January 31, 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Describes the excitement of mail call. They will soon receive another new general; "if they keep going down the list, I think I shall have a brush at commander-in-chief before the war is over." Hooker is not very popular; they prefer McClellan. He misses reading material.

GLC03523.23.08

8 March 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his father in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that he is well and that the weather has been very rainy. Heard some musket firing last night but is not sure if it was Confederates coming near the picket line, or men trying to desert. Asks him to send postage stamps as they are hard to get and expensive. Reports that there is a rumor that Union General Philip Sheridan has captured 18,000 "johnies," [Confederate troops].

GLC03523.26.07

circa 1776-1795

Hastings, Jonathan, 1738-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Note]

A bill or receipt from William Knox to Jonathan Hastings for postage for letters.

GLC02437.08857

22 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses their recent exchange, noting that he had not received some of her letters due to the postman's mistake. Expresses how much he misses her, emphasizing that nothing but an obligation to his country could separate them. Mentions the threat posed by General John Burgoyne, stating that Lucy, in Boston, should "get a House in the Country as a Retreat." Can not assure Lucy regarding a possible visit due to the danger of the roads and the uncertainty of his location. In closing, notes "I shall always make it a rule to write you by the post, and expect the same from you."

GLC02437.00599

22 May 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Jackson writes to Brigadier General Knox in Morristown, New Jersey. Chides Knox for not writing to him through the last post. Comments that Boston will choose representatives the same day he writes. Expresses relief that Henry's wife, Lucy, and their child recovered from a recent bout of smallpox. In closing, requests Knox to procure an order "for the Cloth & Arms & other necessary's for my Regt- dont forget I shall be ambitious to make as good an appearance in field..." Relates that in future letters, he will sign as "your friend," due to the danger of correspondence…

GLC02437.00600

10 December 1862

Pickett, John Thomas, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Discusses the unreliability of the mail. Criticizes the "gentleman from Jerusalem" who oversees the Ministerio de Relaciones and describes the "shabby" treatment extended. Explains how his expenses were cut but is glad Cripps upheld his duty of being a Volunteer Sentinel. Discusses personal news and his "hard campaigning" at Vicksburg as General Breckinridge's Adjutant General. Hopes to be back in Richmond soon to see action and has yet to receive a scratch from battle.

GLC03587.41

May 24, 1815

Bedel, Hazen, fl. 1812-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moody Bedel

Shortly after the end of the War of 1812, Hazen Bedel writes from the cantonment at Sackets Harbor, New York, to his brother to report that the men have been paid and will march home tomorrow. Provides news about the regiment and lingering issues regarding pay. Asks him to look for and send an account to the War Department that may have been left in the post office in Burlington, Vermont. Hazen had recently transferred from a post as a regimental quartermaster in the 11th Infantry and to the 6th Infantry. Hazen might be one of Moody's sibling's listed on record as "Hazel," who lived from 1785…

GLC01450.721.12

14 March 1870

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward P. Fry

Complains about mail he has sent that has failed to reach its destination, including a recent letter to Fry. Includes a transcript of the earlier note that was never received in which he thanks Fry for information sent to him proving that Morse was interested in having the government purchase the telegraph invention back in 1844 (see GLC04503.06 for original letter).

GLC04503.07

24 November 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 357

Signed by H.L. Scott. Republication of Orders Nos. 318 and 322: allowing sick and wounded soldiers the option of returning home. Orders eligible returning soldiers to register for recruitment service once home. Announces a train departure and calls for letters and mail.

GLC00911.36

20 February 1848

Butler, William Orlando, 1791-1880

Document

Title: Orders No. 3

Signed by L. Thomas. Announces bi-monthly mail pick-up and delivery.

GLC00911.67

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

27 May 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Expresses gratitude for her letter and says when the mail arrives, the soldiers "...flock to the office like sheep." Says once the letters are read the band plays "the girl I left behind." Reports his regiment is waiting to be received into the service of the general government, and if refused, they will return home next month. Mentions they have received their uniforms and muskets from Harper's Ferry. Discusses a large fight that took place in camp resulting in a lot of structural damage. Explains some of the troops were unhappy with the…

GLC03523.31.03

23 May 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are camping beside the Mississippi River again. They are waiting to take a boat down river. Mail arrives for the first time in a month.

GLC03523.14.56

25 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Is busy drawing rations for the men. "We drew 70 lbs of good whitefish for our co but we have no potatoes to cook them with." The men are bored in camp and lazy; Damuth says they do not get enough exercise, but have plenty to eat and drink. Of his own position in camp, Damuth writes, "I dont have any hard work to do it is my busness to see that some one els does it." The mail is sent to New Orleans and then up to the men in Arkansas, so that Damuth is impatient with the long wait.

GLC03523.14.69

23 August 1880

Lowry, Reigert B., 1826-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert L. Harris

References Harris's communication of 9 August. Sends along U.S. stamps he just received. Commodore Lowry was born 14 July 1826, at La Guayrs, Venezuela, the son of Robert K. Lowry of Maryland, United States Consul. He was appointed a Midshipman on 21 January 1840. Attached to the Hcms Squadron during the Mexican War, he took part in operations against Tampico, Tuspan, Vera Cruz, Tobasco, Seven Palms and Alvarado. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was part of the relief expeditions at Fort Sumpter and took part in operations of the Potomac Flotilla. The Hatteres Expedition was undertaken…

GLC03479.46

11 August 1845

Crane, W. M., fl. 1845

Letter signed

Title: to C. K. Gardiner

Written in secreterial hand and signed by Crane as a member of the Bureau of Ordinance and Hydrology to Colonel Gardiner as Postmaster of Washington. Asks that Gardiner give the bureau's mail to Mr. McArran, the messenger of the office.

GLC03479.14

12 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Advises his brother William for supposed improper behavior on his arrival in Boston. Writes that Lucy is unhappy with the news about her family and mentions the dangerous conditions of the roads. Refers to an incident where mail was stolen and then later published in New York.

GLC02437.00857

20 July 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for money he recently sent. Reports that Lucy Knox and their children have gone up the Hudson River on a visit. Discusses his hopes for an end to the Revolutionary War, writing "I sincerely pray God that the War may be ended this campaign that public and private felicity may be again restored." Discusses British movement in the South, noting, "Our affairs to the Southward have an agreeable aspect and convince us although the Enemy may establish posts, they cannot conquer the Country." Criticizes what he calls "vile water-gruel governments which have taken place in most of…

GLC02437.01064

26 July 1781

Cornell, Ezekiel, 1733-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed "E." Cornell, on the Congressional Board of War, discusses General Nathanael Greene: "Notwithstanding fortune sometimes frowns on our friend Greene I am happy to see by a late resolution of Congress that his conduct meets the approbation of that Honl Body..." (Greene was Commander of the Southern Department). Agrees with Knox, that the present force is insufficient to take on a large military operation. Jokes with Knox about the Board's failure to respond to letters. Also notes that three armed men robbed a mail carrier near Wilmington, Delaware: "I have good reason to believe they…

GLC02437.01088

January 22, 1870

Lee, John F., 1813-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Lee requests Hunt's presence, but notes "The stage [inserted: U. S. mail coach] is slow, & regulated on the plan of Sumner's civil rights bill. (crowded with niggers) You might be wanting in some gallant attentions to a colored lady, & be legislated out of service for it." Suggests Hunt follow the editing principles of Benjamin Franklin (as he explained to Thomas Jefferson), in regulations Hunt is creating. At the bottom of the page, Lee implores "Dont fail me." Year inferred from content. John Fitzgerald Lee (1813-1884) of Virginia was the son of Francis "Lightfoot" Lee II, the…

GLC02382.083

July 1859

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Pamphlet

Title: The Quarterly Law Journal, vol IV, No 3, [163] - 202.

Circuit court case of United States v. Amy, re: slave stealing letter written by her master. Arrested under Section 22 of the Act of Congress which provides that "Any person shall steal a letter from the mail, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned not less than two years..." The defense held that the word "person" as used in the Constitution of the United States to describe a citizen, did not apply to a slave, as defined in the Dred Scott Decision of 1857, and asked for a motion to dismiss. Although the judge hearing both cases was Roger B. Taney, chief justice of the Supreme…

GLC09087

8 July 1874

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses the appointment of the local Post Master, which is under contention. Docketed in pencil.

GLC05891.17

30 April 1861

Carey, George, fl. 1837-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Galloway Cheston

Writes to his uncle about Baltimore at the beginning of the Civil War. Reports that someone from the bank has said the "run" has ended and people are depositing money again. Of the people that withdrew their money, he states "Great leniency ought to be extended to the poor & ignorant depositers who, in their fear of loss, drew out their all." Informs that the Mayor has said that no flags may fly except over government buildings. Says "...the Stars & Stripes will be hoisted, by own, over the Custom House & P. Officer - and our eyes will be once more greeted with the sight of the…

GLC03228.09

17 December 1862

Holden, William Woods, 1818-1892

Newspaper

Title: Weekly standard. [Vol. 28, no. 51, whole no. 1450 (December 17, 1862)]

The Battle at Fredericksburg, Battle of Kinston. An editorial proposes raising state troops. A report of the arrest of Rev. R.J. Graves provokes discussion of the injustice of civil arrest, unlawful seizing of property, and corrupt powers vested in the Confederacy. A list of the North Carolina Methodist Episcopal Conference appointees is included, as are notices and lists of sick, wounded, and dead soldiers in particular campaigns. Letters to the editor cover topics such as support for the Governor, the state's Brigadier General, post office thieves, women's call for peace, and the cotton-…

GLC05959.22.02

29 June 1861

Pinckney, Henry Laurens, 1794-1863

Newspaper

Title: Tri-weekly mercury. [Vol. 56, no. 11, 189 (June 29, 1861)]

Wm. H. Hurlbut, Evacuation of Harper's Ferry, Mails Between N & S.

GLC05959.44.06