27 September 1861

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Petition for the removal of General David E. Twiggs from the command of the District of Louisiana]

Cosigned by Charles M. Conrad, a delegate to the Provincial Confederate Congress. Benjamin, Acting Confederate Secretary of War, represents the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana. Speaking of Twiggs, writes: "advancing age has impaired his faculties to such an extent as to render it evident that he is incompetent to the command assigned him... We are his friends and always have been, and it is with pain but with a sense of public duty, that we feel compelled to solicit his withdrawal..."

GLC01923

January 31, 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Hill Watts

Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, writes to Watts, Confederate Attorney General. Seddon states, "You are respectfully informed in reply to the applications of D H Parker submitted by you, that the Exemption Act has not embraced overseers of negro hounds among the exemptions and the Department cannot supply the omission."

GLC01925

24 September 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement submitting a proposal for the recovery of arms to Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise]

Endorsement on a 22 September letter from [J. J. Frey?] to Major Smith Stansbury. Frey reports that he recently delivered rifles and muskets. Relates that a Mr. Sims, who resides near Turkey Island Creek (15 miles from Richmond), recently reported that Union General George Brinton McClellan's army threw 15,000 to 20,000 small arms into the creek. Sims is under the impression that it may be possible to recover the disposed arms. Major Stansbury signs, noting that the proposal for recovering arms has been forwarded to department commander General G. W. Smith. General Smith signs,…

GLC01926

4 April 1863

Jones, Samuel, 1819-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim Parker Scammon

Confederate General Jones, Commander of the Department of Western Virginia, writes to Union General Scammon. Transmits two letters (not included) regarding William Hughart and W. M. [Lydenstriker?], two prisoners taken from the Union Army. Reports that the captives were recognized as Confederate deserters, and will be tried before the proper tribunal. Relates that Union officers have threatened the Confederate captors, attempting to persuade them to parole Hughart and Lydenstriker. Jones declares, "I need hardly say that the threats of those men will have no weight whatever. I send the…

GLC01927

January 16, 1863

Wharton, Gabriel Colvin, 1824-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Eliakim Parker Scammon

Written from the Narrows of New River. Confederate Colonel Wharton writes to Union General Scammon for General Samuel Jones. Requests that Scammon allow several Confederates soldiers' wives living within Union lines to join their husbands. On page two, Wharton notes that this letter will be delivered by Lieutenants Roche and Douglas, with an escort, and is signed again by Wharton. Docket notes "Rebel communication by flag of truce."

GLC01928

24 March 1865

Allen, William Wirt, 1835-1894

Endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on verso of letter from Captain J. Gardner]

In an autograph letter signed, Captain J. [D.?] Gardner writes to M. G. Hudson (possibly Marcellus G. Hudson), Acting Assistant Adjutant General for General Gabriel Colvin Wharton's corps. Gardner requests that several men from his company, now serving in another battery, be ordered to return to their command. Major V. M. Elmore signs on verso, noting that this request has been forwarded and approved. Also on verso, Colonel D. T. Blakey and General William Wirt Allen approve and forward Gardner's request. J. Warren Grigsby, Colonel and Chief of Staff, reports that the soldiers Gardner…

GLC01929

circa 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter

Title: [Draft letter regarding recent conflict between soldiers and citizens]

Creator and circa year previously inferred. Reports that the previous day, Colonel Dibrill had informed Wheeler's adjutant that a man near Dibrill's camp had two hundred bushels of corn that he refused to sell. Wheeler instructed Dibrill to take some of the corn, and a fight ensued. One soldier was wounded from a shot, and the citizens guarding the corn finally surrendered. Wheeler ordered the citizens arrested, and is investigating the incident. Remarks, "I exceedingly regret this occurrence as my command was getting along remarkably well and all the citizens in the neighborhood of…

GLC01931

16 April 1863

Hardee, William J., 1815-1873

Letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Hardee, commanding 2nd Corps, Army of Tennessee, writes to General Braxton Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee. Discusses Bragg's accusations that General Polk (possibly Leonidas Polk) disobeyed his orders during previous operations in Kentucky. Writes "... you ask me... to inform you to what extent I sustained the General in his acknowledged disobedience. In answer, I have the honor to say that, while I do not desire to shrink from any responsibility incurred by me in the part I took in the Councils of war called by Lieut General Polk, I do not consider it proper in answer to a…

GLC01933

25 July 1863

Wharton, John Austin, 1806-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Isaac W. Avery

General Wharton discusses Avery's failure to follow orders regarding a horse intended for Colonel Smith. Remarks that because Avery did not follow his orders, "Smith in consequence was compelled to walk across the mountains... to this place, whilst one of yr men rode his horse." Bottom left corner of page is missing.

GLC01934

18 April 1861

Taliaferro, William Booth, 1822-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: [General orders regarding Virginia forces]

Confederate General Taliaferro assumes command of Virginia state forces: "The Undersigned having been ordered to this point by the Governor of Virginia hereby assumes the Command of all Virginia forces which now are, or, hereafter may be ordered to this place." Written at Head Quarters of the 4th Division of Virginia Militia.

GLC01935

circa 1865

Hardee, William J., 1815-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

The top portion of the page is missing so there is no date. Written in the last days of the war, probably April 1865. Confederate General Hardee informs Confederate Beauregard that "A large number of my command deserted last night - some with horses from the reserve Arty. I anticipate many more will go today & tonight."

GLC01936

29 November 1864

Roy, Thomas B., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gustavus Woodson Smith

Roy, Assistant Adjutant General, writes from Head Quarters of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Relates the orders of the Department Commander, Lieutenant General William Joseph Hardee, to Smith. Hardee instructs Smith to "proceed at once with the first two trains of your troops which may arrive at Savannah to night... if you find yourself the ranking officer present... assume command and drive the Enemy back to their gunboats."

GLC01937

20 May 1865

Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg, 1817-1873

Printed document

Title: [Parole of Private Beadles, 8th Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A.]

Canby's name is printed on the document; signed by a Colonel [Sam E.] Young. Document reads in full: "D.C. Beadles Pv. of K Company 8th Regiment Ken. Cav. Vols. C.S.A. residing in Madison Co. Tenn. having been, with the approval of the proper authorities, paroled, is permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States authorities, so long as he observes his parole and the laws in force where he may reside."

GLC01939

6 May 1865

Watts, N.G., fl. 1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Parole of Private John J. Dean of the 23rd Alabama, C.S.A]

Document reads in full: "John J. Dean Private H Company 23rd Ala. Infty. Regiment, a Paroled Prisoner of War, is hereby furloughed until exchanged, with permission to remain at his home, performing no military duty whatever, and paying proper respect to the authorities in his locality."

GLC01940

February 5, 1865

Muzzey, George H., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes while confined as a POW in Libby Prison. Informs his parents that he has been given a position as clerk in the office of the Prisons of Richmond. Asks that they send him a sugar cured ham, dried salmon, other dried meats, coffee, tea, sugar, needles, pins, thread, crackers or bread, and butter. Adds that some salt, pepper, and tobacco would also be good. Tells them to address it to him at Libby Prison "by Flag of Truce via City Point, Va." Mentions Clara (a possible girlfriend) and asks that they tell her he thinks of her. Recounts his capture on 26 October 1864 by Colonel John…

GLC01942.02

1 August 1864

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Jones

Telegram sent by the Southern Telegraph Companies. Asks Jones in Charleston, South Carolina, for a list of captured Confederate officers who might be exchanged for Union officers. Writes "If exchange is perfected furnish promptly lists of officers received that orders of assignment may be sent. Jeffer. Davis." General Samuel Jones succeeded Beauregard to head the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, during which he commanded at Charleston, South Carolina.

GLC01944

8 May 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to James Whitfield

Along with Mississippi Governor Whitfield, the letter is addressed to Bishop Robert Paine, James T. Harrison, and Dr. Sykes. Davis responds to their letter regarding the defense of Columbus, Mississippi. He assures them that he is concerned for the city (and northeastern Mississippi), and that he is engaging in activities to ensure the regions safety. He also expresses his sympathy for the sufferings of their people.

GLC01962

1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: The letters of President Lincoln on questions of national policy.

Reprint of six letters by Lincoln: June 13, 1863, to an Albany, New York Committee, discussing his interpretation of the writ of habeas corpus in the Vallandigham case; February 3, 1862 and October 13, 1862, to General George McClellan on the management of the war; August 22, 1862, to Horace Greeley concerning amnesty for southerners; August 7, 1863, to New York mayor Horatio Seymour regarding the New York City draft riots and the constitutionality of the Conscription Act; August 26, 1863, to the Springfield, Illinois and Syracuse Conventions, defending the Emancipation Proclamation.…

GLC01969

20 March 1866

Newell, William A., fl. 1866

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Johnson

Written as a member of the House of Representatives for New Jersey to oblige Augusta, Georgia, resident Henry W. Hilliard, a former member of Congress. Newell asks for Johnson's signature on pardon warrants for Georgians Baldwin B. Miller, W. C. Jessup, W. S. Roberts, T. H. Roberts, T. J. Miller, Wiley B. Griffin, Noah Smith and Benjamin L. Lane. Hilliard, Newell, and Johnson served in the 30th and 31st Congresses.

GLC02078

18 September 1862

McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Ross

Discusses an exaggerated news report regarding the battle of Antietam. Writes "The substance of the news is that 'Genl McClellan has driven the Rebels out of Maryland with great slaughter and has bagged Genl Lee.' The bagging part I think is prospective and the other like all telegraphic news from the Associated Press must be taken with some grains of allowance. The dispatch says 'Bully for Mc'...I think on the whole it is good." Seems skeptical of the good news, and rightly so. Lee was not captured, and though he was driven from Maryland, both sides suffered heavy losses. Written on…

GLC02063.01

8 August 1878

Hood, John Bell, 1831-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to dear General

Replies to correspondence from an unknown recipient. Remarks that the delay in his reply is due to serious illness in his family, and a recent yellow fever outbreak (possibly in New Orleans, where Hood lived after the Civil War). Discusses records, held by himself and the recipient, pertaining to the Army of Tennessee under Hood's command.

GLC02063.02

10 October 1864

Green, Joseph F., 1811-1897

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas H. Patterson

Written by Captain Green to Captain Patterson as the commanding officer of the USS "James Adger" on blockade duty. Says he has sent the captain of the USS "Geranium" to report to Patterson for blockade duty. Is transmitting despatches for Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren and asks them to be forwarded in the event of the admiral not arriving tonight. Informs Patterson that on board the "Geranium" will be a Captain Fox of the army and a contraband who escaped from Charleston last week. They are to meet with the admiral. Written while aboard the USS "John Adams".

GLC02070

27 September 1864

Darrow, Edwin, fl. 1864-1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: List of names of members co. 'H' 39th Mo. Vol. lost Sept 27th 1864 near Centralia by Andersons Bushwackers

Lists the names and ranks of the fifty-six Union men killed by Confederate bushwhackers under the command of William "Bloody Bill" Anderson. Anderson, under whose tutelage Jesse James fought, was killed and decapitated less than a month later. Second page signed by Lieutenant Edwin Darrow certifying the list. Very faded.

GLC02074

12 May 1861-1865

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Header Record

Title: Collection of Jeremiah M. Tate, H company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry [decimalized .01-.63]

Private Tate served for a time with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah; he appears to have come from Pickensville, Alabama. Tate's letters, written to his mother and sister Mary Jane at Jenna Point (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama), concern First Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Seven Pines, Antietam, Stonewall Jackson, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg (letter #34 dated near Carlisle), and Petersburg. A number of letters concern fraternizing with Yanks and songs he sings. The collection has been itemized on inventory. His first name "Jeremiah" per coded name in letter #31. Some itemized letters are…

GLC02082

12 May 1861

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written in pencil on two different pieces of paper. Mentions joining Stonewall Jackson. Writes, "your brother till the Yanks keithes me."

GLC02082.01