27 September 1862

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hooper

Banks, commander of the Military District of Washington, Army of the Potomac, discusses the furlough of Private Sherrin of the 2nd Massachusetts (Banks appealed for Sherrin's furlough on behalf of Hooper, and the furlough was denied). Mentions many mutual acquaintances, including Mr. Whittemore, Mr. Haver, and Colonel Lincoln, who taught Banks to love sherry. Comments on Civil War leadership: "What the Country most needs is a change. Not in men Nor in measures, but in the management of affairs- It is not important that we are better or worse in the way we are going- The country requires a…

GLC02689

1861-1883

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Dr. Thomas A. McParlin][Decimalized .01-.48]

Includes personal and professional letters and documents to and from Dr. Thomas A. McParlin, medical director of the Army of Virginia and the army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Among the individuals represented in this archive are Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, generals George Meade, George D. Ruggles, John Pope, Rufus Ingalls, noted reformer Dorothea Dix, and numerous Civil War medical officers. Documents include wartime and post-war items. Of particular interest is a lengthy (40 page) manuscript report, prepared by McParlin for General William A.…

GLC02649

1862

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. Dec. 13th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Caption under title says: "This battle shows what undaunted courage, the Lion-hearted Army of the Potomac always meets its foes. After forcing the passage of the Rappahannock on the 11th in the face of a murderous fire from concealed Rebels, and taking possession of Fredericksburg on the 12th, on the morning of the 13th the Army rushed with desperate valor on the intrenchments of the enemy, and thousands of its dead and dying, tell of the fearful strife which raged till night put an end to the carnage.…

GLC02881.35

15 October 1861

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hooper

Written from camp near Damstown. Banks, commanding a division, Army of the Potomac, replies to a note from Hooper, a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Relates that he has been busy organizing his staff, and will soon make arrangements for Mr. D'Hautville (possibly Captain D'Hautville). Needs the approval of General George McClellan before he can proceed. Discusses troop movement, and the possibility of obtaining winter quarters farther south. Of Abraham Lincoln, writes, "The President looks to me fatigued and oppressed- He is sadly changed since I rec'd from him my…

GLC02944.01

17 October 1862

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hooper

Banks, commander of the Military District of Washington, Army of the Potomac, writes to Hooper, a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Discusses the court martial of Lt. Goodrich (possibly the son of John Goodrich, former Representative and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts). Writes, "It is very difficult to get a reversal of the judgment of a court martial for the reason that the discipline of the army is so low, and the gov't so weak." Asks if it would be sufficient for President Lincoln and the Secretary (possibly Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War) to annul the sentence…

GLC02944.02

1864

Pierce, James W., fl. 1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of James W. Pierce]

Autograph manuscript. Mentions General Ulysses Grant's campaigning along the North Anna River.

GLC02741

circa 1862

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Battle of Williamsburg Va. May 5th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "Victorious charge of the gallant Soldiers of the North and East, under Genl. McClellan, the invincible leader of the Army of the Potomac." While the caption says this was a "Victorious charge," the Battle of Williamsburg was an inconclusive victory for the Army of the Potomac. Rows of Federal and Confederate troops are shown clashing in close combat, with a magenta hue dominating their depiction. The foreground shows several Union troops in blue uniforms, a…

GLC02881.03

circa 1862

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Battle of Williamsburg, Va. May 5th 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Caption under title says: "Victorious charge of the gallant Soldiers of the North and East, under Genl. McClellan, the invincible leader of the Army of the Potomac." While the caption says this was a "Victorious charge," the Battle of Williamsburg was an inconclusive victory for the Army of the Potomac. Rows of Federal and Confederate troops are shown clashing in close combat. The foreground shows several Union troops in blue uniforms, a solider carrying an American flag, an officer on horseback urging his…

GLC02881.25

circa 1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: The Battle of Gettysburg, PA, July 3d 1863.

Handcolored lithograph, possibly contemporary with the battle. Caption reads "This terrific and bloody conflict between the gallant 'Army of the Potomac,' commanded by their great General George G. Meade, and the hosts of the rebel 'Army of the East' under General Lee, was commenced on Wednesday July 1st and ended on Friday the 3rd at 5 O'Clock P.M.--The decisive Battle was fought on Friday, ending in the complete rout & dispersion of the Rebel Army.--A Nations thanks and undying fame ever crown the Arms of the heroic soldiers, who fought with such unflinching bravery; this long and…

GLC03445

February 22, 1864

Tyler, Robert Ogden, 1831-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew A. Humphreys

Expressing his high regard for Humphreys and the Army of the Potomac.

GLC03474.08

22 December 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document

Title: to the Army of the Potamac

Printed executive order congratulating the Army of the Potomac for bravery during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lincoln writes that "Although you were not successful, the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than an accident."

GLC03825

10 May 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio G. Wright.

Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, informs General Wright that General Gershom Mott "taken position on your left will be under your direction." Instructs Wright to General Ambrose Burnside's relief if Wright hears heavy firing at Burnside. Relates that Lyman (possibly Colonel Theodore Lyman, Meade's aide) will inform Wright of the existing condition of affairs. Year inferred from content; possibly written during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

GLC03832

circa 1861-1865

Potter, Horace B., fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Horace B. Potter, A company, 153rd regiment, New York, infantry][Decimalized .01-.93]

Collection of letters belonging to Horace B. Potter dated 1861-1865. Primary correspondents were his parents, Lucius F. and Adaline M. Potter. Letters discuss punishing soldiers and anti-emancipation sentiments. The collection also includes one American Express, one Adams Express, and one Western Union telegraph bulletin for Company A, Army of the Potomac.

GLC03523.38

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

1863-1864

Moore, Isaac H., fl. 1863-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of Isaac H. Moore, B company, 138th regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry]

Autograph manuscript signed of Isaac H. Moore, a sergeant in 138th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Corps. Diary is written largely in pen. Discusses the campaign of the Army of the Potomac from May to August 1864, as well as Sheridan's Valley campaign of August to October of 1864. Also contains accounts of clothing bills from September 1863-February 1865, a list of camps and places of rendezvous for 1862-65, and a list of casualties in B Company from November 1863 to July 1864.

GLC03131.03

16 June 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Farrar Smith

Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, writes on Headquarters, Army of the Potomac stationery in Virginia near Petersburg. Written at 3:30 pm. Refers to a note he wrote at 2:00 pm, regarding the practicality of an attack on Petersburg led by General William Farrar Smith. Also wishes to know the strength and size of Smith's force. Written in pencil.

GLC04064

3 June 1863

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Ames resigns as Colonel after receiving the appointment of Brigadier General of Volunteers. To Thomas, United States Adjutant General. Resignation to be effective from 20 May 1863, when Ames received his promotion. Written from Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac.

GLC04182.01

30 March 1863

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Estes

Written from camp near Falmouth, Virginia. Ames, Colonel of the 20th Regiment, Maine Infantry. Requests to be relieved from further duty as Assistant Commissary of Musters for his division. Reports that his duties as a mustering officer greatly interfere with his duties as Regimental Commander. To Estes as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac.

GLC04182.02

1862

Header Record

Title: [Civil War maps] [decimalized]

Eight maps of various media, mostly of General McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.

GLC04355

13-14 September 1863

Slagle, Jacob, ?-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes in great detail about the battle of Gettysburg 1-3 July 1863, where he served as Union General Abner Doubleday's adjutant. Describes his duties during the fighting, which mainly consisted of delivering messages back and forth between generals and officers. Mentions General Thomas A. Rowley, General James S. Wadsworth, and General John F. Reynolds who was killed in battle, among others. On page eight, he remarks on the condition of the men during the battle, " it was a pitiable sight; the tired, worn out remnants of our five regiments, who had gone so proudly into the field in the…

GLC04585

2 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gordon Meade

Grant, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army, writes from Headquarters of the Armies of the United States to Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Discussing an assault on Petersburg, states that General Horatio Wright can contribute his force, except for a garrison of enclosed works. Relates that General Edward Ortho Cresap Ord is moving to assist Wright. Reports that General Philip Henry Sheridan "intended to start at day break and sweep the White Oak road and all North of it down to Petersburg." Accompanied by two collateral maps; one depicts the Siege of Petersburg 31…

GLC04907.01

circa November 1863

Wallen, Henry Davies, 1819-1886

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Handwritten copies of documents pertaining to the Adjutant General Department's continued rejection of Wallen's requests]

Contains responses to Wallen's repeated requests to see action in the Army of the Potomac, and his belief that he was not promoted because he was a Southerner (he was born in Georgia, and served in Florida before the Civil War). The manuscript includes copies of letters and an inserted printed copy of General Order No. 28. Dates of letters span from 8 January 1862- November 1863. Includes Wallen's order to New Mexico, the decline of his appeal to be relieved from his assignment in New Mexico, the application of General John C. Frémont to assign Wallen to his department (and the rejection…

GLC04742

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Caldwell, Telegrapher, H.Q. A of P[otomac] [ambrotype]

Title from inscription on verso. With brass protector. Full-length portrait, standing in front of tent. Name and title scratched on the lower left hand side of the plate.

GLC05111.01.0492

1862-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: The Army of the Potomac at Camp, [unknown location].

Inscription on verso: "Army of the Potomac." Army of the Potomac encampment with tents, wagons, trees and horses throughout the image. Numeric notation on verso: "31."

GLC05111.01.0769

1 March 1864

Gibbs, Alfred, 1823-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to F. S. Cozzens

Written from camp near Culpeper. Missed Cozzens on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. On the train to Washington, sat beside a Presbyterian parson. Told the parson he was a brevet Bishop in the Army of the Potomac. Notes that the parson was respectful in consequence, but drank a large amount from Gibbs's canteen. Writes, "I can't be funny under any circumstances... They have just sent the best part of my brigade, and left me here to watch the [river?]." Requests tacks. Wishes he had "redeye" instead of "'certain death' suttler whiskey."

GLC05033