3 July 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that he has been sent to Clarkesville again in order to command the "Contraband Camp." Describes the work he has been doing to get the camp of "900 Men Women & Children" running smoothly, and the compliments he has received from his superiors for his hard work. Martha is leaving Hawesville soon, and Brunt asks her to "please write as soon as you receive this & I will send you my Photograph." Describes the arrival of a Kentucky slave owner at his camp who offers Brunt $250 dollars in bribe money for the return of his family's slaves. Brunt has the man arrested. "Our camp is…

GLC07006.08

17 September 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Awaits the return of his wife and children to camp. The repair of the direct road to Nashville, Tennessee may make Brunt's camp into a supply station. The camp is connected by boat, train and road. Happily reports that he has gotten two black women jobs as school teachers. Proudly copies two letters from his commanding colonel, both of which praise Brunt highly for his hard work.

GLC07006.09

1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes of living at camp with her husband - "it is so much like Old kentuck." Mentions that it has been a long time since she has been home in Kentucky and asks after various friends. Describes the area around Fort Donelson as a scene of destruction, with "notheing [sic] but old shells of the best houses left now," but finds her own home, with its river view of "steamboats and gunboats" very beautiful. Written at Fort Donelson

GLC07006.10

4 November 1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Olive writes to Martha for her husband, "but I cannot write to you as he would." Writes of how much she misses her home and friends in Kentucky, but enjoys her work at the Contraband Camp. She and one other woman mend the clothing of the entire camp and want "to make this camp a selfe suporting Camp rais the provisions on the farm and get the cloths by exchanging our labor for cotton." Mentions that there are fifteen teachers in the school. The black soldiers have been turned out of their homes to house Confederate refugees, which Olive says she will try not to mind "as long as they don't…

GLC07006.11

1861-1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes Martha about a pledge he has refused to sign - "the tobacco part is all I object to." Reasons that tobacco is necessary for soldiers. Stresses how busy and complicated camp life is. Mentions Robert, who is being discharged from the army after three years of service. Writes about a sixteen year-old boy in his camp who has earned money to care for his family and works as a fifer in one of the black soldiers' regiments.

GLC07006.12

1861-1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha and Robert Weir

Most of Brunt's letter to Martha is missing. Writes to Robert that "things look rather gloomy for us at preasant [sic] but Clouds & sunshine must alternately follow each other." Mentions that he has little time to read the news. Describes a test he has prepared for the black soldiers under his command, in which he will stage a fake attack on his company in order to prove that they are able to "stand fire." Asks Robert to write a testimonial of William's Union loyalty while living in Kentucky, but "please do it in a way so that it will not create a suspicion of my asking it."

GLC07006.14

16 October 1863

Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Stricklan

Asa requests the return of a contraband cook by the name of George Washington who left the 25th Michigan under persuasion of officers from the 5th Ohio. [On the same piece of paper is the return letter.] 1863/10/18 Seargon, NJ, Colonel Commily to Asa W. Slayton Commily found George Washington among the 50th brigade. He vows to send him back on the first train in Munfordville. Expresses willingness to arrested the Captain who was harboring Washington and offers Slayton the opportunity to press charges, as he will send the captain to Lamillla for trial.

GLC03955.05

ca. 1860-1870

Alberger, William C., 1837-1925

Scrapbook

Title: [Loose Page from Scrapbook of William C. Alberger]

Page contains: Unknown. Map: s. l., Topographical map of Virginia between Washington and Manassas Junction. No date. 1 p. Includes an image of Washington, D. C., with the capital building in the foreground. Depicts Virginia and the western corner of Maryland, including United States encampments, roads, rail lines, rivers, and other topographical features. A smaller image consists of a military map of Virginia and parts of Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, and Delaware. The military map includes some topographical features and notes where battles took place. (27.5 x 20 cm.) Kenyon, D.…

GLC06628.03

ca. 1860-1870

Alberger, William C., 1837-1925

Scrapbook

Title: [Loose Page from Scrapbook of William C. Alberger]

Page contains: Best, R. H. PD: Buffalo, New York, [Summons William Alberger for assistance in riot suppression]. 3 August 1863. 1 p. Best, the Buffalo sheriff, requires Lieutenant Colonel Alberger's presence on 5 August 1863 for prevention and suppression of city riots. Alberger's name is handwritten, while the rest of the document is printed. (9.8 x 20 cm.) Beckwith, Charles. PD: Buffalo, New York, [Invitation to participate in Independence Day activities]. 26 June 1863. 1 p. + docket. Invites Lieutenant Colonel William C. Alberger to prepare for Buffalo's 87th Independence…

GLC06628.04

4 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has a few moments to spare while there is a lull in the fighting. "I have weathered the storm unharmed" so far. Fighting starts at dawn and does not stop "for anything" until well after sundown. The Confederates have "quite a strong position here." Looks like the construction of heavy siege works has begun. Has gotten nearer to Richmond. "Burnside's niggers fight well, and I wish they could be made to do all the fighting." Last night there was a massive Confederate artillery barrage. He and everyone else lay "flat on their faces and lay so till after dark." Wishes Father would send him some…

GLC09355.069

4 January 1863

Parry, E., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: To "Dear Sir"

GLC09190.08

16 April 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi was a prisoner for over 24 hours. tells this story and of his escape.describes the details of Lee's surrender.w rites that the government is enlisting and hiring many blacks in Richmond.

GLC08311.40

1890

Engraving

Title: Storming Fort Wagner

Charge of the 54 Mass Regiment July 18, 1863. Union Loss: Gen. Strong, Col. Shaw, Chatfield, Putnam, Gen. Seymour.

GLC09118.54

1892

Engraving

Title: The Fort Pillow Massacre

April 12th, 1864. Union: Major Booth, Colored T.262 (Major Bradford)

GLC09118.55

February 16, 1864

Gillmore, Quincy Adams, 1825-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Wager Halleck

General Gillmore writes to Halleck, Commander in Chief of the United States Army. Requests "two or three active and educated Brig. Generals, one of whom should date from before the middle of April 1862." General Cullum previously informed Gillmore that General John Hatch may be assigned under Gillmore. Recommends M. R. Morgan, Commissary of the 10th Army Corps, for appointment to the position of Brigadier General. Reports that he previously assigned General Truman Seymour to command in Florida, and has established a camp of instruction for colored troops near Jacksonville, Florida under…

GLC02463.05

17 April 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his knapsack with him. Cooks have received orders to cool extra rations for them to bring on the march. Is not afraid of death, and "if I get shot then I die in a good cause, but I don't think that gun even was made to shoot me." One of the guards shot a Rebel earlier in the week. He approached the camp, was ordered to stop, did not, and was shot. The…

GLC08914.020

20 May 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Written "in the field." The "Johnnies" have been skirmishing with their infantry and artillery. They have a strong position. They have three regiments of colored troops but they have not been let in yet.

GLC02161.127

5 January 1865

Voris, J.A., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to uncle

GLC07687.158

5 March 1862

Ditmars, Edward, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

GLC07687.150

March 1862

Ditmars, Edward, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

GLC07687.151

2 April 1862

Smith, Charles H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Congratulates Van Nuys on his success in the battle at Winchester, relates news of friends and family members, and mentions the recent escape of several prisoners from Indianapolis, as well as the shooting of another prisoner attempting to escape.

GLC07687.152

2 October 1864

Wilber, Z.F., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John H. Van Nuys

GLC07687.153

10 November 1864

Van Nuys, H.L., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bro [John H. Van Nuys?]

Offers his condolences on the loss of his son, and talks at some length of a photograph he has sent of Samuel Watson Van Nuys. Briefly mentions local reaction to the election and the actions of Gen. Sherman.

GLC07687.155

1 December 1864

Shaw, Joseph, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John H. Van Nuys

offers condolences on the loss of Van Nuys's son and brief news on the whereabouts of members of the family.

GLC07687.156

3 December 1864

Wilber, Z.F., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain A. C. Voris

Transmittal of Wilber's letter from Voris to unknown written on blank half leaf and dated 7 December [1864].

GLC07687.157