26 September 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marion Hutson

Written to his brother from camp near the Rapidan River in Virginia. Mentions that the Yankee cavalry, supported by infantry and artillery, tried to crop the river but they drove them back. The Yankee cavalry numbers worry the troops. Remarks that they were cheered by news of Braxton Bragg's victory in Tennessee and comments that James Longstreet's troops were probably a great help. Anticipates that Union General Quincy Gilmore will attack Charleston but he thinks Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard can hold. Discusses the killing of seven Confederate army deserters and states…

GLC08165.60

16 March 1865

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard W. Hutson

Discusses suffering in the south during the Civil War. He is getting along well in the army. He heard about the occupation of Orangeburg, South Carolina, but took longer to find out whether or not their family had left. Discusses correspondence (or a lack of) with various family members. He has heard that William T. Sherman has left their county and moved to the east. He has not changed location since his last letter. Calls the Union troops "lawless wretches" and hopes "the negroes have proved true and faithful." He would not be surprised if Richmond was lost. Discusses the Confederacy…

GLC08165.69

1865

Goodwin, William, fl. 1864-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Death of Abraham Lincoln : a discourse on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. president of the United States, April 14, 1865, delivered at North Colebrook, Conn., April 23, 1865 by Rev. William Goodwin, pastor of the Baptist church

Published by David B. Moseley. Compares the people of ancient Israel to Americans. Argues that politics should be guided by religion. States that "men cannot govern themselves without the wholesome restraint of Christianity." Asserts that law has been slacking in the country and comments that " if laws can be executed in no other way, they must be enforced by the sword." He makes these remarks in reference to the punishment that he feels was deservedly given to Booth and the other Lincoln conspirators.

GLC02913.02

11 November 1886

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Madam

Informs an unknown woman of the members of Lincoln's cabinet, noting who has died and where the remaining men are now living. Mentions William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Caleb B. Smith, Simon Cameron, Gideon Welles, and Montgomery Blair.

GLC05603.01.12

July 1861

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Virginia

Expressing an appreciation for an offer of relief aid and lamenting the death of General Bernard Bee at First Manassas. "Two of the brave gentlemen who used to sit at your table went down on that terrible at the head of their brave men bravely dying for your home & theirs."

GLC08243

1864

Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]

Signed "W.S. Thompson / 1st Asst Engineer / U.S. Navy." Entries for 1864 are much more extensive than for 1862 and 1863. Includes detailed weather and accounts of his "usual duties." Reports his leave of absence and returning to duty on the U.S. ironclad "Atlanta" as first assistant engineer. Memoranda and summary of accounts at back. Wrap-around black leather cover. Selected excerpts: 14 February: "Having a gale from the N.W. Anchored off Fort Monroe…" 22 February: "Salute of 31 guns from flagship Minnesota…" 14 March: "This morning at 3 oclock a sailor fell overboard…1/2 hour before…

GLC01838.03

1865

Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]

Signed "W.S. Thompson / Engr. U.S.N. / on board / U.S. Ironclad "Atlanta" / Jany 1, 1865." Short daily entries, mostly on the weather, as well as the condition and whereabouts of his ship. Entries end on April 6 (the date of Thompson's accidental death). Notes, jottings, summary of accounts, and memoranda at the back of the diary. Wrap-around brown leather cover. The corner of the leather cover and some of the pages at top of the diary are singed by fire, although text legibility is not affected. (Burn marks likely caused by the explosion that resulted in Thompson's death.) Selected…

GLC01838.04

1861-1862

Rome, William O., ?-1863

Diary

Title: [Diary of William O. Rome]

Autograph manuscript signed. Contain entries dated from 1861 to 1862. Reports on the daily activities of soldiering and camp life. The diary also contains Rome family birth and death records (2 October) and other entries in another hand, including a report on Rome's death and funeral. Evidently while Rome was in the hospital, which he appears to have been for the entire period from 2 July 1862 to 5 September 1862, he used bottom parts of pages to write in gray ink what look like commonplace book entries, for example copies of poems, notes on presidential elections, and list of names of…

GLC03131.09.01

1862

Hannegan, James D., 1862-1863

Diary

Title: [Diary of James Hannegan of the 5th Ohio Cavalry]

Diary is an autograph manuscript signed, neatly written in pencil, covering 1 January 1862-31 December 1862. Writes about the battle being raged at Fort Donelson in his entry of 15 February, reporting that the "citizens are in a terrible state of excitement in regard to the battle now raging at Fort Donelson. The news so far is favorable to the success of the Union forces & no doubt is entertained as to the ultimate result of the contest. This is regarded as the most important battle which has occurred during the war. The position itself is very important one." Adds in the entry for…

GLC04129.01

24 November 1856

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gerrit Smith

Written right after his release from arrest in Lindenbille, Ohio: "All of our Family have now returned from Kansas, except my brother Frederick who was shot in cold blood a few hours before the battle of Osawattomie. We have not however given over the contest with slavery. . ."

GLC08361

1864-1865

Tucker, John S., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of John S. Tucker, D company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry]

Tucker's 1864-1865 autograph manuscript diary signed includes his account of the famous mine explosion at the Siege of Petersburg as well as other daily events. Also mentions the death of General William E. Jones at the Battle of Piedmont.

GLC00653.19.02

16 October 1781

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of Stores expended on the 15th & 16th Oct, by Lt. Col. Stevens.

Lists quantities of stores used at various locations and under the command of various officers during the siege of Yorktown. Also enumerates soldiers who were wounded, killed, and taken prisoner. Explains that a British attack at day break resulted in the deaths and woundings under Captain Joseph Savage. Also reports that the Grand Battery and Left Battery were dismantled and moved to the Second Parallel.

GLC02437.01229

1 August 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders].

Pardon of Robert Newman and Henry Miller in compliance with a request made by the Delaware Nation and other Indian tribes. Orders Miller to return to the company he abandoned the previous February, and to remain there until he compensates for his period of dereliction and pays for loss of arms and clothing resulting from his desertion. Also pardons Thomas Weldon and James Smith, currently under sentence of death, with "hopes that their future good conduct will justify the mercy now extended." Weldon and Smith must also remain enlisted to make up for the service lost by their desertion and…

GLC04864.09

4 October 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders].

Pardon of Thomas Youell, who had a death sentence. Remits corporal punishment issued against Joseph Cross, Ebenezer Walker, and Edward Saxton, and orders them to return to their companies. Orders Pay Masters to make returns for Hunting Shirts for detachments under marching orders. Specifies changes in commanders. Orders a general court martial convened tomorrow for as many prisoners as can be brought before it. Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.13

23 November 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders]

Reports that the Commander in Chief has pardoned Ephraim Barker, Archibald McDonald, and John Batuse from death sentences. John Wilky, Hugh Nagerty, and George Holland are also pardoned and will rejoin the companies and corps to which they belonged. Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.19

15 October 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders]

Reports that the Commander in Chief has postponed the execution of three soldiers, Ephraim Barker, Archibald McDonald, and John Batuze until November 1st. Phineas Smith, a waggoner in the Quarter Master General's employ, is free to return to duty. Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.22

circa 1902

Newspaper clipping

Title: [Group of 6 newspaper clippings about death of Charles J. C. Hutson]

Obituaries, tributes, and eulogies. Charles J. C. Hutson died November 27, 1902. He was a Corporal in the 1st South Carolina Infantry during the Civil War. At the time of his death, he served as clerk of the United States District Court.

GLC08165.83

6 July 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from a camp near James River, [Virginia]. Details latest military endeavors, starting with an arms inspection by General George McClellan. Soon thereafter, the Rebels began to shell and the soldiers were ordered onto a different part of the field by General George McCall. Notes that Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was there. Describes a battle that was full of such panic he wrote, "the Rebels were right behind them, shur it was that Stonewall Jackson lost his life struck by shell from our own battery." Written in pencil on stationery with small blue and red image of man holding a…

GLC03523.08.40

15 July 1862

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister and Father

Addresses his sister in first half of letter about her "new young man." Asks if she will send him a number of things, such as a shirt, some tobacco, and some "Jamaca Ginger" because the water there gives him diarrhea. The second half of the letter is written to his father, telling him that his regiment lost about 400 men, as well as six or eight commanding officers. States, "I dont think General [George] McClellan will attack Richmond for some time yet..." Also tells him that "the president [Abraham Lincoln] reviewed the Army of the Potomac when he was here." Mentions that he has heard…

GLC03523.08.41

7 August 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes to his father about his sickness. States "it may be that you will never get over your sickness. And if the case should prove so, I would like you to have me some written instructions about your Business." Indicates he is worried about his father being taken advantage of, in life and death, and notes that he will take on the responsibilities of "carrying on business." Says to him, "Perhaps this may be the last letter I shall ever write to you for their is no knowing what is to be...I know you are not afraid of death...And I bid you Good Bye. Perhaps it may not be the last. But in case…

GLC03523.08.79

19 July 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses how down-hearted and lonesome he feels. Reports heavy artillery on the picket lines, even at night. Informs her they will use new thirteen inch mortar shells that weigh 200 pounds each instead of the Petersburg Express. Writes about the death of their young child and his belief that she was too good for this earth. Letter includes a brief postscript written the following morning.

GLC03523.20.12

27 July 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Complains about the lack of letters from her. Expresses anxiety about her well-being. Suspects the siege has not begun yet. States he is not kept busy enough, and they cannot get the rebels to fire a shell at their battery. Claims he has never missed her more. Reports he has a severe cold. Mentions two men in the company died of typhoid fever. Letter continues on 28 July 1864. Says the rebels opened fire and he had to return fire for two hours which silenced them.

GLC03523.20.14

18 August 1862

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Harrison's Landing. Complains about her scarce letters and wonders if it is because she is sick. Expresses anger about nephew George F. Knox enlisting because so many men are dying daily. Recommends George tries to get out of the company he is assigned to because it is comprised of inexperienced young boys. Requests the name of the man who enlisted George and informs he will write to him. Reports he will be moving onto Fredericksburg or Washington, D.C. soon.

GLC03523.20.05

25 October 1861

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Writes from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Recounts to him, "you heard of the battle of Balls Bluff where the Rebels were victorious. They killed about 600 men altogether... besides the prisoners they took." Also reports that they caught the traitor, a clerk from the War Department, who had defeated General George McClellan's plans of taking Munson Hill. States that "if we had stayed 24 hours longer we would all been killed or taken Prisinors." Confesses, "I made no attempt to vote as I aint of age." First 4 pages of letter written on stationery with a image of red, white, and blue image of woman…

GLC03523.08.20

19 July 1861

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a battle field three miles outside Manassas Junction. Describes in detail a fierce battle that lasted five hours and resulted in 60 killed or wounded soldiers. Expects another large battle soon.

GLC03523.20.03