16 July 1864

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Opelousas courier. [Vol. 12, no. 7 (July 16, 1864)]

News from Virginia during the Battle of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in which Gen. Lee states that "the enemy were hurled upon our lines 8 and 10 deep and that their dead lay in heaps in front of our breastworks." French translation on right side. Wallpaper has floral pattern with green stripes printed in tan color on a pale yellow background (pattern # 906).

GLC05988.17

3 September 1864

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Opelousas courier. [Vol. 12, no. 14 (September 3, 1864)]

Naval battle between the Alabama and Kearsarge described in great detail. List of casualties in Hay's brigade at Monocacy, MD. French translation on right side. Wallpaper has rose and green colored floral pattern (pattern # 1886).

GLC05988.18

22 October 1864

Sandoz, Joel H., fl. 1840-1864

Newspaper

Title: The Opelousas courier. [Vol. 12, no. 21 (October 22, 1864)]

Murders by a band of Jayhawkers. Also a letter from the "Lafouce Creoles" 18th Louisiana Regiment giving a brief history of their battles since they left home to fight in the Battle of Shiloh. French translation on right side. Printed on brown-sepia paper. Wallpaper has green and white floral and foliage pattern.

GLC05988.22

16 March 1814

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Bentley

Thanks Reverend Bentley for his sermon given upon the death of General John Fiske, which Jefferson has just read. Praises Fiske as "a model of merit." Contains Dove watermark. Bentley's sermon, delivered in the East Meeting-House, Salem, Massachusetts, was published in 1797. Written in Monticello

GLC06021

9 May 1862

Broadside

Title: Jamestown journal extra

Announces the deaths of Capt. Willard, Lieut. Bailey of Co. B and Capt. Barrett of Dunkirk at Williamsburg battle. Also includes a partial list of killed and wounded in Hooker's division and a call to a citizens public meeting.

GLC06107.49

26 April 1887

Pamphlet

Title: A sketch of Henry Franklin and family

Date written as "4 mo., 26th, 1887." Contains an extract from the Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the death of Henry Franklin's son. The extract is included as a reflection of the lack of racial prejudice in France, where Franklin's son died. Includes a biographical description of Franklin, described as "the venerable colored janitor of the Academy of Fine Arts." Reports that Franklin's slave name was Bill Budd. States that Franklin serves as Treasurer of the Colored Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Also mentions his activism on behalf of fugitive slaves and his special invitation to…

GLC06120

1884

Truth, Sojourner, 1797-1883

Book

Title: A narrative of Sojourner Truth; a bondswoman of olden time, emancipated by the New York Legislature in the early part of the present century...

(title continues)... with a history of her labors and correspondence drawn from her 'Book of Life;' also, a memorial chapter, giving the particulars of her last sickness and death." Published by the Review and Herald Office in 1884, Battle Creek, Michigan. Signed in 1885 on inner front cover by noted abolitionist Amy Post and close friend of Frederick Douglass, presenting this book to her son Willet E. Post. Olive Gilbert collaborated with Truth for the "Narrative." 320 pages, plus 32 page memorial chapter. Contains several engravings of Truth.

GLC06153

1864

Fowler, W. H. (William Henry), 1826-1867

Pamphlet

Title: Guide for Claimants of Deceased Soldiers

Written by Colonel Fowler as Superintendent of Army Records and Agent to Adjust the Claims of Deceased Soldiers for the State of Alabama. Printed by George P. Evans & Co. A guide for southern families to claim the bodies and personal possessions of their sons killed on the battlefield. Printed on brown Confederate "necessity" paper. Back cover lists topics found in the pamphlet, including a list of laws of Congress dealing with claims, various rules for making claims, and a discussion of logistical issues involved, etc. Stamped as deaccessioned from the University of Vermont Library.

GLC06158.04

1861

Broadside

Title: Fort Sumpter

Printed text of patriotic Confederate song celebrating the taking of Fort Sumter. Details events of the bombardment, including the death of two Union soldiers during Anderson's final salute to the United States flag. Illustrated with the first Confederate national flag flying in the breeze. Sung to the tune of "Dearest Mae." The chorus warns "Uncle Abe...ne'er invade our Southern soil."

GLC06158.13

circa 1864

Broadside

Title: A Traitor's Peace that the Northern Copperhead Leaders Would Force Upon the Country

Election broadside printed by McGill & Witherow in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Union Committee, with an engraving by Thomas Nast, from Harper's Magazine. Very similar to GLC06032 - same image and text, but different title (although, this document is in better condition). Image at top half of broadside shows a ragged Northern soldier with an amputated leg shaking hands with an erect and proud Jefferson Davis in the uniform of a Confederate soldier over the freshly dug grave of "Union-Heroes who fell in a useless war." Davis's right foot is sitting on the grave and has snapped a…

GLC05986

2 July 1862

Sperry, J.A., fl. 1862

Newspaper

Title: Daily Register. [July 2, 1862]

Handwritten note at top: Why McClellan failed to reach Richmond; Vicksburg Intelligence; Killed & Wounded at Chickahominy. Ads for fugitive soldiers. Printed on heavy brown necessity paper with faded ink.

GLC05959.48

7 March 1862

Bondurant & Elliot

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond whig. [Vol. 67, no. 56 (March 7, 1862)]

Page 1 and 2 have an image of the Viriginia state seal. Piece of 19th century paper adhered to the front page has the name "W. H. DeWitt." List of the acts passed by the Confederate Congress on front page. Page 2 has several columns of news from the Congress. Article on Confederate foreign relations which states "Negro slave labor, then, may safely be assumed to be essential to the successful production of cotton in the Confederate States. If the negro were withdrawn, or his status materially changed, the crop would soon dwindle into insignficance-for none but the negro can do the work, and…

GLC05959.78

27 October 1864

Bondurant & Elliot

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond whig [no volume and number (October 27, 1864)]

Contains an image of the Virginia state seal. Not a complete copy, missing pages 1 and 2. Copy of General Jubal Early's address to his troops and an editoral lauding its contents. From Northern newspapers, reports on Ulysses Grant's campaign against Richmond. News item predicts that Wilmington, North Carolina will soon be attacked. 3 column report from the Whig's own correspondant on "The Seven Months' Campaign against Richmond Considered as a Whole." Update on affairs in Missouri. News of a free black, age 14, killed when he fell attempting to "steal a ride on the Camp Lee train." Short…

GLC05959.79

24 April 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Fitzhugh (Rooney) Lee

General Lee offers condolence to his son Rooney on the death of his wife, Charlotte Wickham, from tuberculosis. Although Lee mourns her death, he maintains that "we cannot indulge in grief however mournful yet pleasing." Lee experienced a series of profound personal loss during the war; along with the death of his daughter-in-law, his daughter Annie and two of his grandchildren also died. But Lee's dedication to duty remained firm, and was demonstrated in his advice to his bereaved son. He urged Rooney to return to his brigade, reminding him that "Our Country demands all our thoughts, all…

GLC05979

24 July 1864

Cooper, Samuel, 1798-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mark Alexander

Cooper, Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Confederate Army, writes to his friend Alexander. Mentions that his son recently travelled with Mrs. Captain Lee of the Confederate Navy. Complains that he is overworked, and fears he will not be able to leave his post soon due to Union General Ulysses S. Grant's recent movement north of the James River. Refers to recent Confederate success in Georgia. Transmits a report (not included) sent by telegram from General John Bell Hood discussing recent events during which "four...generals killed, one of whom, McPherson, was the master-…

GLC05980

1862-1864

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John Jones, Company F, 45th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

Contains vivid battle descriptions and political content. On 13 March 1863, he writes of his opposition to a $300 fee to avoid draft "based precisely on the same principle with the conscription of the 'Southern Confederacy' which exempts a man owning twenty negros.... " He also writes of "Union Jim our gallant contraband [cook who] shot one secesh and took two prisoners... so much for a nigger... some of them are as brave as any whites, give them a chance to fight and see whether or no they will disgrace our cause. Away with this prejudice of color...." John P. Jones served in the Illinois…

GLC05981

6 January 1776-4 September 1777

Howe, William, 1729-1814

Manuscript document

Title: [British adjutant's orderly book]

Orderly book of British Commander-in-Chief William Howe, oblong quarto, in the handwriting of six or seven soldier-clerks. Details daily orders, official memoranda, court martials, provisions, directives on the control of civilians, embarkations and landings of troops, and more. Among the historic events described are the siege and evacuation of Boston (from 5 March 1776 for 20 pages) and the execution of Nathan Hale (22 September 1776) who is unnamed. "A Spy from the Enemy by his own full confession, apprehended last Night was this day Executed at 11 oClock in front of the Artillery Park…

GLC05983

7 November 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document

Title: [General Order No. 65 concerning day of worship proclaimed by President Jefferson Davis]

Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, announces that President Jefferson Davis proclaimed 16 November as a day of worship. Printed document says "all military duties, except such as are necessary for the safety of the Army, will be suspended for the day, and every facility for its due observance will be afforded to the troops." Says they must be acknowledge what "Him who alone controls the destiny of nations" has done for them. Says chaplains to hold services at their usual place of worship and that soldiers are "earnestly exhorted" to attend. Says they should not forget their…

GLC05987.06

15 July 1864

Broadside

Title: Memoriam of Capt. G. T. Burch

Broadside created as a memoriam for Captain George Tilley Burch of Co. I, 29th Georgia Regiment who was killed in the Battle of Atlanta. Died at City Hall Hospital on 13 July 1864 from wounds that pierced both his knees in a charge near Kenesaw Mountain. Says he was a graduate of Mercer College in 1861. Joined the army at Savannah, Georgia in August or September 1861 for a 3-year-term. Showed extreme fortitude during the Mississippi campaign and kept up his command in trying circumstances. Says he scorned "screening" himself during battle. Claims as an officer he was "strict, but ever just,…

GLC05987.17

29 November 1859 - 2 December 1859

Header Record

Title: John Brown letter and broadside [decimalized .01-.02]

Letter written by John Brown shortly before his death, and broadside for a funeral service to him.

GLC05925

29 November 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Stearns

Written three days before his execution. He asks to be "spared from having any mock; or hypocritical prayers made over me, when I am publicly murdered: & that my only religious attendants be poor little, dirty, ragged, bare headed, & barefooted Slave Boys; & Girls led by some old gray headed Slave Mother...Farewell, Farewell." Docket reads "please mail this to her." Addressed to "Mrs. George L. Stearns." Mary's husband George was a member of The Secret Six, the group that financed Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry.

GLC05925.01

2 December 1859

Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862

Broadside

Title: Martyrdom of John Brown

Program created by Thoreau for the funeral service for John Brown to be held in the Concord Town Hall on December 2nd. Event will include "Reading of pertinent passages. Selections from Brown's last words. Service for the death of a martyr." Also contains a "Dirge" in Brown's honor, written by Sanborn to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" The first verse states "To-day beside Potomac's wave, Beneath Virginia's Sky, They slay the man who loved the slave, and dared for him to die." Concord was the home to many of Brown's most famous and ardent supporters. The dirge is misdated 30 December at…

GLC05925.02

1792

Smith, William, 1797-1887

Pamphlet

Title: Eulogium on Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D.... by William Smith

Printed by Benjamin Franklin Bache. Eulogy on the death of Franklin. (Bound with: Selected pamplets, GLC 5945.)

GLC05945.04

1862

Holden, William Woods, 1818-1892

Header Record

Title: Weekly standard.

The paper gives regular reports of the latest war news. Advertisements include runaway slave notices and slaves for sale; retail, real estate, and other items for sale; conscription substitutes wanted; lost items; and market reports. Telegraphic news is also included. Obituaries are printed, as are notices of deserters. Many issues contain minutes of the North Carolina Legislature or Acts and Resolutions of the North Carolina General Assembly. Most issues contain fugitive slave and negro for sale ads. (1862/9/17, 1862/12/17, 1862/12/24, and 1862/12/31)

GLC05959.22

3 July 1833

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Wayne

Buchanan writes as United States Minister to Russia to Colonel Wayne. Relates that he has enjoyed his time in Russia, but will never be "contented to remain under the shadow of despotism longer than my duty to my country requires." Notes his rapid conclusion of a commercial treaty has induced President Jackson to summon him back to the United States. Commenting on Russia, notes "The mass of the people are slaves attached to the soil. A nobleman, in speaking of his estate never refers to the number of his acres; but always to the number of his peasants... no proper means are taken to…

GLC05790