1 October 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: [Leaflet encouraging women to contribute their patriotic efforts to the Civil War as members of the United States Sanitary Commission]

Includes a statement issued by Frederick Law Olmstead, Secretary of the Commission, encouraging patriotic donations. Contains a letter from Lincoln stating that "The Sanitary Commission is doing a work of great humanity." Includes a statement issued by directors of the Commission (including Commission President Henry W. Bellows) to the women of America describing the organization as "a volunteer and unpaid bureau of the War Department of the government." Bellows encourages the formation of more benevolent societies in the United States created to collect items for military donation.…

GLC00700

August 4, 1863

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable wounds, and have never left my command for a single hour (Except once when my left arm was badly shattered) to devote even one moment to my own private affairs, or like many that you and I could name, parade ... around Washington to make political capital and ensure promotion." Discussing his opinions on current policy, he states that "Patriotism…

GLC00673

May 1861

Maslin, Thomas, 1808-1878

Broadside

Title: To the People of Hardy County.

Created by Hardy County, Virginia, citizens and officials including S. H. Alexander, J. W. F. Allen, George Fisher, A. A. Inskeep, Samuel McMechen, George McNeill, John C. B. Mullin, A. H. Scott, Alfred Taylor, Joseph Vanmeter, William C. Vanmeter, F. B. Welton, and Edward Williams. Preceding the 23 May 1861 Virginia County state vote for secession, creators of this broadside inform residents: "You may not sympathize with the secession movement, yet we are in the midst of a Revolution, and the only true position of a Virginia patriot, is to cast his vote in such a mode as will secure the…

GLC00724

May 29, 1811

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Law

Robert Fulton, writing to economist Thomas Law, discusses steamboats, Benjamin Latrobe, and a "western Canal," and attacks John Armstrong for his criticism of Joel Barlow, Fulton, the Smiths, the Clintons, and Fulwar Skipwith. With integral address leaf. Fulton begins by lamenting the difficulty in hiring captains, presumably for his growing steamboat business: "I have taken much pains to find a captain with the qualifications you mention Honesty, activity, intelligence and capital, all such and whom we call smart fellows appear to be already engaged in some established trade." He goes on to…

GLC01067

8 October 1862

Hurlbut, Stephen A., 1815-1882

Broadside

Title: General orders, no. 112

Praises his men, the "Fighting Fourth" Division of the Army of the Tennessee, for their actions after the battle of Corinth. Hurlbut's men arrived after the Confederate assault on the city had been repulsed, but he praises their actions against the retreating Confederates. "When at last our victorious flag shall float over the national domain reconquered and united...you shall recite...how you swept the rebel hosts, with every advantage of position across the Hatchie." Also informs his men that he has been promoted and will no longer command them, but says "whatever I may have of military…

GLC01017

1859-1921

Beach, Elias William, 1841-1921

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Elias W. Beach] [decimalized]

Contains documents related to Beach, who served in Company F of the 50th regiment, New York engineers. Includes 16 autograph letters or autograph notes signed, 8 autographs from military notables, a land contract, a typed genealogical document related to the Beach family, a society medal, a photograph, a hand-drawn plan of a military camp, and an empty photograph album. Contains one envelope, previously numbered .24, addressed to Elias W. Beach from Bryant's Business College. Touches on patriotism during the war (GLC00919.25.17-.19) as well as African Americans in Chester, Ohio (GLC00919.…

GLC00919.25

1840

Broadside

Title: Columbia, Land of Liberty

Sheet music for the song "Columbia, Land of Liberty." Provides the musical score and three verses of lyrics.

GLC01450.704

June 29, 1812

Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher P. Bellinger

Near the beginning of the War of 1812, Brown advises Colonel Bellinger that they should be more prepared before they attack the vessels Bellinger mentioned previously. Concludes with an exhortation: "Let us do my dear Coll. what our Country expects of us - be prepard [sic] to defend our Country at any moment."

GLC01450.718.08

January 10, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that he hoped he would receive news that Knox had gotten the promotion he deserved, but was disappointed to find that Congress had decided not to consider it at present. Comments, "However disagreeable it would be for an officer in your station to quit the army, especially at a juncture so promising as the present, yet I am to well persuaded of your inflexibility in a resolution taken upon the clearest grounds, that I look on your resignation as a certain consequence, Should they refuse or unnecessarily delay to comply with the reasonable expectations of yourself and friends." Adds…

GLC02437.01331

21 December 1789

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his troubles concerning his family estate. Says that financial difficulties will prevent him from settling in the Western Country. Discusses his financial ruin, stating, "in a word, I must look to my Country, a Country that I neither spared property, Labour or attention to support, when in my power but on the contrary, the confidence I placed was my ruin - I do not reflect on myself or my Country - I was happy in sinking or swimming with them..." Asks Knox to assist him in obtaining a position in the Customs Office.

GLC02437.04446

October 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to unknown

Relates the concerns of the President, George Washington, regarding the "present hostile state of Europe," and the consequences it may have for the United States. Writes, "It is acknowledged by all who reflect upon the course of human events that a just regard for its own preservation and security, is the primary duty of every independent nation." Believes that the United States is in a good position to defend itself should the need arise. States that though the President does not have legal authority to direct measures of defense, he feels that the respective states should do what they can…

GLC02437.09950

3 May 1863

Donahue, Thomas, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Almira Winchell

Written from the battlefield. Expects the Confederates to withdraw by the next night. Reports that Confederate prisoners are poorly clothed but "are as saucy as ever." Expresses patriotism and confidence in the Union cause and also"[G]reat confidence in fighting Jo. Hooker," (General Joseph Hooker).

GLC04706.02

28 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and captured Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher who was on board. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Recounts what he recently wrote to Lucy Knox about her family and the establishment of a Court of Inquiry to try Tories (see…

GLC02437.00397

19 August 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains how a friend's illness and the difficult times brought on by the Revolutionary War have delayed her writing. Notes how expensive the war has made living and suggests William expand beyond just selling books. Looks toward the future when they can all live in happiness and reaffirms her husbands affection for his brother. Comments on the impending battle in New York and notes that very wealthy men are among the ranks, describing the effort as "a glorious spirit." Indicates that their are 25,000 British forces. Provides information about various acquaintances. She received the…

GLC02437.00422

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for his recent letter. Discusses Lucy Knox's hasty evacuation from New York when British ships were spotted in the Hudson and the unhappiness it caused both Lucy and himself (also see GLC024327.00364). Lucy is distressed but Henry feels he is "not at liberty to attend her as my country calls." Explains that his apprehension was disguised by scolding Lucy for not leaving sooner. Comments that Mrs. Nathanael Greene and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard went with Lucy, and describes Mrs. Pollard as an unfit companion because of "her Melancholy dumpish disposition." If Lucy is unhappy in…

GLC02437.00367

15 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wants Knox to write more frequently to keep him updated on activities in New York. Remarks that "at Last the grand Question of Independence is determined and I hope every true American will support it with his Life and Fortune." Comments on smallpox afflicting the Continental troops and the lack of news about the privateer he discussed in his previous letter (GLC02437.00370). Date of 15 July 1776 from docket. Header of letter only dated July 1776.

GLC02437.00376

22 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Treat Paine

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Paine, Attorney General of Massachusetts. Informs Paine that he instructed General [Robert] Howe, in Philadelphia, to send two men to Boston (Paine requested their presence in Boston to serve as [witnesses]; refer to GLC02437.10128). Offers a stirring declaration regarding independence and the forging of a new nation: "I sincerely reciprocate your congratulations upon the happy termination of a doubtful conflict. The prize is indeed infinitely valuable; and has been obtained with small exertions in proportion to its high worth... There are men in…

GLC02437.10129

4 November 1792

Miranda, Francisco de, 1750-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Declares that "...things are coming to maturity; and the Period advancing when our dear Country America shall become that glorious part of the Globe, that nature intended her to be! and that those Skemes our Patriotism sugested to our minds in our Semposiums at Boston, are not far from being realized." Asks Knox to present his compliments to George Washington, writing, "his benevolence and love of Liberty, will tend allways to promote the hapiness, & be beneficial to mankind."

GLC02437.05691

06 March 1812

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Elbridge Gerry

War preparations, patriotism, and the "...progress of some of the most useful branches of manufacture..."

GLC08031

16 March 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook wants Eliza to come visit him in Alabama. He thinks that even though it is expensive ($200 each way), it will be worth it if the war lasts much longer. He thinks that the war will be over before the year is through and plans to see Eliza in May. He writes, "It is honorable to serve one's country and yet you have almost made me homesick by asking me to come to you. There my heart is and there I would be but for stern [imperative?] duty. I am true and faithful to you in all aspects and let the war last as long as it may as I shall continue." Cook continues with apologies for taking…

GLC02570.21

30 July 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Discusses the rainy weather and knows that things like that are not unusual in the army and should not complain. Has an awakening (Page 4) and apologizes for being unkind and uncaring in the past. Cook promises to change his ways when he comes home. Has put in for a furlough and a transfer and was been rejected twice. Discusses his promotion to colonel and how important it is that he is fighting in the war. Writes, "Let those who prefer civil life with it's present ease and inglorious advantages but as for me enjoy it, but forbid it God that me or any of my blood should ever falter in…

GLC02570.46

16 September 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Shares his distress over being one of the few people left in his family. With his brother Girard paralyzed, Gustave feels he must take his place as the beloved warrior in the family but feels like he would be usurping that position. Tells Eliza she must be a pillar of strength for the family. Wishes to change to a more cheerful subject but goes on to discuss the awful circumstances of the local people and writes, "The sight I see daily, almost hourly, would sicken your tender heart and fill you with compassion for our brave women and old men. Even the children [illegible] to the loss of…

GLC02570.61

22 October 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Has received Eliza's letters those from friends dated as far back as December 1863. Fills her in on where his camp is going and where they have been since his last letter. Can't bear to write any news of the war and instructs Eliza to read the papers. Thinks there is a chance of getting a 90 day furlough that winter but goes on to say that he has a tough decision: "it [would be] best for all that I should stay if I get proper assurances that I can organize the command and be promoted also but unless I get the certainty of raising the Brigade I would not stay for a major General commission……

GLC02570.62

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in…

GLC02437.00199

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular.…

GLC02437.00223