9 April 1865

Armstrong, George A., fl. 1865

Manuscript document

Title: [Civil war appreciation for soldiers from George A. Armstrong]

"Copy of Order / Head Qrs 3d Cavalry Division / Appomattox Court House April 9-1865 / Soldiers of the 3d Cavalry Division / With profound gratitude towards the god of battles by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our armis rendered triumphant Your commanding Genral...express[es] to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the Series of battles which to day resulted in the surrender of the enemys entire army - the record established by your indomitable courage is unparralelled in the annals of war. your prowess has won for you the respect and…

GLC09160

18 March 1864

Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin French

"Accept my grateful thanks for your note and the lines to the memory of my beloved son...when he undertook the mission of freedom to the weary captives who pined in the Rebel dungeons of Richmond, he did it with a fullness of purpose that know no limit; the danger that lay in the way never palsied his resolve for an instant...His name should stand in living light before the young men of our land and inspire their hearts with the same unselfish resolution to carry the glorious banner of the Union over the ruins of a causeless Rebellion." Includes a poem inspired by Ulric Dahlgren's death,…

GLC09162

4 October 1864 - 11 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He is writing despite the fact that no mail has been coming in or out because the rebels have cut their line of communication. There are various reports as to the location of Confederate General Joseph Bell Hood's army. He assumes it is in their rear, however, a Union army is advancing upon the rear of the Confederates. The entire Union army, except the 20th Corps. left behind in Atlanta, Georgia, is turning to meet General Hood. The rest of the brigade has left Atlanta and have returned to camp. The Union General William T. Sherman is…

GLC07460.102

circa 1864

Manuscript document signed

Title: Journal

Journal with signatures, poems, and notes written by Johnson's Island prisoners of war. Including poem, "The Prison on Lake Erie."

GLC09187

17 September 1780

Winslow, John, fl. 1811

Letter signed

Title: to Brigadier General Irvin, Prisoner on Parole

From British Deputy Commissary of Prisoners at Flat Bush, NY. "Three of your officers having been taken last Night to make their Escape, His Excellency Lieutenant General [James] Robertson wishes to see you...on this matter..." Likely to James Irvine, ranking American prisoner.

GLC09193

1 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes that he is still in Washington and has not done much fighting recently. Discusses a position for which he applied, stating that he won't be disappointed if he doesn't get it but could use the increase in pay. Reports that General Foster has raided North Carolina and brought in a number of prisoners and horses. States that many Union men in North Carolina are trying to bring the state back to its old allegiance. Feels that if all the rebels are driven out of Virginia, North Carolina will return to the Union. Reports that…

GLC02016.034

29 November 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that although he would like to request furlough for the holidays, he feels it may be wiser to reserve his request for a time when he will really need it. Reports that Thanksgiving day was celebrated by the soldiers with a meal of hardtack and salt horse. Is anxious to receive further news of Grant's victory in the West. Writes that a rebel quartermaster deserter came into the lines the other day and later succeeded in capturing 52 rebels near Washington, North Carolina. Reports that the men of the company are recuperating and that he is also enjoying good health.

GLC02016.043

December 27, 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that he spent Christmas on a boat in Washington, North Carolina with other soldiers, most of which were drunk. He had Christmas dinner with Phillip Forrester. Has befriended a widower in Washington who is originally from Pennsylvania. Writes that the company has re-enlisted for three years, but is unsure whether he will return. The regiment has taken thirty prisoners with their equipment, arms, and horses.

GLC02016.045

January 17, 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Explains that the delay in correspondence is probably due to the Northeastern storms occurring in the area of Cape Hatteras. Writes that despite not having any major battle news, the men have weekly encounters with the rebels from Washington and often bring back prisoners. Three to four hundred Confederate prisoners have been captured since Painter arrived in Washington, North Carolina. Discusses writing for a paper, possibly the "Danville Democrat."

GLC02016.046

January 12, 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has not slept because of the rain. He states that the troops are without shelter and that the mud in the camp is up to his knees. Notes that there are rumors about the army returning to Washington, D.C. in a few days. Explains to his wife that if he does indeed go to Washington, D.C. she should come to visit him there and bring their baby. If the army does not go to Washington, D.C. he will try to obtain a leave of absence. Writes that a rebel deserter surrendered to him while he was on picket duty. The deserter told him that the Confederate army is now on half-…

GLC03523.13.074

29 May 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports on a long skirmish involving Union forces, 175 prisoners, and some equipment including a "splendid set of surgical instruments." Gives a detailed description of a surprise attack on rebel forces and news that Col. [John Richter] Jones had been killed. Writes that a general gloom came over the regiment upon seeing Jones' body coming up the road in a stretcher. High military honors were paid to Jones by General Foster and the town's flags were set at half mast for three days. He has written an account of the recent fight…

GLC02016.033

19 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Writes that there will be no mail going north for the next week, so he is taking the opportunity to write before the last ship leaves so as to relieve his family of any worries regarding his welfare. Reports that many of the men in the company are sick with malaria, including Lieutenant Birmingham and Captain Jackson. Also reports that Major General Peck is now in command of the department. Discusses the change in weather. The department has been relatively quiet except for the capture of five cavalrymen across the river from camp. There was another attempt to capture some soldiers in…

GLC02016.036

19 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Rebecca Frick]

Updates his aunt on the letters he's written home. Writes that the weather is changing and becoming cooler. Reports the same news to his aunt as he does to his sister Anna in the previous letter. States that he could really use some gentian bitters, which would help during the current climate and season.

GLC02016.037

1776

Johnston, Francis, 1749-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Persifor Frazer

Johnston says he should have waited for Frazer in the morning, but was indisposed. Did not sleep well last night because David Matthews "a Capital Tory (no less than the present Lord Mayor of N York" was quite loud next door. He was accompanying Matthews as a prisoner to meet General Washington. Asks Frazer for a "duplicate of the general abstract for my use," and says he will meet him at Mr. Airey's. David Matthews was the Tory Mayor of New York from 1776 to 1783. He was implicated in a plot to murder or kidnap George Washington, and arrested by the Colonial Army on June 22, 1776. He…

GLC01450.457.01

June 10, 1862

Olmstead, Charles H., 1837-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Olmstead, a Confederate officer who surrendered Fort Pulaski and was taken as a prisoner of war at Fort Columbus, writes to Union Secretary of War Stanton. Olmstead is concerned that the Union is violating the prisoner of war terms signed by General Quincy A. Gillmore and himself at the surrender. The surrender terms stated that the Confederate sick and wounded should be sent up to the Confederate lines. Olmstead has found out that instead of these sick and wounded men being allowed to return home, they were kept and arrangements were made for them to be exchanged for Federal prisoners in…

GLC00319.01

11 June 1862

Loomis, Gustavus, 1789-1872

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Transmits correspondence from Confederate Colonel Charles H. Olmstead to Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War (see GLC00319.01) concerning the alleged violation of the surrender terms of Fort Pulaski. Autograph endorsement signed by Major General David Hunter, 7 July 1862, from Hilton Head, South Carolina stating it was received 27 June 1862 and referred to Hunter for report on instructions from Stanton. Hunter then endorses the letter on 7 July 1862 from Hilton Head, South Carolina and states that, "The surrender of Fort Pulaski was unconditional. Capt. Gillmore had no authority from me to…

GLC00319.02

January 15, 1777

Morris, William, fl. 1777-1793

Autograph document signed

Title: [Reciept for a prisoner]

Requests that money be delivered to sergeant Chapman for various things, including a prisoner.

GLC01450.143.09

circa 1781

Ely, John, 1737-1800

Autograph document signed

Title: [Service record of John Ely]

Lists dates when Ely was commissioned, taken prisoner, paroled, recalled, and exchanged. States his service time totaled four years two months and twenty three days.

GLC01450.143.20

5 May 1790

Howell, Joseph, 1750-1798

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account betwee John Ely and Connecticut]

Formal record listing money to Ely by Connecticut. Includes pay of one dollar per day for time while he was captured, and reimbursement for expenses such as rations incurred during fighting. Includes conversion values between old currencies and new dollars. Signed twice by Howell as the General Commissioner for the Office of Army Accounts.

GLC01450.143.22

December 22, 1775

Parker, Jonas, ?-1775

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for Joseph Graves]

States that Graves is owed one pound sixteen ounces for "entertainement given to let Jonas Parker and his men in bringing prisoners" over his land. Signed by Parker as "Captain of the Gaurd." Verso dated 22 December 1775, but the document must have been written earlier since Parker died in April 1775. Verso also states that document was examined and signed by Abraham Mason, Thomas Durfee, Jon Webster, and Joseph Locke. Verso also bears a second signature from Parker. A later note signed "Everett" tells the story of Parker's death at the battle of Lexington.

GLC01450.237.01

5 April 1777

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Complains about his profession as a doctor and compares it to being a "galley slave." Describes a man abroad named William Roberts as unambitious. Mentions, and discounts, the prospect of war in India and comments on related political and military matters, discussing a man named Mr. Erskine and the "Directors & Proprietors" of the East India Company. A Mr. Floger is mentioned in connection to a position in "the Government of Bombay." Discusses the disagreement between Lord Pigot, the governor and commander-in-chief of Madras, and his council (concerning the restoration of the Rajah of…

GLC02549.04

September 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph document

Title: to Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of Liverpool

Memorial written by Major General Phillips, as commander fo the captured British Convention Army (he took control when John Burgoyne returned to Britain in April 1778) to Jenkinson as Secretary of War in Lord North's ministry in London. States that by a resolution of Congress in August 1778, it appears the Convention Army will not be returning to Britain in the next coming months. Worries about the promotion of the officers in the Convention Army, who are deprived of field service. Hopes the captured troops can count on the protection of the King. Says the troops under him have continued to…

GLC04764.76

29 May 1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph document

Title: to Captain Ross

Written by Kingston as a staff officer to General John Burgoyne. Kingston wrote this somewhere in Britain, where he returned with Burgoyne in April 1778. Requests action on his "particular exchange" as a prisoner of war. Mentions that he could be exchanged for Lieutenant Colonel Bellinger or Colonel Hale. Kingston was only formally a prisoner. He returned to Britain and promised not to fight until exchanged.

GLC04764.77

29 June 1776

Hunt, J., fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Hunt is writing to an unknown recipient. Sends it to "My Dearest Friend." The index prepared for this collection suggests it could be to General John Burgoyne. It could also have been sent to Robert Kingston. It is impossible to tell. Year inferred from the "Sat. Even: June 29th." The only year in the 1770s to have a June 29th on a Saturday is 1776. Says he saw his sister and had hoped to see him. Tells him that his mother became ill and died. Hopes circumstances have permitted him to leave before this arrives. Says he will help out in whatever way he can.

GLC04764.78

1763-1783

Autograph document

Title: [Fragment of check]

Fragment of a check from what appears to be activity related to the Saratoga Campaign. Mentions "Please to Pay to" and then cuts off. Also mentions "Genl. Burgoyne" as well as somebody or something in Colonel Aldens Regiment. Partial tear down the middle, which appears to have been repaired previously.

GLC04764.79