1864

National Union Free Convention

Broadside

Title: President Lincoln and General Grant on Peace and War.

Promotes the Union cause. Reprints an interview with Lincoln titled "Mr. Lincoln's view of Democratic strategy," and a letter of General Grant dated 16 August 1864 to E.B. Washburne. Grant's letter informs that the Confederacy is very weak and losing men each day. Also printed is the verses to a song, "On the Chicago Surrender." Same broadside as GLC05556.

GLC00702

October 21, 1861

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Document signed

Title: [Confederate/Union prisoner of war cartel for exchange of prisoners]

Details exchange terms agreed upon by Quin Morton, who signed for Union General John C. Frémont, and Confederate General Sterling Price, who commanded the Missouri State Guard. Includes Confederate prisoners captured at Camp Jackson, Missouri on 10 May 1861 and Union soldiers captured since then. The Confederate commander of Camp Jackson was General Daniel [written as David in document] M. Frost whose name is first on the cartel along with another Confederate general, John Bowen, who died during the Vicksburg campaign. The cartel lists terms and name and rank of exchanged prisoners of…

GLC00703

September 12, 1860

Nichols, William Augustus, 1818-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Joseph Hardee

Letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General William A. Nichols, addressed to William Joseph Hardee at West Point. He informs Hardee that General Paul J. Semmes's request for a Sergeant to be appointed to assist with the instruction of his command has been endorsed by the Secretary of War. Nichols was brevetted Union brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1865.

GLC00715.07

August 17, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. A. Collins

Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. He states "The papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." He also thanks…

GLC00705

March 31, 1869

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Grant Cramer

Ulysses S. Grant writes to his sister about family matters and office seekers. He apologizes for not having replied at once to her letter. He mentions that "Father...left here(?) last Thursday after a visit..." His father evidently had some sort of injury that "will prabably make him lame for life." Letter written on lined paper.

GLC00655.13

May 28, 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

George Brinton McClellan informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Letter written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest to Richmond. McClellan states "Nothing especially new except combination of reports that reinforcements making Richmond from South. It is not confirmed that any of Bragg's troops are yet here. My opinion is more and more firm that here is the defence of Washington, and that I should be at once reinforced by all available troops to enable me to…

GLC00664.01

August 4, 1863

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable wounds, and have never left my command for a single hour (Except once when my left arm was badly shattered) to devote even one moment to my own private affairs, or like many that you and I could name, parade ... around Washington to make political capital and ensure promotion." Discussing his opinions on current policy, he states that "Patriotism…

GLC00673

February 28, 1865

Grant, Jesse R., 1794-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank A. Hilton

Letter written in response to a request for an autographed letter written by his son, Ulysses S. Grant. He writes, "I have no letter from him written for such a purpose..." He also gives a brief history of the family and concerning his son he states, "...it affords me some satisfaction think that I have reared a boy that has rendered a little assistance to Father Abraham in finishing his 'big job.'" Letter written on lined paper.

GLC00655.12

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

March 15, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Robert Crooke Wood

Sherman writes to Assistant Surgeon General Wood (Sherman incorrectly addresses the letter to "C.R." Wood). Sherman writes about his armies' medical preparedness, commenting that they are well supplied with surgeons, medicines, medical supplies, and hospital accommodations. He extensively praises his Chief Surgeon, Dr. Charles McMillan. Sherman shows concern for soldiers wounded in the Vicksburg campaign. He writes from camp before Vicksburg.

GLC00667

February 19, 1867

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred H. Terry

William T. Sherman writes to Major General Terry about military and Indian matters on the Great Plains. He discusses the establishment of military posts in Montana, the distribution of military forces, the regulation of travel across the plains, and tactics used by and to be used against the Sioux, voicing his opinion that should the "Enemies of the Civilized races of man" attempt to escape across the Canadian border, "they may be pursued a reasonable distance." On the matter of crossing the border, he writes: "Still internation[inserted: al] country might be offended...If the Indians learn…

GLC00668

May 25, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. Rufus Saxton

"If Banks reaches Martinsburg is he any the better for it?" The letter mentions Gen. Banks's retreat before Jackson.

GLC00790

3 May 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Promotion of Edward O.C. Ord to Major General of Volunteers]

Partially printed form from an engraving signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. With a docket signed by Adjutant General Lorenzo. Thomas indicating the commission was recorded on 3 May 1862 in "Volume 17. Page 77." With a blue seal intact.

GLC00792

December 4, 1863

Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879

Letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Recommends that Brigadier General John W. Geary be promoted for his service in the Battle of Wauhatchie. Endorsement on the verso signed by generals Ulysses S. Grant, Joseph Hooker, George H. Thomas, and James A. Hardie support the request. Thomas's endorsement dated December 5, 1863, Grant's endorsement dated December 4, 1863.

GLC00782.04

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

October 1, 1883

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Audenreid

Signed on top of the first page. Sherman writes to Mary Audenreid, the widow of Sherman's aid from 1863 to 1880, Col. Joseph C. Audenreid. Sherman began an eight-year romantic relationship with her starting in 1880. He discusses remodeling his house. He explains his plans to retire due to his age; he will be turning over command of the Army to Philip Sheridan, on November 1, 1883. He plans to then move to St. Louis, and morbidly adds: "to wait for the final summons to Bellefontaine [Cemetery]."

GLC00651

20 May 1863

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [John H. Morgan's endorsement on an offer for an exchange of prisoners]

Morgan's endorsement as Brigadier General and Confederate raider. On verso of a letter copy to Union Major General Ambrose Burnside from John W. Finnell, Adjutant General Kentucky Volunteers, dated 21 April 1863, regarding the exchange of a pro-Union Kentucky senator and Judge Buster and William Ingram. Morgan states these two men were arrested at Monticello, Kentucky, by Colonel Chennault of Morgan's command. Morgan reports that they have been " ... placed under bond & parole to Exchange themselves for Southern-rights men who have been arrested and placed in confinement by the Federal…

GLC00649

circa 1864

Manuscript document

Title: The Red River Expedition [incomplete]

Mentions Generals Andrew Jackson Smith, Joseph Anthony Mower, and Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, among others. Lists details of the campaign. Writes "We marched back to Alexandria... Gen Banks had arrived some days previous and taking command of the entire forces, prepared to move on toward Shreveport. Up to this time the expedition had been entirely successful but after this time I cannot say so much..." Possibly by Lieutenant Colonel William Heath. Written for publication in a newspaper.

GLC00653.02.02

1863-1864

Ives, Warren A., fl. 1863-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Warren A. Ives] [Decimalized .01- .03 ]

Ives served in H company, 151st regiment, New York volunteer infantry. Collection contains three letters: an autograph letter signed dated 26 June 1863 and written from Maryland Heights (4 pages); an autograph letter signed dated 23 May 1864 and written from Fredericksburg, Virginia (1 page); and an autograph letter signed dated 24 October 1864 and written from Middletown, Shennandoah Valley (4 pages). The 24 October 1864 letter graphically describes "Sheridan's ride" at Cedar Creek.

GLC00653.03

November 18, 1861

Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

A Confederate captain in an ordnance unit tells his father about Civil War activities in Arkansas and Missouri. He comments on the arrival of Union General David Hunter with 36,000 soldiers. He discusses the strength and position of Confederate General Ben McCulloch's men. He claims that "The burning of the bridge in Tenn. has virtually cut the Confederacy in two," and consequently the mail has been limited, and may be worse still if Union General William T. Sherman moves into South Carolina. He notes that they have not heard from their enemies in the Creek nation, indicating that…

GLC00653.07

July 1, 1864

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Atkinson Humphreys

This report, signed twice by Major General Philip H. Sheridan, describes the nearly disastrous Wilson-Kautz Raid of June 22-30, 1864. Sheridan tells Major General A. A. Humphreys, the Army of the Potomac's chief of staff, about his efforts to find Wilson and Kautz after the rout of their cavalry, and provides details of the battle. His five-line autograph postscript explains that the infantry brigades of Confederate generals Joseph Finegan Saunders (John Caldwell Calhoun Sanders) and William Flank Perry were under the command of General William Mahone. Sheridan also mentions Federal colonels…

GLC00653.12.01

1865

Wilson, William L., 1843-1900

Diary

Title: [Diary of William L. Wilson, B company, 12th regiment, Virginia, cavalry]

Diary of a Confederate private in the 12th Virginia cavalry which includes detailed entries on the Appomattox campaign leading up to General Robert E. Lee's surrender. Begins entries for 1865 by saying that the end of the war seems farther away than ever. Entries for early January describe the movements of his regiment through the Alleghany Mountains, Cheat Mountain, and the Tygarts Valley in Virginia. Reports a skirmish with Union forces near Beverly, West Virginia, 9 January. Often mentions the arduous journey, the weather, prisoners of war, plunder, and his horses. On 28 January he…

GLC00653.17

14 May 1864

Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886

Header Record

Title: ANS to Gen. Seth Williams with large photograph

GLC00731

circa 1861-1865

unknown, fl. 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: [Albumen portrait of Winfield Scott Hancock]

One undated half-length portrait of Union General Winfield Scott Hancock in Union uniform.

GLC00731.01