2 July 1863

Graham, fl. 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Telegram to Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio. Partially in code, signed with code name "Graham."

GLC02414.229

8 June 1861-16 July 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to R. West

Letter begins on 8 June at sea and continues on 17 June (he writes July 17, but that is impossible) at Fernandina, Florida; 27 June; 8 July; and 16 July at Hampton Roads, Virginia. On 8 June says he is 30 miles south of Savannah and near their destination of the boundary between Georgia and Florida. Says their departure from Charleston was sudden and was not able to tell her that he was put in charge of the privateer that was captured a week earlier. Was overhauling her and found the signal book, which gave them the ability to read Confederate signals from the shore. Tried to trick another…

GLC03836.08

31 May 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written on the battle field near Dallas, Georgia. He explains that he is unsure of what effect the army has had on the war being in Georgia but hopes that it is good. Writes that they have had all the rations they can eat and keep several days worth in their haversacks. Notes that General William T. Sherman is with the army in Georgia. Reports that General Sherman was not afraid to go to the front with the skirmishers. The rebels leveled the log house that was the headquarters of Ward who commands their brigade. He writes that he celebrated his birthday on the battlefield and that part of the…

GLC07460.077

5 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions to officers at West Point]

Written by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide, and signed by Shaw on Knox's behalf. Covers many aspects of the defense of West Point and the need to avoid a surprise attack. Knox gives instructions pertaining to arms and ammunition, sentries, guardhouses, closing of the gates, provisions, alarms, and signals. Signed by eight officers commanding redoubts and forts in the vicinity of West Point. These men acknowledge receipt of Knox's instructions.

GLC02437.10066

22 October 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Manuscript letter

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Marked cypher at top. Brigadier General Kelley writes to Brigadier General Scammon discussing the journey of General William Woods Averell from Beverly to Lewisburg, West Virginia. States he is taking 10 days of rations. Advises that Scammon give General Alfred Napoleon Alexander Duffie the same orders as Averell so they may reach Lewisburg with their troops at the same time. Mentions Confederate deserters, "Quite a number of Jacksons men after being so severely whipped at Bulltown have deserted and come inside our lines."

GLC02414.171

4 July 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to unknown

Copy of a telegram from Colonel White to unknown recipient. Possibly decoded cypher. Informs that General Eliakim P. Scammon's cavalry went out to the front last night but encountered a blockaded road and were ambushed near Raleigh, West Virginia. Writes, "they are scattered in the woods and I fear have lost nearly all their horses." States that two companies have gone to assist. Written on stationary marked Headquarters, 3rd Division, 8th Army Corps.

GLC02414.184

circa 1863

Toland, John T., fl. 1863-1864

Manuscript telegram

Title: [Decoded cypher telegram to unknown]

Copy of a telegram from Colonel Toland possibly to General Eliakim P. Scammon. Written in cypher in one hand, and decoded underneath possibly in the hand of Scammon. Toland writes that the powder and fuse are not in any of the wagons and that Madden thinks they were left in the staff train. Informs that they will leave soon and that, "if the enemy has retreated and suspect our plan it will be a close race they having the shortest road." Asks for reliable information on where the enemy is going.

GLC02414.185

November 12, 1716

Cadogan, William, Earl, 1672-1726

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Bourke

Replies to GLC01450.446.04, in which Bourke informed Cadogan of a Jacobite plot. Guarantees "a reward equal to the Discovery you shall make" (regarding the discovery of Jacobitism in Cambray). States "I sign this letter by another name than my own, as you [design], and I send you an address by which you may write Safely..." In a postscript, provides instructions to [deliver] to Mr. John Williams under cover to Mr. Benjamin Furly (possibly a code or pseudonym, since Furly, a Quaker and noted Rotterdam intellectual, had died in 1714). Signed fictitiously by John Williams, a psuedonym Cadogan…

GLC01450.446.06

2 October 1780

Chew, Joseph, fl. 1780

Autograph note signed

Title: [Joseph Chew's discussion of a letter from Benedict Arnold]

The note, signed by Chew, explains how the accompanying letter (no longer present) was kept undercover, "This Letter was delivered as a Blank Sheet of Paper put over one or two newspapers - which by wetting with a Proper Composition made it Legible." Also describes the writer of the letter and how he has been persecuted, claiming, "... the writer was a Colo. in his Majestys Service during the War that Ended in 1763... Since which he has been thoroughly persecuted." Benedict Arnold, who served in the French and Indian War, may have been the writer Chew was referring to. The date is written…

GLC05533.02

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with his superiors while a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. On verso are the names of the people who seem to be in on the coded messages: General Sir William Howe, General Robert Pigot, General William Phillips, and General Henry Clinton. Altogether there are 14 areas cut out, each one numbered, when placed over a coded letter of the same size will convey the true message.

GLC04764.01

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Cypher for coded messages probably made by Kingston as a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. Has four long rectangles cut out. When placed over a letter of the same size the cut outs allow the true message to be conveyed. The name "L. Vallaniez" is written on one side. On the opposite side of the cypher the word "Bottom" is written at the bottom, as a direction of how to place the cypher over the letter. Also has the initials "G.V." written on the same side as the the word "Bottom."

GLC04764.03

23 June 1777

Sherwood, Justus, 1747-1798

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Elijah Grout and Robert Perry]

Related to GLC04764.07. Record of Captain Justus Sherwood for the payment of four guineas to Elijah Grout and Robert Perry for their expedition to the Connecticut River and four guineas to Jeptha Hawley for his party to go to Albany. Sherwood says he received the order to pay the money from Major Robert Kingston. Note at the bottom says the eight guineas were paid. Note on verso shows that this was money given before their respective expeditions. The note provides directions from Kingston (he initialed the end of the note) on how to "make a smoke" if they come across other British troops on…

GLC04764.09

January 22, 1782

Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Indicates that he received intelligence from his correspondent about the British receiving reinforcements from New York in Charleston, he is "of opinion that the reinforcement you have received from General St. Clair, must have put you in a position to withstand those newly arrived." Doubts the news that the British reinforcements come from Ireland. The rest (starting on p. 1) at the end of which appears the signature. A separate three pages(which measure 28 x 21.5 cm) records the solution to the cipher, which discussion military strategy in the Southern Campaign. The cipher also notes…

GLC08903

2 November 1863

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Discusses strategy to engage General Robert E. Lee's army. After much deliberation he decided "to attempt the movement by his right, throwing the whole army rapidly & secretly, across the Rappahannock at Banks ford & Fredericksburg & taking position on the heights beyond the town." Predicts that success will depend on celerity and secrecy. Also mentions a delay with the railroad, the unchanged Confederate position, and rumors of Lee receiving reinforcements, all before his lengthier discussion of his plans against Lee's army. Written on stationary of the "Head-Quarters…

GLC08902

3 July 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Copy of a telegram to Brigadier General Eliakim P. Scammon possibly in his hand. Marked cypher. Colonel White states that the Confederate cavalry came within sight last night. Says that he sent his cavalry force to the front and ordered them to attack at 2 AM. They are keeping a lookout. Year inferred from similar documents in the collection and from Scammon's rank as General.

GLC02414.138

11 July 1863

Toland, John T., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Scammon endorsement on a manuscript letter from John T. Toland] [incomplete]

Toland writes to General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio in cypher about moving to Wyoming [Courthouse]. Might be only part of the letter. With autograph endorsement on verso by Scammon, signed in initials of Scammon stating that "Lt Hastings will translate & send to me."

GLC02414.083

1860-1870

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions on the use of ciphers and codes]

Discusses ciphers and the numerous ways their messages may be concealed. Date estimated from other items in the group. In a collection with a letter by James Longstreet to John G. Walker.

GLC01404.02

12 November 1863

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Scammon endorsement on a telegram from Carr Bailey White]

Possibly a decoded cypher telegram to General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio Infantry reporting on 4000 Confederate troops at Meadow Bluff. Might be a copy in Scammon's hand. With autograph endorsement signed in initials on verso by Scammon to order the camp at Gauley, West Virginia to be on alert and to watch the Lewisburg Road. Date from docket. Only dated 12 November but year inferred from similar documents in collection by White to Scammon.

GLC02414.108

circa 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry reporting on scouting activities in West Virginia. Not dated, date inferred from similar documents in the collection.

GLC02414.109

circa 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry regarding scouting activities. Reports on the Confederate troops's whereabouts and requests again more artillery ammunition. States that enemy scouts are lurking about the picket lines. Written on half a piece of stationary marked Head Quarters, 3rd Division, 8th Army Corps.

GLC02414.110

24 October 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry regarding Lieutenant Blazer's report on scouting and the location of Confederate troops. Written stationary marked Head Quarters, 3rd Division, Dept West Virginia.

GLC02414.111

5 November 1863

Duval, J.A., fl. 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Duval. Reports that Colonel White of the 12th Ohio infantry says that a company of Confederate troops is moving toward Gauley bridge and that another regiment of cavalry is moving toward Wayne and Cobell Counties, West Virginia. Only dated 5 November, year inferred from other documents in the collection.

GLC02414.112

5 December 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Carr Bailey White of the 12th Ohio Infantry. Reports on Lieutenant Blazer's letter of 4 December where he informed that he infiltrated the Confederate lines near Lewisburg, West Virginia but was discovered. They were then attacked by Confederate guerillas and he states the number wounded, killed or taken prisoner. Gives the location of troops in the area.

GLC02414.113

circa July 1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Carr Bailey White of the 12th Ohio Infantry. Reports on scouting activities. Only dated July, year inferred from similar documents in the collection.

GLC02414.114

November 1863

Duval, J.A., fl. 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Possibly a copy in General Scammon's hand of a decoded cypher telegram to Scammon from Colonel Duval. Explains the report of a scout named Jim Webb but states he does not have confidence in it. Informs that five of Colonel Tomlinson's men were captured. Gives Confederate troop locations from Colonel Carr Bailey White. Date from docket.

GLC02414.115