10 June 1883

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stanley Matthews

Discusses his retirement from Chief Commander of the Army. Feels blessed that he is 63 years old and still healthy. Reviews his army services mentioning his interest in the trans-continental railroad and his command of the army west of the Mississippi after the Civil War. Comments on the perfect military record of General William Babcock Hazen, who Matthews asked about. Talks about his involvement in the Indian Recall Commission and some fighting with the Indians that occurred. Comments on a scandal involving General Hazen and describes at length Hazen's military career. Written on…

GLC04492.01

January 14, 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

Secretary of State Madison responds to a 16 November 1802 letter from Jarvis, United States Consul in Portugal. States that the United States' right of deposit was obstructed in New Orleans. Refers to a letter (not included) from Juan Manuel de Salcedo, the Governor General of Louisiana to Governor William Charles Cole Claiborne of the Mississippi Territory, stating that the prohibition against the United States was imposed against Salcedo's opinion. Informs Jarvis of James Monroe's nomination as Envoy Extraodinary to Paris and Madrid to secure rights to navigate the Mississippi River.…

GLC03329.01

January 20, 1865

Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League

Broadside

Title: Memorial of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights' League, to the Legislature of Pennsylvania

Asks that the government force companies operating public trolleys to allow black passengers. Public trolleys run by private companies had been routinely barring black passengers from their cars. Signed in text by a number of citizens, including Jonathan C. Gibbs as chairman.

GLC08957

22 August 1872

Hincks, Edward W., 1830-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Nichols

Encloses a check for $300 (not present) and instructs Nichols to pay for his carriage and settle the bill. On stationery from the National Military Asylum, Southern Branch.

GLC03212.10

3 March 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Document signed

Title: [Documents pretaining to pay for drivers and horses during Saratoga Campaign]

Document signed by Major General Phillips, after the Battle of Saratoga. Certifies the account that 1020 pounds of Halifax currency is due to Jacob Jordan for the use of 400 horses and 200 drivers to pull his artillery during the campaign around Saratoga 1 October 1777 to 17 October 1777. Countersigned by Jonathan Carter, Commissary of Horse for the Royal Artillery, approving the account documented by Phillips.

GLC04764.36

4 January 1778-23 March 1778

Autograph document

Title: Collateral Correspondence relative to the Troops of the Convention

List of 15 letters, mostly to or from General John Burgoyne, sent and received involving the Convention Army, which consisted of captured British soldiers after the Battle of Saratoga. First two deal with Continental Congress's refusal to change embarkation port from Boston and others deal with matters of money, provisions, and transport from Boston. Was written near Cambridge, Massachusetts

GLC04764.44

23 March 1778

Brathwait, Richard, fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by Captain Brathwait of the ship Centurion in Cape Cod Harbor. Tells Burgoyne that he has arrived with orders of General Sir William Howe for the Men of War and transports with provisions on board them to return to Rhode Island. Says he will proceed without the loss of time. Postscript says Captain Dalyrmyple sends his compliments. Docketed by Burgoyne.

GLC04764.67

1814/08/30

Committee of Correspondence of the City of Philadelphia

Printed letter

Title: to John Biddle

Indicates that the British attacked Washington, D.C., without any horses and may try to seize them wherever they land. Instructs Biddle to remove all horses from possible landing points for the British. The British had recently captured and burned Washington during the War of 1812.

GLC02978.02

12 October 1853

Green, Thomas J., 1802-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Gadsden

Introduces Mr. Robert Rose, who is hand delivering this letter, as a businessman connected with building the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, of which Gadsden is an advocate. Writes that if Gadsden is successful in securing a treaty with Mexico for Sonora, he should insist upon 30 degrees north latitude from the Rio Grande to the Gulf of California. He says that the land is rich in silver, is closer to a Chinese trading post, and will be accessible by railroad. Encloses a letter for Hon. Robert J. Walker regarding the "Pacific road" (not included). Imprint in the upper left corner reads "O…

GLC03587.05

January 10,1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 13

Signed by H.L. Scott. Announces a train of wagons departing Mexico City for Vera Cruz.

GLC00911.53

12 November 1864-4 December 1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Diary

Title: Diary of John W. Phoenix

Written from camp at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Describes picket duty, foraging, and rations. Mentions cooking and what the soldiers had for dinner frequently. Discusses how the soldiers want to shoot at pigeons flying over camp but are not allowed to fire guns. Entries on 19-20 November discuss the death and burial of a lieutenant colonel from the 106th Illinois regiment. Informs of boats bringing supplies, recruits, and prisoners of war by way of the river. 29 November he relays they have received orders to be ready to march for Little Rock any day. Records leaving on the 30th and…

GLC03956.01

1 January 1865-18 June 1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Diary

Title: Diary of John W. Phoenix

Early entries mostly detail the weather, regimental duties, and camp life at Little Rock, Arkansas. On 21 January he indicates that the regiment has received marching orders but he is to remain at camp. This marching brigade came back on 4 February and he states that their expedition to Camden, Arkansas was a failure because the roads were impassable and supplies could not get in. Reports leaving for New Orleans on 11 February by steamer and the following entries describe the journey. Reports arriving on 13 February but the regiment soon moves on. Receives word of the capture of…

GLC03956.02

16 September 1862

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Reports to Bell, possibly his friend or girlfriend, from Camp Chase that he wanted to come down for a visit, but his buggy has been broken. Asks that she direct future letters to, "Camp Chase, Co G. 95 Reg, O.V.I. Care Capt. Hannock."

GLC03523.10.046

7 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in command of twenty-seven men on the look out for guerrilla Rebel soldiers. Tells a story about a Black mule driver who was forced to give up his team and wagon to Damuth's colonel. Mentions that there are "20000 more [men] across the river at Helena and more coming every day." There are few other troops from Wisconsin. Rumors have been…

GLC03523.14.02

9 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are repeated scares throughout the night - one soldier shoots at a man who runs away, and two other soldiers accidentally shoot at an ox. Mentions a foraging expedition led by their colonel from which "20 mules 8 horses 2 greys on a buggi 2 loads of corn 4 Sesech prisoners and lots of traps" were brought into camp. Damuth also goes on a foraging…

GLC03523.14.03

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

January 20, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for war. In St. Charles, the men find the remains of trenches and Damuth reflects that he and all the rest of his regiment probably would have been killed if the Rebels had not deserted the camp. Near Devil's Bluff, Arkansas, there is a brief fight with some fleeing Rebels, who have dragged their cannons to the railroad tracks in an escape attempt…

GLC03523.14.09

January 20, 1863

Chancee, R., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "Kind Friend," reporting that he has just gone sleighing and "enjoyed it with much delight." Reports that Mr. Mast, possibly his uncle, is at home "his soldiering days are over, and the cry of battle is heard by him no more." Signs the letter, "from your most ever time friend."

GLC03523.10.058

11 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Written on board the steamer Charles Bowen. The regiment is heading toward Youngs Point, "oposit Vicksburgh." It is Damuth's birthday, he is twenty-four years old. Has been recommended by his colonel and General McGinnis for possible organizer of a "negro Regt." The pay is better, an obvious incentive for Damuth. He has just been paid $20 and sends half of it home.

GLC03523.14.21

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

13 November 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about a skirmish between Union cavalry and Rebel mounted infantry a few days earlier, "we heard the canon very plain but it was 4 mils away from here." Mentions rumors that many infantry regiments have been transformed into mounted infantry, but "I hope not I had rather go afoote than to be bothered with a horse." If he could enlist again, believes he would sign up with heavy artillery. Writes about his brother John, who he hopes will not be drafted. Asks about the results of the elections in Wisconsin. Damuth received a ticket for the Democratic party from a friend…

GLC03523.14.43

22 November 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp in New Iberia, Louisiana. Begins the letter with a description of "what the folks in our house are doing Barney is fixing a short tailed shirt that I sold him...Don Stanley is mixing up pancakes for dinner." The men left Vermillionville a week earlier and stopped in Teche Lake, Louisiana. They are in New Iberia for thirty days. As they set up their new camp, Damuth's regiment is attacked by Rebel soldiers. Though they manage to scare off the Rebels, "they got two of our teems and a few men that had stragglered out to forage." The next morning, Damuth's…

GLC03523.14.44

8 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The men are going to march for Algiers in the morning. Damuth has heard "there is Ocien Steamers waiting for troops at Algiers." Comments on family affairs, his father has sold their oxen, but Damuth reminds him not to sell his colt. Damuth is preoccupied by the idea of taking a furlough to visit his family.

GLC03523.14.62

6 August 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes about the soldiers who died in the skirmish on the Atchafalaya. A few days earlier, a "big scare down to Baton Rouge" caused the officers to load all the men into boats; the men fell asleep and woke up the next morning still in port, and since then "have heard nothing of Rebs." Agrees with his sister on her judgment of young men who have avoided the draft, "I had rather a sister of mine would marry a soldiers old shirt." Writes about the draft that he hopes it will be the least, although "things look rather dark and discouraging but my faith in the wisdom and Patriotism of our…

GLC03523.14.65

20 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Describes the early morning arrival at Little Rock. The day before, "one hundred men went out to cut timber to build us good houses and to day four teems have been drawing it up." Damuth thinks the regiment will be there all winter. Compares Little Rock to Madison, Wisconsin. Has run into other Wisconsin men, since seven companies are camped nearby. Finds part of a letter he wrote to his friend Emma published in The Chief, but without his name on it, "she did not expose my ignorance by giving my name."

GLC03523.14.75