1864

United States. Congress (38th, 1st session : 1864)

Book

Title: [House report no. 65 regarding the Fort Pillow massacre and no. 67 regarding returned prisoners of war]

Contains a full report of the April 1864 battle at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, based on an investigation of the battle itself, as well as the operations of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest "and his command immediately preceding and subsequent to that horrible transaction." Includes testimony from soldiers present at the battle, who witnessed Forrest's violations of the conduct of war, including shooting unarmed Union troops following their surrender. Contains the testimony of Lieutenant Mack J. Leaming, who wrote a detailed account of the events of Fort Pillow in 1893 (refer to…

GLC05080.06

[15 November 1817]

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund Bacon

Discusses his thoughts on compound interest, which he believes is unjust. Encloses an order for interest of $145.18 due on 31 December. Gives instructions on making and delivering cider from apples from the North orchard of Monticello. Letter is undated. Date is from seller's records. Signed at the top with initials, Th: J.

GLC05088

February 1864

O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882

Photograph

Title: Commissary Department, Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac. [February 1864]

Negative by Timothy O'Sullivan. From Gardner's "Phot. Sketchbook of the Civil War," plate "No. 61" with text accompanying panel. Shows a group of soldiers standing outside two log cabins. The cabins logs run vertically, instead of horizontally and the cabins are roofed with tents. The chimney jutting out from in back of the cabin on the right is made up of logs. In front of the entrance to the cabin on the right, a butcher holds a saw as he cuts through a slab of meat.

GLC05111.01.0269

1863

French & Co.

Photograph

Title: [Scene, dress parade and camp of a regiment of the Western Army, near Vicksburg. Miss. 1863.]

Title taken from inscription on recto. Troops are lined up for inspection in the distance. They face the camp, which is laid out in company rows. The enlisted men's tents are on the right, and officers' tents can be seen running perpendicular to these. There are also two rows of small open ovens with chimneys where small groups of soldiers (or "messes") prepare their own meals. The camp appears to be in an orchard of some kind--fruit trees visible in between the tents.

GLC05111.01.0083

April 1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: Washington, District of Columbia. Government bakery

A print of a photograph of a building with the sign "Government Bakery." The bakers have come out and pose mostly in front of the bakery. Since the armies in the field baked their own bread mostly, this bakery serviced only those troops around the capital. Washington became a major center for army services during the war. Numerous government repair shops and support facilities [some massive in size] employing hundreds of skilled and unskilled workers were established to keep the armies running. Verso notations: "XXIX" "859" Blind stamp (?) "B. F. K. Rives No 74"

GLC05111.01.0170

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Grain mill, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows a one-storey grain mill with a horse and a cart near the building's entrance on the right edge of the photo. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson mill in which the garrison ground their corn."

GLC05111.01.1294

13 July 1864

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy Mitchell

One letter addressed to Nancy Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated July 13, 1864. Pertains to staying at the hospital. Describes the tent, food and clothing at the hospital. Also mentions the activities of his division and says that Grant may have to give up trying to take Richmond. Written at City Point Hospital which held many wounded soldiers from the Civil War

GLC08334.12

10 December 1862

Hutchinson, Uretta D., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wallace Mitchell

One letter addressed to Wallace Mitchell from Uretta D. Hutchinson dated December 10, 1862. Pertains to working as a governess and updates of the family. She describes her pay and the children, and mentions how Thanksgiving was celebrated.

GLC08334.25

1861

Mitchell, Joshua, fl. 1862

Sketch

Title: [Pencil sketches of life in Camp Wilkins and Camp Wright]

One set of sketches dated 1861 of life at Camp Wilkins and Camp Wright. Depicts the sleeping quarters at Camp Wright, ration station and soldiers at Camp Wilkins. Envelope is addressed to G. B. Mitchell.

GLC08334.04

13 November 1862

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mitchell

One letter addressed to Mary Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated November 13, 1862. Pertains to the conditions of the camp. States that soldiers are fed but also that many are sick and hospitalized. Lots of soldiers are sick and in hospital, however. He includes a sketch of Colonel Gregg in camp.

GLC08334.09

14 December 1862

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mitchell

One letter addressed to Mary Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated December 14, 1862. Pertains to camp preparations and issuing guns and supplies. He also describes his horse, which is considered "the prettyest horse in the reg." Includes a sketch of his horse, "Rock", along with a diagram of different guns. Written at Camp Casey

GLC08334.11

13 October 1862

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mitchell

One letter addressed to Mary Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated October 13, 1862. Pertains to an emergency evacuation of the camp due to nearby Confederate soldiers arriving. Written at Camp Curtin.

GLC08334.13

5 June 1861

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Floretia Mitchell

One letter addressed to Floretia Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated June 5, 1861. Pertains to parade march and other camp recreation. Describes 21 companies that took part in an eight mile parade march through the town in the pouring rain. He writes that they dance and fiddle to "knockdowns and knifing." Written at Camp Wilkins

GLC08334.14

6 October 1863

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George B. Mitchell

One letter addressed to George B. Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated October 6, 1863. Pertains to others being sick in the camps. The ague has been about again this autumn and some of the soldiers have fallen sick. He has received new clothes and boots, which he is very pleased with.

GLC08334.16

10 July 1861

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George B. Mitchell

One letter addressed to George B. Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated July 10, 1861. Pertains to payment owed for their services. The order for them to return home has been countermanded and he does not know when he will be able to leave. It is possible that they will be mustered into the U.S. service. Includes an illustration of a soldier washing his clothes. Written at Camp Wright.

GLC08334.18

16 December 1863

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Floretia Mitchell

One letter addressed to Floretia Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated December 16, 1863. Pertains to his health a skirmish with Hampton's mounted infrantry. Relays that he has had a bad toothache and wanted the surgeon to remove a tooth, but he said it would do no good. They had a tough battle with Hampton's mounted infantry and are currently living in the field with no preparations for winter quarters. Also included is a newspaper article on the Army of the Potomac dated December 2, 1863.

GLC08334.27

29 September 1863

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Floretia Mitchell

One letter addressed to Floretia Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated September 29, 1863. Pertains to his health and buying her jewelry. He describes what he has eaten recently, and reports that 140 subs were sent to the front yesterday.

GLC08334.28

11 June 1861

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Goerge B. Mitchell

One letter addressed to George B. Mitchell from Wallace Mitchell dated June 11, 1861. Pertains to people protesting in the camp against their lack of food and neglect by authorities for their health. They have been told to decide whether to enlist for the duration of the war or to go home. He wants to stay and fight, as that was what he joined up to do. Written at Camp Wright.

GLC08334.29

6 December 1864

Scurry, John G., fl. 1861-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

One letter from John G. Scurry addressed to his mother dated Near Chester, December 6, 1864. Mentions that rations are good.

GLC03957.50

11 September 1776

Moncada, Fernando de Rivera y, fl. 1775-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Antonio Bucareli (in Spanish)

Discusses food shortages and insufficient supplies.

GLC06287.04

24 October 1775

Serra, Junipero, 1713-1784

Letter signed

Title: to Hernando de Rivera (in Spanish)

Discusses salaries and rations for servants at a California mission.

GLC06296.01

1845-1849

Porterfield, George A., 1822-1919

Diary

Title: Mexican War and post-war diary

Part one, crudely bound, includes vignettes about people Porterfield encountered, a pen and ink sketch of Rancho Buena Vista, and a rudimentary genealogy. Part two, unbound, begins in April 1848 and records his travels and activities after the war ends. Mentions being in love with Miss Ybarra and is saddened to leave. By September 1849 he has become the editor of the Gazette in Martinsburg and is studying to become a lawyer. He is relieved his wife, possibly Miss Ybarra, is enjoying living in the United States. Part three consists of a receipt, a list of deceased relatives, a note…

GLC06299

10 May 1860

Majors, Alexander, 1814-1900

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of military supplies]

Majors, notable Western pioneer and originator of the Pony Express, confirms receipt of sugar and molasses. States that the supplies were delivered to him on order from Major General Stewart Van Vliet, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Fort Butler, New Mexico, is written on this document, possibly indicating that the supplies are to be sent there.

GLC06342

1901

Object

Title: [Cut out the Whiskey & Ax of all Nations, 1901].

Title from object. A small metal "axe" with a loop for hanging, depicting temperance fighter Carrie Nation's caricature on "blade" of the axe. The messages are printed in various directions on the axe. The verso has an advertisement: "Buy Laurel Stoves & Rances Art Stove Co., Detroit, Mich."

GLC06365

14 March 1864

Crenshaw, O. A., fl. 1845-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Alexander Seddon

Crenshaw, a surgeon, requests that Seddon allow James Bolling, a free African American from Charles City, Virginia, to remain in Crenshaw's employment as a fisherman. Informs Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, that "Fish are necessary to the support of my remaining negroes most of the valuable ones having been ... taken by the enemy." Declares that "If all the free negro fisherman are taken for govt service, then the people in and around Richmond must suffer greatly for want of food." Includes several dockets dated March 1864. One docket indicates that Bolling's services are necessary…

GLC06374