12 March 1863

Howard, Richard L., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother [George]

Written to "Geo" or "Gro." Howard, Chaplain of the 124th Illinois Infantry, writes as the Union organized operations against Vicksburg, Mississippi. Discusses mutual acquaintances, family, and his recent sickness. Describes Lake Providence, including a nearby plantation. Mentions divisions led by Generals John Alexander Logan and John McArthur. Mentions Bayou Baxter, extending from Lake Providence, Colonel Josiah W. Bissell's Engineering Corps, the Yazoo Pass, and General Isaac Ferdinand Quinby's reinforcement of General Leonard Fulton Ross. Relates that he was previously stationed at…

GLC06382.01

circa 12 July 1863

Howard, Richard L., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Grover and Bird

Howard, Chaplain of the 124th Illinois Infantry, writes an enormous and colorful letter on a Confederate muster sheet he refers to as "a secesh sheet." One on side, writes to Brother Grover. Mentions Clara. Writing after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi, states "It is our harvest time...The great sheaf-gathering time of the Army under Grant." Recently received official news of the Union defeat of Port Hudson, Louisiana. Recalls his joy on the fourth (4 July 1863, when Vicksburg fell). Describes in detail the aftermath of the siege of Vicksburg, commenting on the holes where Confederates…

GLC06382.02

4 July 1863

Howard, Richard L., fl. 1863

Map

Title: [Map of the front view of Vicksburg]

Howard, Chaplain of the 124th Illinois Infantry, depicts Vicksburg, Mississippi and the surrounding area in black and red ink. Illustrates the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers, a cottonwood forest, the Vicksburg and Texas Railroad line (destroyed), Haines' Bluff, a bridge built by General Willian T. Sherman's troops, the site of General John Alexander McClernand's headquarters, and the location of Vicksburg's court house, among other features. Includes some distance, elevation, and depth designations.

GLC06382.03

8 March 1863

Quinby, Isaac F., 1821-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Fulton Ross

General Quinby, Commander of the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes from the steamer Superior. Encloses an extract from a letter (not included) in which General Ulysses S. Grant informs General James Birdseye McPherson of "his general plan of operations for the reduction of Vicksburg." Relates that Grant attaches great importance to Ross's movement down the Yazoo River. Informs Ross "We cannot afford to fail, but must move surely, even though it be slowly, towards the proposed end. The enemy doubtless knows of your progress, and has guessed your object before…

GLC06462

29 May 1853

Atchison, David Rice, 1807-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Page one consists of a letter from Atchison, a United States Senator from Missouri, introducing Judge Samuel Treat of St. Louis to Davis, Secretary of War. Describes Treat as "a politician of the Nullification, Secession, & High Treason School, to which I belong, he understands the true position of parties and men in this State." Pages two and three consist of a 13 July 1863 letter from J. F. Allison, an infantryman from Illinois, to his parents. Allison discusses the surrenders of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Port Hudson, Louisiana. Describes witnessing Confederate General John C.…

GLC06569

2 January 1863

Broadside

Title: The Courier. [January 2, 1863]

Evening edition. Latest news from Vicksburg. "Heavy skirmishing -- A general engagement soon expected." Printed on small onlong piece of necessity paper 2 days before surrender of Vicksburg, 4 days before surrender of Port Hudson.

GLC06874

circa 1863

Sketch

Title: Pencil sketches related to the Mississippi River near Vicksburg [Decimalized .01-.03]

Includes three pencil sketches, one created by Evelyn Kelsey aboard a Mississippi steamer. Accompanied by the original backing for each sketch. Backing consists of newspaper articles attached to Civil War military documents including lists of soldiers' names.

GLC05555

April 22, 1863

Hannery, John F., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to a friend

Discusses the Vicksburg campaign, the assault on Fort Pemberton, and burials. Also mentions the fleet running past Vicksburg.

GLC00434.05

04 July 1863

McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864

Printed document

Title: [General orders number 20, congratulating soldiers for their performance in the Battle of Vicksburg]

McPherson, Commander of the 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, declares: "With tireless energy, with sleepless vigilance, by night and by day, with battery and with rifle pit, with trench and mine, you made your sure approaches, until overcome by fatigue, and driven to despair in the attempt to oppose your irresistible progress, the whole garrison of over thirty thousand men with all their arms and munitions of war, have, on this, the anniversary of our NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE surrendered to the invincible troops of the ARMY of the TENNESSEE."

GLC00267.286

5 July 1863

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

Manuscript document

Title: [General orders regarding military strategy after the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi]

Instructs the 13th, 15th, and 9th Army Corp in the route each should take to reach Clinton in an attempt to capture Confederate forces retreating from Vicksburg. Sherman orders, "All commanders will hold their troops in perfect order for Battle at all times, and on encountering the enemy will engage him at once." Warns against pillage and plunder. "the people of the country should be protected as far as possible against the cruel and wanton acts of irresponsible parties." Docketed on top of first page, "Original Orders - found near Clinton [Miss.] on the 8th of July, 1863" Written from…

GLC02412

June 5, 1864

Kirby-Smith, Edmund, 1824-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

General Smith writes to Davis, Confederate President. Relates that General Walker (possibly William Henry Talbot Walker) was informed by General Thomas Neville Waul that Davis attributes him (Walker) with the failure to assist in the relief of Vicksburg. Writes "It is but justice to a gallant & efficient officer that this impression should be removed.- The blame, if it rests anywhere, is with myself & Genl Taylor, the Depart & District Commanders." Relates that while marching from Arkansas to Alexandria, Virginia, Walker had asked for permission to act with his Division against…

GLC01707

29 February 1864

McArthur, John, 1826-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James B. McPherson

Discusses military movements and communications. Notes "all is quiet in Vicksburg."

GLC02458.10

1837-1908

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Header Record

Title: Robert H. Stafford Collection [Decimalized .01- .98]

Stafford enlisted as a sergeant in the 12th Alabama infantry. Contains letters and newsclippings about the Peninsula Campaign, advance into Maryland, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Preliminary inventory included.

GLC02618

4 July 1863

Harding, William W., 1830-1889

Newspaper

Title: The Philadelphia inquirer

Contains a map depicting events of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, along with various reports on the battle, which took place 1-3 July 1863, ending with a Union victory. Includes reports on the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which had continued through May and June of 1863, finishing 4 July 1863 with a Union victory. Reports on various Civil War generals and events. Also contains a map entitled "Carlisle, Pa. Bombarded by the Rebels, July 1st."

GLC08451

1 September 1863

Graham, Harvey, 1827-?

Document signed

Title: to General John Alexander McClernand

Written from Benton Barracks, then on the outskirts of St. Louis. Graham, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 22nd Iowa Infantry Regiment, recalls events that took place 22 May during Union operations against Vicksburg, Mississippi. Relates that he had been on the right of Michael Kelly Lawler's Brigade, and that together they led an advance against the city. Writes "It is my firm conviction and belief, that had the 13th Army Corps been reinforced by a few brigades, thus enabling you to send support to the front, the success of your command would have been complete. As it was, success was achieved…

GLC08458.01

1888

Kurz & Allison

Print

Title: Siege of Vicksburg

Depicts the 13th, 15th, and 17th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, during the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Mississippi River serves as background. Notes that Grant was assisted by Admiral David Dixon Porter. Copyrighted by Kurz and Allison in 1888.

GLC08458.02

13 June 1863

Clapp, James, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leicy M. Clapp

Clapp, a Union soldier, writes from camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi, to his cousin in Franklin Mills, Portage County, Ohio. Describes the battle of Vicksburg to Miss Clapp, stating that the city is surrounded, and that there are gunboats in the Mississippi River. Writes "the rebels agreed to surrender if we wold let three men go that is in there but Gen Grant says he is a going to have the whole of them..." Reports that Confederate soldiers in the city "have nothing to eat but ground peas and a little cow meat i think they will get sick of it bfore long but they are gritty dogs..."…

GLC08508

11 July 1862

Newspaper

Title: Tri-weekly telegraph [bombardment of Vicksburg, T.J. Jackson's Valley campaign]

GLC08732

3 January 1863

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Newspaper

Title: New-York daily tribune. [Vol. 22, no. 6786 (January 3, 1863)]

Prints the Emancipation proclamation on page four. This is among the early printings of the Proclamation in a newspaper. Other news includes the Battle of Murfreesboro with map, attack on Vicksburg, and other Civil War news. Includes article on U.S. relations with Mexico.

GLC08748.03

25 April 1863

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

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to John Aaron Rawlins

Written at Smith's Plantation, Headquarters of the Department of the Tennessee, to Colonel Rawlins, General Grant's aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant. J. H. [Hewit?], possibly a Secretary of the United States Volunteers, states "it is a matter of the greatest importance that means of transportation for the sick and wounded and hospital supplies should be provided..." Requests that he may contact Confederate medical personnel at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in order to obtain permission for the floating Union hospitals and supply boat to keep their batteries. Writes "I respectfully submit that…

GLC00255.03

May 22, 1863

Ransom, Thomas Edwin Greenfield, 1834-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Birdseye McPherson

Ransom, commander of the 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, 17th Corps, writes from "50 Rods from Enemies Works" to McPherson, commander of the 17th Corps during the Battle of Vicksburg. Writes "am holding position but suffering awfully... terrible loss- stop that gun for God sake... I cannot get the move forward until that damn gun on the left is silenced- My loss is heavy- I have done all man can do to get over the works..." Mentions that Colonels Nevins and Humphreys were killed. Written in pencil. Location inferred from content.

GLC00538

March 29, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

The letter discusses false reports of the Siege of Vicksburg. "I fear --in fact, I believe--the dispatch you mentioned is utter humbuggery...."

GLC00639.20

August 23, 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick T. Dent

Written, most likely, to his brother-in-law, Frederick Dent. Replying to Dent's letter. Describes his feelings after capturing Vicksburg. States that he "wanted a little vacation" and that Julia, his wife, has to go to St. Louis. Comments that "[t]he health of my command is remarkably good considering all they have gone through" and responds to Dent's request for a position in the Army saying that "My staff is entirely filled up so there would be now place except as addition Aid and I do not suppose you would like such a position." Postscript states that he will apply for Dent to be assigned…

GLC00597

May 13, 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Bruce Seddon

Confederate Secretary of War Seddon writes to his wife about the Civil War and the Battle of Vicksburg. He states "I am in the greatest anxiety about Vicksburg- The Yankees I fear have taken Jackson- At last accounts they were only a few miles from it and our forces retiring- Vicksburg is cut off..." He mentions General Johnson (possibly General Joseph E. Johnston), commanding Confederate forces at Jackson, Mississippi with General John Gregg. He transmits a "Yankee paper" (not included).

GLC00542

05 November 1862 - 09 July 1865

Winegar, Daniel G., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of Daniel G. Winegar, B company, 95th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .001-.189]

This collection consists exclusively of correspondence from Daniel G. Winegar, to his wife Elvira in Belvidere, Ill. Winegar enlisted as a private in August 1862, and was mustered into Co. "B" of the 95th Illinois infantry in September of that year. As these letters indicate, his service took him to Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, with the largest concentration being in Vicksburg. These letters bear witness to the siege of that city, as well as the Battle of Franklin, and capture of Mobile. The letter dated 2 May 1865 mentions the official announcement of Lincoln's assassination. In…

GLC01014