1836-1874

Confederate States of America. Generals

Header Record

Title: Confederate generals from the deep south: 21 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02460.01-02460.21]

GLC02460

January 21, 1862

Alexander, Edward Porter, 1835-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre G. T. Beauregard

Colonel Porter forwards a telegram (not present) from his brother, Major William Alexander, to General Beauregard, commander of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. Reports that he does not know what the telegram pertains to, but that it was probably sent at the request of General Toombs (possibly Robert Augustus Toombs). Remarks that William is Toombs' son-in-law.

GLC02460.01

19 May 1862

Cheatham, Benjamin Franklin, 1820-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oscar Thadeus Keeler

Written near Corinth. Confederate Major General Cheatham, commander of the 2nd Division, lst Corps, Army of the Mississippi, thanks Keeler for a box of vegetables he sent, delivered by Mr. Moore. Writes "I assure you I relished the dinner you afforded me more than anything I have eaten for a long time- and fear you will spoil my appetite for the usual soldiers fare of meat & bread."

GLC02460.03

9 July 1860

Cobb, Thomas Read Rootes, 1823-1862

Document signed

Title: to Colonel Robert McMillan

Cobb discusses an order from Mr. Burch and mentions A. Kennan, who Cobb encouraged to fill the position of auditor in Athens. Says "...have the auditing ex-parte- & leave to Thomas to enforce it-which I know he will- In such event is it not better policy for you to have no counsel present..."

GLC02460.04

24 September 1862

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Letter signed

Title: to George G. Garner

Reply to Garner's order, stating that he cannot "guard the mines at Bloomfield and Fairfield" because he has no troops. However "as soon as Col Wharton returns" with his 8,000 troops, "I will be at your service." An initialed note ("B.B.") from Braxton Bragg on verso states that Forrest should remove any men he has in town, as small guards at Bloomfield and Fairfield "are absolutely necessary...and must be furnished." Written during the Confederate invasion of Kentucky, while prospects for the campaign remained bright.

GLC02460.05

23 September 1862

Hardee, William J., 1815-1873

Letter signed

Title: to Colonel Garner

Hardee, commander of the Left Wing, Army of the Mississippi, writes to Colonel Garner (possibly George G. Garner, assistant adjutant general for General Braxton Bragg, commander of the Department of Mississippi). Relates that a courier named Cory has been captured and is now at the headquarters of Union General McCook (possibly Alexander McDowell McCook). Has been informed by Dr. Yandell and by his aide-de-camp, Captain Hardee (possibly his son, William J. Hardee, Jr.), that the courier had an order to bring a package upon his return. Writes "It is presumed that Cory being dressed mostly…

GLC02460.07

18 December 1863

McLaws, Lafayette, 1821-1897

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Special Orders No. 168 issued by General James Longstreet]

Orders number 168. General McLaws writes "In compliance with special orders No 27 of December 17th Inst. from Head Qrs of Gen Longstreet, I relinquish my Command to Brigadier General J. B. Kershaw the senior Brigadier of my Division."

GLC02460.09

February 19, 1864

Clay, H. L., fl. 1863-1864

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel W. Melton

Clay, Assistant Adjutant General for Confederate General Samuel Cooper writes that Cooper does not advise diminishing the Army of Tennessee and does not approve the suggestion that General John Cabell Breckinridge's Regiment and Dortch's Battalion should be sent to General John H. Morgan. Discusses the command of Duke and Smith (possibly Basil Wilson Duke). Possibly written 19 February, and transmitted with GLC02460.10.01.

GLC02460.10.02

12 March 1862

Pillow, Gideon Johnson, 1806-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ruggles

General Pillow instructs General Ruggles to furnish transportation to take Captain Huddleston's Company from Corinth, Mississippi to Decatur, to join Colonel [Green's?] company. Also instructs Ruggles to furnish transportation for Captain Holland's Company.

GLC02460.11

6 December 1862

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

General Polk writes to Davis, President of the Confederate States (and Polk's former roommate at West Point). Recommends Captain E. M. [Rucker?] for promotion to Colonel of Cavalry. Notes that Rucker has a command of that post, but lacks the commission.

GLC02460.12

22 June 1862

Ruggles, Daniel, 1810-1897

Autograph document signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Discusses various troop movements in Mississippi. States "General Van Dorn orders Breckinridges Corps and Six Thousand men from my Command forward to Vicksburg. General Villipigue telegraphs that his command is independent. He has all my armed troops, and calls on me to defend the Memphis and Tenn Rail Road route!" It is reported that "Holly Springs is reoccupied by the Enemy and that General Sherman has twenty five thousand men at Grand Junction." Verso states that the letter was telegramed to General Bragg. For the next year Vicksburg would be a heavily contested city.

GLC02460.13

circa 28 November 1861

Stewart, Alexander Peter, 1821-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Johnson Pillow

Possibly written in 1861. Written in Columbus (possibly Kentucky). General Stewart asks General Pillow to transmit a letter written to him (Stewart) from the Secretary of War. Discusses details pertaining to his command. Reports that a company led by Captain J. W. Stewart (possibly John W. Stewart) at Island No. 10 has not received pay for several months. Requests that Pillow direct the paymaster to pay J. W. Stewart's troops.

GLC02460.14

17 December 1864

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Endorsement signed

Title: [Naval defense of Mobile, Alabama]

Reports that if Mobile, Alabama is to be successfully defended, one officer, either naval or military, must have command of all the defenses. Mentions vessels and a torpedo boat in the harbor. This note is on the verso of a secretarial letter in the name of Major General Dabney H. Maury, dated 15 December 1864 from Mobile, to Lieutenant Colonel W. M. Levy in Meridian, Mississippi. Maury's letter informs that the torpedo boat has not yet gone out to attack the enemy and that he has applied repeatedly to Commodore Ebenezer Farrand to have an officer from the navy take command of the boat.…

GLC02460.16

22 June 1862

Van Dorn, Earl, 1820-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the senior officer in command of the troops in the vicinity of Grenada

Written by Confederate Major General Van Dorn at the Headquarters of the Department of Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. Says before he left Tupelo he was authorized to order any portion of his command, including the corps of General Breckenridge, to his department should circumstances render it necessary. Reports that a fleet with transports and about 10,000 men are now under sail for Vicksburg. Wants 6,000 men with 10 days rations under a suitable officer sent to him. Presumes that the enemy will reach Vicksburg on Tuesday next. Wants him to take measures to have the detachment…

GLC02460.17

14 March 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Wheeler, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee, writes to Bragg, overseeing Confederate military operations from Richmond, Virginia. Replies to correspondence from Bragg. Discusses the establishment of a military court: "... I must first acknowledge my indebtedness to you for the kindness you have shown in evincing such an interest in our behalf. The court will be of great service to us and will aid much in enforcing discipline." Reports that Major Hugh M. King (formerly quartermaster on General John K. Jackson's staff and Captain of the fifth Georgia Infantry) has been serving as…

GLC02460.18

13 December 1863

Whiting, William Henry Chase, 1824-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zebulon Baird Vance

General Whiting informs Vance, Governor of North Carolina "I have received with much regret this morning the letter of Capt McBride to you- regret that any officer of this command should have so far forgotten himself both as citizen & as soldier as to write to the chief magistrate of his state a communication of such insolence." Relates that General [Milbret?] will be instructed to reprimand McBride at once. States "Inspt Genl will prepare charges against him for... disrespectful conduct to the government of N. C. based on this letter which is insolent in the extreme. Capt McB will be…

GLC02460.19

1 June 1864

Wright, Marcus Joseph, 1831-1922

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General [Wayne]

Possibly to General Henry Constantine Wayne, Adjutant General of Georgia (1860-1865). Wright, commanding the district of Atlanta, reports: "I have sent an officer of my staff out this morning to find out something about the outrages mentioned in your note. I am exceedingly anxious to bring these men to punishment, but have no mounted force whatever at my disposal." Further discusses the unspecified outrages, and suggests asking General Johnston (possibly Joseph E. Johnston) "to have those dismounted & straggling cavalry men sent across the river." Written on Headquarters Post, Atlanta.

GLC02460.20

16 July 1861

Zollicoffer, Felix K., 1812-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Johnson Pillow

General Zollicoffer asks if Pillow, in Memphis, can transmit an artillery company to his division. Reports that the only company left in the division is led by Captain Ross at Fort Henry and Dover (Tennessee). Ross's company is without equipment.

GLC02460.21

1853-1885

Confederate States of America. Generals

Header Record

Title: Confederate generals born in Virginia: 34 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02461.01-02461.34]

GLC02461

7 November 1861

Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

State inferred from content. General Ashby reports, "Mr. Duke who has been arrested as a spy and upon his own evidence has done acts that will establish beyond doubt his felony... He is a dangerous person..." A pencil note at the bottom of the page indicates that this letter refers to John H. Duke, a citizen of Sheperdstown, Jefferson County, Virginia (present-day West Virginia). One bust engraving of Ashby included as collateral. Written at Camp Evans.

GLC02461.01

14 May 1861

Beale, Richard Lee Tuberville, 1819-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher

Requests that Letcher, Governor of Virginia, authorize the ordnance department to purchase guns for use in Captain T.S. Garnett's company. Mentions Colonel Ruggles (possibly Daniel Ruggles). Also signed on verso is a note signed by secretary P.F. Howard, noting that council members John Allen, Francis H. Smith, M. F. Maury, Robert L. Montague, and T. S. Haymond advise that the purchase of guns be allowed. Signed 15 May 1861 by Letcher, who notes "advice disapproved."

GLC02461.02

29 May 1861

Chilton, Robert Hall, 1816-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Seldon Garnett

Chilton writes to Colonel Garnett, Adjutant General of Virginia forces in Richmond, Virginia. Relates, "I have the honour, in consequence of appointment in Army of the Confederate States, to resign my commission as Colonel of Cavalry in the Provisional Army of the State of Virginia."

GLC02461.03

7 August 1861

Colston, Raleigh Edward, 1825-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Toole Clark

Written near Tanners Creek. Colston, Colonel of the 16th Regiment, Virginia Volunteers. Mentions that he previously sent his Quartermaster Lieutenant A. T. Culpeper (possibly Alexander T. Culpepper) to request a grant of muskets from Clark. Remarks that Clark agreed to an exchange of percussion muskets for flint muskets. Requests that Clark order his ordnance officer to transmit the muskets without delay. One bust engraving of an unidentified man included as collateral. Written at Camp Withers

GLC02461.04

14 November 1853

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Then Lieutenant Jefferson Davis writes to Assistant Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas to request permission to rejoin his company in Virginia instead of Florida. The first artillery had been transferred from Fort Myers, Florida, to Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and would leave Florida before he could rejoin it.

GLC02455.03

1860-1866

Header Record

Title: Civil War Generals: 13 letters & docs [decimalized]

[decimalized 02455.01-002455.13]

GLC02455