1860/11/03

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Acceptance of Archer's resignation from the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.044

1861/09/28

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter signed

Title: to Robert W. Jeffery

Duplicate of Gideon Welles' letter acknowledging Jeffery's resignation as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.047

1860/01/14

Jeffery, Roberta, fl. 1850-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward R. Archer]

Regarding events that occured in the summer and fall last including: in June, the death of their cousin, Mary Williamson, and also of "Lucy's Jesse," Roberta giving birth to another girl, Archer's marriage in July, Kate's bout with Typhoid fever in August, "...which took out all her hair so that on Nov. 2d she was pretty nearly a bald bride." Roberta goes on to say that Archer remarried "to settle up Mr. Masons; affairs," who had died in October. Her father along with Terry Flurry [?] became members of the "home guards" and Archer's son became captain of one of the new companies. Also, writes…

GLC01896.032

1860/08/08

Shock, William H., fl. 1855-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.R. Archer

Two letters, one from Chief Engineer Shock and the other from Captain Pearson, regarding Archer's decision to resign his position as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Both men express their regret about his decision but laud him with praise for his excellent service under their respective commands. Shock was a pioneer in the steam Navy and rose to become engineer in chief of the US Navy. George F. Pearson (1796-1867) was captain of the Powhatan. He rose to the rank of rear admiral.

GLC01896.035

1860/08/20

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received letter granting leave of absence from Toucey. "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my detachment, granting me a leave of Absence of three months from the 16th August." Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.037

1860/09/27

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received from Toucey orders to report for duty in Philadelphia, and decision to decline promotion in order to resign from service. "...I respectfully decline it, having determined to engage in private business, I therefore tender you my resignation as 3rd Asst. Engr..." Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.040

1860/09/27

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Archibald

Explaining reasons for his resignation to the Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy, and pride felt of serving in the Engineer Corps. "Since my return from the East Indies, in the "Powhatan", I have determined to pursue a private life with a view of advancing my own interest as well as that of my employees."

GLC01896.041

1860/11/13

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Expresses his disapproval of a possible appointment to office from Abraham Lincoln who has been elected president, the conflict between North and South, his advice to prepare for the worst and to hold above all else the fundamental principle of self-preservation. "...do not put any obtruction in the way, as far as your influence is concerned in making all preparations for the defense of our portion of the country..." Richard also expresses his belief that Lincoln's administration will fall apart in the first six months for he cannot possibly hold together both the conservative and…

GLC01896.045

1861/11/08

Eldridge, William, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Eldridge

Regarding: Hardships and suffering of military life, poor mail delivery as he does not receive letters sent from home very often and vice versa, and an anecdote about a young boy originally a Yankee [from New Jersey] who joined the regiment after the Battle of Manassas. Also, expresses belief that he will be home by Christmas.

GLC01896.048

1862/10/04

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Has decided to leave Greensborough and go to Wilmington to "attend the sick" in that city, acknowledging that he is leaving his post without permission but rationalizes his behavior with the contention that his request must have "miscarried" in the mails. Richard was a surgeon in the U.S. Navy before the war.

GLC01896.049

1862/10/09

Jeffery, Roberta, fl. 1850-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Timberlake

Roberta describes her family's nighttime escape from Norfolk to Petersburg, aboard a baggage car, and then there further traveling to Richmond, Lynchburg and Buchanan. Includes a description of accommodations and prices of goods in Petersburg and an account of the family's eventual return to Richmond. Includes news about battle deaths and quick anectdotes. In pencil on the wrapper of the letter is a note from Aaron Jeffery to his cousin [Fanny] begging her to tell him the state of "my affairs" and bemoaning the news that the "servants" are "behaving badly about the care of the household." He…

GLC01896.050

1863/04/03

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Richard reports on his arrival in the city of Charleston and finds it "...much more quiet than I supposed they would be." He asserts that the people believe that the Yankees will not attack the city and that they are going about "their ordinary pursuits" as if war was a distant prospect.

GLC01896.051

1863/04/20

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Concerning information about his unexpected transfer from Charleston to Savannah where "...my responsibilities are greater & the means of meeting them less..." Discusses the anti-climactic Union attack on Charleston including the unimpressive performance of Federal ironclads, and requests information about the family and news of Hill in North Carolina. Also, expresses his fears that either Gen. Bragg's [Army of the Tennessee] or Johnston's [Army of the Mississippi] forces will encounter the numerically superior army of Grant's in Tennessee, and be forced to abandon Vicksburg. Letter is…

GLC01896.052

1863/06/05

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Positive analysis on the ability of General Pemberton to command at Vicksburg, the defense of which is, maintains Richard , "...a defence of the obstinacy of the President..." He consequently tears into the newspaper editors and the gulible, ignorant masses. Robert heatedly discusses Yankee foraging and destruction of Southern property and finishes with speculating on the how much longer the war will last. He believes that the war will continue unabated until it is brought onto Northern soil, and is accompanied by the destruction of Northern property. He forecasts an invasion by Gen. Lee's…

GLC01896.053

1863/06/11

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Musing about the meaning of Vicksburg, Jeffrey maintains that Grant will have to "whip" both Pemberton and Johnston before he can get anywhere. Continues with a long indictment of the Yankees and the observation that "they are now enlisting negroes for their army which is a good sign, as it is certain that they cannot get whites & is some evidence of their weakness & desperation." [Partial transcript available.]

GLC01896.054

1863/07/28

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Requesting that the family "...write often, for my anxiety is very great at times, & a letter does relieve it much." Richard speaks of the physical stress he has been undergoing, reflects pessimistically on the value and fate of the of Charleston to the Yankees as compared to the losses of other cities, and the sorry state of Savannah should that city come under siege. Note: Asks Aaron to subscribe to a Richmond newspaper of his choice. [Partial transcript available.]

GLC01896.055

1878/02/24

City, George W., fl. 1859-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Condolences and discussion of the late Robert Archer. City reminisces with Edward Archer about his father, whom he didn't know intimately but considered himself an aquaintance. "This aquaintance was very much increased by the long chats which you and I had at sea on the hurricane deck of the Powhatan. Your subjects on those occasions...were most always some reminiscence of early home life." City reminds Archer of the time his father offered to reward him a "large specified sum of money" if he were to wait until he was 21 to begin drinking. Also mentions his father's love for children and vise…

GLC01896.099

1865/10/07

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Letter

Title: [Certificate of authenticity for warrant of pardon]

Seward's certification that the attached letter is "a true copy of the original." Black Department of State seal affixed to blue ribbon appears on left of page. Includes enclosed ALS acknowledging the receipt of a warrant of pardon dated 1865/09/22 (GLC 1896.081).

GLC01896.080

1866/12/20

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friend Paddon

Requesting information about the process of pressing and refining the surplus coal at the Tredegar Iron Works into a saleable product for steamers through compression into blocks that burn longer and produce more steam than unrefined bituminous coal. Archer also gives Paddon information on mutual acquaintances within associated with the Virginia Volunteer Navy. Letter also contains the interesting contention that the spirit of rivalry between North and South has grown sharper since the end of the war and that far from "harmonizing," relations between the two sections are "as mixing oil with…

GLC01896.084

1865/01/13

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses losses at Franklin, Tennessee. Writes that he hopes to get a furlough.

GLC02715.116

1861-1865 circa

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman and his sister Ruth

Brief note to his mother and sister. Not dated. "Signed Francis G. Blackman, Washington D.C., Company K 7 Reg CV." Written in pencil.

GLC02159.20

February 20, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written at Camp Pierpont to his wife. Writes, "...Please do not let one secession thought enter your heart for not for the world would i have you entertain one Secession principle... think of the stain that Rests on the second and third generation of the tories of the Revolution, and you will find that in after years the same stain will Rest on the children of the traitors now in the country we are not fighting to set darkeys free if they would make that the issue the army of the Potomac would Be Broke up Before two weeks, Dear Lile i am a stiffer Democrat now i think than i was when i…

GLC02155.035

11 November [1861]

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. "...I never knew what it was to go hungy till I come here...I was on the sick list when we got here but I shouldered my gun and marched with the Regiment...we have had one meal of bull soup, we slept in the sand 3 nights all I had to eat in 30 hours was 1/2 pint of rice." "...10 guns boats but we did not get but one of the boats...the Rebel's genarl was kild and then the rest run and flung their things away...we did at Bull Run..." No year on letter.

GLC02159.01

24 April [1865]

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother about the war being just about over. "...the Jonnes [Johnnies] keep coming in hear every day ...pitch on them and kill some and drive them of if it wasnt for the soldiers bing hear the Jonnes would not stand much chance..." Mentions some Confederate soldiers [Johnnies] that scouts apprehended. 100,000 dollars was found on one and 5,000 dollars on another. The scouts killed him. On stationary of the U.S. Christian Commission.

GLC02159.19

March 31, 1865

Birmingham, Thomas, fl. 1865

Manuscript signed

Title: Invoice of clothing camp and garrison equipage

Invoice of equipment ransferred from Lieutenant Alva Z. Rogers to Lieutenant Heber Painter.

GLC02016.134