25 July 1864

Cherry, Joseph B., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Cherry has convinced three deserters to return to the army, and hopes Wortham will grant them permission to fight. Attests that they have good character, and only deserted to escape being captured by the Union. Accompanied by blank page of stationery with Union Eagle. Excerpt: "…These three men here in my neighborhood…have been induced to come in out of the woods & surrender themselves…They have been good soldiers & true men…They made their escape from the Enemy & have concealed themselves till now…."

GLC02233.50

21 August 1864

Burras, Eugene, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

The bearer, Mrs. Frances Wynn, refuses to join her deserter husband, who joined the "Yankee fleet," despite his severe threats. She and her child are destitute and "should be cared for for her faithful adherence to our cause." Burras knows her, and asks Wortham to assist her, as well as her child and her sister.

GLC02233.52

23 August 1864

Note

Title: to George Wortham

A list of fourteen prisoners to be sent to Goldsboro, with their ranks and names listed. One is listed as a "Yankee deserter."

GLC02233.53

20 February 1864

Fitzhugh, William E., 1832-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Enclosing communications regarding James Byrnes, a deserter from the U.S. Army, who now works on board the ship. "I herewith enclose the communications relating to James Byrnes, a deserter from the U.S. Army and now serving on board this ship as Coal Heaver, also my statement concerning him." Written on board the U.S.S. Sebago as part of the blockade of Mobile, Alabama.

GLC02680.19

4 November 1775

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Extracts of resolutions of the Continental Congress]

Resolutions of the Continental Congress recommending that the assemblies of the various colonies to have fire locks and saltpetre manufactured, punish people who harbor deserters, and permit the army to impress vessels for transportation. The resolutions dated 4 November 1775 specify the fire lock supply needs, recommends fines, whipping, and oaths for people who harbor deserters, and ask the New England colonies to grant General Washington the power to impress carriages, horses, and other means of transportation at a "reasonable rate." A resolution from 10 November 1775 urges the…

GLC08921

June 25, 1815

Bedel, Hazen, fl. 1812-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moody Bedel

Hazen Bedel writes from the cantonment at Sackets Harbor, New York, to his brother while on guard duty. Indicates that his unit will be heading to Greenbush on the Niagara frontier. Relates stories of how one soldier had to resign after drinking too much, sleeping in, and missing his duty, and how another stole $6,000 and fled to Canada. Notes that he would like a staff position. Hazen had recently transferred from a post as a regimental quartermaster in the 11th Infantry and to the 6th Infantry. Hazen might be one of Moody's sibling's listed on record as "Hazel," who lived from 1785-1835.

GLC01450.721.15

1 May 1908

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Header Record

Title: [Presidential pardon and U.S. Army discharge pouch of George W. Peters [Decimalized]

GLC05653

8 September 1847

Scott, H.L. (Henry Lee), 1814-1886

Printed document signed

Title: General orders - No. 281.

Proceedings of a Court Martial for 29 soldiers accused & convicted "of desertion to the enemy" during the Mexican War. The men, all privates, all pleaded not guilty, all were sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until dead." Three, who deserted before war began, and four others, had their sentences commuted to fifty lashes and being branded. Another was remitted because his son, "remained faithful to his colors." The remaining men were executed on 10 September 1847.

GLC08954

30 March 1778

Wilkins, Samuel, fl. 1778

Autograph document signed

Title: [Recepit for payment for escaping from the enemy and bringing two deserters]

Recepit that says Wilkins received 4 pounds, 4 shillings from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kingston, a staff officer of General John Burgoyne, for escaping from the enemy and "bringing off two deserters."

GLC04764.70

December 29, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 393

Signed by H.L. Scott. Proceedings from sixteen court martials on charges of insubordination, neglect of duty, absence without leave, sleeping on duty, unsoldierlike conduct, and desertion.

GLC00911.49

7 January 1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 11

Signed by H.L. Scott. Proceedings from eighteen court martials on charges of mutinous conduct, desertion, neglect of duty, and drunkenness on duty. Major F. Lee presiding.

GLC00911.52

22 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to his son that "I learned further through your chaplain that rigorous measures would be adopted to take those Boys back that had left and punish them. I repeat to you that we would like to see you but unless you can get a pass I think it would not be advisable to come..."

GLC03523.10.056

20 August 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's regiment has moved from Natchez, Mississippi, to New Orleans, where "we have a good cool breeze right off the Salt water." Describes the trip down the river. Some deserters are left off the boat at Port Hudson and Damuth proclaims, "I had rather be a soldier in the rebel army than a deserter from ours." The men also pass Baton Rouge. In Carlton, Damuth and a friend breakfast on oysters and beer. There are peddlers everywhere selling cheap goods to the soldiers. Damuth is eager to explore New Orleans.

GLC03523.14.33

2 March 1783

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Joseph Bond]

Colonel Nicola indicates that one of his men, who left on furlough in 1782, has not returned, and was mustered as a deserter. Notes that the deserter's absence leaves an opening for another man to go on furlough, and recommends Bond.

GLC02437.09667

24 August 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Comments that he is pleased that his family has received all of his letters and writes that he is fighting for their rights. Describes his journey to Stevenson, Alabama by train. Reports that during his trip he met an old friend, John Hegeman who fought at Murfreesboro and Perryville. He also writes about riding on the train through the Cumberland Mountain range. Upon arriving at Stevenson his company took up lodging in Rosecrans' headquarters. Writes that Union pickets extend along one side of the Tennessee River and the rebel pickets on the opposite side of the river. Wheeler…

GLC07460.046

18 July 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to an ensuing campaign and the potential for "disposing of the British fleet." Remarks on the prevalence of British ships in the Boston harbor and adjacent waters. Reports that the House of Lee and Jones lost a ship to the British, consequently losing a total of £15,000. Reports that the merchants of Boston persuaded the Governor (John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts) to ask the French Admiral (the Comte de Barras) for protection, but he said that American privateers had been engaging his men and tempting them to desert, thus he could not assist the merchants with a fleet. The…

GLC02437.01060

January 23, 1864

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: Opelousas courier. [Vol. 11, no. 42 (January 23, 1864)]

General Bragg Takes Command of the Trans-Mississippi Department in Place of E. Kirby Smith, Federal Gunboat "Queen of the West" Captured on the Red River, Federal Gunboats are now on the Mississippi at the Mouth of the Red River and Ready to Enter, General Orders to Capture Deserters. The front page is in French and the back page is in English. Among small news items, war updates, and ads, is a song dedicated to the 28th Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers by their Captain. Conscription notices are printed, and ads include notices of fugitive slaves. Opelousas was under Federal occupation at…

GLC05959.15.02

21 October 1863

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 92, whole no. 3747 (October 21, 1863)]

General orders from Texas state headquarters. Deserter notices. Fugitive slave ads. Slave sale ads. Resolutions from a barbecue honoring Hon. A.M. Branch in Huntsville. Relations with France. News from the battlefield.

GLC05959.51.091

6 January 1864

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 125, 3780 (January 6, 1864)]

News from Alexandria, the Chesapeake, the front, Shreveport. Hobby's regiment. Editorial questioning when the war will end. Agricultural prospects. Deserted soldier ad.

GLC05959.51.102

January 29, 1864

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 135, 3790 (January 29, 1864)]

News from Alexandria. Sketches of Quantrell's men: William C. Quantrell. Peace part in the North. Contrast Revolutionary War with Civil War. Policy of furloughs. Ads for deserted soldiers.

GLC05959.51.110

February 1, 1864

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 135, 3790 (February 1, 1864)]

General Morgan's escape from prison. List of casualties in the battle of Missionary Ridge. Report of the raid on King's Ranch. News from Shreveport, Below, the West. Texas state general orders. Yankee intelligence. Texas governor's proclamation. List of deserters.

GLC05959.51.111

8 April 1864

Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879

Newspaper

Title: The Houston daily telegraph. [Supplement (April 8, 1864)]

Telegraphy. List of deserters. Proclamation by Mayor for a fast day.

GLC05959.55.03

7 July 1863

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Scammon endorsement on a telegram to James L. Botsford]

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin F. Coates writes a telegram to Captain James L. Botsford of the 23rd Ohio to report that six Confederate deserters broke out of jail at Lewisburg, West Virginia and have come in. With autograph endorsement signed of Brigadier General Eliakim P. Scammon instructing Coates to send the deserters immediately. On stationary of the U.S. Military Telegraph.

GLC02414.082

14 September 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to unknown

Possibly a telegram to General Eliakim P. Scammon. Colonel White reports that some deserters have come in and that there is a small battalion at Princeton, West Virginia. He will send more information as he gets it. White, a Union Brevet Brigadier General, was with the Ohio 12th Infantry.

GLC02414.087

circa 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: [Decoded cypher telegram]

Possibly in General Eliakim P. Scammon's hand. States that eight deserters came into Gauley, West Virginia and the author asks what to do with them while in custody. The author could possibly be Colonel Carr Bailey White, who wrote other similar telegrams to Scammon in this collection.

GLC02414.116