January 9, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Retained copy/draft, signed and docketed. Paul Jones Semmes gives the Governor of Georgia a general account of purchases made for the State of Georgia totaling $93,596.35. He recommends that a battery be set up at Tybee [Island] at the mouth of the Savannah River and discusses outfitting it with munitions. The Union Army would later use siege batteries on Tybee Island (near Savannah) in their successful bombardment of Fort Pulaski in April of 1862.

GLC00572.24

January 16, 1861

Abercrombie, Gus, fl. 1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Telegram to Semmes requesting the service of his troops in Pensacola, Florida immediately. Advises him to go see Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown for further details. On telegram stationery of The Magnetic Telegraph Company and written six days after Florida's secession. The Confederacy maintained control of Pensacola, but Fort Pickens, one of three forts guarding the harbor, was held by Union forces throughout the war. Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president of the Confederacy on February 18, 1861 in Montgomery Alabama. Semmes's Columbus Guards served as an honor guard at the ceremony.

GLC00572.26

January 16, 1861

Ellis, Roswell, fl. 1853-1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

A member of Semmes's Columbus Guards asks him if they are going to Pensacola, Florida as requested (see GLC00572.26). On telegram stationery of The Magnetic Telegraph Company.

GLC00572.27

January 17, 1861

Colquitt, Peyton H., 1831-1863

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

A member of the Columbus Guard advises Semmes to get "accoutrements and arms for our company we must have them pistols too. Get authority to organize Battalion that we may elect officers when we leave answer." On telegram stationery of the Magnetic Telegraph Company. Peyton H. Colquitt reached the rank of colonel; he died of wounds sustained at Chickamauga in September of 1863.

GLC00572.28

January 18, 1861

Ellis, Roswell, fl. 1853-1861

Telegram

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Roswell Ellis informs Semmes that Company A is ready to go with 76 men and more to come. On stationery of the Magnetic Telegraph Company.

GLC00572.29

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: to W. H. Chase

Retained copy of telegram sent to Major W. H. Chase in Montgomery, Alabama care of Governor Moore. Confirms receipt of a telegram concerning his company, the Columbus Guards, being called to Pensacola, Florida.

GLC00572.31

February 3, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: Orders No. 7

Retained copy of his orders No. 7, as captain of the Columbus Guard, gives orders regarding the departure of the company from Columbus, Georgia to serve as "an escort of honor to Company __ of the __ Regiment of Alabama volunteers." Possibly related to the Columbus Guards's honor service at Jefferson Davis's inauguration in Montgomery, Alabama. Countersigned by 3rd Sergeant Van Marcus. Docketed by Semmes on verso.

GLC00572.32

2/5/1864

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Address delivered to the Putnam Phalanx in praise of volunteer militia]

Welcomes the Putnam Phalanx, from Hartford, Connecticut, to Boston. Offers words of praise regarding volunteer militia groups, discussing their historical significance and the involvement of George Washington and John Adams in implementing the militia system. Credits the volunteers for eliminating the need for a gigantic standing army. Commends the "Yeoman soldier, who never looked back but once, after putting his hand to the plough, & that was when he left it in the furrow, at the tidings of Lexington & Concord."

GLC00633.01

October 5, 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Letter signed

Title: to Jethro Sumner

Written by Penn, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman to Brigadier General Sumner in North Carolina. Informs Sumner that the militia must serve three months from the time they were at headquarters, not counting the time they were absent from their regiments since the defeat. Mentions insubordinate soldiers by saying, "those Men that are refractory ought to be informed that they must be obedient to the Laws of their Country." States that the board has written to Colonel Polk to furnish provisions for Sumner. Tells Sumner that Colonel Daniel Morgan and…

GLC00621

February 5, 1864

Everett, Edward, 1794-1865

Header Record

Title: Speech given to the Putnam Phalanx accompanied by transmittal letter, for presentation at the 1864 Soldiers' Sanitary Fair [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC00633

June 4, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the King and Parliament has left no measure unemployed to accomplish their destruction. Says they are blockading the coast and about to pour in foreign troops. Says the affairs in Canada have "a melancholy Aspect" to them. Says it is likely the colonies will have to deal with Canada and the northern Indians as well as Great Britain. Sends resolves of Congress (not included…

GLC00639.12

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Semmes writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. He regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state, and he is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

March 22, 1853

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Letter

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter signed by five members of the Columbus Guards electing Semmes captain of the company. The letter and the signatures are all written in the same hand. Letter is on blue lined paper.

GLC00715.04

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01

May - August 1818

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Header Record

Title: [The Massacre of Chehaw indians by Georgia militia] [Decimalized .01- .06]

GLC00782.11

May 7, 1818

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to William Rabun

Andrew Jackson asks that Rabun, governor of Georgia, arrest Captain Obediah Wright for murder. Wright had destroyed a Chehaw village and murdered several of its inhabitants, while many of its members were aiding him in his expedition against the Seminole Indians during the first Seminole War. Seal remnant in upper and lower left corners.

GLC00782.11.01

April 30, 1818

Glascock, Thomas, 1790-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Jackson

A brigadier general in the Seminole War, Glascock tells Jackson of his return to Fort Early during the first Seminole War and gives an account of the Chehaw Affair. He discusses the misunderstandings that lead Captain Obediah Wright, who was in the Georgia militia and under the authority of the Governor of Georgia William Rabun, to kill ten Chehaws and destroy their village. The Chehaw were allies of the United States during the first Seminole War. Letter written at Fort Early

GLC00782.11.03

May 1, 1775

Warren, Joseph, 1741-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

General Warren laments, in dire terms, his inability to get supplies for the troops under his command. He implores Gerry not to "triffle away this only Moment we have to employ for Salvation of our Country." A signed note on the verso from Artemas Ward urges immediate attention. Gerry was Chairman of the Committee of Supply of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

GLC00782.23

January 23, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Pres. of the Convention of New Hampshire

Washington pleads for the troops allotted to the state of New Hampshire and argues that "nothing but their [i.e., British] ignorance of our number protects us." The second leaf is not conjugate.

GLC00639.28

14 March 1777

Hart, John, 1708-1780

Autograph document signed

Title: [Act of Assembly constituting a Council of Safety]

Written by Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Also signed by Stevens as Vice President of the New Jersey Assembly. Establishes a committee of safety to govern New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. Lists members of the newly created Council of Safety, including among others, John Cleves Symmes, Silas Condict, Dick Samuel, and Nathaniel Scudder, who were all members of the Continental Congress. Has 10 sections that describe how the council will work. Allows the body to operate under a quorum of five and appoints the governor as…

GLC00753

1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Pamphlet

Title: A Plan for the general arrangement of the militia of the United States

A-F2 G2 (-G2) ($1 signed). Submitted by Henry Knox as Secretary of War, the first report issued by his department. Evans 22958, Howes K220. 1 black and white bust engraving of Peter Cooper included.

GLC01039

January 2, 1806

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John Sevier

Jackson explains that he will soon send a letter concerning the strength of his brigades. He has been delayed in doing so because one of his commanders has been late in filling his returns. He assures Sevier that if he does not receive a response soon, he will arrest the officer responsible, General Isaac Roberts. Also mentions Thomas Johnson and James Winchester, brigade commanders in the Second Division, West Tennessee Militia. The militia was being mobilized to deal with the threat of the Burr conspiracy, but the matter was resolved before military action was necessary. Letter signed by…

GLC01060

February 25, 1862

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Overton Moore

Requesting ten thousand men "volunteer and militia...ready for defense at short notice" to protect New Orleans. New Orleans fell two months later. Letter written on printed stationery of "Head Quarters Dept. No. 1."

GLC01061

30 June 1781

Avery, John, 1739-1806

Broadside

Title: Resolutions [raising 2700 militia for General Washington]

Signed on p. 1 by Avery as Secretary. Docketed "Ipswich" on left margin of p.1

GLC00906

20 April 1775

Fullam, Phinehas T., fl. 1775

Autograph document signed

Title: [Attesting to Battle of Concord]

Fullam apparently was a postrider for a Committee of Safety, who, like Paul Revere, was employed to spread the news of Lexington and Concord and bring reinforcements. Says he saw the Battle of Concord with his own eyes and that he confirms about 200 died on both sides. Says 1500 regulars with artillery are on the march and that he is "to inform all the Troops that are on their March to Resort there as fast as possible." Later Fullam served in the Massachusetts militia.

GLC00869