1782

Great Britain. Acts.

Pamphlet

Title: An Act for the better detaining, and more easy exchange of American prisoners...

GLC03562.30

29 March 1865

Palmer, Joseph B., 1825-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Report on battle of Bentonville, North Carolina]

Confederate Major General Palmer gives a detailed report of the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, which occurred on 19-21 March 1865. Describes his brigade's movements and tactics, and lists losses from his brigade including captured, wounded, and killed. "My losses during the fight were 13 killed, 113 wounded, & 53 captured, making in all 179. The enemy's loss I am satisfied was greater, especially in killed." Lists the names and rank of some of the casualties. Includes a one page statement entitled, "Statement of effective total of [General Carter L.] Stevenson's Division in…

GLC03580

24 November 1778

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Has come to the conclusion that the British forces will be not evacuating New York City this winter. Mentions that paroled prisoners are to prepare themselves to be called into service. Mumford's son was a prisoner of war. Parsons was an American general and Mumford was a Connecticut merchant.

GLC03586

February 22, 1862

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Polk, Confederate Major General Commanding, writes to Union General Grant requesting that families of officers captured at Fort Donelson, including General Simon Buckner be allowed to visit. Mentions that the Confederate forces allowed the families of Union officers to visit after the Battle of Belmont.

GLC03690

1861-1862

Smith, William Wallace, fl. 1861-1862

Header Record

Title: to Asa Smith

Letters from William Smith to his brother Asa Smith. The Smith family appears to be from Newton, Massachusetts. See GLC03681.01-.03 for letters by Asa Smith to his mother on the battle between the USS "Monitor" and the CSS "Merrimac."

GLC03742

28 June 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Reviews confederate military position on the eve on Gettysburg. Discusses General U.S. Grant's entrenchment at the Mississippi and attempt to take Vicksburg from General Joseph Johnston. Mentions the need to reinforce Johnston with troops from Generals P.T. Beauregard and Braxton Bragg, who also face attack. Also discusses rumors of an attack on Richmond, and preparations to defend the city. Because of the potential attack, Davis cannot send Lee many reinforcements. Mentions unverified reports that General W.F. Lee has been captured. Davis concludes by expressing regret that he does not…

GLC03778

1863-1888

Caulkins, Clarence, fl. 1863-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of letters belonging to Clarence Calkins, 1863-1888][Decimalized .01-.46]

Collection of letters belonging to Clarence Calkins dated 1863-1888. Correspondence is primarily sent between Clarence to his family members; Samuel J. Calkins, his father; Nettie and Nellie his sisters; and his brother Oscar Calkins. Contents pertains to Petersburg, and prisoners of war at Libby and Danville where Clarence Calkins was likely held. Also included are freemasons ephemera.

GLC03766

circa 1883

Robens, J. P., fl. 1841-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Old Flag. First Published by Union prisoners at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas.

Postwar souvenir facsimile of prison camp newspaper from 17 February 1864 to 15 March 1864, six issues. According to the preface, written by J.P. Robens, "The Old Flag" was published during an imprisonment of 13 months in Tyler, Texas. Contains camp news, poems, advertisements, jokes, and some war news. Contains a list of prisoners in the 17 February 1864 issue. With a bookplate pasted on inside cover printed with "Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts," signed by General William F. Draper, March 27, 1883. With list of…

GLC03772

1847-1912

Wells, Hiram C., fl. 1825-1900

Manuscript

Title: [Collection of Hiram C. Wells]

The collection includes his 1863 diary, military papers and personal and legal papers (mostly pre and post-war). Gives good view of life in cavalry with skirmishes, scouts, etc. Regiment took part in siege of Knoxville. Wells was later captured, imprisoned at Andersonville, and on the Sultana when it exploded, subjects covered in manuscript written in 1880s (includes typed transcript). The diary is approximately 106 pages and spans over the year 1863.

GLC03131.15

29 March 1813

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Adams, in retirement, to Rush, who was to die three weeks later. Forwarding a packet of eight papers on the revolution, including a letter from Vice President Elbridge Gerry and a letter of Benjamin Austin's to Gerry. These letters are not included here. Says he may show them to Carey (probably Philadelphia publisher Matthew Carey) if they help him with his plan. Mentions the incident around the Island of St. John's (Prince Edward Island) during the Quebec campaign in 1775 when Captains Selman and Broughton overstepped their orders and captured private property as well as prominent…

GLC03890

12 September 1864

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Hood

Writes to Confederate General Hood to discuss a prisoner exchange. Also discusses the deplorable conditions at Andersonville Prison, asking him to give the Union prisoners more room and food, and to allow them to construct shelters. Written on stationary of the "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi."

GLC03882

24 November 1865

Wirz, Elizabeth, 1826-?

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Affidavit concerning the lies of General L.C. Baker in regard to the case of Henry Wirz]

Wirz, the wife of the recently executed Captain Henry Wirz, denies Baker's allegation that she attempted to deliver a poison to her husband during one of her visits to him before he was convicted of war crimes at Andersonville Prison during the Civil War. Contends that Baker was angered by her claim that government officials committed perjury during her husband's trial and forbade additional meetings with her husband. Without money to support herself, she returned to Kentucky "Committing her husband to the care of his Maker, and submitting his fate to the honor and Justice of a shoulder…

GLC03887

January 17, 1862

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

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Grant endorsement on exchange of prisoners taken at Battle of Belmont]

Union Brigadier General Grant reports on Federal prisoners taken at Belmont on 7 November 1861. "Nothing special has been heard from Federal prisoners for some time. I believe they are yet in Memphis." Endorsement written on the verso of a 17 January 1862 letter from Nathaniel B. Baker to Major General Henry Halleck requesting information about the exchange of prisoners taken by the Confederates at the battle of Belmont. Asks specifically about Captain Crabb of the Iowa 7th Infantry or any other Iowa soldier or officer. Written on State of Iowa, Adjutant General's Office stationery.…

GLC04003

1864

Walker, John Burns, fl. 1862-1865

Print

Title: Andersonville Prison, Georgia

A colored, lithographic view of the prison and POWs, printed underneath is the description: "Numbers 1 and 2 comprise Andersonville Prison an area of 26 acres, nearly five acres of which was an uninhabitable swamp. In June, July and August. 1864, 33.000 Union Prisoners were crowded on the remaining 21 acres." Walker, the man who sketched the image, is identified as a Andersonville POW and member of Co. G of the 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Lithograph made by Thomas Sinclair of Philadelphia.

GLC04017

22 April 1865

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Walter Taylor

Submits a report of the operations of his command, the Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia from 28 March to 9 April 1865, the days leading up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Detailed account of troop movements, skirmishes with Union forces, and the number of captured, wounded, and killed. Reports being joined by the divisions of Generals William Henry Fitz Lee and Thomas L. Rosser. Indicates that they attacked Sheridan's cavalry at Five Forks. Describes events leading up to the army withdrawing from Petersburg. Praises commanding generals W. H. F. Lee, Rosser, Thomas T. Munford,…

GLC04019

11 April 1864

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Manuscript letter

Title: [Soldiers of the Army of Western Louisiana!]

Congratulatory special order to his troops after two victorious battles. Praises his men extensively for their valor at the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana on 8 April, and Pleasant Hill, Louisiana on 9 April. Lists prisoners taken and equipment captured. Rallies the men to stay strong as there is still more work to be done.

GLC04024

1865

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Jeff's Last Shift

Cartoon depicting the capture of Jefferson Davis. Depicts his rumored attempt to escape in women's clothing. Davis had actually thrown his wife's overcoat over his shoulders prior to making an unsuccessful dash to elude the soldiers pursing him. Printed by Currier & Ives in the "Clerks Office of the District Court of the Unite States for the Southern District of NY." Originally folded down the center.

GLC03949

1861-1865, ca. 1900

Sarsons, Eleazer L., 1836-?

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Eleazer L. Sarsons, C company, 4th regiment, New Hampshire, infantry] [decimalized]

Contains account of his capture and release from Andersonville; his exchange; Lee's surrender. Includes description and drawing of Fort Marion.

GLC03953

1864-1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Header Record

Title: [Diaries of John W. Phoenix, A company, 28th regiment, Wisconsin, infantry]

Diaries are decimalized.

GLC03956

1861-1865

Scurry, John G., fl. 1861-1871

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John G. Scurry, A company, 11th regiment, Virginia, infantry][Decimalized .01-.81]

Collection of letters belonging to John G. Scurry dated 1861-1865. Consists of 81 letters sent to various recipients, two of which are incomplete. The letters describe the battles of Chickahominy, McClellan's claim of victory in the Penninsula campaign, being wounded and captured at Gettysburg, service in North Carolina in 1864, and prospects for McClellan's election as president in 1864. Also includes 14 letters by other soldiers.

GLC03957

1861-1863

Worcester, John H., 1839-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John H. Worcester, H company, 7th regiment, New Hampshire, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .41]

The collection includes documents and letters written to the Worcester family, especially the father, John, from Lieutenant John H. Worcester and his younger brother Charles H. Worcester. John was wounded at Fort Wagner, South Carolina, and taken prisoner. He was later exchanged and died from gangrene while aboard a hospital steamer. Charles survived Fort Wagner because he had been sick in hospital during the battle. Most of the war letters are written from St. Augustine, Florida or Follys Island, South Carolina. The collection includes a manuscript map of St. Augustine, Florida; a…

GLC03974

7 April 1779

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter

Title: to Goose Van Schaick

Detailed draft of General Schuyler's instructions to Colonel Van Schaick for a raid against the Onondaga Indians. Asks Van Schaick to exclude Indian allies from the expedition and to take measures to prevent the rape of any women taken captive. Van Schaick covered 180 miles in less than a week, severely punishing the Onondagas. The expedition was a retaliation for Indian attacks in 1778 and was executed in conjunction with the Sullivan Campaign.

GLC03982

1856

Kendall, George W., fl. 1844-1856

Book

Title: Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe expedition....

Fuller title: "Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, comprising a description of a tour through Texas, and across the great southwestern prairies, the Camanche and Caygua hunting-grounds, with an account of the sufferings from want of food, losses from hostile Indians, and final capture of the Texans, and their march, as prisoners, to the city of Mexico. With illustrations and a map."

GLC04153

1864

Autograph album

Title: [Prisoner of War autograph album]

Includes signatures of Union generals captured during the siege of Charleston: Eliakim Scammon, Henry Wessells, Truman Seymour, Alexander Shaler, as well as many soldiers and officers. Also signed by Confederate Stephen D. Mobley, Capt. 32nd Georgia Volunteers, possibly guarding the prisoners.

GLC04225

19 September 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln endorsement on a letter from Samuel Holloway]

Letter written by Samuel Holloway to Abraham Lincoln requesting release of his son George W. Holloway, a prisoner of war. States that his son was induced to join the Confederate Army without his knowledge. He is now in the hospital and will not recover unless released. Conveys that his son repents his mistake and is ready to swear allegiance to the Union. Begs Lincoln to save his boy's life, offers to pay bond money, and also offers to be taken as a hostage in his son's place. Certification on third page dated 20 September 1864 states that George W. Holloway is between 16 and 17 years…

GLC04484