8 May 1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Friend Bemis

Relates events that took place during April 1865 in Fort Hell, Virginia (also known as Fort Sedgwick). Refers to the Seventh Regiment (possibly of the Rhode Island Volunteers). States that his Company was traveling to Farmville, Virginia when they "received official information of the surrender of General Lee."

GLC02750.034

9 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Left camp and fought for four days. Took the South Side Railroad, Petersburg, and Richmond. Headed for Lynchburg, and marched 5 days straight. Formed a battle line and marched into battle again. This time, "when our army cam in sight old general Lee surrendered." "The rebellion is done." Thinks that he will be home in 2 or 3 months if not earlier. Will be home very soon. Saw [Nucum] Pierce today. "The rebels lay in plain sight of us. We lay up on a hill and they lay in the [howles]. Has stopped marching. Countryside is very nice; "every place is covered with peach trees and they are in full…

GLC09273.39

16 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Gives a summary of recent events, including the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the pursuit of Lee to Appomattox, and the end of the war. Have been marching back east and north since then; thinks he is headed for Petersburg. Has received seven letters in the past day. If she thinks they should keep both pigs, then they can keep both. Wants to know how much money she has received from him. Feet are sore from marching. If he goes to Petersburg, he will have a chance to write more. Tells her to "have some potatoes planted and do with everything as you think best." Hopes he will be able to come…

GLC09273.40

26 April 1865

Laurence, A.B., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Certification of authenticity of flag fragment]

Lt. Col. and Quartermaster of the U. S. Army 24th Corps certifies "That the accompanying is a fragment of the Rebel Flag that floated over the Capitol of the Confederacy in this city, and was taken by the troops of this command. The flag- made it is said of 'English Neutrality Bunting' - has been this day cut up and distributed as one of the most significant trophies of this terrible war; and the rope to which the flag was attached is left for the special service of Jeff Davis and all such traitors."

GLC09276.01

[3 April 1865]

Object

Title: [three fragment of Confederate flag]

Three attached fragments of the last Confederate flag to fly over the Richmond Capitol.

GLC09276.02

1864-1865

Hilliard, Thomas B., fl. 1864-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of private in 50th Penn. Infantry]

Diary of private in 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, with entries from Sept. 1864 through June 1865, encompassing the close of the war: "Today the election took place for President of the United States everything moved off quietly majority for Lincoln in the 50th Regiment.... news of Sheridan's victory on the left rebels still retreating... [April 1865] a great talk of peace...2000 prisoners taken to City Point...considerable talk about the death of Lincoln."

GLC09320

circa 1860-1865

McSherry, Henry F., fl. 1837

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry F. McSherry] [Decimalized .01- .40]

37 letters and documents pertaining to Assistant Surgeon of Martinsburg, [West] Virginia, who served in the U.S. Navy throughout the war. Letters from his family contain good wartime content, from Union supporters in the South. Includes July 1860 Navy Department commission issued to McSherry; a poem dedicated to two local Confederate soldier brothers who "fell in the battle of Manassas… standing side by side. At the same instant, both, mortally wounded"; a telegram from McSherry's father dated May 17, 1861, which simply states "Do not resign." Letter of 5/1/1865 has observations of Lee and…

GLC09324

1868

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

Pamphlet

Title: Speeches of General U.S. Grant, Republican candidate for the 18th president of the United States, being extracts from speeches, letters, orders, military and state papers

Speeches by Grant pertain to a variety of subjects such as :The extracts chosen vary in subject. Some of the topics included are acceptance of the Republican nomination, feelings toward enslaved people being aided by the military, Black troops, defeat and surrender of General Lee, reconstruction, General Sheridan's and Secretary Stanton's removals, and military control of Western steamboat traffic. Published by the Union Republic Congressional Executive Committee.

GLC01265.29

April 14, 1865

Farmer, George E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Farmer

George E. Farmer writes to his father that he is in excellent spirits after being present at Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender. He discusses the Appomattox Campaign and indicates that he participated in the fighting near Dinwiddie Courthouse and was with the dismounted cavalry at Five Forks. He explains that though the fighting was fierce, the soldiers knew it was the end of the war and that the Confederates could be beaten. He was also present at the battle on Brown's Road and was with the advance the day Confederate General Richard S. Ewell was captured. He describes the events…

GLC00808.01

April 21, 1865

Farmer, George E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maggie

George E. Farmer gives a day by day account of the movements and engagements of his regiment during the Appomattox campaign. He reports that they left Petersburg on March 29, camped at Dinwiddie Courthouse, and fought a skirmish at Hatcher's Run. After fighting all day on the 30th, they were attacked in strong force on the 31st. He states that they fought in the Battle at Five Forks on the first of April and briefly describes the battle. He says they skirmished near Amelia Courthouse on April 4, then marched 25 miles to Jetersville. He reports fighting at Deatonsville on April 6, and…

GLC00808.02

1865

Goddard, Dighton, 1822-1910

Object

Title: Red wood heart of Dighton Goddard

Small, carved wooden heart painted red with writings in pencil, "Appomattox April 9th, 1865."

GLC03608.02

1865

Goddard, Dighton, 1822-1910

Object

Title: Wooden heart of Dighton Goddard

Small unpainted wooden carved heart with writing in pencil, "Lee surr. at App., Apr. 9, a time of rejoy and shouting."

GLC03608.03

13 April 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that his health is very good and mail leaves Raleigh, North Carolina for Goldsboro, North Carolina by rail. They have received the great news that Richmond, Virginia has been captured along with General Robert E. Lee's army. The camp cheered upon hearing the news. They are hopefully that General Joseph E. Johnston will soon surrender. When they marched out from Goldsboro it was very rainy and muddy. Writes that many men fell out of the march and even one man from the 70th dropped dead. He states that the regiment received news of Lee's surrender on 12 April. The advanced units of the…

GLC07460.119

11 April 1865

Pickett, Charles F., fl. 1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Pickett

"Last Return of Pickett's Division as surrendered on April 9, 1865." Grid shows troops, listed by brigade, with officers and enlisted men counted separately. Just 987 men appear on the return. Also signed secretarially for his brother General George Pickett.

GLC09156

9 April 1865

Armstrong, George A., fl. 1865

Manuscript document

Title: [Civil war appreciation for soldiers from George A. Armstrong]

"Copy of Order / Head Qrs 3d Cavalry Division / Appomattox Court House April 9-1865 / Soldiers of the 3d Cavalry Division / With profound gratitude towards the god of battles by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our armis rendered triumphant Your commanding Genral...express[es] to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the Series of battles which to day resulted in the surrender of the enemys entire army - the record established by your indomitable courage is unparralelled in the annals of war. your prowess has won for you the respect and…

GLC09160

1863-1865

Header Record

Title: [Army of the Potomac Circular Orders] [Decimalized .01- .12]

Thirteen circular orders issued between June 13, 1863 and April 4, 1865. Carbon copies of orders issued from 2nd Corps and General Meade's headquarters for battles of Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and pursuit of Lee's army toward Appomattox.

GLC09177

10 April 1865

Mahone, William, 1826-1895

Manuscript document

Title: [Special Order providing for safe passage of Confederate troops through Union lines]

Personal copy. "All officers and men of the Confederate service paroled at Appomattox C. Ho. Va. who to reach their homes are compelled to pass through the lines of the Union Armies will be allowed to do so and to pass free on all Government Transports and Military Rail Roads."

GLC09183

11 April 1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Written two days after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomatox Court House. Describes the scene in Richmond a week after its fall. Criticizes Jefferson Davis' for fleeing after he called for the burning of Richmond. Writes that there were half starved children and women in Richmond whose food supplies had been cut off. Reports that the men in blue gave their food to begging children; an act which later reassured Richmonders that "they were among friends instead of enemies." Painter and his company had expected to encounter another struggle for the capitol after leaving Signal Hill, but…

GLC02016.080

9 October 1864 - 21 May 1865

Thomas, Benjamin F., 1831-1918

Diary

Title: [Diary of Benjamin F. Thomas]

Book intended for use as diary for 1864. Earliest entry near back of book for November 1864, then returns to front of book for start of 1865. Last entry is two weeks before Thomas is mustered out. No entries from 27 March 1865 through 9 April 1865. Entries detail troop movement, battles, observations, as well as personal affairs. Discusses Sherman in Carolina and Georgia, Joseph Johnston's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, and operations after Appomattox. Written in pencil. Book was printed by "A. Liebenroth & Von Auw." Black binding. End of diary contains Thomas' financial…

GLC01016.01

1861-1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph manuscript

Title: to unknown

Postscript to an unknown letter, stating that he was not present at Lee's surrender, but was with Sherman when Johnston surrendered.

GLC04195.54

27 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of General Orders No. 18]

Clerically signed by Johnston, General Commanding and signed official by Archer Anderson, Assistant Adjutant General. Announces the terms of the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman on 21 April 1865. States that the men must agree to abide by the laws of the United States and they will be left to return to their homes. Informs that muster rolls will be made up and troops will be marched to their respective states. Ends by stating that recent events in Virginia have made success impossible and Johnston must spare further bloodshed.…

GLC02220.02

August 1862 - April 1864

Lowrie, James Addison, 1843-?

Header Record

Title: Confederate Private, 57th NC, Archive of 51 letters. to mother and brother, some with Confederate patriotics. [Decimalized .01- .52]

Confederate Private, 57th NC, Archive of 51 letters. To Mother and Brother, some with Confederate patriotics. Fought the Army of Northern Virginia from Fredericksburg to Mine Run, Drewery's Bluff, Cold Harbor and around Appomattox. Wounded at Fredericksburg and Meyers Cave, lost a leg.

GLC08300

15 April 1865

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant & E.M. Stanton

Writes to General Grant and Secretary of War Stanton to report on his correspondence with General Johnston to arrange terms of surrender at Durham Station, North Carolina. He writes that he will accept the same terms that Grant gave Lee at Appomattox, "and be careful not to complicate any points of civil authority." Sherman also reports meeting with ex-North Carolina Governor William A. Graham, John Moore, William W. Holden, and a Mr. Badger, who all "agree that the war is over." Copies of two pieces of correspondence with Johnston are attached. The first letter is from Johnston and dated…

GLC04545.01

16 April 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Wooston and Maria Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his parents in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Reports that they broke camp in front of Petersburg on 28 March, forced the Confederate forces out of Petersburg, and chased them within 18 or 20 miles of Lynchburg. Writes about the last day of the Appomattox campaign, "...Sheridan got around them and when Lee went to move on the morning of Aprile the 9th he came against our skirmishd line to his surprise and here ended his career he fought desperately that morning we got there just after it had ended..." Informs that…

GLC03523.26.08

16 April 1866

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Major General Meade informs McParlin that he has complied with his request for a recommendation (see GLC02649.30): "I think if any medical officers are entitled to the Brevet of Brig Genl it [is] these who like yourself stuck it out in the field and although whilst in the field I thought two brevets a fair proportion for my staff officers - I did not dream that these out of the field were going to get more and I consider it my duty to modify my recommendations as I have in your own case...I often think of our last campaign and how skillfully you treated me. I shall never forget the…

GLC02649.29