19 May 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Takes delight in his Virginia surroundings: "With the Rappahannock sweeping gaily in front of us, the blue water of the Potomac stretching in full view of us to our left, the wild scenery around, and the pure canopy of heaven above, I cannot wonder at the enthusiasm, with which Thos. Jefferson always spoke of his native state." Is against the conscription; believes their army is sufficient, but questions their leaders, particularly Grant.

GLC03523.23.15

30 May 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Has heard rumors of success but has not seen anything. Doubts Hooker's ability to lead. Expresses concern about the Copperheads and lack of war support. Written from the camp of the 61st Regiment.

GLC03523.23.16

12 July 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They have crossed the river on a reconnaissance mission, "the quickest movement the Army of Potomac has been guilty of for some time." "It is pretty evident that Gen. Lee is trying to euchre 'Fighting Joe;' he plays his hands well, but it is a game two can play at, and clubs are trumps now." Hooker continues to be unpopular with the men.

GLC03523.23.18

8 March 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his father in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that he is well and that the weather has been very rainy. Heard some musket firing last night but is not sure if it was Confederates coming near the picket line, or men trying to desert. Asks him to send postage stamps as they are hard to get and expensive. Reports that there is a rumor that Union General Philip Sheridan has captured 18,000 "johnies," [Confederate troops].

GLC03523.26.07

16 April 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Wooston and Maria Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his parents in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Reports that they broke camp in front of Petersburg on 28 March, forced the Confederate forces out of Petersburg, and chased them within 18 or 20 miles of Lynchburg. Writes about the last day of the Appomattox campaign, "...Sheridan got around them and when Lee went to move on the morning of Aprile the 9th he came against our skirmishd line to his surprise and here ended his career he fought desperately that morning we got there just after it had ended..." Informs that…

GLC03523.26.08

1864

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall] [Incomplete]

Leather bound manuscript signed. First entry is not logged down until 18 February 1864. On 25 March, he reports that General Ulysses Grant is visiting. Reports on the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Reports of heavy fighting from May through the 24th, right when his enlistment expired. On 5 May, he relates how "we crossed the Rabidan 1 p.m. fight commenced on plank road 11 p.m." On 6 May he reports, "fighting heavy," then a few hours later "still heavy fighting." Writes on 11 May that Company A is reported to have "suffered severely in loss… a regular engagement took place in…

GLC04564.05

1862

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Describes activity at Fort Donelson (the Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from 11 February to 16 February 1862), Yorktown (Siege of Yorktown took place from 5 April to 4 May 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign), the Peninsula Campaign withdrawal (March through July 1862), Second Bull Run (28-30 August 1862), and South Mountain (Battle of South Mountain was fought on 14 September 1862), and being wounded by a cannonball. This cannonball is found in GLC04564.02. Writes of his recuperation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of…

GLC04564.03

1863

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Gottshall returns to the Army after being wounded in the arm by a cannonball. Throughout the early months Gottshall sees little action and he discusses his recovery and soldiering in the winter. In [13-15] February he reports an insurrection taking place in which a regiment refused to do picket duty due to the location of their camp and the cold weather. Writes of another incidence that took place on 1 July where he was defending the baggage and supply train from Confederates, 2 miles from Hanover, Pennsylvania. Also discusses [Confederate…

GLC04564.04

1865-1895

Header Record

Title: Collection related to Captain James Ingersoll Grafton [Decimalized .01- .05]

Collection also includes three collateral newspaper obituaries pertaining to Grafton. One clipping states "He was a strong, clear-headed man, hopeful and courageous. He enjoyed the comforts and luxuries of life as much as any man; but the cheerfulness and zeal with which he would go through fatigue and exposure, and brave danger, were never surpassed." In another excerpt, written 9 April 1865, General Henry Warner Slocum writes to John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts: "I desire to call your attention to the present condition of the Second Regiment Mass... No regiment that ever served…

GLC08895

9 April 1865

Slocum, Henry Warner, 1826-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Grafton

General Slocum replies to a letter from Grafton regarding the body of his brother, Captain James Ingersoll Grafton. Writes "I think the body of your brother can be recovered and forwarded to you as soon as the campaign on which we are about to enter is brought to a close. I will gladly afford any assistance in my power. Your brother was a gallant Officer and his loss is deeply lamented through my command." Written on Head Quarters, Army of Georgia stationery.

GLC08895.01

28 April 1865

Leigh, Charles C., ?-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace James

Leigh writes from the National Freedmen's Relief Association to Reverend James. Introduces the bearer of this note, William Hughes, Esq., (spelled Hughs) as "a gentleman worthy your confidence & kind regards." Writes that Hughs is traveling south to recover the body of a deceased friend (possibly Captain James Ingersoll Grafton). James dockets on verso 8 May 1865 from New Bern, North Carolina, instructing Colonel Boyd to assist Hughs. Written on National Freedmen's Relief Association stationery.

GLC08895.03

23 September 1895

Van Brunt, Ralph, fl. 1865-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Chapman Grafton

Van Brunt recalls events of the Civil War Battle of Averasborough. Discusses the 16 March 1865 death of Captain James Ingersoll Grafton, Charles's brother. Discusses the battle in detail, mentioning Generals William T. Sherman, Joseph E. Johnston (spelled Johnson), and Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. Relates "We went into Camp at night at an Old Church, the grave yard of which offered the only high ground in one of the hardest rain storms I ever knew and lay down to sleep, among the graves very tired and wet to the bone. In two or three hours we were ordered to support the Cavalry... the enemy…

GLC08895.04

6 April 1892

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

Pamphlet

Title: Massachusetts officers who died while in ther service of the United States during the War of the Rebellion

States "Every officer killed while in service, or who has died since the war, is entitled to representation in the Order by his lineal or collateral descendant." Includes the name of Captain James Ingersoll Grafton of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteers. Contains pencil marks emphasizing various soldiers' names.

GLC08895.05

2 May 1863

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Report of Service as Medical Director of the Army of Virginia during the summer of 1862]

The report sent to General William A. Hammond on 2 May 1863 (see GLC02649.02). Written mostly in a narrative form the report, with some charts, maps and other media included, provides a detailed and dramatic history of medical procedures and services during the Civil War in the summer of 1862. Discusses medical organization, logistics, supplies, depots, and hospitals. Provides lists of men injured by category (deserter, discharged, returned to duty, on furlough, remaining, died) and charts with types of injuries (of eye, of ear, dysentery, etc.). There is one map, apparently drawn by…

GLC02649.01

2 December 1864

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

Printed letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Partially printed letter informing McParlin that he has been breveted Lieutenant Colonel"for faithful and meritorious services in the field." On War Department stationery. Envelope from Adjutant General's Office.

GLC02649.03

21 May 1861

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Printed letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Partially printed letter informing McParlin that he has been appointed a Surgeon in Medical Department of the U.S. Army. Sent to McParlin at Fort Walla Walla, Oregon. On War Department stationery. Envelope from Adjutant General's Office; free franked by Julius P. Garesche.

GLC02649.04

5 July 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Letter

Title: to Medical Director of Reserve Army Corps

Requests information on "the condition of the Medical, Hospital, and transport, departments, in order to fulfill job as successor as the Surgeon & Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. Asks for frequent inspections and monthly reports on regiment strengths, wounded soldiers, and sites for hospitals. Emphasizes: "I invite frequent communications on all points of interest and importance, and will be gratified to notice judicious organization and efficiency in the medical department of the Army Corps of which you are the Director." Edits in pink ink indicate this also addressed the "…

GLC02649.05

14 July 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Clary

Writes to Colonel Clary, Chief of Quartermasters of Army of Virginia, to request tents, stoves, axes, and tubs for hospitals. Mentions a deficiency of ambulances. Notes that the "necessity of keeping the sick of our Army, as near the army lines as may be proper, will necessitate ampler means of accomodation to be held in readiness ..." Indicates that he will have additional requisition requests when reports arrive from the 1st and 2nd Army Corps.

GLC02649.06

27 October 1864

Crane, Charles Henry, 1825-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Major Crane, a surgeon and assistant to the Surgeon General, discusses financial matters with Dr. McParlin. Praises McParlin's work and notes that "The Secretary of War and the Surgeon General were much pleased with their visit." Indicates he will visit McParlin with a man named Abbott, and invites McParlin to his new home. Notes that "demonstrations have commenced on 'the left,' under Hancock, and I trust that, final and complete success may be speedily attained." Crane refers to Boydton Plank Road Engagement of Oct. 27, a Union attempt to take the South Side Railroad. Hancock was…

GLC02649.18

15 June 1865

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

Printed letter

Title: to Thomas A. McParlin

Partially printed letter breveting McParlin a colonel "for faithful and meritorious service during the War." Asks for his acceptance of the brevet along with his oath, age, birthplace, and state of residence. On stationery of the War Department, with a stamped signature of Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.

GLC02649.27

17 October 1866

Crane, Charles Henry, 1825-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Indicates that he is sending McParlin a list of medical officers (not included) the Secretary of War has recently breveted for their work combating cholera and requests a list of officers who "particularly distinguished themselves in this line of business." Indicates that the Surgeon General will recommend those men be breveted and McParlin be promoted to Brevet Brigadier General. Asks that the list be limited, that McParlin to obtain General Philip H.Sheridan's "approval & recommendation" in order to "lubricate" it with the Secretary, and that it be sent to the Surgeon General.…

GLC02649.33

23 November 1866

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

Printed letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Printed letter, with a stamped signature of Sec of War Edwin Stanton, informing McParlin of his appointment to Brevet Brigadier General "for meritorious services during the war." With some writing in an unknown secretarial hand. Asks for his acceptance of the brevet along with his oath, age, birthplace, and state of residence. On stationery of the War Department. Accompanied by a small document printing Army Regulation 1031 about requirements for affidavits. Envelope, addressed to McParlin, printed "Adjutant General's Office, Official Business, Assistant Adjutant General" and signed by…

GLC02649.34

5 November 1862

Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas A. McParlin

Writes to Dr. McParlin, then Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. "I send three Nurses ... after two weeks trial I beg you will report on their ability..." Notes she will see him that week. Mentions problems with "Mrs. Thompson's health." Indicates that "I write in great haste" and closes with "esteem for yr character as a Surgeon." Dix, best known as a reformer who labored to establish mental hospitals, was in charge of all women nurses working in army hospitals during the Civil War. She relocated to Washington D.C. and received her appointment in June 1861, she served throughout…

GLC02649.40

8 June 1862

Dupont, Samuel F., 1803-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Copy of a circular letter from the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography ordering captains to "instruct the officers commanding Prize vessels to deliver to the ordnance officer of the nearest Navy Yard, all arms belonging to the service, immediately on their arrival." The circular letter was first sent to DuPont, who now sends a copy to Marchand, and orders him to distribute it "to the vessels in your Division." DuPont signs as Flag Officer Commanding of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. DuPont was a noted American naval officer. He figured prominently in the Mexican-American War and…

GLC02680.12

22 December 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter

Title: to John B. Marchand

Printed circular from the Navy Department ordering officers to set up Boards to review all Assistant Engineers for possible promotion. Lays out the rules under which these review boards are to be conducted, and the requirements for promotion, such as "knowledge of the first six books of Euclid, of plane geometry...of conic sections, and of the strength of materials." Orders the board to score the candidates, and pass their opinions on to the Navy Department. Marchand was captain of the U.S.S. Lackawanna.

GLC02680.14