April 30, 1808

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to William Pinkney

Discusses congressional proceedings, foreign affairs, the Chesapeake affair, British and French aggression, and the Embargo Act of 1807. A portion of the letter has been written in code and is translated in another hand. Letter signed as Secretary of State. Pinkney was the U.S. Minister to Great Britain.

GLC01191

July 1776 - December 9,1777

Tilden, Ezra, 1751-1819

Diary

Title: [Diary of Ezra Tilden]

Provides a detailed day by day account of Tilden's march through New York during the Revolutionary War. Writes extensively about daily duties, poor rations, hunger, hardships along the march, sickness and death amongst the soldiers, and the demoralized spirit of the men. Possibly writes something about the cruelty of the officers in code on p. 34 by mixing the letters of the words. Includes lists of towns he passed through (p. 12, 49, 107, 141), an item by item list of contents of his pack (p. 9), a list of the monthly wages for each military rank (p. 54), rations for each soldier (p. 55…

GLC01450.004

5 July 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

States that Union General Henry W. Halleck reported that the captured dispatches between Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee shows that there is no rebel force left between Lee's Army and Richmond, Virginia. Orders that Scammon "...at once organize a force and send it to cut the Virginia and Tennesse Rail Road." Advises to use his judgment as to the best point to do this and to send a reliable officer to command. U.S. Military Telegraph marked "Cifer," [Cypher] on front. Recipient's copy. Docketed by Scammon. Kelley signs as Brigadier General. Written the day…

GLC01903

12 May 1861-1865

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Header Record

Title: Collection of Jeremiah M. Tate, H company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry [decimalized .01-.63]

Private Tate served for a time with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah; he appears to have come from Pickensville, Alabama. Tate's letters, written to his mother and sister Mary Jane at Jenna Point (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama), concern First Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Seven Pines, Antietam, Stonewall Jackson, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg (letter #34 dated near Carlisle), and Petersburg. A number of letters concern fraternizing with Yanks and songs he sings. The collection has been itemized on inventory. His first name "Jeremiah" per coded name in letter #31. Some itemized letters are…

GLC02082

9 April 1863

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Continues GLC02082.30. Comments on a code for writing letters.

GLC02082.31

6 August 1863-7 August 1863

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorcus and to his sister

Letter on first page to cousin Dorcus, hoping that her sweetheart Robert has fared well in the late battle. Uses a numeric code. Letter of last three pages to his sister. Describes Gettysburg and their retreat: "Hear we have bin for several days, but we kno not what minut that we will have to march, we have marched solong so four til dont seam rite to stay in camps."

GLC02082.39

6 April 1862

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894

Manuscript letter

Title: to Rutherford B. Hayes

Marked "send in cypher" at bottom. Writes to Colonel Hayes of the 23rd Ohio to give instructions on their next move. Tells him to be ready to move by Wednesday. "Ammunition, Tents & 10 days rations for men & horses will be ready. Make no unusual bustle. The order was sent in Cypher. So mum." Reports that the brigade will move to Flat Top and Princeton, Virginia and will scout Logan, Monroe and Mercer Counties. Asks him if he can learn something about a road opening to Logan Court House. Year inferred from Scammon's rank as Colonel.

GLC02414.028

4 September 1864

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

The letter is written faintly in pencil on foxed paper. The third page is written in his code. Mentions still being on hospital duty.

GLC02082.57

September 26, 1788

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Brown

Madison writes to Brown, then a Kentucky lawyer and later a senator, to promise further communication of his thoughts on making Kentucky a state. Also comments cryptically, because he has no cypher established with Brown, about his sentiments regarding "our confidential conversation just before your departure." Indicates that he has anticipated "every political calamity," probably referring to Spain's efforts to get Kentucky to become an independent state. Includes two resolutions passed by Congress on September 16, 1788 relating to American rights to the Mississippi River.

GLC01742.01

circa July 13-21, 1804

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Autograph letter

Title: to Joseph Alston

Burr writes in partial cypher to his son-in-law after his duel with Alexander Hamilton. In the text that is not in cypher, Burr states that the jury has adjourned until Monday, July 23, and that the results will determine whether or not he flees. He indicates that there is sentiment against him by Governor DeWitt Clinton and his allies. He thanks him for an earlier letter of support. At the end of the text is "Enclose to Ch. Biddle, Phila." Charles Biddle was a friend of Burr's. The second and third pages are in cypher. Date is from docket. The letter was written no earlier than July 13, 1804…

GLC01523

August 15, 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston and Robert James

Frank James writes to his wife Anna and son Robert (referred to as "My Precious Ones") while being pursued by state and federal authorities. References the Shakespearean character, Timon of Athens, who also spent time exiled in the forest. Reflects on his love for Anna by stating: "Did I not appreciate you I should feel as I was a disgrace to humanity and should be universally and deservedly detested as the most ungrateful being that ever lived." Refers to Charles and Bob Ford as "loathsome wretches" because they killed Jesse James, his brother, in April 1882. Expresses expectations that…

GLC01692

January 24, 1865

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

Autograph document signed

Title: to Gustavus Vasa Fox

A telegram in which Grant asks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox if he would like to accompany him from Fort Monroe to Fort Fisher. Grant suggests the use of a "Naval Vessel" for the journey. Marked "Cipher." Fort Fisher had been captured on 15 January.

GLC01554

June 2, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Marked "Duplicate" by Adams, and possibly used for en-cyphering because of the marks and lines above letters, words and sentences. Describes in great detail Adams's reception by King George III as America's first ambassador to Great Britain. He quotes his speech to the king, and the king's response. He also describes an awkward moment when the king tactlessly remarked "There is an opinion, among some People, that you are not the most attracted of all your Countrymen, to the manners of France." Adams writes "I was a little embarassed, but determined not to deny the Truth on one hand, nor leave…

GLC01538

March 9, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Richard Sprigg Canby

Marked "(Cipher)" at top. In this telegram, Grant criticizes Canby's request for men and material to build 70 miles of railroad, and orders him to "Take Mobile and hold it." He writes, "I expected your movements to have been cooperative with Shermans last. This has now entirely failed. I wrote to you long ago urging you to push forward promptly and to live upon the country and destroy railroads, Machine shops and not to build them." Advises him to take a position where he can be supplied by water and states that "By this means alone you can occupy positions from which the enemy roads in the…

GLC01555

12 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Writes to General George Washington that he would like a copy of the "general system of signals" Washington is producing when it is finished. Discusses placement of regiments and guards, including the Invalid Regiment, for the coming winter. Comments briefly on military stores (such as the amount of rachets on hand) and then recounts that General [Alexander] MacDougall's troops in Connecticut are displeased because they will be losing a guard after inspections, and Knox suggests that permitting them to continue having a guard would "probably induce a continuance of favor." Asks for…

GLC02437.01709

27 June 1861

Ferguson, Samuel Wragg, 1834-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Milledge Luke Bonham

Ferguson, aide-de-camp for General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to General Bonham, stationed at Fairfax County. Ferguson has been directed by the General commanding (Beauregard), to send a list of names to be used as countersigns (list not included). Orders, "You will communicate these countersigns to the troops in Fairfax County." Lists other officers to whom this communication was transmitted.

GLC02459.08

3 May 1863

Rodgers, John, 1812-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George B. McClellan

Written aboard the USS "Galena" by Commander Rodgers to Major General McClellan. Says he thinks the flag officer has written to McClellan. The flag officer does not like to answer official questions sent to an officer under his command. Reports that he cannot go out of signal distance from his vessel except under orders. Says he cannot make arrangements to leave, having no power on the premises. Says he must obey the orders of the flag officer. This John Rodgers is the son of War of 1812 naval officer John Rodgers (1772-1838). This letter is clearly dated 1863, but only makes sense if…

GLC02466.13

December 12, 1862

Ingalls, Rufus, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to James W. Nesmith

Union cipher letter written on stationery of the Head Quarters of Army of the Potomac, office of the Chief Quarter Master.

GLC00537

March 18, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward O. C. Ord

"(Cipher)" written at top. In this telegram, Grant informs Ord that Sheridan reached White House, VA today; and tells Ord to hold crossings of the Chickahominy River and send a division of troops to meet Sheridan. Marked "Copied" on verso. Written on stationary marked Head Quarters Armies of the United States.

GLC00639.10

April 24, 1781

Balfour, Nisbet, 1743-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Saunders

Written by Scottish officer Colonel Balfour as commandant of Charlestown, South Carolina to Captain Saunders, a Loyalist, as commandant of Georgetown, South Carolina. Written in numeric code. Cypher included in collateral file. Letter says: "You wil inform Colonel Watson that he is to remain at Georgetown as Greens Army is before Camden, that he wil join Lord Cornwalis on his march if he posibly can get to him and if not he will wait at Georgetown til further orders." Marked "No. 13" at address.

GLC00609

1857

Manuscript document

Title: General signals

Explains a secret numeric code to be used when transmitting signals between ships.

GLC00722.05

January 17, 1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Telegram

Title: Copy of telegram in cipher to Jefferson Davis

Recipient's copy of a telegram to Confederate President Jefferson Davis written in Confederate cipher, decoded above each line of the message in pencil. The telegram concerns military strategy and Beauregard's advice not to divide the Army of Tennessee. Marked as received at Richmond by telegraph from Tupelo, Mississippi. Docketed, "To divide the army of Tenn. will cause capture of Mobile, Selma, &c."

GLC00806

April 6, 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Telegram to General William T. Sherman above which Grant has penned a note requesting a member of his staff at City Point, Virginia, to send the dispatch in cipher to General Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, regarding his progress, the flight of President Davis, and the imminent destruction of the Confederate Army. "We have Lee's Army pressed hard, his men scattering and going to their homes by the thousands....I shall press the pursuit to the end. Push [General Joseph E.] Johnston at the same time and let us finish up this job all at once." Note at top to Colonel Thomas S. Bowers at…

GLC01102

13 November 1782

Drake, William, fl. 1782

Manuscript signed

Title: [Private signals for British vessels to identify one another at sea by day and night]

Provides very specific instructions for identification procedures. Written on board the H.M.S. Perseus. Written to Captain George Darby, commander of the sloop Pylades. Based on the command of Admiral Leonard Horner.

GLC01450.412.16

21 April 1762

Pocock, George, fl. 1762

Document signed

Title: Instructions [signals]

Written during the war with Cuba. Signal instructions for the Squadron under the command of Sir George Pocock, Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. Addressed "To the Master of the Prince George Transport, By Command of the Admiral." Note reads "Dated on board his Majesty's Ship Namur in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes the 21st April 1762." Multiple lines of text crossed out and amended with handwritten notes. Features wax seal.

GLC01450.450