1861-1862

Brown, James H., fl. 1861-1862

Header Record

Title: [Collection of James H. Brown, A company, 3rd regiment, Alabama, volunteer infantry] [decimalized]

Letters written to Miss Brown by a soldier in the 3rd Alabama. One letter describes the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack (the Battle of Hampton Roads). Includes 4 letters and 4 envelopes.

GLC03060

circa 1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: The Siege of Charleston

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Caption under title says: "Bombardment of Fort Sumter, and batteries Wagner and Gregg, by the Union Batteries on Morris Island, under the command of General Gilmore. August 1863." Panoramic view of Charleston Harbor. Notes : Charleston, Fort Johnson, Swamp Angel, Castle Pinckney, Fort Ripley, Fort Sumter, Fort Gregg, Fort Wagner, and Fort Moultrie. Harbor is dominated by Union ironclads. Shows Union siege trenches being dug near Fort Wagner, where the 54th Massachusetts made their famous, but…

GLC02881.37

February 4, 1862-August 11, 1864

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: [Letters written by George A. Tittle while cruising the North Atlantic aboard the USS Kearsarge] [decimalized .01-.19]

Surgeon steward Tittle details the "Kearsarge's" 1862-1864 cruise, including her engagement with the CSS "Alabama." The USS "Kearsarge" eventually fought and sank the Confederate raider off the French coast on 19 June 1864. 19 letters divided into 2 folders.

GLC02828

24 December 1859-26 August 1864

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Header Record

Title: [Letters, including five while on U.S. gunboats off South America] [decimalized .01-.18]

Written by the Allen brothers (Union naval officers) -- Joseph H., George D., and William B. -- to their sister Mary Mayberry with letters of William Oves and Frank McIntire. GLC02829.06 mentions the USS "Monitor." The Allen family was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mary Mayberry's name was found from various references in this collection. Her last name was made Mayberry because of a line in GLC02829.02 in reference to Mary having children: "I thought you and Brother Bill had made a whole regiment by this time..." Bill is referenced in several letters in this collection, but his full name…

GLC02829

1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Bombardment & capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Full title: "The Bombardment and Capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863. By the Gun-boats, commanded by Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, and the Union troops under Majr. Genl. McClernand; the number of Prisoners taken was 7000, being more than all the Federal forces in action, also 20 Guns, 8000 Stand of small arms and 200 army wagons, with herds of horses and mules." Depcits 5 ironclad gunboats bombarding the earthen fort while a paddlewheel ship in the right middleground…

GLC02881.12

circa 1862

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Terrific combat between the "Monitor" 2 guns & "Merrimac" 10 guns

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Title continues: "in Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862. In which the little "Monitor" whipped the "Merrimac" and the whole "School" of Rebel Steamers." Caption above the title reads: "The first fight between iron clad ships of war." Depicts the two ironclads almost touching. The "Merrimac" is firing a broadside at the low-lying "Monitor." Smoke from the cannon blasts dominates the image. In the background can be seen the USS "Minnesota" and 2 rebel steamers, labeled below image.

GLC02881.16

circa 1863

Endicott & Co., fl. 1863

Print

Title: U.S. iron clad ram. Dictator.

Title continues "Designed by J. Ericsson. Built at the Delameter Iron Works, New York. 1863. " Created by Endicott & Co. at 59 Beekman Street, New York. Image dominated by the low-lying "Dictator" -- the deck appears to be only a few feet from the water. The ship is sailing in a calm day with small waves depicted in the ocean. In the far background a flock of seagulls is beginning to descend upon the "Dictator" while three sailing ships float on the horizon. The entire top half of the lithograph shows a sky with light-colored clouds. Statistics on the ship's size and engines are beneath…

GLC03530

9 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Says there was a big fight at Newport News the day before. Says the "Merrimac" came down with the "Yorktown," "Jamestown," and other boats. Reports that "Merrimac ran into and sunk Cumberland killing half her crew, raked the Congress fore and aft till she struck her colors. Minnesota aground, but fought till dark and flies the colors this morning." Says the "Congress" is burned and her magazine blew up. Says the 20th and 99th New York were deployed as Confederate troops were reported landing above Newport News and advancing from Yorktown, but they did not come. Says "The Ericson battery [the…

GLC03681.01

10 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter

Title: to his mother

Not signed by Asa Smith. Says they are to remain there because of the "Monitor" and that if they can get through tonight they will be secure. Describes the sinking of the "Cumberland" and the burning of the "Congress" by the "Merrimac." Says the broadside from the Union ships "glanced off without doing much of any damaged and this seemed to satisfy them that our vessels could not hurt them." Says the "Cumberland" went down gloriously, firing her aft guns as the bow went under. Report that "During the evening or camp was full of sailors, and they were the hardest looking set of men I ever saw…

GLC03681.02

11 March 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Continuation of his letter from GLC03861.02 - he numbers the pages 5-8. Goes on to describe the situation involving the Confederate attack near Newport News, as well as the action of the CSS "Merrimac" and USS "Monitor." Says the 20th and 99th New York infantry were sent to deal with a supposed Confederate attack near Newport News. Says "few eyes were closed that night as it was known that troops were advancing from Yorktown and a fight was expected in the morning, very little was said, but many an oath of revenge was registered." Says half the regiment wrote home last night because they…

GLC03681.03

8 April 1862

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John E. Wool

Major General McClellan writes to Major General Wool regarding Yorktown. He discusses the strength of enemy positions, reports of Joseph E. Johnston's arrival in Yorktown, the possibility of a union attack near Yorktown, his lack of troops, and his wish that the Merrimac would come out and fight.

GLC03781

8 April 1862

Foote, Andrew H. (Andrew Hull), 1806-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caroline Flagg Foote

Written by Foote as commander of the Mississippi River Squadron to his wife. Written from Island No. 10, the day after Foote's Squadron captured it. Says he can barely lift his pen to write after the recent fight and the "intense mental anxiety for 23 days." Says she will see the account of the capture of Island No. 10 and claims "It is a Gibraltar." Says he cannot keep his head up and will feel better after a good night's sleep. Says his foot (earlier injured by a Confederate shell) is bothering him. Also includes a black and white print titled "Bombardment of Island No. 10." Shows ironclad…

GLC03910

circa 1880

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Account of battle between C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge]

Writes about the battle between the C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge, which "took place in the English Channel, about seven miles distant from the port of Cherbourg, France on the 19th day of June 1864." On first and second pages, gives details about the building of the Alabama and its capabilities as "a complete Steamer & Sailing ship" with eight guns. On the third page, describes the Alabama's captain, "the Gallant Semmes, Brainy in intellect, Wiry in build & indefatigable in work." Lists the rest of the crew. From the fifth to the eighth page, describes the action…

GLC04022

10 June 1862

Fox, Gustavus Vasa, 1821-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dahlgren

Written by Fox as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to Dahlgren as commander of the Washington Navy Yard. Tells Dahlgren that Ericsson is willing to produce 1 inch plates. Wants his report on the firing of cannon and his opinion before he proceeds. Dahlgren wrote a note at the bottom saying "Ericson was very positive as to his plates - why should he hesitate now?" Refers to inventor John Ericsson, who designed the ironclad "Monitor."

GLC03959.02

25 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Written by General Halleck as commander of the Department of the Mississippi to Stanton as Secretary of War. Has heard that the rebels are building one or more riverboats "clad in rail road iron like the Merrimac." Says if it is true they can wreak havoc on Union forces on the river. Wants any heavy guns at Pittsburgh sent down the Ohio River to Cairo or Columbus. Reports he has written to ask if Commander Foote can convert his ships to ironclads. Says authority to construct a river "Monitor" should be given. Expresses that delay could be fatal. Marked "in cipher."

GLC04536

6 August 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Thanks to officers & men for gallant conduct in battle of Mobile Bay]

Draft of General Order # 12 signed by Rear Admiral Farragut. Thanks the crews of the ships that fought in the battle for Mobile Bay "for their gallant conduct during the fight." Lauds their lack of hesitation, even when they were asked "to follow your Commander in Chief through the line of torpedoes and obstructions of which we Know nothing except from the exaggerations of the enemy." Several phrases in this draft were altered for the final copy of the General Order (see GLC03310). For example, the draft uses "cheerfulness" and the final version uses "courage and cheerfulness"; "not the…

GLC04664.01

7 August 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Letter

Title: [General order requesting fleet to thank God for victory]

A clerical copy of the General Order issued by Farragut on 7 August 1864. The order asks the fleet to give thanks to God for their victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

GLC04664.02

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Monitors on the James River with ALS to Hallie Mayers from "Joe" and album

Albumen print of monitors on the James River and an accompanying letter. ALS measures 20.2 x 12.5 cm.

GLC04938

1864-1865 ca.

Fawx, Egbert Guy, fl. 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: View of sailors posed on the deck of the Monitor "Mahopac." [1864-1865 ca.]

Graphite inscriptions on recto: "James River below Confed. battery Howell," "register 6" under x 21/2 high," and "Faux." Graphite inscription "3046" on recto is circled with blue crayon. Stamp of Century Company on verso. Graphite inscription "VI 145" on verso.

GLC05111.01.0310

1862-1865 ca.

Fawx, Egbert Guy, fl. 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Sailors posed on deck and in turret of a Monitor class ship. [1862-1865 ca.]

"Sangamon" inscribed on front. Two officers pose on the deck and four other are on top of the turret. Two cannons and two lifeboats adorn the deck. Large mass of chains are on the deck in the foreground.

GLC05111.01.0311

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: The crew of the Monitor

Twenty-one members of the crew of the Monitor on the deck. Inscription: "490. Crew of the Original 'Monitor' on Her Deck."

GLC05111.01.0947

circa February 12, 1864

Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Rear Admiral Dahlgren to an unknown recipient. Dahlgren notes that "The Gunners perpendiculars & Levels you speak of must be some recently invented and highly skientific [sic] tools not generally known, as yet they are certainly beyond our limited ken here." Says "We are doing well as you say, and the Navy are just the ones to Foote the bill." ("are" and "Foote"are underscored; latter may be a humorous reference to Admiral Andrew Hull Foote ). Says last December he tried to get iron vessels, but was brushed off and claims "If they had heeded my prayer, the matter would have…

GLC05058

30 November 1863

Seymour, Truman, 1824-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Harris

General Seymour writes to Harris, a United States Senator from South Carolina. Replies to Harris's question regarding what the Union can do to engage and defeat Charleston. States "It all is comprised in a single word- Nothing. Expectations of brilliant fears of arms here must be disappointed- there is now nothing to be done." Referring to General Quincy Adams Gillmore, commanding Union operations in Charleston Harbor, writes "General Gillmore came here with an express understanding that he was to remove, or place beyond power of offence, the chief obstacle to the entrance by the monitors…

GLC05050

15 March 1840

Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Aulich

Acts as a referral for the son of Captain Angus, a youth aboard the U.S.S. Potomac, to which Aulich was captain. Criticizes Great Britain for its predatory practices in the Oregon Territory. In his postscript, Cooper requests information on Old Ironsides because he is writing a history on the topic.

GLC05083

circa 1861-1865

Fowx, Egbert Guy, 1821-1891

Photograph

Title: Pontoon bridge across James River

A print of a photograph of boats in a river. Over a dozen boats can be seen. The titular pontoon bridge can be seen stretching across the horizon. Penciled below the image is: "Pontoon bridge across the James River over which the army of the Potomac passed on it [sic] way to Richmond, Va." The section of the River is likely that 'below' Richmond between the city and Hampton Roads. Written note on verso: "the ironclad in far right of photograph is the Monitor "Atlanta" (in handwriting of F.H. Meserve).

GLC05111.01.0076