20 September 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

describes the life of a soldier: sleeping in the rain, changing landscapes, the food, etc.

GLC02618.008

15 October 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He writes that he received the blanket and requests his shoes and suspenders. He will send his pistol along with some money home. Written at Camp Masked Battery

GLC02618.009

14 November 1864

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

a visit from his mother, the request of writing paper and envelopes, report of conversation with Confederate soldier who, after being taken prisoner at Vicksburg, joined the Union Army; also includes a brief reply to his sister's letter. Written on Hart Island

GLC02180.09

ca. 1860-1870

Alberger, William C., 1837-1925

Scrapbook

Title: [Loose Page from Scrapbook of William C. Alberger]

Page contains: Unknown. Map: s. l., Topographical map of Virginia between Washington and Manassas Junction. No date. 1 p. Includes an image of Washington, D. C., with the capital building in the foreground. Depicts Virginia and the western corner of Maryland, including United States encampments, roads, rail lines, rivers, and other topographical features. A smaller image consists of a military map of Virginia and parts of Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, and Delaware. The military map includes some topographical features and notes where battles took place. (27.5 x 20 cm.) Kenyon, D.…

GLC06628.03

8 July 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Received a letter from him and a letter from Mother yesterday. July 4th was a pretty quiet day, "hardly a gun fired all day." No July 4th could surpass that of last year when Vicksburg fell. Is back with the company he first came out with. General Wright is his new commander, but "we don't have half the confidence in him we did in the one we lost." Weather is very warm and it has not rained in a long time. Went to see Eddy Wright right before his corps crossed the James River. Was on guard all night last night near regiment headquarters. Must try and answer his mother's letter too. Wishes he…

GLC09355.078

28 May 1863

Kellogg, James H., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

He is getting news about Vicksburgh and he hopes the victory there won't be confined to Vicksburgh. David English has left Murfreesboro and was sent to a hospital in Detroit. He is getting better.

GLC02415.029

13 July 1863

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

Vicksburg surrendered. Very, very faded.

GLC02172.71

16 July 1863

Smith, James, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Smith, Governor of Rhode Island, informs President Lincoln that "the first notice which Captain Ethan A. Jenks received of the commission on the charge made against him was the order dismissing him from Service, while on duty at the Siege of Vicksburg, and also that the charge is untrue."

GLC02750.054

1861-1877

Jenks, Ethan A., fl. 1825-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the United States Senate and House of Representatives

Jenks' statement claiming he was unaware of the order dismissing him from military service until he received the order in the field during the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi

GLC02750.069

1864

Chappel, Alonzo, 1828-1887

Engraving

Title: Seige of Vicksburg

One engraving entitled "Seige of Vicksburg" dated 1864. Depicts Union forces during the Battle of Vicksburg, May 18-July 4, 1863. At the bottom of the image Union soliders rest under cover of a small shelter, above them soliders continue to fire upon Vicksburg. Engraved from the original painting by Alonzo Chappel in possession of the publishers at time of engraving. Engraver unknown.

GLC08878.0161

February 6, 1863

Gates, George, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Morris Surry

Union soldier reports on his capture as a spy, his escape, and fighting at Vicksburg, with a hand drawn map of the surrounding area. "I was taken prisoner near Jackson...ase a spie...I bribed a rebel Capt that youst to live in Chicago and got a sute of thayer clothes and the countersigne so that it enabled me to get out of thauer Pickets and I walked Ten miles and come to our Pickets... reported to Gen Sherman and he told me I had better lay still for a month or so and he wase a gayen to comence the assault in the morning and so I told him I would report to my Co and I have been with them…

GLC08988

1863

Cook, Henry, fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: 1863 Diary

Henry Cook describes his life in camp, including his reading and other pasttimes, day trips into cities, soldiers' pay, food, and signal corps duty. He also writes of the movements of the signal corps and of his regiment (9th NJ Volunteers) in considerable detail, including information about the officers and about any skirmishes they encountered. He mentions battles at New Bern, Fort McAlister, Fort Jackson, Little Washington, Chancellorsville, Jackson, Miss., Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, and Tarborough by name. He refers to African Americans on several occasions, including the…

GLC03958.02

30 September 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Traveling to Bridgeport; disrupted communication with Nashville due to Confederate cavalry; Lincoln/McClellan election; private apology to his wife; surrender of Vicksburg; Lee's retreat.

GLC02739.134

9 June 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Writes of being by-passed for promotion and mentions talk of promotions being bought from the captain whom he describes as "very young... a little under 21 years old,... on the whole rather good looking, but... fopish, showey, conceited, and vain[;] [he] understands tactics and military movements very well... and has a good voice for giveing commands for which the boys all like him...." Mentions that this same captain has been courtmartialed twice for unknown offenses. Asks about news of a family friend at Port Hudson and "Vixburgh." Sends ten dollars.

GLC04558.097

January 30, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

February 21, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

6 June 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Requests that his sister tell their father to do what he thinks is best with the money that he sent home. Writes that he should be able to send more money after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Speaks of a friend being well and as fat as a pig. Mentions that he is also still fat but does not know how much he weighs. Comments that the plums are ripe right now and the peaches are almost ready. Writes that it is very warm there and that it barely rains now. Reports that they are digging rifle pits and making forts. Says that some of the rifle pits are close enough to the enemy where…

GLC03523.32.15

11 July 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Reports that they entered Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th. Describes conquering and entering Vicksburg, Mississippi as being the most glorious fourth he ever had. Reports that 30 to 40 thousand men surrendered and were taken prisoner. Remarks on the layout of Vicksburg, Mississippi and says that is made up of nothing but gulfs and levies. Comments that they are now busy fortifying and performing guard duty. Notes that they have to be on guard duty every other day and sometimes daily. Writes of a man named Burnsam being a scamp and wishes that he would have to…

GLC03523.32.17

25 May 1863

Breese, Kidder Randolph, 1831-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eugene Mack

During the Vicksburg bombardment, the Union naval commander on board the flagship Black Hawk sends urgent orders to gunner Eugene Mack. "The bearer of this brings fifty men detailed to work the mortars. Man as many as possible with them and relieve our men. Let one of the old mortar men attend on each boat until these Soldiers are sufficiently instructed to work them.... I want as many of our men sent back as can be spared as it will take all our force to keep the mortars supplied with ammunition.... All the iron mortar boats will be sent down as fast as possible and they are to be put in…

GLC09334

1863

Barr & Young (photographer)

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte-de-visite of Jasper Maltby]

Signed as Brig Genl / U.S.V. CDV, Barr & Young, Vicksburg imprint. After the fall of Vicksburg, on July 4, 1863, Maltby's 45th Illinois earned the honor of hoisting their colors over the city.

GLC09347

1862-1864

Hess, Luther M., fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of Luther Martin Hess]

Diary of soldier in 93rd Illinois Infantry, Co. G. Took part in Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta campaigns, and Sherman's "March to the Sea." Vivid writing throughout, some daily, some retrospectively. Confronted with the prospect of death during the Vicksburg campaign, Hess writes, "I trust in God that he will not permit me to be slain by the enemy which is now before us, my daily prayer is for Gods power to be with me." Also includes 3 coll. pages.

GLC09353

16 July 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

He was upset with his sister but has decided to write to her despite of it. Referring to why he was upset, he writes that he had not intended to be engaged and that "in love making you may either naturally run into an engagement or are led into it." Describes a difficult march from Shelbyville and complains that they haven't had tents for a long time. Informs her that he has caught a cold, the first one since enlisting and continues to have headaches, slight fever, and achy limbs. Writes that there is little chance for furlough and that the ladies should think about making a trip to Dixie…

GLC02232.19

9 October 1862 - 2 August 1863

Baker, T. Otis, 1844-1910

Diary

Title: [Diary of T. Otis Baker, B company, 10th regiment, Mississippi, infantry]

Lieutenant T. Otis Baker served in Co. B, 10th Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A. The diary covers 9 October 1862-2 August 1863. The diary includes descriptions of regiment's progress and moves, descriptions of various battles (including Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and Port Hudson), and information about camp life and food rations. He discusses Northern and Southern war politics, including the Emancipation Proclamation and draft riots. The diary also includes discussions of virtues, religion, and self-improvement. It is primarily written in pencil and has some touch-ups.

GLC03134.01

1 September 1862- 17 June 1863

Pope, Albert, fl. 1861-1864

Diary

Title: Journal of the Southern campaign 1862-1863

GLC06266.01.01

1 September 1863- 13 June 1864

Pope, Albert, fl. 1861-1864

Diary

Title: Journal of the Southern campaign 1863-1864

GLC06266.01.02