18 July 1863

Griffin, Charles, 1825-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his mother]

Writes following the death of his father, Apollos Griffin. Has delayed writing in hopes he may obtain permission to go to Washington (possibly where his mother is located). Writes, "He alone whom it has pleased to take away a devoted husband, kind parent and valued citizen can console the widow and the child for the loss- Tears only show sympathy but do not relieve the aching heart... I know that no mortal utterance can give the required consolation..." Written on Headquarters, 1st Division, 5th Corps stationery.

GLC04016

22 April 1865

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Walter Taylor

Submits a report of the operations of his command, the Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia from 28 March to 9 April 1865, the days leading up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Detailed account of troop movements, skirmishes with Union forces, and the number of captured, wounded, and killed. Reports being joined by the divisions of Generals William Henry Fitz Lee and Thomas L. Rosser. Indicates that they attacked Sheridan's cavalry at Five Forks. Describes events leading up to the army withdrawing from Petersburg. Praises commanding generals W. H. F. Lee, Rosser, Thomas T. Munford,…

GLC04019

1864-1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Header Record

Title: [Diaries of John W. Phoenix, A company, 28th regiment, Wisconsin, infantry]

Diaries are decimalized.

GLC03956

1861-1863

Worcester, John H., 1839-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John H. Worcester, H company, 7th regiment, New Hampshire, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .41]

The collection includes documents and letters written to the Worcester family, especially the father, John, from Lieutenant John H. Worcester and his younger brother Charles H. Worcester. John was wounded at Fort Wagner, South Carolina, and taken prisoner. He was later exchanged and died from gangrene while aboard a hospital steamer. Charles survived Fort Wagner because he had been sick in hospital during the battle. Most of the war letters are written from St. Augustine, Florida or Follys Island, South Carolina. The collection includes a manuscript map of St. Augustine, Florida; a…

GLC03974

16 April 1847

Force, Charles F., 1826-1883

Letter

Title: to Manning Force

Writes to his brother about the death of his commander, a childhood friend of Manning's. Discusses the bad food, small rations, scarcity of paper and the hope for war's end. Mentions that there are five soldiers waiting for him to finish writing his letter as they all must share the same pen. Has decided to go on a three-year whaling voyage once he is discharged and feels it would be best if he distanced himself as much as possible from his family and friends.

GLC04107

22 April 1865

McCleas, fl. 1865

Photograph

Title: [Lincoln's Funeral Train]

One image of a Philadelphia railyard with President Lincoln's Funeral Train dated April 22, 1865. The image was taken by McCleas. The engine bears four U.S. flags and black funeral drapings. Two men sit atop the tender that has the inscription, "PENN. R.R." Small crowds are also photographed at the front and back of the train.

GLC04111

1856

Kendall, George W., fl. 1844-1856

Book

Title: Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe expedition....

Fuller title: "Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, comprising a description of a tour through Texas, and across the great southwestern prairies, the Camanche and Caygua hunting-grounds, with an account of the sufferings from want of food, losses from hostile Indians, and final capture of the Texans, and their march, as prisoners, to the city of Mexico. With illustrations and a map."

GLC04153

20 April 1865

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

Broadside

Title: [Lincoln assassination reward poster]

Contains a message from the War Department advertising a $100,000 total reward for the capture of John Surrat, John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. Specifies amount rewarded for each capture: Booth ($50,000), Surrat ( $25,000), and Herold ($25,000). Gives a brief physical description of Booth and his accomplices.

GLC04092

1843-1848

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John B. Moore letters] [Decimalized .01- .30]

This collection of letters was written while John B. Moore taught school in Louisiana and Alabama. Eighteen letters are from John to his sister Mary Moore (2-3, 6-7, 9-11, 15-18, 20-22, 25-27, 29); three letters have notes to both Mary and brother Richard Moore on the same letter (2, 16, 18). Other correspondence involves brother Robert E. Moore (2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 23, 28), and father Garrett Moore (19, 24), with two letters from Irish cousins (12, 14). In these letters he quits teaching school to enter medical school; his brother Robert E. Moore begins teaching on John's contract in…

GLC04191

July 14, 1863

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of David V. Smith, D company, 12th regiment, New Jersey, infantry [Decimalized .01-.60]

The correspondence of David V. R. Smith, a Private in the 12th New Jersey Volunteers, includes 59 war-date letters written to his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Charles Carroll, from Elmer, Salem Co., NJ. Smith's regiment served mostly as pickets and guards. His letters detailed this constant and fatiguing duty. However, he did see battle in two major campaigns: Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Smith suffered from chronically swollen and painful legs which eventually killed him. His leg condition sent him to the hospital in August 1863 where he died on October 10, 1863 from his illness.…

GLC04189

1861-1862

Kelly, James R., fl. 1861-1862

Header Record

Title: [Collection of James R. Kelly, K company, 14th regiment, Indiana, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.42]

The Captain James R. Kelly collection of Civil War correspondence contains 42 items. Kelly served with Company K of the 14th Regiment Indiana Volunteers from 1861 until his death on 8 May 1862. He saw action at Cheat Mountain and in the Shenandoah Valley. Captain Kelly's papers include letters to his wife Mary (#1-3, 8-24), living in Bloomington, Indiana, and inventories of the possessions of dead soldiers from his company (#4-8). Mary Kelly wrote letters (#25-34) to her mother, sister and daughter, Sisy. Item #36 is a post-war manuscript, probably written by Sisy Kelly. The collection also…

GLC04197

19 April 1865

Stone, Henry, fl. 1864-1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Orders regarding the 100th United States Colored Infantry's observance of Abraham Lincoln's funeral]

The first part of this document relates official orders issued by Thomas S. Sexton, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, based on the orders of Colonel Charles R. Thompson. Provides guidelines regarding activity during Lincoln's funeral, including the suspension of work, displaying flags at half mast, and firing of guns at all ports in which artillery exists. James T. Essex (possibly an assistant adjutant general) issues a statement for Lieutenant Colonel Henry Stone on the bottom half of the page. Stone relates that he will not issue an official order regarding the observance of Lincoln's…

GLC04219.02

January 24, 1861

Dupont, Samuel F., 1803-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harwood

Says he heard from his family that the "eldest member of our present generation had died." Says the woman was like a second mother to his wife. Goes on to proclaim her goodness. Went to the funeral and had to return quickly to the navy yard. Wrtites, "What a blot on our naval escutchion that Pensacola affair! Not so much for old [Commodore] Armstrong, but...traitors [Commodore Ebenezer] Farrand & Renshaw; and our poor miserable way of doing things, accepting...when such an event as the capture of a Navy Yard is announced before waiting to hear a single circumstance! These men will all…

GLC04226

circa 1866

Kellogg, E.B, & E.C., fl. 1866

Print

Title: Justice, Liberty, Equality [Portrait of Abraham Lincoln]

Chromolithographed oval bust portrait of Lincoln surrounded by a wreath, with dove of peace at top and "Justice, Liberty, Equality" on tri-color ribbon at bottom. Printed with caption "Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States. Born February 12, 1809. Died April 15, 1865." Two publishers listed: E.B. & E.C. Kellogg of Hartford, CT and F.P. Whiting of New York.

GLC04245

1862-1865

Manuscript

Title: Register of sick and wounded soldiers Ward H Armory Square Hospital

"Ward H" written on cover. First four pages contain bookkeeping notes from October 1862. Rest of the document contains lists of patients at the hospital from December 1862 through August 1865. The last few pages contain various notes. Each sick or wounded soldier is listed according to date admitted, name, rank, regiment, company, age, bed, result, discharge date, whence received, and the name of their disease or injury. Most patients were admitted for illnesses. Those with battle wounds come mostly in large groups, shortly after major nearby battles. In one month during the…

GLC04485

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Header Record

Title: Stone print of John Brown's last written words with copy of original [Decimalized .01-.02]

Stone print of the last words of John Brown. "I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty, land: will never be purged away, but with Blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done." Accompanied by a reproduction on paper of a photograph of the original copy of John Brown's last written words.

GLC04463.08

7 July 1862

Van Buren, Daniel T., 1826-1890

Autograph note signed

Title: to John M. Cuyler

Suggesting that contrabands, formerly enslaved people who had escaped to the Union army, be tasked with collecting corpses. "It is suggested that Contrabands be Employed to bring down & put in the waggons the dead bodies which, Emit these foul discharges over the clothes of these soldiers, and also that they accompany the bodies to the graves for the purpose of lifting them from the waggons at that place." The original complaint regarding the "foul discharges" is noted on the docket. Written at Fort Monroe

GLC04511

1868

Bingham, George Caleb, 1811-1879

Photograph

Title: Civil War; As realized in the Desolation of Border Counties of Missouri, during the operation of General Orders No. 11, issued by Brigadier General Ewing...

[title continues]... from his Head Quarters, Kansas City, August 25, 1863. With note underneath title: "This print, from the original picture by G. C. Bingham, is respectfully dedicated to all who cherish the principles of Civil Liberty." Photograph of a painting by artist George Caleb Bingham, whose signature is included. Photo mounted on poster board which contains title and the text of General Orders No. 11. On 25 August 1863, General Thomas Ewing issued orders no. 11, requiring the evacuation Missouri citizens (primarily in border areas). Ewing required even those who took a loyalty…

GLC04321

11 May 1865 - 13 May 1865

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

Header Record

Title: Letter and two telegrams requesting prosecution of Horace Greeley [Decimalized .01-.03]

Edwin M. Stanton writes one letter and two telegrams to Edwards Pierrepont asking him to prosecute Horace Greeley, who Stanton claims has tried to incite others to murder him.

GLC04452

15 May 1864-18 May 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Draft message to the Army of Northern Virginia prior to the Battle of Spotsylvania].

First draft of an address to the troops of the Army of Northern Virginia, written on the verso of (a clerical) telegram to Lee from General John D. Imboden at Sharpsburg. In an effort to rally morale, Lee recounts recent Confederate victories, reminds the men of the cause for which they have taken up arms and the gravity of the current situation, calls upon the memory of fallen comrades, and invokes God's blessing for their cause. Imboden's telegram relays news about engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, including Imboden's stop of General Franz Sigel's advance, which Lee mentions in his…

GLC04429

1859-1922 ca.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Header Record

Title: Collection relating to Grant's presidency & family with 3 S.B. Anthony items [decimalized .001-.119, .097a, .119a,b,c]

This collection, put together by some early twentieth century collectors concentrates on Grant's presidency, funeral and the commemoration of the centenary of his birth in 1922. #1-31 include Grant family correspondence (mostly about USG's death and funeral). Most of the correspondence is written by Frederick Dent Grant. There are also four Susan B. Anthony items: three letters to a member of the 1867 NYS Constitutional Convention (calling for women's suffrage; #32-34) and a printed petition (#35) to President Ulysses S. Grant with pasted-on (and written) signatures of women's' leaders like…

GLC04360

July 1778

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Letter signed

Title: to Lord George Germain

Written by Clinton as Command of Chief of British forces in America to Germain as British Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Detailed report of his recent activity. Says he evacuated Philadelphia on 18 June 1778. Details the problems of the retreat across New Jersey. On page three lists the units undertaking certain actions in the margin. Mentions tough crossing of the Raritan River. Believes Washington's army to have 20,000 troops. Says the Queens Light Dragoons repulsed the American calvary under Lafayette, which was the opening movements in the Battle of Monmouth. Describes…

GLC04283

20 November 1803

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Taylor

Says he just arrived in New Rochelle. Received Taylor's letter with the news of the death of Colonel Joseph Kirkbride. Claims he has lost "my best friend." Paine befriended Kirkbride, a well-known patriot and fellow Quaker, when he lived in Bordentown, New Jersey 1777-1778, 1785-1786, and 1803. When he saw a letter from Bordentown not in Kirkbride's handwriting he suspected he had died. Says he is feels more grief because if Kirkbride had lived he would have rejoiced at "the triumphant success of the last elections" - Democrats had gained a majority in the New Jersey state legislature and…

GLC04281

1840

Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885

Broadside

Title: A History of the Amistad captives...

title continues: "...Being a circumstantial account of the capture of the Spanish Schooner Amistad, by the Africans on board; their Voyage and Capture near Long Island, New York; with Biographical Sketches of each of the surviving Africans. Also, and account of the Trials had on their case, before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, for the District of Connecticut, &c." Depicts the death of Captain Ramon Ferrer of the Amistad in July of 1839, on a slave trade route from Havana to Principe. A version of this image serves as an inset fold-out for Barber's pamphlet (refer…

GLC04295

16 April 1865

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

Manuscript document

Title: General orders no. 66

Secretary of War Stanton announces the death of President Lincoln to the armies. States that "headquarters of every department, post, station, fort, and arsenal will be draped in mourning for thirty days." Also, funeral honors will take place at every military post and at West Point. W.A. Nichols announces that troops and cadets of West Point and all military posts will be paraded at 10 o/clock a.m. Also commands that flags be displayed at half-staff, thirteen guns be fired at dawn, and that officers of the armies of the U.S. wear a badge of mourning. Officers' command and regiment…

GLC04528