17 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has returned to a camp in an undetermined location after being beaten in battle by a much smaller force. Describes fighting in dense fog at the command of Colonel Smith. Says that the regiment split during battle and Coit and many other men got lost in the woods. Notes that he and a few other men occupied a brick house and held it. Writes that many men were wounded and others fell into enemy hands. "I never felt so perfectly above all fear as during the heavy fighting early in the day, the crisis seemed too great for any such personal feeling and through it all with the bullets…

GLC03603.276

13 October 1864

Smith, Edward W., fl. 1864

Document

Title: General Orders

The orders say that 100-150 Union troops have been captured by the Confederate Army and will be placed in front of their troops going into battle. The orders request that an equal number of Confederate prisoners of war be "set to work in the excavation at Dutch Gap, and elsewhere along the trenches" and that their rations match those that the Union prisoners of war reportedly receive. The order is to be read to the prisoners to inform them of the reasons for their treatment. Those attempting to escape will be shot.

GLC03603.321.02

30 September 1864

Smith, Moses, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George D. Coit

Smith (Chaplin 8th C.V.) writes to George Coit to let him know that he has just come from the battlefield and that Charles is well. He reports on the progress of the battle saying that they have captured 500 prisoners and that the 9th lost 9 officers. Charles requested his family be informed of his well-being.

GLC03603.322

4 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He describes the events of September 28th saying that they crossed the James river and drove Rebel troops back. The 10th of New Hampshire and the 118th of New York were the skirmishers while the 8th and 96th of New York were the support. Lt. Colonel Smith suffered a head wound. Foss was also wounded but Coit reports that neither was wounded fatally. He describes the 8th taking the fort and the two Rebel charges. "The ground was covered with killed + wounded + we took many prisoners".

GLC03603.323

20 October 1864

Smith, Edward W., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: General Orders 134

The order informs that the Union soldiers who were prisoners of the Confederate Army have been relieved of their duties in the trenches and orders that the Confederate soldiers being held as prisoners of war by the Union are withdrawn from their retaliatory duties. The order further states that prisoners of war wishing to take the Oath of Allegiance should be allowed to travel North and do so.

GLC03603.327

January 26, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes after returning from a trip home. Reports seeing Fred Ward's father on the train and hearing him talk about his son who he believes has been taken prisoner. Thinks that Fred Ward is dead but did not tell his father this. Reports that Charlie Johnson met him in New York and attempted to give him boots, an overcoat, and a scarf and gloves. Writes that he arrived in Washington, D.C. and bought a sword, haversack and boots. Declares that the city is "full of shoulder strap & I was ashamed to be seen there." Describes his new sword and his return to camp, where he was made fun of for…

GLC03603.184

23 June 1863

Blake, W.E., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [List of crew from captured CSS "Atlanta" transferred from the USS "James Adger" to Fortress Monroe]

List of 127 prisoners transferred to Fortress Monroe, Virginia under Major General John Dix: 116 crewmen from the captured CSS ironclad "Atlanta" and 11 prisoners taken near Savannah, Georgia. Signed on page 3 by Provost Marshal Captain W. E. Blake of Fortress Monroe and by W.J. Greenway. Written aboard the USS "James Adger".

GLC01007.05

January 30, 1822

Lincoln, Rufus, 1751-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes about his petition to Congress for support due to him for eight years military service and time as a prisoner of war during the American Revolution. Comments on his economic hardship and previous rejections of his petitions.

GLC06313.04.145

9 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Randall describes a prisoner exchange between Grant and Cheatham. He comments that Grant "had somewhat the appearance of a gentlemen but the rest seemed to me impudent upstarts--some made confidence in the 'on to New Orleans' intention and all of them declared they were fighting for us-- that they came to save not to destroy. Genl. Grant even saying he would resign his commission if war should be made against slavery -- but it was evident from the whole tenor of their remarks that their purpose individually was subjugation & confiscation. I was thoroughly disgusted with the whole party…

GLC04501.013

February 22, 1863

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Reports that it has been snowing all day long. Says she has not heard from him "for sometime." References the military situation around Martinsburg, saying "the cavalry may make a dash at any time, they are all around and captured a picket guard between here and Winchester two or three days ago." Mentions other skirmishes and troop movements and says a railroad in Mercer County is being guarded. Refers to her state as "W. Va." on page 3, about 5 months before it became a state. Says she might go to Baltimore to visit their sister Kate soon. Says one of…

GLC03523.21.20

February 5, 1864

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Henry F. McSherry

Mentions a wedding party being captured by Confederates.

GLC03523.21.26

22 March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Sends his best wishes to everyone back home. Comments that he has not been sick since he has been in "Dixie." Writes that he is sorry to hear how many people are sick and dying back home. Describes how he would like to see all the deserters caught and returned to the regiment so they can see what soldiering is like. Informs her that he is not tired of soldiering yet. They completed cutting a canal through the levy last night. Mentions that some believe the whole lower part of Louisiana will flood. Writes of hearing cannons in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi every day and says…

GLC03523.32.08

6 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he sent 30 dollars by express to a man named Mr. Wells. Reports that there were 560 rebels who were marched into their camp the other night and that another 6000 to 8000 were taken in the same place. Writes that they are planning on taking them to Cincinnati, Ohio and exchanging them for our boys. Comments that he has heard that he may have another brother. Written on paper with an image of a liberty and the Union flag with a boat in the background. The ink has bled through the paper making some of the words illegible.

GLC03523.32.10

10 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he will be marching out today towards Black River, Mississippi. Writes of a man named Nathan shooting himself in the hand, and says that his middle finger is now an inch back. Mentions various men in the army and reports on what they are up to and how they are doing. Comments on hearing big guns fired in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they took Grand Gulf, Mississippi and captured somewhere between 600 and 800 prisoners. Notes that some people believe that the prisoners have done their last fighting while others believe that they will be…

GLC03523.32.11

11 July 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Reports that they entered Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th. Describes conquering and entering Vicksburg, Mississippi as being the most glorious fourth he ever had. Reports that 30 to 40 thousand men surrendered and were taken prisoner. Remarks on the layout of Vicksburg, Mississippi and says that is made up of nothing but gulfs and levies. Comments that they are now busy fortifying and performing guard duty. Notes that they have to be on guard duty every other day and sometimes daily. Writes of a man named Burnsam being a scamp and wishes that he would have to…

GLC03523.32.17

February 15, 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday. Reports that Fort Donelson was just captured and a lot of prisoners taken. Among the prisoners was the notorious traitor, [Sue] Floyd. Speaks of the captain yelling and swearing at people all the time. Says that he tried to get a furlough to come home but was denied. Writes that that he is sending $46 home and hopes to send $1000 over the…

GLC03523.49.15

22 September 1915

Smith, Francis Marion, 1842-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Boos

States he has not replied until now because of a serious illness. Has attached his signature to a statement for the National Tribune giving his impressions of April 2, 1865, a day Abraham Lincoln came to visit City Point hospital and so impressed a Confederate prisoner that he swore to not raise arms against the government again (see GLC05603.18). Relays that he cannot send autographs of the officers of the Maryland Regiments because he does not have them.

GLC05603.01.17

1861-1865

Smith, Francis Marion, 1842-1917

Typed document signed

Title: [Anecdote about Lincoln's kindness towards a wounded Confederate soldier]

Signed as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry. Relates an incident at City Point hospital on 2 April 1865, where President Abraham Lincoln met a Confederate soldier and treated him with great kindness. After Lincoln left, the Confederate soldier asked "Who did you say that man was?" When he learned it was Lincoln, he declared that if other Confederates could meet Lincoln, they would lay down their arms and go home. According to Smith, the Confederate soldier exclaimed, "If God spares my life, I will never again raise my arms against the United States Government…

GLC05603.01.18

15 November 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Reports that a man named Eugene Thomas, along with the rest of the men, might have been taken prisoner while traveling home on a furlough. Writes that he has also heard the story is not true. Informs his sister that he sent both her and his mother a picture of himself. Writes about a friend who just recently died. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.25

31 July 1861

Cash, Ellerbee Boggan, 1823-1888

Autograph letter

Title: to Brigadier General M.L. Bonham

Account of the victory at First Bull Run by a colonel in the 8th South Carolina Infantry. "The enemy now fled in the utmost confusion throwing away everything which at all impeded his flight...my Sergant Major...took as a prisoner Mr. Ely a member of Congress from New York who armed with a revolver had come upon the field to enjoy the pleasure of witnessing our defeat."

GLC09228

15 July 1862 - 2 August 1862

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Recommendation for Thomas H. G. Poulson]

Recommending a private in the 46th Regiment, Va. Vols., who was "captured at Roanoke Island as [sic] is now on parole. He is poor and needs & desires employment." This letter is adhered to a letter dated 2 August 1862 from Thomas H. G. Poulson to Confederate Secretary of the Treasury C.C. Memminger stating, "Gen. Wise has known me from my youth…and I beg leave to refer you, to the accompanying letter from him in order that you may ascertain as to my character qualifications."

GLC09250

8 April 1863

Carter, J. D., fl. 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Telegram to Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio. "I have arrested a S Edwin…for aiding the enemy…I took from his farm five (5) Horses and mules also three (3) negroes…Shall I keep them or return them when I have done with them? He is rich and a very mean secesh…."

GLC02414.227

3 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses skepticism of getting out of the army since his colonel was taken prisoner. Request they contact Mr. Kilbourn immediately and see if he can urge their case along. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.68

10 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on his way home. Discusses his band's discharge case against the government for non-payment of their musical services.

GLC03523.52.71

4 October 1863

Boham, Milledge L., 1813-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Seddon

To James A. Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, sending "a copy of the Report of the Provost Marshall's Court to whom the Negros--slaves and free--captured on James and Morris Island on the 11th and 18th of July last were committed for trial."

GLC09402