1868

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Book signed

Title: Major General Meade's report on the Ashburn murder

Inscribed by Meade to Spencer Miller on a blue bound-in title page: "Spencer Miller Esq compliments of Gen. Meade." Contains an errata slip opposite the title page. Report on the murder of George W. Ashburn, a prominent white supporter of reconstruction and African-American rights, in Columbus, Georgia. Report outlines the attack on Ashburn by a group of "thirty to fifty" men who were "disguised in masks, and with blackened faces;" based on their style of dress, "there is no doubt that the party...belong to the better class of citizens." The report opens with a statement written to…

GLC01113

December 1861

Header Record

Title: Items related to the capture of three men in Apalachicola, Florida. [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01430.05

1776

Simmons, Peleg, fl. 1776

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Orderly book of Peleg Simmons]

Daily orders for troops at Middletown and Newport, Rhode Island. Reports on soldiers' and officers' duties, troop movements, court martials, provisions, uniforms, armaments, soldiers' appearance, and general announcements to the troops at camp. Includes orders on preparing arms and establishing regimental colors. Assigns captains for each day. On 17 April 1776, mentions Commander Henry Babcock's arrest and removal from office due to insanity. 20 July 1776 describes a celebration of the Declaration of Independence, noting parade and canon fire. Briefly mentions smallpox in an entry for…

GLC01450.003

January 22, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg

Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg.

GLC01307

January 22, 1864

Kellogg, Orlando, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

"The President told me today that the sentenced of Harry C. Fuller would stand suspended 'till I could have a hearing for him. I shall save him." Apparently a fragment from a longer letter.

GLC01308.01

1856-1869

Civil War Loyalty Societies, fl. 1856-1869

Header Record

Title: Civil war loyalty pamphlets [41] (Bulk, 1861-1869)

Disbound pamphlets including Loyal Publ. Society Tracts nos. 7, 27, 29, 34, 36, 37 and 40, arguments of E. Pierrepont at Surratt's trial (1867), etc.

GLC01265

1861-1865

Kellogg, Orlando, 1809-1865

Header Record

Title: Letter fragment and carte de visite [decimalized]

GLC01308

December 6, 1850

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Case of General Gratiot

Summarizes all the details of the case of the War of 1812 hero, General Charles Gratiot, from Gratiot's 1838 dismissal order through various appeals during the John Tyler administration. This brief was possibly prepared by a clerk for Fillmore's review and opinion. On page 25, Fillmore gives his conclusion on the case and writes about the presidential power of the right of removal vested by the constitution. He states, "It may have been good or bad, right or wrong, but the act itself was constitutional and perfect, and nothing can restore him [Charles Gratiot] but the appointing power,…

GLC01807

1828

Binns, John, 1772-1860

Broadside

Title: Monumental Inscriptions!

Depicts 6 fictitious funeral monuments, each to a militiamen executed by Jackson on 21 February 1815, after the Battle of New Orleans, for being deserters. The tombstones bear inscriptions detailing how each was a good man and soldier, and regardless of this, was "By the Orders of General Andrew Jackson, Shot to Death." Each monument was supposedly erected on 4 July, 1828. One monument reminds the reader "Let not the splendor of Military renown Blot out from your indignant recollection this bloody deed DONE BY A HERO." Includes a verse at the bottom entitled "Mournful Tragedy." Jackson…

GLC01825

25 September 1779- June 1781

Manuscript

Title: [Orderly and account book for Stratford, Connecticut]

Includes orders for the regiment, patrols, inspections, curfews, seizures of Tories, safe conduct passes and a confession. Also contains accounts for provisions and expenses for 1779-1780. Includes an order issued by Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull stating "I am informed that there are many inimical Persons carrying on Evil Traitorous, and Dangerous, Practices against the United States and this Especially enticing Persons to go to the Enemy to enter into their services, assisting them, to go to Long Island, and by transporting Provision to New York and L. Island, for the support of…

GLC01835

29 April 1865

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

General Meade writes from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac. A previous assessment indicates this letter, directed to "Genl Cmd'g," is written to General William T. Sherman. Marked "Personal" on docket. Meade declines to send the 3rd Cavalry, since he has no other cavalry. His other cavalry units were previously sent to General Sheridan, and even after applying to General Grant, no cavalry returned. In the area (possibly near Appomattox Court House, Virginia), some blacks have been pillaging the homes of their former masters. Meade notes "there is really some danger of an insurrection…

GLC01918

7 October 1864

Collins, Napoleon, 1814-1875

Letter signed

Title: to Lester A. Beardslee

Signed by Collins as the commander of the USS "Wachusett." Written to Lieutenant Commander Beardslee. Collins tells Beardslee to take command of the prize steamer "Florida," and proceed with the "Wachusett" to the nearest northern port. He is only to stop at a neutral port in the West Indies out of great necessity. If they become separated he has permission to run into Key West, Hampton Roads, or any other port controlled by Union forces. Says he is to be vigilant, especially at night. Asks to have duplicate inventories made of everything on board. Collins had captured the "Florida" earlier…

GLC01920.01

31 October 1864

Beardslee, Lester Anthony, 1836-1903

Letter

Title: to Napoleon Collins

Copy of letter written by Lieutenant Commander Beardslee to Commander Collins. Beardslee's signature is in a clerical hand. Is disappointed to learn that Collins thinks poorly of his conduct while in charge of the captured Confederate ship "Florida." The ship was captured on 7 October 1864 and was steaming north. Says he has given the ship undivided attention since the arrival of the "Florida" in Bahia, Brazil. Says they are undermanned because of the many prisoners on board. Says he has been on such vigilance that he has not even taken off his clothes, except to bathe. Collins was angry that…

GLC01920.02

7 November 1864

Barclay, Charles J., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lester A. Beardslee

Written by Acting Ensign Barclay to Lieutenant Commander Beardslee. Both were serving on the recently captured ship "Florida." As requested, Barclay is submitting his version of events from the night of 29 October, which have caused accusations of dereliction of duty from Beardslee's superior Commander Napoleon Collins. Says he was officer on deck that night and gives description of the sails that night. Says he noticed the "Florida" was drifting from the "Wachusett," where Collins was, but that it was nothing out of the ordinary. Describes how the "Wachusett" caught up to the "Florida."…

GLC01920.03

4 April 1863

Jones, Samuel, 1819-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim Parker Scammon

Confederate General Jones, Commander of the Department of Western Virginia, writes to Union General Scammon. Transmits two letters (not included) regarding William Hughart and W. M. [Lydenstriker?], two prisoners taken from the Union Army. Reports that the captives were recognized as Confederate deserters, and will be tried before the proper tribunal. Relates that Union officers have threatened the Confederate captors, attempting to persuade them to parole Hughart and Lydenstriker. Jones declares, "I need hardly say that the threats of those men will have no weight whatever. I send the…

GLC01927

circa 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter

Title: [Draft letter regarding recent conflict between soldiers and citizens]

Creator and circa year previously inferred. Reports that the previous day, Colonel Dibrill had informed Wheeler's adjutant that a man near Dibrill's camp had two hundred bushels of corn that he refused to sell. Wheeler instructed Dibrill to take some of the corn, and a fight ensued. One soldier was wounded from a shot, and the citizens guarding the corn finally surrendered. Wheeler ordered the citizens arrested, and is investigating the incident. Remarks, "I exceedingly regret this occurrence as my command was getting along remarkably well and all the citizens in the neighborhood of…

GLC01931

21 November 1866

Comstock, Cyrus Ballou, 1831-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Ortho Cresap Ord

Serving as senior aide-de-camp to General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant, Comstock authorizes General Ord to move soldiers from Little Rock to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Referring to reconstruction policies, informs Ord that "It is impossible for the General-in-Chief to give instructions which shall guide you in all extraordinary and exceptional cases; whenever such cases come within the provisions of the Civil Rights Bill, Freedmans Bureau Bill, or other laws, these laws must be your guide." Instructs Ord to return property to pre-war ownership, and to suppress all robbers and bushwhackers in his…

GLC01951

1 May 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph document

Title: Order for a military commission

Written on War Dept. stationery, with "War Department" struck and substituting "Executive Chamber." Title taken from docket. A draft for the orders by which the Booth conspirators were given military trial. Written as Secretary of War.

GLC01975

3 August 1862

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Marked unofficial. Brigadier General Hayes writes, as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. Expresses his disappointment over the detention of a Mr. Landcraft and a Mrs. Roberts. States, "I believe Mr. L is a good man and friendly to us and our cause." Of Mrs. Roberts he states, "has a rebel husband, but she is a lady and a mother. Her detention is needless, therefore cruel and I think disgraceful. Mr. L we can keep on suspicion, no great harm done, but to prosecute Mrs. R. is a business that I want to be…

GLC02032

2 June 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Document signed

Title: Pass for John Ford

Signed by Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War. Pass for John Ford to visit the stage and private boxes in Ford's Theatre.

GLC02011

15 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on Senate resolution to Secretary of War Stanton]

Lincoln endorsement as President to Edwin M. Stanton, requesting data, written on the verso of a Senate resolution dated 14 May requesting information concerning the arrest of persons in Kentucky since the 1st of September 1861 and their imprisonment outside the state. States "Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if in his opinion not incompatible with the public interest any information in his possession touching the arrest of persons in Kentucky ... and their imprisonment beyond the limits of that state." The resolution is signed by…

GLC02040

12 September 1863

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary

Describes his leisure time. Reports that they are being sent to Chattanooga. Complains about the complaining men of the South. Describes how Lee treated deserters: he shot them.

GLC02082.42

23 September 1863

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Discusses shooting a deserter. Writes from a camp on the Rappahannock River.

GLC02082.43

June 26, 1848-February 16, 1852

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

Header Record

Title: Collection of six documents related to Ulysses S. Grant and loss of $1000 in public funds [Decimalized .01-.06]

Pertains to theft of $1000 in public funds entrusted to Ulysses S. Grant when he was lieutenant in 1848. Grant had placed the money in his captain's trunk for safe-keeping when the trunk was taken and the money stolen. Four of the six documents are affidavits written in Grant's own hand and signed by his captain, himself, and two other soldiers testifying to the truth of Grant's story. The fifth and sixth are letters about the case from the U.S. Treasury Department, written in 1852. Grant was not cleared until June 1862, when Congress cancelled the debt, after his victories at Forts…

GLC02305

21 March 1880

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Brinton McClellan

Mentions an article re the Battle of Antietam advertised in the 'North American Review.' Hunt discusses his conspiracy theory involving Stanton, McClellan and the Emancipation Proclamation. "…if you had lost Antietam you would have been shot [a hury?] - if a court could be packed for the purpose, and after a defeat such a court could have been got - After a victory, they were able to remove you and pack a court almost sufficient to shoot [a hurry?] Porter, and the spirit that prescripted it, is as then proceeding, in the Senate …as malignant an virulent as ever. You ran a terrible risk in…

GLC02382.068