1861-1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Robert S. Terry] [Decimalized .01-.98]

Collection contains 97 letters, plus an additional manuscript document. Terry served in the 7th Pennsylvania Reserves. His letters include descriptions of camp life, sickness, heat stroke, uniforms, guard duty around Washington, first Manassas (Bull Run), the Penninsula campaign, Gettysburg, and Kilpatrick's raid. Terry saw little battle service but provided much commentary on contemporary events, including the visit of the Russian fleet (12 November 1863), which was largely responsible for cordial relations and the purchase of Alaska in 1867. Mentions many Generals, including Nathaniel…

GLC03523.08

22 April 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Grier Maitland]

Reports on the condition of his regiment, camped near Young's Point. Relates that they will travel to Vicksburg, Mississippi 23 April 1863. States that on 21 April, his division attended a parade to welcome General [Lorenzo] Thomas, "here for the purpose of organizing a couple of negro Regts. for the service. the officers to be selected from Each Regt of our Division." States that his fellow soldier Dan Coleman attempted to gain captaincy of an African American company and failed. Referring to the selection of captains for African American soldiers, states "for my part if I could not…

GLC03523.10.063

23 July 1864

Coverdale, Robert Todd, fl. 1861-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Denver

Coverdale, Lieutenant and Assistant Quartermaster for the Military Division of the Mississippi, replies to a letter from Union General Denver discussing the death of Frank Johns, a mutual acquaintance. Writes "The Army is a great school for finding out the faults and failings of Men much more so then it is in peaceful or private life. But I have never seen or heard of any man who questioned the integrity of ... Frank Johns..." In a lengthy post script, mentions the death of General James Birdseye McPherson in the 22 July 1864 Battle of Atlanta. Describes the Battle of Atlanta, stating "…

GLC03544

1866

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph album

Title: Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War. 2 Vols.

These albums are in the original format, showing photographs taken while in Brady's studio. Depicts Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg, etc.

GLC03547

1870

Bachelder, John B. (John Badger), 1825-1894

Book

Title: Descriptive key to the painting of the Repulse of Longstreet's Assault at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Published by Bachelder, New York. The original painting was historically arranged by Bachelder, and painted by James Walker. The book outlines the battle, shows the relative positions of the contending forces, and explains the points of local and military interest delineated in the painting. Also has a fold out sketch of the painting with a key. With an appendix containing private letters and official reports from both armies showing the authorities for the painting, and a complete index of the officers and troops mentioned.

GLC03522

1861-1865

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Conrad, Abraham and John Bope] [decimalized]

Collection consists of 10 Conrad Bope letters (1861-63), 4 John Bope letters (1862) and 9 Abraham Bope letters (1862-65). Conrad and John Bope served in the 49th Ohio Volunteers, while Abraham served in the 61st Ohio Volunteers. Letters mention the Battle of Shiloh, General William Starke Rosecrans, and the Chattanooga campaign. Abraham Bope served in the Army of the Potomac and mentions the Battle of Chancellorsville and Confederate General John Hunt Morgan.

GLC03523.03

1861-1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Frederick W. Wilkinson] [decimalized]

Also includes a roster and an ambrotype photograph of Wilkinson. All but four letters were written by Wilkinson to his wife. The letters mention First Bull Run, General George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, the replacement of McClellan with General Ambrose Burnside, General Joseph Hooker, and preparation for Vicksburg. Expresses disapproval of McClellan, and praises Hooker. The letters end on 19 June 1863 when he complains of weakness from long-term illness. Pension records are also available.

GLC03523.13

1861-1865

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Andrew Knox, B company, 1st regiment, Connecticut, heavy artillery] [Decimalized .01-.23]

Knox served as Lieutenant in the 1st Connecticut Artillery. The letters discuss the sieges of Yorktown and Petersburg, support Lincoln's re-election, condemn McClellan's Peace Platform, and mention William, a freeman working for McClellan as a servant. States that William was the most consistent "Christian" he ever met.

GLC03523.20

January 31, 1861-January 13, 1880

McSherry Family, fl. 1861-1880

Header Record

Title: [Letters to Assistant Surgeon Henry F. McSherry of the U.S. Navy] [decimalized .01-.66] [decimalized]

Letters to Henry F. McSherry (b.1837. Many letters to him begin "Dear Fen") as assistant surgeon in the United States Navy concerning divided sympathies of the border areas, his service in the navy, as well as views of the war and home front. McSherry was from Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), where his father, the physician Richard McSherry (b. 1792), was a slave owner before the Civil War. Richard owned 7 slaves in 1850 (3 males ages 40, 17, & 11 as well as 4 females ages 35, 24, 14, and 13) and 5 slaves in 1860 (2 males ages 50 and 20 as well as 3 females ages 47, 24, & 2…

GLC03523.21

1861-1865

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of William A. Allison [decimalized .01-.43]

Collection centers on letters from Allison to his friend Stockton Bates. Portrays the very real, non-glamorous life of a soldier. Mentions McClellan's dismissal, Fredericksburg, Hooker's appointment, Gettysburg (letters 17, 18, and 19), Pennsylvania campaign, Everett's oration at Gettysburg (27), and his parole as a prisoner of war (37, 38).

GLC03523.23

1865

Botticher, Otto, 1811-1866

Print

Title: Sherman at Savannah, Ga.

Lithograph of original painting by Lieutenant Colonel Otto Botticher. Published by John C. Buttre at No. 48 Franklin Street in New York. Printed by the Major & Knapp, Eng. Mfg & Lith. Co. at 449 Broadway in New York. Depicts line of Union officers on horseback reviewing a straight line of Federal troops on the right with Savannah in the background. The officers are all on the same plane. From left to right they are: Brigadier General Jordan, Brevet Colonel L.G. Estes, Major General Judson Kilpatrick, Major General Joseph A. Mower, Major General Peter J. Osterhaus, Major General Frank…

GLC03532

circa 1880 - 1889

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

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Fragment of speech on the Civil War and its aftermath]

Fragment of a speech at a Civil War commemorative event, probably given in the 1880s with pages numbered 2-10, and 12-13. Sherman discusses the Civil War, national debt, race relations, and General Ulysses S. Grant. "Some of the Witnesses of a Fierce Civil War, which left half a million of graves; an untold amount of human pain and Anguish; a Million of Widows and orphans left to struggle in a Cold World ... " He denounces those who argue that the Civil War should be forgotten. "I would not for the World renew the Angry passions of that period of time, nor do I question the personal…

GLC03546

14 September 1863

Ewing, Thomas, 1829-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ewing

General Ewing, commander of the District of the Border (Kansas-Missouri), writes to his father following the Lawrence Massacre. States "I have received your two letters from Washington, and am glad to be assured that the demoniac ravings of the rabble in Leavensworth over the Lawrence Massacre and their threats of ill directed vengeance, have only created with the Administration contempt for the base demagogues who make the excitement their stock in trade." Writes that United States Senator, James Henry Lane, criticized General John McAllister Schofield following the Massacre and Ewing's…

GLC03599

20 May 1870

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to Ambrose Thompson

Admiral Porter sends Thompson some letters (introductions) and indicates he will send fifty more the next day. Written on Navy Department stationery. Thompson, a wealthy shipping magnate, was noted for his Civil War backing of a plan to colonize Panama with freed African-Americans.

GLC03619.02.15

09 August 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: to Edward Canby re: orders to allow exportation of Texas cotton

GLC03649

20 March 1879

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Michael Cramer re: his round-the-world trip

GLC03595

28 August 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Writes about the anticipated arrival of his wife and family. He wants the children to arrive so they may start their classes on time. States his desire to postpone building a house until the following spring. "I am more than convinced that I should hold the $30,000 at interest this winter and next spring. I can build a house to suit us Exactly." Believes they should board at a hotel for the winter. Ask Ewing to try to convince Ellen (his wife) of this, as he fears," ... she may think we must have a house at whatever cost of money or subsequent discomfort." Written on stationary marked…

GLC03600

1850-1870

Ewing Family, fl. 1850-1870

Header Record

Title: Letters of the Ewing family to William T. Sherman [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters of the sons of Thomas Ewing, Philemon (9), Hugh (1) and Charles (1), mostly concerning family matters, including eight to General W. T. Sherman.

GLC03601

1 January 1862

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ewing

Plans to institute martial law to punish saboteurs and guerillas. "Nothing but the severest punishment can prevent the burning of R.R. Bridges & the great destruction of human life. I shall punish all I can catch...These incendiaries have destroyed in the last 10 days $150,000 worth of R.R. property, notwithstanding that there were more than 10,000 troops kept guarding the R.R. in this state." The destruction is "not usually done by armed & open enemies, but by pretended quiet citizens, living on their farms. A bridge or building is set on fire & the culprit an hour after is…

GLC03602

5 May 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sedgwick

Major General McClellan writes to Brigadier General Sedgwick to discuss his plans for attacking Yorktown. He directs Sedgwick to move toward Yorktown and take additional orders from General Franklin. Written on stationary marked "head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac".

GLC03612

1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Group of 21 Civil War letters, documents, and envelopes] [Decimalized]

Includes lists of supplies, President Jefferson Davis's message, prints of General Halleck, blank enlistment papers, provost marshal and quartermaster papers, military issues receipts, envelopes, and cards.

GLC03619.02

January 17, 1862

Buell, Don Carlos, 1818-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Thomas

Orders Thomas to pursue and defeat General Felix Zollicoffer's forces, located on the north side of the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Also discusses road improvements, communication, and rations. The note at bottom, written and initialed by Buell, dates on or after January 19, 1862 (the Battle of Mill Springs), indicating that this was a retained copy or that the entire document is a later copy.

GLC03628

3 March 1863

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Denison

Written by Rear Admiral Farragut to a Mr. Denison. Sends along a letter (not included here) in relation to the "Frank Mumford," "a steamer we captured alone & now lease out until she can be brought before a court." Cryptically says "I wish to let her make another trip so as to catch her captain & those concerned." Asks him to be on the look out for the ship. Paper is beginning to tear along a fold. Written while aboard the USS "Hartford".

GLC03631

22 September 1839

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to McKinstry Griffith

Writing as a cadet at West Point, Grant offers self-consciously romantic comments to his cousin about the Hudson Highlands. He also complains about "a few of the drawbacks," such as insufficient blankets and money, difficult lessons, the lack of familiar faces or women, tight clothing, and eight demerits he received that very day for missing church. Earliest known Grant letter.

GLC03632

5 July 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Birdseye McPherson

Written near Vicksburg, Mississippi at Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee. Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General McPherson, commanding the 17th Corps one day after Vicksburg was seized by the Union. Writes "When families of Officers or Citizens wish to leave the City, either with or after the Confederate Army leaves, and have private carriages of their own they may be permitted to do so..." Directs McPherson to instruct his quartermaster to deliver a horse to Colonel Dockery, because the Colonel's horse was one captured from Champion…

GLC03633