February 14, 1865

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: Amendment to the negro soldier bill

Invests the Confederate General-in-Chief with the power to call slaves in to military service. States that clothing and rations will be provided to slaves impressed or voluntarily offered for service by their owner. States "By Mr. Swan" (likely Confederate Congressman William Graham Swan). Contains a Rebel Archives stamp. Possibly created in Richmond, Virginia.

GLC08472

1880-1890 circa

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

Header Record

Title: Confederate war etchings [Decimalized .01-.29]

This portfolio is a reprint of the original 1863 publication. The twenty-nine etchings by Volck were originally published under the name "V. Blada." Made during the Civil War, the etchings show sympathy for the Confederate cause, and distaste for warfare in general. It sardonically illustrates events that allegedly took place in the North and South from New York and Baltimore to Charleston and Vicksburg between 1861 and 1863. Lincoln's ideals and actions are caricatured, as are such topics as Union army conscription methods, Northern treatment of African Americans, and the behavior of the…

GLC00493

February 6, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James B. Fry

Note to Provost Marshall Fry about verifying New York draft quota. Includes Lincoln's endorsement later that day recording a conversation with Fry that it cannot be done. Signed twice by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion letterhead.

GLC00596

10 September 1864

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Opelousas courier. [Vol. 12, no. 15 (September 10, 1864)]

Notice of special orders from the Enrolling Office in the Parish of St. Landry requiring all African American men between the ages of 18 and 50 to report themselves immediately for military enrollment. Planters and enslavers who have not "reported their quota of negroes (between the ages of 18 and 45) for enrollment, will be promptly reported to Hd. Qrs. Bureau of Conscription." Proclamation by Louisiana Governor Henry Watkins Allen discussing a vacancy in the Confederate Congress. War reports, mentioning the activities of Lincoln, General Nathan Bedford Forrest, General Stephen Gano…

GLC00694

April 1865

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

Header Record

Title: [Deposition of Edwin M. Stanton and related legal documents] [decimalized]

Six documents relating to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's deposition as a defense witness in the case of John Benjamin (plaintiff) vs. Robert Murray and Jacob H. Perkins (defendants), being heard before the New York Supreme Court. The case, and Stanton's deposition, concerned Lincoln's 1862 call for a draft and Stanton's order to arrest anyone discouraging enlistment. At the top left of each page is the identifier "761-A" (the number is stamped; "-A" is handwritten), followed by a stamped page number (beginning with 86 and ending with 108). Documents (decimalized .01-.06) held together…

GLC00720

August 4, 1863

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable wounds, and have never left my command for a single hour (Except once when my left arm was badly shattered) to devote even one moment to my own private affairs, or like many that you and I could name, parade ... around Washington to make political capital and ensure promotion." Discussing his opinions on current policy, he states that "Patriotism…

GLC00673

1776-1778

Header Record

Title: Marching orders and military fine reciepts for Asa and Charles Hamant [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC01450.162

November 26, 1776

Pratt, Seth, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Dean

Informing him that he has been appointed by the town of Easton "to Be a Soldier." This means "to Be Ready at a minets warning to march agreabell to alate act of this state: to any place wither this or the neighboring states of America to which you shall be ordered By the general Court of this State for the Defence there of." Pratt and Haywad both sign as witnesses, and list their company's and ranks as lieutenants.

GLC01450.195.04

7 April 1748

Hathaway, Ebenezer, 1718-1791

Autograph document signed

Title: [Notice to John Godfrey, a Justice of the Peace for Bristol County, Massachusetts]

Also signed by two witnesses, Joseph Read and James Winslow. Notice of a complaint of Captain Ebenezer Hathaway in regard to two soldiers impressed into his company, Thomas Davis and James Chase, who did not show up for their appointed duty.

GLC01450.199.02

23 July 1746

Martin, James, fl. 1746

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to pay Martin Howard nine pounds and seventeen shillings]

Payment due for Howard's appearance in court for the Samuel Bannister case "and for impressing Men in the Expedition against Cape Breton" during the British conflict with French and Indian forces during King George's War. Sent from Rhode Island Secretary Martin to General Treasurer John Gardener.

GLC01450.278

25 September 1791

St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Since St. Clair last wrote on 23 September, Colonel Oldham arrived with the Kentucky militia. Oldham brought a letter from General Charles Scott, which is enclosed (not included). Scott has doubts about the militia, but Oldham has been reassuring. As the militia was "called out by draught," Scott believes he will not be able to command another volunteer expedition. Speaks of a deluge of rain, which has impeded transportation of provisions and stores. The weather is better today and things are now moving. Says the Court of Inquiry has finished their business and that General Josiah Harmar has…

GLC02437.05166

24 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a British ship that was captured near an American fort at Nantasket, Massachusetts. The vessel had come from Ireland to support General William Howe's army and had mistakenly thought the British were still in Boston. Tells a detailed story about how the Committee of Correspondence and Safety ordered every man between sixteen and sixty to gather with full military accoutrements and drafted thirty-two of them to join the invasion of Canada. Many men ran away but the draft was eventually made by offering larger bounties. The debacle caused some to call for the removal of John Brown…

GLC02437.00392

12 October 1864-1 June 1867

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Letterbook of U.S.S. Isonomia East Gulf squadron from Oct 12th 1864 to Dec. 24th 1864 and U.S.S. Mohican N. Pacific squadron from Augt 14th 1866 to June 1st 1867

Majority of letters written and signed by Simpson, though several are clerically written and signed. Attacks on Fort Sumter, engagements with blockade runners and attacks on various gun batteries. Includes two letters regarding deserters of the U.S.S Mohican (stored in separate folder). Quarter morocco, marbled boards. Commissioned in 1859, the steam sloop USS Mohican served in the African Squadron in 1860-1861, before joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In October of 1862, the Mohican was sent on a fruitless search for Confederate raiders, the Florida and the Alabama; she…

GLC05911.07

circa 1940-1945

Scrapbook

Title: Scrapbook, Vol. I.

1 Woodward, Warren B. TLS: to Hilldring re: roster of Company K, 38th U.S. Infantry. 19 Jan 1940 2 Roster of Company K, 38th U.S. Infantry, 3rd Division, U.S.A. 1 Jan 1918 3 a. Clipping from [?]: "Army Transfers Major Hilldring…": [n.d.] b. Circular patch with red background and white flower. [n.d.] c. Patch with insignia of the Rail Splitters, the 84th Division. [n.d.] 4 Clipping from Arizona Republic: "Chamber Asks $32,500 As Advertising Fund." [n.d.] 5 a. Bull, H.R. Memo to Hilldring re: duty with WDGS in G-I. 1 Jul 1939 b. Clipping from Army and Navy Journal re: Hilldring…

GLC06196.105

August 12, 1862

Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Hughes

Handmade sleeve buttons for his wife; diphtheria in Wheeling; draft dodgers; enclosing various clippings; transcribing a letter by N.A. Gray about contraband letters. With several lines on page three written over in a second, darker hand.

GLC02166.033

13 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill learns that Snook and Boughton are still at home awaiting orders to return to camp. His mother must have written of their unsuccessful efforts locate new recruits, and Churchill laments the cowardliness of those who continue to remain at home: "O I wish that all such cowards would be drafted and had to serve there life time in the army if they would all come out as brave men aught come I believe this rebellion could soon be put to an end .…" Churchill reports "heavy cannonading" in the direction of Hollow [Holly] Springs, though he has not been involved in any fighting. Written…

GLC03859.10

27 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

There is news of an upcoming draft, which Churchill hopes will draw largely on Democrats and Abolitionists. Churchill also reacts to the arming of African American in South Carolina: "…I wished it was the Negroes that was slain instid of our white Population….I never liked the black rase but since I am in the South where they are plenty I think less of them." He reports that they are doing Provost duty in Grand Junction.

GLC03859.12

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

February 12, 1790

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a response to Knox's proposed plan for regulating the militia and gives his opinion that it has "great merit" and "if cordially embraced it would make ours the strongest militia in the world." But believes the people of Massachusetts will not adopt the plan. "The expence, pay of officers, no pay of men, the burden on Masters, calling the youth indiscriminately, disfranchised for a time in certain cases, officers excluded from actual service, subjection to a draught, for a service of three years &c &c will be magnified here and dam the bill." Thinks it is a bad time to bring…

GLC02437.04509

1858 - circa 1897

Wright, Miller A., fl. 1861-1864

Header Record

Title: [Personal and military correspondence and documents related to August or Miller Wright] [decimalized]

More than half of these items, to, from, or relating to Augustus or Miller Wright, are Civil War-period. Includes an 9 February 1864 autograph letter signed from Walter Herron Taylor, aide to Robert E. Lee, regarding General Lee's refusal to approve transfers without consultation of commanding officers; a 22 April 1864 autograph letter signed from Augustus to Miller Wright, discussing "the great inefficiency in our officers" and a "very odious" conscription bill; a 20 July 1864 pass issued to Miller Wright by Joseph Rollins, Jr., by order of General Vandever; a 8 September 1864 autograph…

GLC02691.11

30 February 1782

Barnes, Richard, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Discusses desertion and black recruits. Is unable to submit a list for men drafted for three years service because so many have left for Annapolis "without my knowledge." Due to these desertions the three year draft has been suspended. Names the only three men drafted "that did not march and were not discharged." These were "William Wakely, Negroe Jess, Joseph Procter (Mulatter)." Docket on verso reads "From Colo. Barnes July 30, 1782."

GLC06508.03

16 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He has been informed by Mr. Brown that Thom Lewis is dead and that Mrs. Shackleford is extremely low. Mr. Brown also informed George of the diseased conscripts that are to report to Camp Lee. He writes that he expects a "large congregation of Culpeper men" to arrive. He describes a spiritual change he feels he is undergoing. He mentions the arrival of Cousin James. He writes that it is too early to make plans for the winter because he may have to go to the field or that the war may be over. He suspects that the latter is most probable because with McClellan in Maryland and Buell in Kentucky,…

GLC06582.40

19 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes about a "scheme" he has thought of that may allow him to leave the army without fear of conscription. His scheme involves making an arrangement with Mr. Short, the Sheriff of Culpeper, to be a deputy sheriff until his health is fully restored. He will meet with Mr. Short that afternoon. He hopes that Short agrees because George will be able to make more money and would "master of his own time." Encloses a receipt.

GLC06582.42

24 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he is staying with Cousin James for a fee of ten dollars a month and that he is suffering from a sore throat. He still has the pain in his side, which he hopes does not augur anything fatal. Informs her that he is "applying for the position of Judge Advocate in one of the Court Martial [sic] about to be organized." He has bought a dress for his daughter Liz. He suspects that his office will close soon and he plans that when he does he will leave for home until "Conscript man [sic]."

GLC06582.44

19 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that John left that morning for Soldier's Rest. He mentions sending fifty dollars with Dr. Rixey and says that he will send fifty more dollars when he gets paid. He writes that he has heard nothing more about his application. Additionally, he mentions that he has heard a rumor that the "President is dissatisfied with the nominations sent to him by Mr. Randolph." He mentions that Charley Williams will go up to Redwood and offer himself as a volunteer. He mentions that if he had the money he would do the same thing although that does not "bar the operation of the Conscript Act." He…

GLC06582.53