30 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He write that he is now on the right wing not far from the Atlanta, Georgia railroad. Reports that during the night as they were moving they were attacked by Confederates who were severely "whipped for their tenacity that they may stick to Atlanta." He has heard reports that if the main Confederate Army cannot hold Atlanta the Georgia militia will surrender. According to the papers from Illinois Atlanta has been captured by the Union which is not true but they will soon be in possession of it. Last night the rebels attacked and were repulsed suffering heavy casualties. His division was order…

GLC07460.091

5 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

The items he requested from home were brought to him by the colonel. Some of the items, the cheese and butter, will start to melt soon due to the hot weather. He was sent up to the right-center of the line and his corps. relieved some of the 14th Corps. Working parties continue to improve and expand the Union defenses under the cover of darkness. He notes that the Confederate and Union lines are close now, no more than 750 yards apart. He writes that the skirmishers are close enough to taunt each other although the Confederates do not usually respond. Writes that one of the Corps. attacked…

GLC07460.092

20 March 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

"In reference to the seizure of the State railroad, Genl. Bragg states, that the Ordnance officer at Atlanta asserted to him that the road refused to transport arms and ammunition, and that then he (Genl. Bragg) directed the Quartermaster's Department to use force, if necessary, to get forward these supplies, and report the facts to Col. Hadly, Supt. The supplies were forwarded, and force was not used. Such action on the part of the officers of the Confederate Government is much to be regretted; although force, as I am glad to learn, was not used in this case. Genl. Bragg has been directed…

GLC09159

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

August 25, 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that the weather is very nice even though the country is filled with rebel shoulders. He thinks it would be a nice place to visit if the inhabitants "were what they ought to be." He has received a hat from his sister Martha and some tobacco from his father. The other troops think that his hat is they best they have seen. States that the army rarely gives out tobacco and that the troops must get some from the enemy when they empty their kettles near the Union camp. Reports that some mail has been lost between Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky because some mail cars drove off a…

GLC07460.095

19 September 1860

Heintzelman, Samuel P., 1805-1880

Book signed

Title: Instructions for Field Artillery, by a Board of Artillery Officers

Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Inscribed "S.P. Heintzelman Major U.S. Army." 88 plates.

GLC09176

December 31, 1862

Buyers, John, fl. 1862-1863

Document signed

Title: Returns of ordnance and ordnance stores

Includes returns for the quarter ending December 31, 1862. Adds remarks on the loss of some Austrian rifles. There are three copies of this document numbered 118a, 118b, and 118c. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

GLC02016.118

28 November 1865

Smith, John, fl. 1865

Document signed

Title: Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Heber Painter.

GLC02016.119

29 November 1865

Stevens, Charles L., fl. 1836-1865

Document signed

Title: Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Heber Painter. Written at the Hanover Court House

GLC02016.120

31 May 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written on the battle field near Dallas, Georgia. He explains that he is unsure of what effect the army has had on the war being in Georgia but hopes that it is good. Writes that they have had all the rations they can eat and keep several days worth in their haversacks. Notes that General William T. Sherman is with the army in Georgia. Reports that General Sherman was not afraid to go to the front with the skirmishers. The rebels leveled the log house that was the headquarters of Ward who commands their brigade. He writes that he celebrated his birthday on the battlefield and that part of the…

GLC07460.077

16 May 1864- 2 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at Camp of the Illinois 105th. States that he is in good health although he is worried about the casualties the Union army is sustaining. Writes that he is glad his mother worries less even though her feelings are natural. Part of the regiment was sent out on picket duty and to the skirmish line. Yesterday afternoon their corps were relieved from the center of the line. The rest of their corps has not reached them. He believes they are headed to Marietta, Georgia. Reports that there has been skirmishing all day and occasional artillery fire from the Union guns. He has heard reports…

GLC07460.078

4 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written behind the breastworks of the Illinois 105th regiment. Reports that his regiment had received marching orders but it rained so hard they only marched a short distance. He marched with the regiment toward the left wing and then to the front where the 23rd Corp was already skirmishing with the enemy. In the breastworks the 23rd was supported by the 20th Corp waiting in the reserve line. His regiment was sent to the very end of the left wing to prevent the Union forces from being outflanked. The rebels were surprised by this and his regiment turned them "pretty sharply." Writes that…

GLC07460.079

14 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He explains that they are still in the same camp as the last time he wrote. Writes that the Union artillery ha been shelling the rebels for two or three days but the effect of the shelling is not yet apparent. Reports on some of the recent casualties the corp has received.

GLC07460.081

30 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He reports that he is in good health and still in the same location. He writes that his regiment has been relieved from the front lines and are now in the third line. He has washed his clothes and the regiment is getting some rest. Writes of a skirmish between the Confederate and Union pickets to their right, near the 23rd Corps. His regiment "sprung to their guns" in case the rebels broke through; hoping to pay the rebels back for the Battle of Resaca. The firing soon stopped and a quarter of the men were placed on guard duty and the rest…

GLC07460.084

November 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Reports that Butler's canal is finished; torpedoes and mines will be laid in the canal. Discusses his Thanksgiving meal, which consisted of turkey, chicken, walnuts, and cranberries. Reports that the regiment has received one hundred recruits of which twenty have gone to Painter's company. Writes that he is no longer in the mail department because he received orders to report to his company for duty. Reports that Dr. Strawbridge, the medical director of the 18th Army Corps, was captured by rebels. Signs the letter as "Sgt. Heber Painter."

GLC02016.067

3 April 1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that he has escaped from fighting in the south of Richmond. Only two divisions of troops were left behind at the north of the James River; one a colored troop division and the other Painter's division. Includes a postscript note reporting that some severe explosions have been heard and two large fires spotted, one in the direction of Richmond and the other in Petersburg.

GLC02016.078

4 April 1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his aunt

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports on the fall of Richmond and describes the streets of the city as being full of people cheering and playing music in celebration of the "conquering heroes." Writes that the city was burning and various explosions were happening when he arrived there. Comments that the people of the city are "resigned to their lot and submit to the national authority with good grace." The 3rd division, 24th Army Corps were the first to enter the city. Reports on a siege at Petersburg. Has written to his sisters and asks his aunt to tell…

GLC02016.079

4 July 1866

Union League of Philadelphia

Ephemera

Title: [Commemoration card of the Union League of Philadelphia, including information regarding a 4 July celebration]

Printed by King & Baird. One side of this card depicts the Union League. A print of a cannon and other weapons, an eagle, and three American flags are included on verso. Surrounding the image, text states "Union League of Philadelphia. Salute The State Colors. 100 Guns served by the Keystone Battery. July 4th, 1866."

GLC02608.03

August 25, 1944

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [Order for Captain John Bryant to deliver four pounders to Captain Joseph Savage]

Orders Bryant, as the "public Store-keeper, at Springfield...to deliver two four pounders...with proper implements" for the use of Savage's company. Written from the War Office. With an autograph note signed by Savage on the bottom noting the receipt of the items on 1 September 1787.

GLC03432.013

21 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Reports on his inspection of the military stores under Captain Bryant's charge at the armory in Springfield, Massachusetts and expresses his approval. Lists items still in need of inspection. Provides instructions for making sure the "four pounders" can "carry a six pound ball" and for selling damaged pieces through the newspaper. Asks for an expense report for constructing a wall around the magazine.

GLC03432.021

4 April 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of the Royal Artillery

Written in what appears to be a secretarial hand for Major General Phillips, who was to take over the Convention Army from Burgoyne after he embarked for England the next day, 5 April 1778. Includes a list of the number of men in each rank in the Royal Artillery in the Convention Army, from Captains to Rank & File. Also includes numbers for a detachment of Lieutenant Nutt's grenadiers and light companies from Canada. Includes lists of officers by name. Signed "W Phillips" at the bottom. Docket says that Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kingston, a staff officer under Burgoyne, is to send a…

GLC04764.92

circa 1863

Sketch

Title: [Map of the Mississippi River depicting fleet and fort positions near Vicksburg]

Possibly created by Evelyn Kelsey, who completed an accompanying sketch aboard a steamer on the Mississippi River. Depicts the position of the fleets of Union General David G. Farragut and Foot (possibly Andrew Hull Foote). Indicates the location of rebel boats and batteries, ditches, and forests surrounding the river. Drawn in pencil. Handwritten captions indicate that this drawing portrays an area of the Mississippi south of Vicksburg. Pencil text on the back of this document appears to be unrelated to the sketch.

GLC05555.03

12 May 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Colonel Jackson discusses military details, noting that "the Court," (referring to the Court of Massachusetts) has ordered the draft of every seventh man from towns that have not met enlistment quotas. Has persuaded the court to allow drafted men to choose which regiment they will join. Notes that General George Washington has ordered him to send weekly reports of his (Jackson's) proceedings. Wants Knox to apply to George Washington to give an order on his behalf for arms and accoutrements. Asks Knox other military advice, noting, "as I have never been in the Service I wish to be as…

GLC02437.00591

9 July 1863

Collie, L., fl. 1863

Autograph document signed

Title: [List of items received belonging to Fort Shannon]

List of ordnance arrived, including various types of cannon, and shells, powder, fuses, and other items.

GLC02233.36

5 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nicholas Eveleigh

Reports that ships loaded with arms have arrived from France. Notes that Lord Cornwallis nearly captured General Benjamin Lincoln, but Lincoln's party escaped. Mentions the capture of Captain Flahaven on 20 April (Knox writes "Flahaen"). Comments on the British attack at Peekskill, New York. Notes that a counterattack by American General Alexander McDougall forced the evacuation of the British. Describes the destruction of stores by the British in Danbury, Connecticut (April 1777) in great detail. Notes that the recent battle is "a pleasing proof that the Yeomanry of America have not…

GLC02437.00587