February 27, 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Drill, parade for new general, Gen. Smith, news. "As to my grinding my teeth if I 'could hear those rebel democrats talk' I'll bet anything that I can hear full as plain and treasonable talk from the soldiers every day and that not from one or to only, but from hundreds, and thousands." Conditions in barracks, everyone seems ill.

GLC04558.071

26 July 1861

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

There was an awful battle at Bull's Run He criticizes General Tyler who changed General Scott's orders, thereby ruining their position. Another General was drunk and their Colonel refused to obey the drunk General's orders. The next day General Tyler and the drunk were arrested for treason.

GLC02172.07

19 July 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Jackson asks, "What think you of the loss of Ticonderoga, it is in general believ'd here, that that Fortress was sold to the enemy- as for my part, I shall suspend my Judgement till I can hear more of the particulars." Discusses recent news from France that "all France is Arm'g their Fleet and Army..." to assist America. Also notes that a private letter from Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin to a gentleman in America suggests that "a War was inevertable," (possibly inevitable). Mentions the British recapture of their frigate the Fox, which had been taken by the Americans earlier. Notes…

GLC02437.00627

8 October 1865

McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Eliza to her brother Henry. References receiving his letter from the Cape of Good Hope. Is glad he is well and tells him his future "is in the hands of God, ask him to direct you, and it will all be right." Updates him on family and friends, telling him their brother Willie is now back home. Says "while the whole world has almost stood still you have been carried around to the other side of it. tho to us they have been nearly the same, I think you did well to enter the Navy when you did. you certainly could not have been doing anything better during the last four or five years and…

GLC03523.21.43

February 15, 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday. Reports that Fort Donelson was just captured and a lot of prisoners taken. Among the prisoners was the notorious traitor, [Sue] Floyd. Speaks of the captain yelling and swearing at people all the time. Says that he tried to get a furlough to come home but was denied. Writes that that he is sending $46 home and hopes to send $1000 over the…

GLC03523.49.15

1865

Broadside

Title: [South Carolina's 1860 Act of Secession]

Lithographic facsimile of South Carolina's 1860 Act of Secession. On March 3, 1865, a detachment of the 102 U.S. Colored Troops captured what they believed to be the original manuscript of South Carolina's Secession ordinance. (In fact, they had discovered a rare Confederate lithographic facsimile by Evans and Cogswell.) 1st Lt. George A. Southworth, upon returning to Michigan, arranged for the document to be reproduced, adding a printed inscription on the bottom, "This Scroll of 'Treason' was found in the house of Dr. Lamb, Secretary of State…," listing the companies and leaders who…

GLC09237

28 August 1863

Ransom, Thomas Edwin Greenfield, 1834-1864

Letter signed

Title: to James B. McPherson

To Gen. James B. McPherson, reporting on disloyalty of W.W. Shaw, who plans to ship cotton, and attacks Col. B. G. Farrar of the 30th Missouri: "...his men and officers can not be trusted in the country alone. They pillage and plunder and destroy beyond any men I have ever commanded and will not follow or obey my orders in this respect.... the officers...seem to have a very poor appreciation of the rights of citizens- non combatants-and very little respect for private property." Ransom died in October 1864 from wounds suffered at the Battle of Sabine Station the previous April.

GLC09269

26 April 1865

Laurence, A.B., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Certification of authenticity of flag fragment]

Lt. Col. and Quartermaster of the U. S. Army 24th Corps certifies "That the accompanying is a fragment of the Rebel Flag that floated over the Capitol of the Confederacy in this city, and was taken by the troops of this command. The flag- made it is said of 'English Neutrality Bunting' - has been this day cut up and distributed as one of the most significant trophies of this terrible war; and the rope to which the flag was attached is left for the special service of Jeff Davis and all such traitors."

GLC09276.01

1848-1858

Boomer, Susan B., fl. 1848-1858

Diary

Title: Susan B. Boomer Diary 1848-1858

Diary of a young woman who left Massachusetts to settle in Bristol, Illinois, with opinions on slavery, patriotism, the Compromise of 1850, and the Fugitive Slave Act. "I spent the night at Uncle James's. During the evening a fugitive slave was introduced to the family. He was entertained with more sympathy than is common for strangers. And indeed his situation demanded it. A man bearing the image of his God & equally deserving to enjoy equal freedom.… I never saw a man fleeing for his freedom before.… I am reading Sewards life of J. Q. Adams. It arouses in my soul the spirit of…

GLC09292

April 1807

Smith, Philander, 1764-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jedediah Smith

Informs his brother in Massachusetts that their brother Philetus has died of an inflammatory illness. Comments on family members and his finances. Says he has withdrawn from public life for he is tired of the ignorance of both Democrats and Federalists. Discusses Aaron Burr's conspiracy and states that General James Wilkinson has denounced Burr as a traitor. Describes in detail Burr's attempted West Florida expedition and the subsequent capture of Burr. States that most inhabitants in the area feel the victory over Burr was overblown by the government. Indicates that he was foreman of…

GLC04601.03

1866

Kelley, William D., 1814-1890

Pamphlet

Title: The dangers and duties of the hour: an address delivered at concert hall

Published by Chronicle Book and Job Print. Denounces president Andrew Johnson as an untrustworthy leader and one who easily pardons traitors, primarily Southern rebels. Includes a letter written to Kelley by Governor W.G. Brownlow of Tennessee as a testament of Johnson's betrayal of the Union.

GLC01265.24

10 August 1863

Letter

Title: to W

Letter appears to be unsigned. Writes that Franklin's's friends are very grateful to hear from him. They are glad he is doing well and pray that God is watching over him while he is away. His friend writes that it is unfortunate that the youths must be sacrificed for their country. Thinks that the southerners are traitors and that their previous opinion of them was "erroneous." Writes that some of the northerners have become "canker'd with the base metal of Copperheadism." The Copperheads are only supporting this movement in order to line their already deep pockets with "gold they never earn'…

GLC03523.42.27

13 May 1862 - 15 May 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W

Writes that by keeping in contact with home the soldiers and those they left at home feel better. Explains the anguish felt while waiting to hear from loved ones or friends after a battle. Hopes that General Ulysses S. Grant will "hurry affairs" in Tennessee. Hopes that the Union will soon liberate their fellow soldiers in the rebel capital Richmond, Virginia. Wants to see Confederate President Jefferson Davis defeated. States that the rebel leaders should get the "rewards of treason." Writes that it is doubtful the rebels will get such a treatment as the people in Washington, D.C. will most…

GLC03523.42.11

30 May 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has returned to camp with much improved health. He is glad to hear that she is doing so well. He states that he will unfortunately not be able to come home for at least another several weeks. Knows that he is of no great use and longs to return home to her. Writes that it is unfortunate that his fate was to spend two years in the army away from his family. Feels that he has done his duty. Reports that the men of the regiment have returned and bring no news of importance. States there are two kinds of treason. One kind is an "overt act against the government" which…

GLC03523.13.100

February 11, 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Troops are passing through on their way to important work in Paducah and "there is a rumor here that 20 or 30 thousand may be sent from the Army of the Potomac into Ky. We are being victorious everywhere, and everyone looks for victories as a matter of course. If we could only have good roads we should soon be in Tenasee." He mentions the accusations of treason against General Charles Pomeroy Stone. He needs money as paymasters can't pay for a few weeks. "The accusations of treason against Gen Stone are astounding, and I hope will prove on investigation to be untrue. But if they are proven he…

GLC04195.02

20 August 1863

Williams, W.F., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Williams outlines a confrontation between Alfred Davenport, who refused to work "under any such d-d government," and a supervisor. Williams accuses Davenport of trading with the enemy and giving them information. Sent to an unnamed Colonel. Cross Landing is near Columbia, North Carolina. Excerpt: "On Thursday last he was ordered to appear on the road and assist in repairing it. He told the overseer whom I had appointed (Mr. Wm Rowe) that he would not work under any such d__d government - that it was nothing but a d__d military despotism at best. This man's general character is anything but…

GLC02233.35

1865

Lieber, Francis, 1800-1872

Pamphlet

Title: Amendments of the Constitution, submitted to the consideration of the American people.

Argues for constitutional amendments to abolish slavery, establish universal citizenship and prosecute treason. Issued during the ratification process of the Thirteenth Amendment proposes a number of amendments, and discusses them in context of constitutional theory and Civil War history. The Thirteenth Amendment would soon be ratified, followed by the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, which would be similar to some of the ideas put forward in this pamphlet. Published by the Loyal Publication Society, which published over one hundred pamphlets on various political topics during the Civil War…

GLC08996

5 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments on the arrival of (the privateer) General Arnold's prize. Thinks the British will leave the United States to secure their possessions elsewhere, noting that an attempt to capture the French fleet at Boston rests on too many uncertainties for the British. Recently received news that the French captured the island of Dominica, which Knox refers to as "Dominico." Also reports that France sent 4,000 men to take Jamaica. Comments that the British have taken cattle and forage in New Jersey, and surprised [Colonel George] Baylor's regiment, wounding Baylor (…

GLC02437.00728

28 April 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Maxwell

Confirming death sentence against Major Daniel Platt, commuting another, [in reaction court martial 12 soldiers who deserted and planned to join the British].

GLC08135

November 1794

Wells, James, fl. 1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: Whiskey Rebellion Traitors

Whiskey Rebellion Traitors - re: "Raising a [liberty] poll...in sign of Treason" Treasonous activity in Bruners Town

GLC08150

circa 1863-1864

Manuscript document

Title: to unknown Colonel

Undated, unsigned letter addressed only to "Col." Refers to a Father Park who aided Colonel Fitzhugh by sending money to Baltimore. The writer states by doing so, Park helped the Confederates and states "...by this act not only sympathized with our Enemies but to the extent of his ability gave them aid and comfort."

GLC02414.187

20 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Written from camp near Charlestown, Virginia. Discusses John Brown and treason. Expresses concern over mother's health and father's business affairs. Discusses the burning of resources during a recent retreat. Describes citizen guerrillas and their techniques, and mentions the work of the Christian Commission: "…We have retreated from our position near Strausburg and are now encamped near Charlestown where old John Brown was hung for treason and where Jeff Davis and his confederates ought to hang for their deeds of treason…"

GLC03523.18.23

6 May 1862

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 16, no. 53 (May 6, 1862)]

Proclamation by President Jefferson Davis, Editorial - The people of Nashville on trial for "Treason," sickness of the soldier's, using disease as a tactic of war, the wisdom of West Point, Movements of the War - the prospect about Corinth, The fall of New Orleans, Negro Prisoners at Camp Chase, Ohio, Death among the Fort Donelson prisoners.

GLC05959.72.016

9 March 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 17, no. 305 (March 9, 1864)]

The affair on the Eastern Shore, Congratulatory order of General Elzey, Arrest of a Government Officer at City Point upon the Charge of Communicating Treasonable Documents to the Enemy.

GLC05959.72.062

4 July 1863

Newspaper

Title: Magnolia weekly. [Vol. 1, no. 39 (July 4, 1863)]

Notes on the War - General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia, Encouragement to Southern Literature, Poetic Verse on Benedict Arnold, the Traitor.

GLC05959.61.01