6 August 1863-7 August 1863

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorcus and to his sister

Letter on first page to cousin Dorcus, hoping that her sweetheart Robert has fared well in the late battle. Uses a numeric code. Letter of last three pages to his sister. Describes Gettysburg and their retreat: "Hear we have bin for several days, but we kno not what minut that we will have to march, we have marched solong so four til dont seam rite to stay in camps."

GLC02082.39

February 21, 1864

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Discusses his return to old winter quarters. Mentions marching in the cold weather. Reports that the Yanks seized Tuscaloosa. Also Tate also worries about the seizure of Tuscaloosa and wishes for a furlough to "bush whack them." Also describes an interesting meeting in Richmond with the widow who cared for him when he was wounded in 1862.

GLC02082.50

29 November 1814

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Rush

Addressed to Rush as Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Encloses a letter received from her son, John Quincy Adams, to the President, James Madison, and states that he may read the political parts to the President if he desires. States that the letter is John Q. Adams opinions on the "farce" of the peace negotiations with Britain during the War of 1812, and should not be made public. Comments upon the fate of Alexandria, Virginia. Finishes by saying, "I have not a word to say, in vindication of the conduct of my own native State, but much to deplore." Free frank of John Adams.

GLC02291

8 March 1865

Prentiss, Mary Y., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abba

Written by a young girl to an unidentified recipient (apparently her sister), intermingling observations with gossip and flirtation. Exclaims enthusiastically about all the fun she is having. States that she attended Lincoln's second inauguration in Washington, D.C., on 4 March 1865, and describes Vice President Andrew Johnson's drunkenness when taking the oath. Comments that, "All the senators are more anxious to have Mr. Lincon [sic] live than they ever were before." Also states that people wanted Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's first term vice-president, but not Mrs. Lincoln and…

GLC02319

1 October 1872

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace Rublee

Thanks Rublee for gifts and hospitality on his recent trip to Switzerland. Discusses President Ulysses S. Grant's reelection contest, declaring, "I see the President daily and he takes things as easy as though he had no interest in the Contest that now captivates our newspapers." Also states he might send his daughter to Europe over the winter and will have her stop in to see Rublee and his wife. Written on Headquarters Army of the United States letterhead.

GLC02332

12 July 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Encloses a pair of socks, enlarged by Nancy. Hopes that George will use his remaining time at school well. Discusses the question as to whether or not Lombardy poplar and worms that infest it are poisonous. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.25

6 August 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Would be glad to know if George wishes to be at the "commencement in Cambridge." If so, he should be "here on the 18th of this month, for commencement is on the 27th." Has been expecting a letter from him. Undoubtedly George has heard of the death of his Aunt Champlin. She has gone to her eternal reward, for she was a pious woman. Ellery sends regards to Mr. Updike and Captain Barney, and to their families. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of…

GLC02300.26

20 June 1804

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph document signed

Title: [Indentures for the sale of a farm on the Raritan River in New Jersey]

Also signed by Ann Pierce, Charles Wilkes, and Henry Brockholst Livingston. Records a sequence of ownership of a farm property. Pages 1 and 2 are the indenture of Ann Pierce selling a farm "on the south side of the Raritan River in the county of Somerset in the State of New Jersey about a mile and a half above the town of New Brunswick" to Hamilton on 30 April 1803. Certifies that he may sell the land and use the proceeds to pay a bond of Nathaniel Pendleton and John Bard. Page 3 is Hamilton's indenture, which includes his name written five times, signed and sealed by Hamilton and…

GLC02308

16 April 1864

Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Flora Cooke Stuart

Stuart, Commander of Cavalry Corps, Army of North Virginia, writes to his wife from Wigwam (possibly in Virginia). Mentions mutual acquaintances and family members. Took a moonlight ride with Fontaine and Garnett (possibly Colonel Edmond Fontaine and Stuart's aide-de-camp, Theodore Stanford Garnett). Encourages his wife not to worry. Discusses a group of young girls, possibly family, who will soon visit Mrs. Stuart: "...do not interfere with the girls, they are old enough and pretty enough to take care of themselves... I think you judge the girls too harshly." Transmits a letter from…

GLC02334.02

February 1, 1785

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: to William Davis and Benjamin Russell

Countersigned by John Avery as Secretary of State. Calls for Davis and Russell to take depositions from Patience and William Cornell regarding their divorce. Note on page two dated 8 February 1785 and signed by Justice William Davis, states that he has performed the duty requested. With paper seal of Massachusetts.

GLC02357

1840-1862

Ward, Thomas W., fl. 1842-1862

Header Record

Title: Miscellaneous receipts for purchases and land sale documents [Decimalized .01- .17]

As follows: 1) Thomson Gregory DS Receipt for Dr. Hull re: Muslin. n.d. 1 p. 2) Jas H. Starr DS Certifying land purchase of Edward C. Smithson, 7/6/1840. 2 p. 3) Receipt for Ward from Hyslop & Brother 1/29/1841. 1 p. + docket. 4) John Ford (Dr.). DS, Statement of account 8/28/1845. 1 p. + docket. 5) Receipt from T.W. House to T. W. Ward. 10/20/1845. 1 p. 6) Receipt 10/21/1845 for R. Lockart. 1 p. 7) Receipt for sugar and brandy from Rice & Nichols. 10/21/1845. 1 p. 8) Wm O. Thomas DS Receipt 10/21/1845. 1 p. 9) Receipt for calico from Rice & Nichols. 10/21…

GLC02145.80

1861-1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Michael M. Miller, K company, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves] [decimalized]

Sergeant Michael Murray Miller of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserves came from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Most of the letters are to his wife. Included in 206 item collection are 39 letters from his wife to him from Gettysburg and 13 other letters to and from relatives. According to William A. Frassanito, Early Photography at Gettysburg (1995), Miller's letters are the only large archive of a soldier from Gettysburg. Miller's correspondence was split by a descendent so that this collection has every other letter. The other half is privately held. Collection is partially cataloged up to…

GLC02155

1862-1863

Bartlett, George O., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of George O. Bartlett, B battery, 1st regiment, Rhode Island, light artillery] [Decimalized .01-.21]

Bartlett came from Rice City, Rhode Island, and saw action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. His spelling is poor but his writing is descriptive. The George O. Bartlett collection of Civil War correspondence contains letters and envelopes addressed primarily to his friend, Mr. Ira Andrews of Rice City, Rhode Island. Bartlett wrote most of his letters from Falmouth, Virginia and discusses fighting in the Fredericksburg Campaign (1862-1863) (.03, .04, .07, .13, .14). Of particular interest is the letter dated December 18, 1862 which vividly portrays his first foray into…

GLC02158

1871-1881

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Header Record

Title: Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]

Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of the Bureau of Education in Washington, D.C., mostly by either Daniel Hemans or his wife, Nancy Hemans, with the greatest concentration of letters in the early 1870s and early 1880s. Both Nancy and Daniel were Santee Sioux Indians. Daniel joined the mission to the Yankton Sioux as an interpreter and a teacher, and eventually became a preacher.…

GLC02429

1863-1931

Header Record

Title: Collection related to Confederate soldier George P. Hodges [Decimalized .01- .07]

Collection of George P. Hodges, Sergeant, Company B., 37th Mississippi Volunteer Infantry. Includes a parole pass for Hodges, who was a prisoner of war at Vicksburg, a document related to Hodges's participation in a United Confederate Veteran's Reunion, a document related to Hodges's pension, a photograph (possibly of Hodges's in later life), Civil War Lieutenant bars, and a metal pin (possibly from a military reunion). A collateral letter from the War Department 13 August 1909 to the Commissioner of Pensions in Texas (reproduced from the Texas State Archives) indicates that Hodges enlisted…

GLC02386

12 July 1863

Cleveland, Thomas P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes

Cleveland, Emily and Paul Semmes's nephew, describes in detail Semmes's death. General Semmes was mortally wounded in Longstreet's charge at Gettysburg and died in the retreat. Sends the letter care of Captain Cody. Emily Semmes wrote a note on the envelope reading "This package dearest of all. E.J.S." "…I tried to get leave of absence to come home with the corpse, but failed. But as we will not be able to send it at this time perhaps it is all for the best. Oh! how I long to see you all & tell you how noble, brave & patriotic he was while living...above all, how happy & serene…

GLC02411

27 December 1863

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Letter signed

Title: to M. S. Worth

General Banks informs Miss Worth of Albany, New York that "The Ladies of the North were gratefully and enthusiastically remembered by the soldiers in the Hospitals of this Department on Christmas Day ... The sweetest earthly solace that a stricken soldier can receive is to know that the women of his Country appreciate his sacrifices and are willing to give their hours of leisure and luxury to his care and comfort ... "

GLC02413

11 July 1862

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Scammon endorsement on an autograph letter signed from John H. Groce]

Writes to Scammon, Colonel commanding the 1st Prov. Brigade in Camp Jones, West Virginia, about Confederate informers. Informs Scammon of "a suspicious looking man skulking along the road" whom they brought with them into camp but escaped on route. Groce sent men in pursuit. He learned today that a group of Bushwhackers is forming six miles from here and that they have "a route some where between here and Flat Top by which information is carried backward and forward to the enemy, women being the messengers." On verso is a lengthy autograph endorsement signed by Scammon reacting to this…

GLC02414.004

15 December 1862

Ewing, Hugh B., 1826-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Ewing writes to Scammon, Brigadier General commanding the 2nd Division, Kanawha in Fayette, Virginia, to state that he saw Scammon's family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Encloses a letter from them (not present). Says he urged Mrs. Scammon to come with them but she declined. Written shortly before Scammon was promoted to Brigadier General in December 1862, and before Ewing was promoted to Brigadier General in November 1862. Ewing, foster brother William Tecumseh Sherman, became his most trusted subordinate. He serve at South Mountain, Antietam, in the Second Vicksburg campaign and Missionary Ridge.…

GLC02414.006

January 18, 1863

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Manuscript letter

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Clerical copy. George W. Edgar, Lieutenant Colonel commanding the outpost in West Virginia writes to Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio to report that he is sending a Mrs. Dr. Lucker with a flag of truce to Scammon's lines. She is to pass by order of Major General Jones. With clerical note by Colonel Hayes stating that the lady arrived at the outpost and will leave in the morning.

GLC02414.013

6 March 1849

Madison, Dolley, 1768-1849

Header Record

Title: [Collection of two items, quotation signed by Dolley Madison and engraving] Decimalized

GLC02231

1864

Sperry, Lyman Bell, 1838-1920

Diary

Title: [Diary of a Union soldier, Company B, 98th New York Volunteers, who participated in the Petersburg Campaign]

Pongo Bridge is noted on the inner front cover, but this diary was created in various places. Contains a meticulously records of the events of 1864. 8 January, records that General Butler (possibly Benjamin Franklin Butler), is to have entire charge of prisoners. On 12 January, discusses corresponding with a girl named Olive who he misses greatly. Mentions parades 17 January and 15 February. Mentions General James Hewett Ledlie, from Staten Island, New York 30 February, and on other occasions throughout the journal. Travels to New York in March, reaching Albany 3 March, and New York…

GLC02261

January 1, 1864-December 31, 1864

Shallenburger, George W., ?-1872

Diary

Title: [Union Navy diary of 2nd Assistant Engineer George W. Shallenburger on USS Queen City]

Black wrap-around leather diary. Has a cover page that says "Perpetual Diary / A. Liebenroth & Van Auw / 25 Beekman Street / New York." Signed three times by Shallenburger: on the inside front cover, on the first page, and on the 1864 calendar page. Three days printed on each page, except for Sundays, which take up an entire page. Written mostly along the White and Mississippi Rivers. The majority of entries consist of 1-2 sentences. Mostly concerned with the weather, the conditions along the White and Mississippi Rivers, letters he wrote and received, and references to the ship and…

GLC02263.01

1 January 1865- 11 April 1865

Shallenburger, George W., ?-1872

Diary

Title: [Union Navy diary of 2nd Assistant Engineer George W. Shallenburger on the USS Silver Cloud and USS Forest Rose with 2 cartes de visite]

Brown wrap-around leather diary. Signed three times by Shallenburger, with his name written in block letters below the second signature. First two signatures on first page and third signature on penultimate page. Written mostly along the White and Mississippi Rivers. Includes an almanac with important statistics before the diary begins. Each page has space for three days of entries. Each entry has 1-2 sentences. Most entries deal with the weather, ships that he passed, correspondence sent and received, condition of the river, and ship repairs. The diary begins with Shallenburger on the "…

GLC02263.02

circa 6 December 1924

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Al

Written on stationery of Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, as bank Vice President, possibly to New York Governor Alfred Smith. Suggests Frances Perkins for an appointment: "all the ladies of my acquaintance are keen to have you put Miss Frances Perkins into Shientag's job." Shientag is possibly New York attorney Bernard L. Shientag. FDR appointed Perkins Secretary of Labor in 1933 and she served as the first woman cabinet member.

GLC02369