1855-1859

Header Record

Title: William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]

Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron. He later joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS "Patrick Henry," as well as the ironclad CSS "Atlanta." McBlair died in 1863 on board of a hospital ship. This collection includes McBlair's appointments, orders and personal and professional correspondence while on assignment patrolling the West Coast of Africa, particularly the…

GLC00722

25 June 1868

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Joseph E. Johnston].

GLC00656

January 11, 1843

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to midshipman in the Navy of the United States]

Partially printed commission effective from 9 September 1841. Co-signed by L.B. Hardin and Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy. Seal missing.

GLC00684.01

January 14, 1863

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Letter signed

Title: to Arnold Elzey

Retained copy of a letter to Elzey on which a pencil signature of Wise has been added by a secretary. General Wise (Confederate) describes a recent Union raid near White House, Virginia. He informs Major General Elzey, commander of the Department of Richmond, that during the raid, Union troops stole thirty cattle from William P. Taylor's farm. He discusses coordination with Colonel Tabb (possibly William B. Tabb) and Captain Wynn at locations such as Bush's Mill, N. Kent Court House, and the wharves at West Point in order to prevent further raids. He states "all the slaves of abandoned…

GLC00662

May 11, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Wynne, Hill and Glazebrook

The letter is regarding surveying the approaches to Richmond to establish lines of defense

GLC00663

May 19, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Document signed

Title: General orders, no. 44

General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt for Union soldiers will be treated as prostitutes is reprinted here, as well as Beauregard's words rallying the men to "drive back from our soil, those infamous invaders of our homes and disturbers of our family ties."

GLC00666

05 September 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: Endorsement (by Lee and Beauregard) of telegram from Gov. Zebulon B. Vance

Telegram from Raleigh, N.C. written in a clerical hand on stationery of the Southern Telegraph Company. Endorsed on verso by Beauregard and Lee. Vance was North Carolina governor.

GLC00670

June 7, 1894

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William J. Fowler

General Longstreet discusses the reconstruction policies of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson with Fowler, a judge in Boston, Massachusetts. He states "The independent action of President Johnson, was the error that lead the grave troubles that came to the south, and to the north afterwards. Had Congress been called in extra session after the surrender, affairs would have been arranged in a way that would have been, as promptly accepted as was the independence policy" of President Lincoln.

GLC00671

1843-1900 (bulk: 1861-65)

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Header Record

Title: Collection of John McIntosh Kell [Decimalized .01-.21]

Kell was a member of the United States Navy from 1843 until 19 January, 1861, the day of Georgia's secession from the United States. He served in the Confederate Navy for the duration of the Civil War, commanded the C.S.S. Savannah, and was made a captain for his work as First Lieutenant under Captain Raphael Semmes on the C.S.S. Alabama. In 1886, he became the Adjutant General of Georgia. In 1900, the year of his death, he published a book, "Recollections of a Naval Life; Including the Cruises of the Confederate Steamers Sumter and Alabama."

GLC00684

May 6, 1849-June 16, 1849

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. He describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navarro with stories of landscape and native islanders. He arrives at Aux Cayes, Haiti, on June 11, 1849 and learns that "the Frigate Raritan had sailed from there ten days since for Port au Prince." On June 16, 1849, writes of the Albany's move to St. Iago de Cuba, where he is allowed to go ashore after four months confinement. He feels like "quite a new being" and reports to his family that he will reach Pensacola by "the…

GLC00684.02

October 6, 1859

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife while commandant at Warrington Navy Yard. He discusses a month long leave of absence to visit his family. He mentions that he is a member of a court investigating the grounding of the Fulton, and that his cousin, Captain James McKay McIntosh, is unwell. Letter written at the Warrington Navy Yard, Florida.

GLC00684.04

January 17, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife with postscript that "the Secession Ordinance will probably pass tomorrow."

GLC00684.05

February 24, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh writes to his wife about a package he has sent her. He responds to news of his sons' ill health and suggests a healthier diet for them. He mentions a ship named the Everglade which is to be purchased the next day, "when I will take immediate command." The ship will be renamed the Savannah. He has gathered a group of "25 men & will probably make up the 50 before I leave." Year of letter inferred from day of week.

GLC00684.06

March 5, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes that "I hope to refer the Savannah ready for service day after tomorrow." He makes reference to Yankee slang on the third page. In closing, Kell mentions that he had meant to send a copy of Lincoln's inaugural address and adds that "I do not think it is calculated much to intimidate the President of our Southern Confederacy, nor will it carry much weight in the North."

GLC00684.07

March 18, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Hell writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." He reports that he will be sailing to Fernandina, Florida in an attempt to get guns for the boat. Letter written aboard the Savannah, offshore of Dungeness Manor on Cumberland Island.

GLC00684.08

March 22, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife about the ill health of their son. He mentions that "Commodore Tattnall is here & I am to report to him tomorrow: Morris' Steamer the Huntress has arrived."

GLC00684.09

August 16, 1863 - August 18, 1863

Kell, Julia Blanche, 1836-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Evelyn Kell

Julia Blanche Kell writes to Kell's sister, Evy. She mentions Kell's mother and his sister Mary. She discusses a stylish new bonnet she has recently sent to Evelyn, which "is quite moderate. I think my summer bonnet is higher," and offers to send fabrics from Macon Mills to Kell's mother and sisters. On August 18, she mentions a letter from Kell "dated 'Bahia' 20th of May." She writes that Kell has reported "they have destroyed 47 vessels of the enemy," including the Hatteras. She says that Kell thinks "the Yankees will be quite ready for peace -- how mistaken he is poor fellow!" Julia's…

GLC00684.10

1 June 1864

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to commander of the Provisional Navy of the Confederate States]

Kell promoted for service "as first Lieutenant and Executive Officer on the C.S. Steam Sloops Sumter and Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes." Commission effective from 4 October 1863. Signed by Mallory as Secretary of Navy.

GLC00684.11

circa June 1864

Tremlett, Francis W., fl. 1850-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." He encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, & indeed the British people" to the sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama -- "it was a glorious death & I find is so regarded everywhere." Dated Tuesday morning. Francis W. Tremlett, a British parson, was an ardent Confederate sympathizer. Semmes and Kell stayed with Tremlett in London following the sinking of the Alabama.

GLC00684.12

28 November 1864

Lee, Sydney Smith, 1802-1869

Document signed

Title: [Confederate States Navy Department orders to proceed to Richmond]

Partially printed document signed by Captain Sydney Smith Lee. Docket added 1 December 1864 reads: "Be pleased to assume command of the C.S. Iron-Clad 'Richmond'." Co-signed by John Mitchell aboard the Virginia. Sidney Smith Lee, older brother of Robert E. Lee, had accompanied Perry to Japan in 1853 and served as one of the early commandants of the U.S. Naval Academy Lee was commissioned as a commander in the Confederate Navy in 1861 and promoted to captain and chief of the Confederate Navy Bureau of Orders and Detail in 1864.

GLC00684.13

January 11, 1863

Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891

Document signed

Title: [Report on the Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone's River]

Written from the Headquarters of Wood's Brigade, General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne's Division, Army of Tennessee (Confederate). Brigadier General Wood directs this report to Captain Irving A. Buck, Cleburne's assistant adjutant-general. Discusses the battle in detail, naming generals present, mentioning troop movement and position, and citing weapons and tactics used. Relates "In conclusion, the Brigade Commander Expresses the opinion that in this battle the 1100 men he took into action vindicated by their blood the determination of our people to conquer their freedom or die in the struggle…

GLC00784

1865

Butler, George H., fl. 1865

Diary

Title: [George H. Butler's Diary for 1865]

Autograph manuscript signed of George H. Butler, who served in G Company, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Signed and dated 28 January 1865 on free front endpaper. Discusses the march through the Carolinas and the destruction it caused. Describes Negroes helping Union POWs (February 8); innocent Rebel prisoner shot in retaliation for Union death (March 2); mention of enemy in Union uniform (March 5); 300-500 "hombly" women in a cotton factory (March 11); Battle of Bentonville (March 20); rumors of Johnston's surrender (April 12, 15, 16); news of Lincoln's…

GLC00794

May 17, 1864

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Sherman writes to General Halleck about the Atlanta campaign. He discusses the movements of Union generals James B. McPherson, George H. Thomas, and John M. Schofield. Sherman is on his way to Adamsville, Georgia, to engage enemy forces led by Joseph E. Johnston. He discusses potential strategies for this engagement, and his anticipation of taking either Altoona or Rome. Johnston has Confederate generals Hardee, Hood, and Polk in his lines of communication, and a larger cavalry. Although Sherman has abundant supplies and the animals are grazing well, he realizes that bloody battles "such as…

GLC00639.23

May 15, 1861

Letcher, John, 1813-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Council

States that Colonel Fauntleroy outranked General Robert E. Lee in the United States Army and feels Fauntleroy is entitled to be commissioned nothing lower than a brigadier general in the Provisional Army. With endorsement of P. F. Howard, secretary of the Council approving the nomination. Says "…I regret that I cannot concur in the recommendation made by the Council in the case of Colonel Fauntleroy. If I am correctly informed, Col Fauntleroy ranked General Lee in The United States Army, & if this is so, it seems to me, that he is justly entitled to the commission of a Brigadier General…

GLC00642

October 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648