLC02738

1837-1929

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Thomas Francis Burpee, field and staff, 21st regiment, Connecticut, infantry] [Decimalized .001- .385]

Mentions Fredericksburg, Suffolk, North Carolina, and the 1863 Virginia campaign. Burpee was wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia on June 9, 1864 and died a few days later. The collection includes memorabilia connected to his death. Collection includes: 288 letters, 166 envelopes, 14 newspaper clippings, 12 receipts, 1 map, 1 note, 1 probate record, 1 family record, 8 pieces of scrap paper, 1 telegram, 32 miscellaneous military papers, 11 certificates, 3 calling cards, 3 lists, 1 carte de visite, 1 drawing, 6 colored prints, 1 piece of cloth, 1 ribbon, 6 diaries, 1 New Testament and 1 orderly…

GLC02744

1863-1864

Starr, George H., fl. 1839-1916

Diary

Title: [Diary of George H. Starr]

Captured at Gettysburg in July of 1863, George H. Starr of company D in the 104th regiment of the New York Infantry made a number of escape attempts from Confederate prisons, before succeeding in October of 1864. Much of the diary is empty, with entries grouped in sections. Explains in the inside front cover that he made these entries from memory in November of 1864 from his home in Rochester, New York. He adds, "I had a Diary for year 1864 that I lost in swamp in South Carolina." The first written section begins on 1 March 1864 and ends on 5 March, of which all of the entries were struck out…

GLC02748.01

1862-1864

Henry, Josiah E., 1840-?

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Josiah E. Henry, I company, 5th regiment, Vermont, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists of eleven letters (one is a copy) written by Josiah E. Henry, some detailing the Valley Campaign in 1864. Five of these letters are written to his sister, four are addressed to his mother, and two are written to both his parents. Josiah E. Henry enlisted on 27 August 1861 as a Private. He was mustered into Company I, 5th Regiment of the Vermont Cavalry on 16 September 1861. He reenlisted on 15 December 1863 and was finally mustered out on 10 July 1865. Henry was listed as wounded on 29 June 1862 at Savage's Station, Virginia, paroled on 15 July 1862, wounded on 4…

GLC02749

1862-1892

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Sereno A. Wright, B company, 24th regiment, Connecticut, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .49]

Collection of a soldier in the 24th Connecticut Volunteers who died in Louisiana. Includes 43 letters, 3 envelopes, 2 wedding announcements, 1 funeral annoucement and 1 calling card. 34 of the letters date from 1862-1863, and the balance are family papers.

GLC02751

August 30, 1861

Jones, Samuel, 1819-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre G.T. Beauregard

General Jones writes to Beauregard, commander of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac. Requests to take Lieutenant [J.J.] Garnett, presently Second Lieutenant in the Washington Artillery, as his aid-de-camp. Writes, "I have no one on my staff or in my Brigade who has received a Military Education at West Point, or elsewhere that I am aware of..."

GLC02461.14

January 22, 1862

Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant Colonel Cummings

Orders Cummings' regiment to focus all their work "on the breast work in front of my quarters." The works have been taking too long to finish, and Early demands that "the whole of your regiment fit for duty except the guard...get all the axes spades shovels and picks...and put them to work under your personal superintendence." Docket in pencil. Addressed to "Lt Col Cummings." Written at "Head Quarters 2nd Brigade 1st Division 1st Corps Army Potomac." One bust engraving of Early included as collateral.

GLC02461.05

13 March 1865

Fry, Birkett Davenport, 1822-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. M. Otey

General Fry, in command of the Augusta District, writes to Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Otey (possibly John M. Otey), Assistant Adjutant General. Has just received a dispatch directing the extension of a courier line from Columbia to Winnsboro, South Carolina. Sends a duplicate of his communication. Reports that the pontoon bridge at Lisbon, Georgia is finished. Docket notes that this letter was received 20 March 1865.

GLC02461.07

29 April 1861

Heth, Henry, 1825-1899

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to John Letcher

Randolph Harrison applies to Virginia Governor John Letcher for the position of Captain in the Quartermaster's Department of the State of Virginia. Lieutenant Colonel Heth endorses Harrison's request, from the Quartermaster General's Office in Richmond. Signature on docket is illegible. One bust engraving of Heth included as collateral.

GLC02461.08

8 June 1862

Hill, Ambrose P., 1825-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Hall Chilton

General Hill writes to Colonel Chilton, Assistant Adjutant General serving under Robert E. Lee, to discuss an endorsement on an enclosed application [not present]. Hill desires a detail for the applicant as a clerk in the adjutant general's office of Hill's division; says he cannot assign his nephew to the post, as they are not in the same division. On verso, is an autograph endorsement signed by Chilton, referring this request to General Henry Alexander Wise. There is also an autograph endorsement signed by Wise in pencil, 9 June 1862, remarking that Hill's request should be complied with "…

GLC02461.09

8 May 1861

Hunton, Eppa, 1822-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ruggles

Hunton informs General Ruggles: "I resigned my position of Brig Genl of Ma. and obtained the place of Col of active volunteers." Notes that General Robert E. Lee ordered him to report to General Cocke (possibly Philip St. George Cocke). Remarks, "I assure you it gave me no pleasure to be transferred from your command." One bust engraving of Hunton included as collateral.

GLC02461.10

10 March 1864

Imboden, John D., 1823-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

General Imboden writes from Headquarters of the Valley District. Imboden's friend, [Aylette?] B. Coleman of Nelson County, Virginia, was a volunteer aid on his staff, "but the promulgation of an order prohibiting men liable under the Conscript Act from holding that position deprived him of it." Requests that Smith, Governor of Virginia, appoint Coleman as an officer to a battalion which is to be organized for guard duty. Docket notes that this recommendation was received 22 March 1864.

GLC02461.11

28 April 1863

Jenkins, Albert Gallatin, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher

General Jenkins requests arms from Letcher, Governor of Virginia. Reports that many of his men are not armed. Writes, "My command being made up of a lot of Refugees who have lost everything- We stand but little chance in the... competition for arms from other [struck: & men] Commands." Docket from 9 May 1863 notes that Jenkins's application has been declined.

GLC02461.12

May 25, 1863

Jordan, Thomas, 1819-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zebulon Baird Vance

General Jordan thanks Vance, Governor of North Carolina, for a letter intercepted from a clerk on the U.S.S. Huron, off of the Charleston Harbor. Thanks Vance in the absence of General P.G.T. Beauregard. Written on Headquarters, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida stationery.

GLC02461.15

22 April 1861

Kemper, James Lawson, 1823-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher

Colonel Kemper, General in the Provisional army of Virginia, informs Letcher, Governor of Virginia: "Ambrose P. Hill of this state, late a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and of long experience in the service, is now on his way to Virginia from the West- with the view of tendering his services to the State. I humbly hope that the State will secure the benefit of his valuable services."

GLC02461.16

18 August 1862

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Ould

Brigadier General Lee writes to Colonel Robert Ould, Eastern Confederate agent for the exchange of prisoners. Requests that Ould examine the case of William Meade, a Bugler, Co. L, 1st Virginia, and to evaluate the case for the possibility Meade's exchange. Reports that Meade was taken prisoner December 1861, and was released on parole. Writes, "He is quite young and perhaps hardly understands the nature or obligation of parole- he is such a fine soldier I should like him to be released if possible in any way from his obligation."

GLC02461.17

December 11, 1862

Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh, 1837-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses troop movements in preparation for the Battle of Fredericksburg. Discusses Confederate plans if they are attacked and relates enemy troop movements. Written at 9:25 p.m., less than two days before the battle began. Written to an unknown General.

GLC02461.18

30 September 1861

Magrunder, John Bankhead, 1807-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher

General Magruder requests that Captain Jeff Phillips (possibly Jefferson C. Phillips), of the 'Old Dominion Dragoons,' be promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colonel of a cavalry regiment. Relates that Phillips has been recommended by Colonels Hood and Johnson (possibly referring to John Bell Hood). Informs Letcher, Governor of Virginia, "If his signal services be not recognized by promotion it will have an injurious effect on all those who are heroic & properly ambitious."

GLC02461.19

28 May 1861

Mahone, William, 1826-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Possibly created in Norfolk, Virginia. Mahone notes that Colonel Butt (possibly Alexander Bruce Butt), who bears this letter, will visit Richmond seeking a commission in the Provisional Army of Virginia. Notes that Butt is Commandant of the 7th Regiment of Militia and a bank clerk. Writes, "He feels the Common Patriotic impulse of our people and is unwilling to with hold his services from the conflict before us, for the more agreeable occupation which shields him from service."

GLC02461.20

January 22, 1865

Maury, Dabney Herndon, 1822-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre G. T. Beauregard

Confederate Major General Maury writes to General Beauregard requesting that he make known what work the engineers should focus on first. Asks if the work above the city should be put off until the work at Bay Shore is completed. Informs, "At present we have but few negroes - ...There are two or three hundred negroes on Eastern Shore who will be over here tomorrow." Written on stationary from Headquarters, District of the Gulf.

GLC02461.21