22 April 1863

Hanleiter & Adair (publishers), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Southern confederacy. [Vol. 3, no. 59 (April 22, 1863)]

"Our Special Correspondence from Forrest's Brigade, Van Dorn's Command" includes subsections: "The Grand Review -- The Franklin Fight -- The Capture and Recapture of Freeman's Battery -- Col. Freeman Murdered -- A Solemn Scene, &c, &c." "The Ruins at Arkansas Post," reprinted from the Weekly Texas Confederate News, describes substantial losses on the Confederate side, mentions the low morale and high rates of desertion in the army. "More Exploits of the 'War Child'" refers to the campaigns of General Wheeler in Tennessee, with subsections including: "Capture of Railroad Trains --…

GLC05959.09.174

4 May 1863

Hanleiter & Adair (publishers), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Southern confederacy. [Vol. 3, no. 70 (May 4, 1863)]

"Success of General Imboden: Yankees Retreating & Burning Their Stores" includes a report from General J.D. Imboden indicating that his forces are still in pursuit of the Union army. "Skirmish Below Kingston, N.C.," excerpted from the Chronicle and Sentinel, describes the bravery of the 56th North Carolina. "The Yankee Raid in N.E. Alabama and Northwest Georgia" includes a letter from C.A. Smith, a conductor on the Rome Railroad, to C.H. Stillwell, the Superintendent of the railroad. A flattering obituary entitled "The Death of General Tracy" is reprinted from the Macon Telegraph, and…

GLC05959.09.179

21 September 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They have moved to the Rapidan river under Lee's orders. Here the locals who remain are destitute, each house with its own distillery, with very few churches and schools. Speculates about Longstreet's future actions. Written from Camp 61st P.V., four miles west of Culpepper, Virginia.

GLC03523.23.23

14 March 1864

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Complains about recent useless parades and reviews, preliminary to reorganization of the army into three corps, similar to Lee's army, under Sedgwick, Hancock, and a third General. Notes malcontent, particularly with the Army of the Potomac. Kilpatrick's men have ravaged the countryside, stealing, burning, and shooting horses. "I am not one of those who thinks that our armies should destroy indiscriminately. Such destruction does not tend to subdue rebels, it enrages them the more."

GLC03523.23.32

7 May 1865

Stephens, Ashbury L., 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hat

Recounts meeting "Majors Burnham and Merriman on board the boat" at Fort Monroe. Describes war torn Petersburg, noting that "almost every house shows the marks of our Shells." Explains that the troops were weary from travelling 165 miles in six days, so they would take it slow on their way to Richmond. In reference to General Sherman, he boasts that "if 'old crazy Bill and his Bummers' had been here Petersburg would have been taken long ago." Comments on the troops' excitement about the upcoming muster and their support of Sherman. Indicates he will write again from Richmond. I note…

GLC04498.07

February 15, 1863

Swain, Julius Marshall, 1835-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Julius Marshall Swain describes the financial situation. He has been burning log cabins in the vicinity: "the citizens are about sick of soldiers and I can't blame them for that for fences suffer dreadfully and always will where seasoned wood is scarce." A postscript dated March 1, describes the change in command and his new position with his old company.

GLC00653.10.04

16 June 1862

Ruggles, Daniel, 1810-1897

Autograph document signed

Title: [Note to be telegramed to Pierre G. T. Beauregard]

Reports that "It is important to secure the plantation boats on both banks of the Mississippi. Shall I have it secure so as to prevent their destruction by the enemy?"

GLC04057.01

10 June 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nen

Sends a piece of a Confederate skull from the Battle of Chancellorsville, as well as a piece of Washington's mother's monument from Fredericksburg. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.09

15 November 1862

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

While they are located in a beautiful overlook of the Blue Ridge, "there is not the slightest romance in walking a mile up and down the mountain for water." While on picket, they got food from several homes, more by intimidation than by gift, "followed by their maledictions."

GLC03523.23.04

14 June 1804

Parker, Stephen, fl. 1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Strong

Tells about his terrible misfortunes, including a decadent, alcoholic son, a loss of property and money during the war, and the death of his wife as a consequence. Explains that his son, Colborn, was taken ill aboard an American naval vessel and would like to know whether this entitles his son to hospital care.

GLC02437.07860

20 October 1746

Waldo, Samuel, 1695-1759

Manuscript document

Title: [Court case]

Duplicate to GLC 2437.08932. Appears to be a court case to recoup damages lost by Samuel Waldo during a war between Britain and Spain. Consists of a collection of various documents relating to Waldo's involvements in the war, particularly an expedition against Cape Breton. Documents includes copied signatures of a number of people, including a Mr. Hutchinson, Sir William Pepperrell, a P. Warren and William Shirley. Noted as a true copy by Shirley, who also signs.

GLC02437.08933

23 July 1777

Sherwood, Justus, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written in Skenesborough or Skenesboro, which is now Whitehall, New York. Petition says Captain Sherwood of a Company of the Queens Royal Rangers, was sent off with a detachment in pursuit of rebels on 6 July 1777 and left his baggage in the care of a soldier that was eventually captured. He lost five pounds sterling with the luggage. Also, on 18 July 1777 he was sent with another detachment to stop the rebels from plundering cattle from local inhabitants and when he returned his trunk was broken up and most of his personal clothes stolen, to the amount of 15 pounds sterling. Asks Burgoyne…

GLC04764.17

circa 1777

Hill, Jonathan, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph document

Title: to Robert Kingston

Hill, a Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Regiment of Foot, was updating Kingston, a staff officer for Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, on the allocation of funds. Says two of seven guineas were given to Boyle as a guide for the 9th Regiment and that the other 5 were also given to Boyle to compensate him for the plundering of his house, garden, and potato field. Claims the General's servant told him that he was to have two loaves of sugar and that he has only received one. Asks for another in mock desperation.

GLC04764.18

6 December 1880

Clarke, William Penn, fl. 1880

Document signed

Title: to Mrs. Lebreton Deschapelles

Clarke, an attorney, discusses the case of Mrs. Deschapelles, who claims that her late husband (possibly Emmanuel Lebreton Deschapelles) suffered property damages from federal forces during the Civil War. Informs Deschapelles that if her husband "never took an oath of allegiance to the United States, and never voted or otherwise discharged the duties of a citizen of this country, but regarded himself as a Frenchman, then his claim can be considered by the Commission ..." Requests Mrs. Deschapelles immediate reply. Written on Clarke's professional stationery.

GLC02943.03

6 June 1866

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Document signed

Title: [Statement regarding military possession of a Louisiana plantation]

Major General Sheridan, supervising reconstruction in Louisiana, attests that military authorities took possession of a plantation on the Mississippi River near Carrollton, Louisiana, circa 29 April 1862. Asserts that the plantation was returned to the ownership of Mrs. Lebreton Deschapelles on 1 April 1866. Contains a separate note, signed by Sheridan 8 June 1866, stating that no taxes should be collected for the period in which the plantation was held by the military. Written on Headquarters of the Military Division of the Gulf stationery. Slightly torn along several creases. Docketed…

GLC02943.02

8 January 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army is located to General Burgoyne, the commander of the Convention Army. Says that Mr. Blodget has valid complaints against British soldiers demolishing three buildings and other property near Winter Hill. Says documents he has before him are convincing. Tells Burgoyne to "pay that attention to Mr. Blodget's Representation, which the Considerable Loss he has met with intitles him to." Trusts Burgoyne will redress the issue. Repair to the back page of the letter. Most of the address was lost in the…

GLC04764.48

1814/09/15

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Requests that Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, report whether or not a man named Dr. Paschall consented to having his grounds entered and upon what terms. Also asks him to report on others who had consented to have their grounds occupied and works built upon them by the Corps of Field Engineers. See GLC02978.10 for Patterson's response.

GLC02978.09

1814/09/15

Patterson, Robert M., 1787-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, reponds to Williams' request (see GLC02978.09). Indicates that Dr. Paschall refused to allow works to be built upon his land, but may consent if the works are not near his buildings, which he feared would be destroyed in an attack. Also reports that another man, Judge Lloyd, consented to works being built upon his grounds.

GLC02978.10

12 November 1864-4 December 1865

Phoenix, John W., fl. 1864-1865

Diary

Title: Diary of John W. Phoenix

Written from camp at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Describes picket duty, foraging, and rations. Mentions cooking and what the soldiers had for dinner frequently. Discusses how the soldiers want to shoot at pigeons flying over camp but are not allowed to fire guns. Entries on 19-20 November discuss the death and burial of a lieutenant colonel from the 106th Illinois regiment. Informs of boats bringing supplies, recruits, and prisoners of war by way of the river. 29 November he relays they have received orders to be ready to march for Little Rock any day. Records leaving on the 30th and…

GLC03956.01

7 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in command of twenty-seven men on the look out for guerrilla Rebel soldiers. Tells a story about a Black mule driver who was forced to give up his team and wagon to Damuth's colonel. Mentions that there are "20000 more [men] across the river at Helena and more coming every day." There are few other troops from Wisconsin. Rumors have been…

GLC03523.14.02

9 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are repeated scares throughout the night - one soldier shoots at a man who runs away, and two other soldiers accidentally shoot at an ox. Mentions a foraging expedition led by their colonel from which "20 mules 8 horses 2 greys on a buggi 2 loads of corn 4 Sesech prisoners and lots of traps" were brought into camp. Damuth also goes on a foraging…

GLC03523.14.03

8 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black servant who cooks for the men and washes their clothing. Discusses more camp health issues and assures his sister that although she might think "the Hospital is a dredful [sic] thing…it is not so here." Colonel Gill is under arrest after an incident in town. Six buildings, including a hotel and a store room of cotton, were set on fire and the…

GLC03523.14.08

January 22, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10

21 March 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The camp is having a day of rest so Damuth writes to his sister. The men have marched 119 miles in seven days and are heading for Alexandria. The 29th Wisconsin is traveling with the 19th Army Corps, an eastern regiment who "have not seen much if any fighting" and are in awe of Damuth and his seasoned fellow soldiers. Describes the routine of the men in the company. The men have been stealing from a nearby plantation. Southerners complain about the thieves, but Damuth believes "this is a very rich country" and that the Union soldiers enjoy stealing from the Rebels more than eating their…

GLC03523.14.51

February 21, 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to [William Grier Maitland] [incomplete]

Informs brother, from Fort Pickering, that three men from his regiment died last night from illness. Reports that there is news of "guerillas" burning a steamboat a few miles outside of Memphis, speculating that everyone was taken prisoner. Tells him that upon hearing this, his regiment fired shells at them from their Gun Boats and the next day he could see Rebel Calvary crossing into Hopefield. Letter incomplete and unsigned.

GLC03523.10.060