21 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Jay

Later copy of GLC02437.01253. Indicates that French ships are about to dispatch with official accounts of the Battle of Yorktown. Knox feels he should tell Jay what has occurred because an official account from Congress may not be immediately forthcoming. Although the British had less forces in America than in 1776 or 1777, the Continental Army was compelled to attack Yorktown or consider the southern states lost. The Comte de Grasse was of similar opinion, and plans to attack New York were abandoned in favor of a siege of Yorktown. A detailed, chronological explanation of the Allied…

GLC02437.01254

2 April 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point Hospital, City Point, Virginia. Discusses helping to care for the wounded soldiers after a brief illness: "...I am very grateful that I was afflicted in that way. I think it is a great deal better than to have a bullet put through you..." Makes reference to the taking of Petersburg and the possible surrender of the South. Gives advice regarding one of their sick children, the children's schooling and management of household chores. Describes food rations. The letter is slightly faded, especially at the creases. On letterhead of the "United States…

GLC03523.06.05

26 May 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from Camp Shiloh. States they have nothing to do, but expects to meet the Rebels in a few days. Mentions that 30 Rebels surrender every day. Complains that the apples she sent him did not arrive, but all her letters do. Informs her he sent her a letter with a gold dollar in it. Envelope includes patriotic imagery.

GLC03523.03.07

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

15 May 1865

Howe, John T., fl. 1836-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Heber Painter

Explains why he was unable to respond sooner to Painter's letter. He is overjoyed that the war has finally ended. Briefly discusses his feelings on Sherman allowing Johnson's army to return to their homes with their arms. Wishes good health to Painter. The letter is written on U.S. Christian Commission letterhead.

GLC02016.098

30 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He write that he is now on the right wing not far from the Atlanta, Georgia railroad. Reports that during the night as they were moving they were attacked by Confederates who were severely "whipped for their tenacity that they may stick to Atlanta." He has heard reports that if the main Confederate Army cannot hold Atlanta the Georgia militia will surrender. According to the papers from Illinois Atlanta has been captured by the Union which is not true but they will soon be in possession of it. Last night the rebels attacked and were repulsed suffering heavy casualties. His division was order…

GLC07460.091

4 October 1864 - 11 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He is writing despite the fact that no mail has been coming in or out because the rebels have cut their line of communication. There are various reports as to the location of Confederate General Joseph Bell Hood's army. He assumes it is in their rear, however, a Union army is advancing upon the rear of the Confederates. The entire Union army, except the 20th Corps. left behind in Atlanta, Georgia, is turning to meet General Hood. The rest of the brigade has left Atlanta and have returned to camp. The Union General William T. Sherman is…

GLC07460.102

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

8 January 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Notes that he has not informed their mother and father about their brother Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, who had been captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown (see GLC03676.05). Discusses a possibly scandal involving Ralph and his effort to clear his name. Comments on investigating information in a newspaper article (and getting it retracted) and asking one of George Germain's clerks for information, who told him that they had received a complaint about Ralph and were investigating. He also wrote Commodore Symmond who expressed sympathy with David's effort, but could not help…

GLC02549.20

19 April 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their brother Ralph's difficulty getting an advancement in the Navy and his plans to move. On events in America, he writes: "When a General abides the consequence of a Storm, He should resolve either to beat off his Enemies or die in the attempt. but when the success is desperate, it is more prudent to treat in time. had that been done when the News of Ld. Cornwallis's defeat arrived, He would have been in a different Situation now." Also notes the unlikelihood of peace with the Dutch. Gives a message for their father.

GLC02549.22

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 October 1777 circa

Manuscript document

Title: Prisoners

List of prisoners and ordnance taken by the Northern army in the course of the campaign up to and including Burgoyne's surrender. Counts 5,740 prisoners plus General Burgoyne and 12 members of his staff, including six members of parliament. Lists killed, wounded and deserters too. General John Burgoyne's expedition from Canada was defeated on 17 October 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne's surrender was the greatest victory for the Americans so far in the war, and an important turning point. Most likely written at or near Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered.

GLC07115.02

16 April 1865

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He describes the surrender of Raleigh and the request for protection from looters. "The men here with few exceptions are anxious to come back into the Union; but as usual the majority of the ladies are rebellious, of course." He is optimistic of Union triumph. He describes Sherman's meeting with Johnston, and Lincoln's assassination. A postscript announces Johnston's surrender and Davis's surrender of the entire Confederacy, while Sherman wants to ratify the sanction in Washington. "The telegram announcing the assassination of the President was recvd. …The soldiers of the Army were in…

GLC04195.31

26 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of supplement terms to the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston to General William T. Sherman at Greensboro, North Carolina]

Clerically signed by Johnston, General Commanding Confederate State forces North Carolina, and James M. Schofield, Major General Commanding United States forces North Carolina. Marked "Military Convention of April 26, 1865, Supplemental Terms." Lists five additional terms to the surrender agreement.

GLC02220.01

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

27 April 1865

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

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of Special Orders No. 15]

By order of Major General Sherman, clerically signed by L. M. Dayton, Assistant Adjutant General. Announces the cessation of hostilities and the final surrender agreement with Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Gives instructions on carrying out the surrender terms. Stresses carrying out orders uniformly in order to restore friendships with fellow citizens. Calls for an end to foraging. Also includes a draft copy of a circular dated 28 April 1865 by command of General Sherman signed clerically by Archer Anderson as Assistant Adjutant General. Orders commanders to send four fifths…

GLC02220.03

2 May 1865

Broadside

Title: Herald Extra. Farewell Address of General Joseph E. Johnston.

Reprints Johnston's farewell to the troops of the Army of Tennessee following his surrender to Union General William T. Sherman. Advises his troops to obey the surrender terms. Thanks the men for their devotion and wishes them prosperity and happiness. With an article on the side praising Johnston and another titled, "Our Returned Soldiers," welcoming them home.

GLC02220.04

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

1 July 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Maitland writes to Bell from camp outside La Grange. Complains of very dry, hot weather and dusty roads. Writes, "I dont think I ever suffered as much in my life with the heat as I have within the past week." Expresses concern over her lack of letters to him and asks if she has forgotten him. Mentions its been a year since the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi, but still no end to the war in sight. Writes "If General [Ulysses] Grant could only succeed in taking Richmond...." Reminds her his service will de done in little over a year and imagines what it will be like to come home. Reports…

GLC03523.10.127

24 October 1781

Castellane Majastre, Henri César, marquis de, ?-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

French commander's description of the victory at Yorktown, surrender of Cornwallis' army

GLC08100

27 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: General Orders # 18

General orders #18, announcing terms of his surrender to Sherman: "sparing the blood of this gallant army and saving our country from further devastation": clerical copy, made in the field, signed by WD Gale

GLC08108

04 May 1865

Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906

Autograph document signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

Eight days after Johnston's surrender regarding situation in North Carolina. "Concluded satisfactorily all details with Genl Johnston." General James Wilson "had disregarded the order to resume hostilities it being of an earlier date than yours..."

GLC08110.01

04 May 1865

Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Halleck

Two telegrams on one page "A number of officers and men of both Lee's and Johnston's armies whose homes are in the Western states desire to press through the Northern states...can they be permitted to do so?"

GLC08110.02

12 August 1863

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 17, no. 130 (August 12, 1863)]

News of surrender of Mexico and occupation by French troops, Maximilian proposed as candidate for the crown of Mexico.

GLC05959.72.034