16 May 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Notes he selected the house of Dr. Haywood for his office and a smaller one for his quarters. The owner, a secessionist, had fled before the Union army entered the city. Family members had asked for the house to be returned to them, Walbridge refused. Reports that civilians were stealing horses from other civilians. Heard that [Confederate President] Jefferson Davis had been captured by Wilson's Cavalry. Acknowledges receipt of letter detailing [Abraham] Lincoln's funeral in Buffalo. Thinks President [Andrew] Johnson is doing a good job.

GLC04663.63

19 May 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Acknowledges receipt of photograph. Advice for managing rented property, read newspaper accounts of Jefferson Davis' capture while he was wearing petticoats. The Treasury confiscated the Haywood house. The officers will not be turned out since it is no longer owned by the family. Signature cut off.

GLC04663.64

3 September 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Has been busy with trips to Charlotte and Newberne. Business opportunities in Raleigh in which he could make a considerable amount of money in a few months, but wishes to go home. He has an opportunity to buy horses at government prices and sell them in areas devastated by Sherman. He read about the collision of two steamers of the same line.

GLC04663.68

19 November 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Writes that he is still selling his stock. "[W]ent within ten miles of the Savannah river. I found the country almost a desert, and all the people as poor as rats. Some who formerly had splendid dwellings surrounded by every luxury, are now living in little log cabins formerly occupied by slaves...I know a man in this village who had nearly a thousand bales on hand when Sherman's army entered the place, twelve hours later he had not a single bale. This cotton, if he now had it, would be worth over $150,000." Notes that many people wish to buy his stock but have no money. Writes that…

GLC04663.71

19 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that he has been extremely busy and has not been able to write. Notes that those "Rascally Hessians" took his baggage with most of things and asks that some cloth be sent to him. Written from Mount Washington (now Washington Heights) in New York.

GLC02437.00447

26 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Compliments Knox on the "generalship" of the evacuation of Long Island and New York. Offers his opinions of the activities in New York and the role of the British navy. Also mentions the loss at Long Island's negative effect on morale. Also comments on Knox's baggage stolen by the Hessians and the cowardice of some of the troops. Communicates that Mr. Spears wants Knox to pursue the exchange of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson, who was taken prisoner at Long Island (also see GLC02437.00440). Discusses correspondence problems. Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln is on his way to New…

GLC02437.00458

16 April 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walbridge

Writes to his mother that Union General William T. Sherman's army is in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is also comfortably stationed. Reports that they left Faisson's depot on 10 April and marched four days to Raleigh. Recounts his duty during the march to oversee the wagon trains consisting of 390 army wagons and 90 ambulances. Informs that the staff is staying in the Exchange Hotel and General Alfred H. Terry has a house directly across. Praises Terry profusely. Calls Raleigh the prettiest place in the south and describes the land and the buildings in detail. Describes Terry's…

GLC04662.101

15 November 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Tells how a Southern woman tried to burn down her house rather than let the North use it for a hospital. Also speculates on the possibility of foreign war, reparations for damages caused by a pirate, invasion from Canada, and advice for fortifying Buffalo.

GLC04663.10

27 August 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Describes his new quarters, two tents and an open space over which is a "fly", with a diagram of the tents. Failed rebel attack at Bermuda Hundred, intercepted message from General Beauregard to General Pickett ordering the latter to destroy a pontoon bridge.

GLC04663.47

December 25, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The army celebrated Christmas with an artillery barrage on the city of Charleston. As a result a fire broke out in the city which burned for 11 hours. The rebels fired back, hit a gun boat and killed three people. He is applying for leave, but does not want to get his hopes up. His sawmill is running but needs a new boiler. He mentions the progress of the canal.

GLC04662.052

4 September 1782

Rickey, James, fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Petition of James Rickey, formerly of Cherry Valley, New York in Tyron County, stating that he lost his house, trade goods, his "negro," and household furniture "due to the 'depredations and crulty of the Enemy.'" Says "he is reduced from a state of Affleuence to a state of Necessity being obliged to quit the frontiers with his family to seek subsistence in a more peaceable Quarter." Asks for the privilege to settle in the garrison to partner with a Mr. Thompson, who obtained permission from the former Commandant, General Paterson. Says he wants to built a house and sell liquor. Claims to…

GLC02437.01572

20 July 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 29 June. Waited to respond until after the sitting of the Committee of the Sale of Eastern Lands. Met with John White of Charlestown, Massachusetts who is indebted to the Flucker Estate through a bond and a mortgage. White said he was still waiting for the British government to compensate him for the burning of his property in Charlestown in 1775. Goes into details about the debt and its interest. Discusses Isaac Winslow and the Taylor purchase. Mentions he spoke to Mr. Jarvis of the Committee, who said Knox should now be in possession of all the land between…

GLC02437.05905

1856-1857

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East Indian station. A. H. Foote Esq. commander book I.

Calf cover. As part of the East Indian Squadron, the U.S.S. Portsmouth, under the command of Andrew Hull Foote, was ordered to observe British operations against Canton, China during the Second Opium War (1856-60) and to protect American interests there. On 16 November, 1856, Foote and a landing party were returning to the ship when they were fired on by Chinese shore batteries, despite prior promises of safe passage. The shots fell short, but Foote determined to retaliate. On 20-21 November, he led a landing party that quickly seized the Cantonese barrier forts. The action was both a…

GLC05911.02.01

19 August 1864-18 November 1864

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Isonomia no. 1

No. I and II cover the record of the blockade ship Isonomia from the beginning of its service off Wilmington SC in August 1864 to 25 December 1864 when Simpson released command of the vessel. Calf covers. [30 August] "At daylight, Flag Pond battery & half moon opened fire on 'Dunbarton'" [this entry also includes a list of the nine blockaders present and the names of their officers; Simpson includes himself in this list] [31 August] "Had a false alarm and chased a shadow directed by a falling meteor which was mistaken for a rocket" [evidently Simpson's skittish crew was prone to…

GLC05911.06.01

12 October 1864-1 June 1867

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Letterbook of U.S.S. Isonomia East Gulf squadron from Oct 12th 1864 to Dec. 24th 1864 and U.S.S. Mohican N. Pacific squadron from Augt 14th 1866 to June 1st 1867

Majority of letters written and signed by Simpson, though several are clerically written and signed. Attacks on Fort Sumter, engagements with blockade runners and attacks on various gun batteries. Includes two letters regarding deserters of the U.S.S Mohican (stored in separate folder). Quarter morocco, marbled boards. Commissioned in 1859, the steam sloop USS Mohican served in the African Squadron in 1860-1861, before joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In October of 1862, the Mohican was sent on a fruitless search for Confederate raiders, the Florida and the Alabama; she…

GLC05911.07

circa 1940-1945

Scrapbook

Title: Scrapbook, Vol. III.

1 Adjutant General's Office. Official announcement of the establishment of the Civil Affairs Division 4 May 1943 2 Beta Theta Pi Magazine. Clippings: "The Second Military List of Beta Theta Pi (World War II);" Columbia University; and "Civil Affairs Division, USA." Oct 1943 3 a. Clipping from [?]: "News & Comments." [n.d.] b. Clipping from [?]: "Gen. Hilldring to Head Civil Affairs Division." [n.d.] c. Clipping from [?]: "Army and Navy Legion of Valor." [n.d.] d. American Relief for Italy, Inc. List of the Board of Directors and members. [n.d.] 3 e. Washington Post.…

GLC06196.107

circa 1940-1945

Scrapbook

Title: Scrapbook, Vol. V.

1 a. Clipping from [?]: "Forum Speaker." [7 Jan 1947] b. Clipping from [?]: "'Policy-Maker' Speaker at Open Forum Session." [7 Jan 1947] c. Clipping from [?]: "Problems in Occupied Areas." [7 Jan 1947] d. Daily News, Los Angeles. Clipping: "25-year job seen for U.S. in Germany." 7 Jan 1947 2-3 Clipping from The United States News: "Military Men in Key Jobs: Shift from U.S. Tradition. Officers as Presidential Advisers, Diplomats and Agency Heads." 24 Jan 1947 4 a. [New York] Times. Clipping: "Hilldring Warns War Can be Lost." [8 Jan 1947] b. Los Angeles Examiner. Clipping…

GLC06196.109

circa 1940-1945

Hilldring, John H., 1895-1974

Photograph

Title: Shown standing outside a bombed out building.

Shown standing outside a bombed out building with two unidentified officers.

GLC06196.224

10 February 1819

Wilson, John, 1777-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Congressman Wilson reports that "we are now entering upon the third week's debate on the subject of Genl [Andrew] Jackson's conduct in the Seminole War." Explains that the argument, which focused on the legality/constitutionality of Jackson's sacking of Pensacola, divided along party lines. Specifically discusses Henry Clay's involvement in the debate. Encloses a copy of Clay's speech (not included).

GLC06313.04.070

circa 1864

McKeever, Edwin, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: "To all whom it may concern"

Writes that although he had no order from R.T. Renshaw to burn a bridge at Little Washington, North Carolina, orders from Captain Graham led McKeever to "unhesitatingly say that I understood him to direct me to burn the Bridge." Signed by Mckeever as Acting Ensign and ex-officer of the U.S. steamer Louisiana.

GLC02254.36

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

14 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Two men, Jonathan Snook and O.B. Boughton have been sent to Michigan to recruit soldiers for the company. Churchill is well and "as fat as a stuffed chicken." The Cavalry took 26 "cotton burners or guerillas," all of whom will presumably be released on parole of honor, "as General Ross, the Commander of this Post, has a peculiar way of returning fugitive slaves." Churchill speculates that some generals have sympathy for the "poor slave holder and nigger driver." David McCord and David Tyler are to be discharged and sent home.

GLC03859.04

01 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill describes a false alarm the previous evening, when a picket reported around 2:00 A.M. that "the Rebels were coming in force." All of the soldiers turned out equipped to fight, and remained ready until 6:00 A.M., when it became apparent they were not in danger. Churchill reports that "the boys are burning the town" [Chawalla?], with "ten buildings already burned to the ground, and others burning." Only the depot is to be left standing. He expresses contempt for the men of Burr Oak who have remained at home, and observes that Boughton and Snook (see #4) "had better turn their…

GLC03859.06

21 November 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's foot was run over by a wagon on the march to Bridgeport, so he is now driving the ambulance with the doctor. He observes a great rush to the front, but is not certain whether his regiment will be advancing there as well. Churchill notes that there is little to eat, as many troops have been passing through the countryside taking everything they can.

GLC03859.19

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