circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: View of a bridge leading into a town, possibly Fredericksburg, Virginia

Image shows a bridge crossing a river into a town set on a hill in the distance. In the foreground are two men dressed in suits, one is wearing a top hat. Graphite inscription on verso "Fredericksburg, Va--I believe" "1.75--" "20." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

GLC05111.02.1331

May 20, 1864

Photograph

Title: War Views. Burial of dead at Fredericksburg, Va

E. & H. T. Anthony, publisher. Negative by Brady & Co. Ground, graves and blankets covering the bodies have been colored. Date from William Frassinito, "Grant And Lee the Virginia Campaigns, 1864-1865" (New York: Macmillian Publishing Co., 1983).

GLC05137.012

21 November 1862- 2 December 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letterbook

Title: [Nine letters (from letterbook) written by General Gustavus Woodson Smith]

Written while Smith was commander of defenses at Richmond (expanded to become the Department of Virginia and North Carolina). Contains a dispatch from Smith to the officer in command of Fredericksburg, Virginia dated 21 November 1862, stating that the Mayor of Fredericksburg telegraphed Smith the news that Fredericksburg is to be shelled the following day. Smith asks if he should send cars for the removal of women and children. Contains a letter from Smith to General William H. C. Whiting at Wilmington, North Carolina (21 November), assuring Whiting that everything practicable will be done…

GLC05469

1863

Pollard, Edward A., 1831-1872

Book

Title: The second year of the war

Written by Pollard, the editor of the "Richmond Examiner," which supported the Confederacy but was hostile to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. First edition copy printed by Charles B. Richardson in New York at 596 Broadway. This book, along with three other companion volumes (see GLC00267.308), is said to comprise the first popular history of the war from the Confederate view. Several portrait illustrations throughout. Pull-out map of the Battle of Fredericksburg is between pages 192 and 193. Looks at the war from the fall of New Orleans to Lee's retreat from Gettysburg. The book…

GLC00267.309

1 October 1861-1864

Herbst, George, fl. 1861-1864

Diary

Title: [Diary of Union soldier, George Herbst] [parts in German]

Autograph manuscript signed. Entitled on the leather boards: "Tagn Luf des Krieges von 1861 bis 1864[.] George Herbst." Contemporary notes appear to date mostly from 1862. Covers all battles in Virginia, the farewell to General George McClellan, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and serenading General Franz Siegel.

GLC02265

18 May 1864

Wainwright, Charles Sheils, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Field dispatch, written at 8 a.m., re battle of Spotsylvania Court House, during main Union assault, which was preceded by heavy artillery bombardment, directed by Hunt. Written at 8 AM. Colonel Wainwright writes to Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. Writes that General Gouverneur K. Warren "insists on a much more rapid firing than I think my supply of rifled ammunition can stand." Notes that General George Gordon Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, informed Warren of the location of a large supply of ammunition. Asks…

GLC02382.031

13 December 1862

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Buel Franklin

Orders written the morning of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Burnside is "this moment preparing orders for you," and tells Franklin to "Make no movement except for defense until they arrive." Also hopes "to be with you this morning." Franklin was in charge of a large portion of the army during this assault. After the bloody Union defeat, accused Franklin of disobeying orders and blamed him for being partly responsible for the Union defeat. Burnside demanded that Lincoln either remove Franklin and a number of other officers or relieve Burnside of his command. Lincoln chose to replace…

GLC02455.02

November 1862-1865

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry] [decimalized]

This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's…

GLC02596

19 December 1862

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gross

Discussing the "terrible battle" of Fredericksburg, which had occurred six days earlier. States that "Our troops behaved well." Also "My old Division true to prestige drove back the enemy and retook the lost ground & held it under Artillery & rifles." Encloses a map (GLC02630.02) of the battle. Reports his "loss was 982 kill & missing," and has now returned to "same camps" as before the battle. Wishes to know if the division he now commands "Sustained Chantilly reputation." This refers to Chantilly, the last battle the division fought under its previous commander, General…

GLC02630.01

19 December 1862

Briscoe, James C., ?-1869

Map signed

Title: Position held by the 1st Divn. 3rd Corps After Having Repulsed the Enemy Decb. 13th 1862

Map sent with a letter written by Union General David B. Birney (see GLC02630.01). Shows the Union position on the battlefield at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Various picket lines, topographical features, and the locations of troops under generals Doubleday, Birney, and Sickles appear. Shows General William B. Franklin's headquarters and pontoon bridges over the Rappahannock River at "The Folly." Fredericksburg is at the far right. Signed by Briscoe as First Lieutenant, acting engineer under Birney. Drawn at a scale of 500 yards to the inch. Date from letter.

GLC02630.02

February 23, 1863

Doubleday, Abner, 1819-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to whom it may concern

Brigadier General Doubleday, commander of the 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, recommends Lieutenant Benjamin J. Marten, Aide-de-Camp, for promotion in his regiment. Notes that Marten has been "with me in the Battles of Gainesville Bull Run South Mountain Antietam and Fredericksburg. He is a brave and capable officer, fearless by nature and ready for any enterprise to which he may be called by the patriotic needs of the day." Written on Headquarters, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac stationery.

GLC02465.08

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

January 30, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

22 December 1862

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

He received the box she sent. Mentions the cold weather and that he has not heard from their brother George for a while. He is not worried though because George's name has not appeared on the list of killed. On patriotic stationery and with a regimental envelope.

GLC03607.06

1 January 1863

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

Signed Bart, but probably H. B. due to location. He discusses George's letter about the Battle of Fredericksburg. Place from post mark on envelope.

GLC03607.07

circa December 1862

Bush, George, fl. 1862

Map

Title: [Map of Fredericksburg]

A fairly complete and accurate map of the Union position at Fredericksburg. Shows federal positions, pontoon bridges, geographic features, roads and houses used as hospitals. The position held by Gibbon's Division is slightly exaggerated.

GLC03607.08

25 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He still does not know about his application but hopes he will soon hear the results. He is unsure about when he will be home and for how long he will stay. Admits to not knowing what to write since he has not heard word from home. He writes "the city is agitated in relation to Fredericksburg." He describes Nannie Pendleton (evidently a cousin) as a "sweet & smart girl." He asks about the condition of his horse and rifle and if the dress for Liz and the handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy were well received. He mentions that Gen. Haymond does not want him to leave the city and will try to find…

GLC06582.55

27 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He is worried because his wife has not written. Thus he thinks she is sick or has been offended by his letters, and so asks her to write back. He informs her of the Yankees' position. He tells her "they have evacuated Manassas, Warrenton & all the country north & west of Falmonth," and are now at Fredsburg or "opposite to it." There, he writes, the Yankees will probably "go to Suffolk & attempt a movement from that place." However, he assures her that the army is not worried and is ready for Lee in front with his great army, able & willing to meet & repulse them." In…

GLC06582.56

3 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received her letter and is very thankful. He also mentions that he bought her several hairpins "and any other little articles I think you may need." He tells her of his departure which will be between the 16th and 20th, and explains that he is "now exempt from military service, being a Notary Public", and so will soon see her. He also mentions that he is worried because as " the weather grows winterish day by day," the poor will suffer more and more for they have nowhere to go and the wood is "at 18 & 20 dollars per cord." He also describes the Yankees' position. He…

GLC06582.57

15 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Since Uncle Jack will be going back up, George has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to write and send her this letter. He mentions that he has not heard from home since Jack left but expects that she has written to him. He writes that he will probably see her on Friday or Saturday. He says he has to wait for Col. Deas to get back from watching the enemy at "Fredsburg" to collect one hundred dollars. He comments that Fredricksburg is supposedly annihilated by the war with "hardly a house standing, uninjured, and a good portion of the town destroyed." Many people are living in tents…

GLC06582.61

29 December 1862

Austin, J.J., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard H. Jackson

He mentions a letter from Charlie that describes a battle in Fredericksburg. He insists that Richard would like country life if he had not only experienced the hardships.

GLC07705.331

December 21, 1862

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul hopes his wife recovers from her illness and asks her not to work out of the house for another woman. He explains to her that he fought in a battle and was glad that they escaped across the river rather than continue to fight. He describes the Rebel's superior position, and believes the battle was mismanaged. Paul refers to a letter with more particulars of the battle, but this letter does not appear to be in the collection. Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC03058.03

1 May 1864

Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge predicts the movement of the troops of Generals Hooker and Burnside and believes they will eventually meet near Chancellorsville. He also reminisces about the battle of Fredericksburg [December 13, 1862] and believes that their newest general, Grant, "would sacrafise every man for the sake of giting a big name."

GLC02162.07

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

27 November 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He talks about the the threat of destruction toward Fredricksburg unless the Rebels surrender it but as of yet the city is left untouched. he mentions Mr. Whitaker.

GLC07705.116