1862

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Mentions McClellan, Fair Oaks, Lincoln visit.

GLC01921.02

1863

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]

Gettysburg, service in Virginia. Mentions coming late to Gettysburg, hard fighting there in Hancock's brigade and rumored loss of Confederate General Longstreet.

GLC01921.03

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

14 November 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Andrew Johnson bestows an award on two members of the Blackfoot tribe]

Countersigned by James Harlan as Secretary of Interior. Serving as President of the Unied States, Johnson awards Nootay-u-hah (or Short Gun) and his brother (both of the Blackfoot tribe) money and a silver medal for exchanging their horses for two white women held captive by their enemies. Document features a gold paper seal from the Department of the Interior, and a red-white-and-blue ribbon border.

GLC01993.01

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

13 November 1864

Muzzey, George H., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Assures his parents that he is in good health and is treated well despite being confined in Libby Prison. Informs that he has been in prison now for two weeks after being captured while out foraging. Relays that a friend, George Ingerson, asks if they can go see his uncle to let him know Ingerson is okay. Hopes to get out soon. Mentions a possible love interest, "Tell C_ [Clara] I think of her often during these long lonesome hours and I hope the same of her." Muzzey enlisted in Company F, 26th Infantry Regiment Massachusetts on 18 October 1861. He was taken as a POW on 26 October 1864…

GLC01942.01

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

7 August 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Gives a detailed description of the unsuccessful cavalry raids by George Stoneman and Daniel McCook, Jr. at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Both took place on the June 27, 1864 in accordance with Sherman's Order 42. Before the raids, Stoneman asked Sherman's permission to attempt to free union prisoners held in Macon and Andersonville after the battle. Sherman consented. McCook heroically led the raid against a superior force, and was mortally wounded. Sherman was criticized for this attack against General Johnston's entrenched forces, which resulted in heavy union casualties.

GLC01961

20 October 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: [Authorization for William Lee to return to Virginia].

Pass authorized by the Council Chamber of the State of Massachusetts Bay and attested to by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts John Avery releases Lee from Massachusetts on parole as of September 13, 1779. A note confirming Lee's right to passage home to Virginia was later written on the pass in Washington's hand. Written at Boston, Massachusetts and New York, New York

GLC02064

26 June 1861

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written in pencil from Fairfax Court House, Virginia. Comments on the possibility of battle if the Yankees don't run. Expresses desire to capture Yanks and kill them. Describes a hard march to Fairfax.

GLC02082.05

3 August 1862

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Marked unofficial. Brigadier General Hayes writes, as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. Expresses his disappointment over the detention of a Mr. Landcraft and a Mrs. Roberts. States, "I believe Mr. L is a good man and friendly to us and our cause." Of Mrs. Roberts he states, "has a rebel husband, but she is a lady and a mother. Her detention is needless, therefore cruel and I think disgraceful. Mr. L we can keep on suspicion, no great harm done, but to prosecute Mrs. R. is a business that I want to be…

GLC02032

13 June 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Parole releasing prisoner of war Augustus Powell to his father's custody]

Releases Powell, a prisoner of war at Alton, Illinois to his father, John M. Powell. Written on Executive Mansion stationery. Pencil autograph endorsement signed by E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War, states this was referred to General Hitchcock (Ethan Allen Hitchcock, a Union general). Reads: "Allow John M. Powell, bearer of this, to have custody of his son, Augustus Powell, now prisoner of war at Alton, he John M. Powell, being responsible for the good behavior of the son, & for his return, if required. A. Lincoln."

GLC02054

15 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on Senate resolution to Secretary of War Stanton]

Lincoln endorsement as President to Edwin M. Stanton, requesting data, written on the verso of a Senate resolution dated 14 May requesting information concerning the arrest of persons in Kentucky since the 1st of September 1861 and their imprisonment outside the state. States "Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if in his opinion not incompatible with the public interest any information in his possession touching the arrest of persons in Kentucky ... and their imprisonment beyond the limits of that state." The resolution is signed by…

GLC02040

1886

Bufford, John Henry, 1810-1870

Print

Title: Bird's Eye View of Confederate Prison Pen at Salisbury, N.C.

Printed by J. B. Bufford & Sons, copyright by C.A. Kraus. Panoramic view compiled from a sketch made on the site in 1864, probably after its occupation by federal forces. The lithograph shows the prison camp set up on the grounds of a large "cotton factory" in which the prisoners were forced to work. The whole is guarded and enclosed by a stockade. Shows the tents and pits dug into the ground where Union soldiers were forced to live in. A key identifies 12 sites, including "A Hole from which prisoners tunnelled and escaped."

GLC02004

10 August 1864

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written on stationery from a captured soldier from the 20th Maine Volunteers. Discusses hospital duty, and mentions General Jubal Early's campaign in the Washington, D.C. area.

GLC02082.56

22 December 1863

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Charles A. Heckman

Secretarial letter written and signed for Butler by R. C. Davis. Writes to Brigadier General Heckman, commanding forces at Newport News, Virginia. Encloses orders for Captain Belger's Rhode Island battery to report to Point Lookout, Maryland for duty. "The reason for this move is that that country has been added to this Department and an attack by the Rebels is apprehended to release the prisoners now confined there." Written on stationery of Headquarters 18th Army Corps, Department of Virginia & North Carolina.

GLC02297.05

5 September 1780

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Livingston Jay

Written by Jay as Minister to Spain to his wife, who he refers to as Sally, in Madrid. Mentions he received her letter of 1 September 1780, as well as the bundle of letters she sent along. Says she did well in opening the bundle of letters. Also mentions "poor Morris" - referring to Gouverneur Morris, who had recently been criticized by his localist opponents in the New York Assembly for his inattention to New York land claims in what would eventually become Vermont. He was removed from Congress on 1 October 1779. Refers to the British capture of Charlestown, South Carolina and says Generals…

GLC02312

8 December 1846

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Connor

Written aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi, Perry discusses visiting Captain George E. Lambert of HMS Endymion regarding two prisoners who were taken aboard the Palsot for attempting to reconnoiter the enemies' powder magazine and brought to Vera Cruz. Perry mentions the departure of the Morris, a ship carrying provisions for Connor's ship, the McLane, and suggests he stock up on water while in Tampico, Mexico.The war with Mexico brought Perry the principal wartime command of his career. He was initially sent to the Gulf of Mexico as vice commodore of the American squadron with orders to relieve…

GLC02354

22 July 1862

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Hoffman

Writes to Colonel Hoffman about exchanging a Union prisoner, Lieutenant Adjutant D.T. Bowler of the 7th Iowa volunteers (the bearer of the letter) for a Confederate prisoner Lieutenant George T. Moorman held at Chicago. States that Bowler is on parole pending the release of Moorman, who should be send to the South by way of Memphis. Addresses Hoffman as the Superintendent of Prisoners of War.

GLC02152

1862-1864

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of William H. Holly, E company, 12th regiment, Connecticut, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.17]

Written between January 1862 and May 1864 to a friend, Mary Ann Davis, first from Connecticut and then from various camps in Louisiana (Parapet, Hubbard, Kearney, and Stevens, as well as two regions - Lakeport and Vermilion Bayou). Describes the early Louisiana campaigns, including capture of New Orleans in letter of 27 May 1862, and capture at Cedar Creek, Virginia. Also discusses weather. Shows disillusionment with a private's life - the monotony, lack of individuality, respect - and often expresses desire to return home, though balanced by a sense of duty to country. Includes a number of…

GLC02165

1862-1864

Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Alfred Hughes] [decimalized .01-.114]

Letters to his wife Mary Hughes. Hughes, a doctor from Wheeling, Virginia, was detained at Camp Chase, Ohio, as a Confederate sympathizer. He and his wife, Mary, numbered their letters to know which ones were lost, stolen or censored. The collection includes his last will, news clippings relating to the war and prisoners of war.

GLC02166

1862-1864

McFadden, Charles F., fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Charles F. McFadden, B company, 40th regiment, Ohio, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .10]

McFadden was a Private in the 40th Ohio Volunteers. Collection consists of letters written to his sisters and other friends and family from Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee about being on the move and skirmishing with the enemy. Describe his talks with prisoners and also mention his talks with "darkies."

GLC02169

1864-1865

Nicholson, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Charles Nicholson, battery L, 5th regiment, Pennsylvania, heavy artillery] [Decimalized .01- .12]

Charles Nicholson was a Private in the 5th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Co. L. Other letters were written by another soldier in the same family, to their cousin Alice. Writes about Lincoln's death and a cousin's death in Libby prison. Collection contains 10 items, 5 envelopes, 2 photographs, as well as various clippings.

GLC02171

1851-1904

McKinney, Erastus R., fl. 1851-1904

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Erastus R. McKinney, I company, 11th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

Collection of 47 items from the papers of Erastus Root McKinney, who served as a private in the 11th Illinois Volunteers. The collection consists of 43 documents, 4 photographs, and a diary, much of which documents McKinney's service in the Civil War. There are 13 wardate letters from McKinney, along with 6 wardate letters from other soldiers. McKinney, a resident of Lacon, Illinois, enlisted as a corporal in the Illinois 11th Infantry in August 1861. His letters are most often directed to his father and his wife, Cynthia McKinney, and predominantly discuss military life, including the…

GLC02179.01