circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Cannon with fortifications, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows stone wall fortifications with a single cannon in the center of the photo, and woods in the distance. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson."

GLC05111.01.1307

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Ruins of fortifications and cannon, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows extensive destruction to fortifications. A cannon lies in ruins in the foreground. Inscriptions on verso: "Rebel work in Camp of Duryea's and Bainbridge's Batteries garrisoned by 15th Arkansas" and "MES."

GLC05111.01.1308

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Two cannons, one in ruins, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows two cannons, one in the foreground intact, and one in the distance in ruins. Woods cover the background. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson" and "MES."

GLC05111.01.1309

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Cannon with fortifications, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows three soldiers resting amid fortifications and a cannon. Inscription on image: "From J. C. Palfrey." Inscription on verso: "Fort [sic] Hudson."

GLC05111.01.1310

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Fortifications with river, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows four figures in the distance resting amid fortifications and bombproofs. A steamship is on the river in the distance. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson Mid & Sweenie's line down the river- called by our men 'the Citadel.'"

GLC05111.01.1311

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Fortifications and a trench with bomb damage, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows fortifications with a cannon in ruins and other debris lying in a trench. Inscription on verso: "Fort [sic] Hudson."

GLC05111.01.1312

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Two soldiers with cannon, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows one man on horseback and one man standing with a cannon in the center of the photo. Inscription on verso: "Fort [sic] Hudson."

GLC05111.01.1313

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: One soldier with a cannon and fortifications, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows one man standing to the left of a cannon and fortifications. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson."

GLC05111.01.1314

1863

Currier & Ives

Print

Title: Surrender of Port Hudson, La. July 8th 1863

One print entitled Surrender of Port Hudson from Currier and Ives dated 1863.

GLC10023

17 August 1863

Gardner, Franklin, 1823-1873

Autograph document signed

Title: [Parole of General Frank Gardner and Lieutenant Alcee Dupre]

Paroles of honor signed by Gardner and Dupre as prisoners of war after the surrender of Port Hudson, Louisiana on 9 July 1863. "We ... Officers of the Confederate Army, and prisoners of War, do hereby give this, our Parole of Honor, that we will not escape or attempt to escape from the building or premises, now occupied by us." Signed by Captain Eugene Tindale as a witness. Gardner was a Confederate major general.

GLC06310

14 July 1863

Newspaper

Title: Port Hudson freeman. [Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 14, 1863)]

Reports on the Surrender of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Printed by Union troops the day Port Hudson was captured. States that Mrs. Vallandinham had gone insane but her "nervous system was severely shocked." Also includes a very moving report from a hospital. Brown necessity paper.

GLC06107.17

7 December 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Pamphlet

Title: [President's Message from Jefferson Davis to the Confederate Congress]

After recounting various successes and failures, including comments on the capitulation of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the fighting in Mississippi, and the Battle of Gettysburg, Davis discusses foreign relations at length. Other topics covered include: finances, the army, prisoner exchanges, the Trans-Mississippi Department, the navy, and enemy conduct. With "Rebel Archives" stamp from the Record Division of the War Department on the first page. Stab-stitched.

GLC06158.01

1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Object

Title: The Boys in Blue Want Abe to Stay

GLC07744

circa 12 July 1863

Howard, Richard L., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Grover and Bird

Howard, Chaplain of the 124th Illinois Infantry, writes an enormous and colorful letter on a Confederate muster sheet he refers to as "a secesh sheet." One on side, writes to Brother Grover. Mentions Clara. Writing after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi, states "It is our harvest time...The great sheaf-gathering time of the Army under Grant." Recently received official news of the Union defeat of Port Hudson, Louisiana. Recalls his joy on the fourth (4 July 1863, when Vicksburg fell). Describes in detail the aftermath of the siege of Vicksburg, commenting on the holes where Confederates…

GLC06382.02

22 June 1863

Elliott, D., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Discusses the battle of Port Hudson: "Our works [19 gun battery] are 330 yards from the rebel's principal works." Writes of their improved situation: "A week ago I gave up hope, now I'm sanguine of the result." Written on the back of a blank Confederate imprint to purchase government lands.

GLC06383

29 May 1853

Atchison, David Rice, 1807-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Page one consists of a letter from Atchison, a United States Senator from Missouri, introducing Judge Samuel Treat of St. Louis to Davis, Secretary of War. Describes Treat as "a politician of the Nullification, Secession, & High Treason School, to which I belong, he understands the true position of parties and men in this State." Pages two and three consist of a 13 July 1863 letter from J. F. Allison, an infantryman from Illinois, to his parents. Allison discusses the surrenders of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Port Hudson, Louisiana. Describes witnessing Confederate General John C.…

GLC06569

16 June 1863

Swords, J. M., fl. 1863

Newspaper

Title: The Daily citizen. [June 16, 1863]

News at Vicksburg, (false) reports of victory at Port Hudson. Support for General Pemberton. Geometric red and gray pattern.

GLC06812

2 January 1863

Broadside

Title: The Courier. [January 2, 1863]

Evening edition. Latest news from Vicksburg. "Heavy skirmishing -- A general engagement soon expected." Printed on small onlong piece of necessity paper 2 days before surrender of Vicksburg, 4 days before surrender of Port Hudson.

GLC06874

8 July 1863

Gardner, William, fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: General Order No. 61.

"Every man can feel the proud satisfaction that he has done his part in the heroic defense of Port Hudson. The place is surrendered at the last moment it is proper to hold it." Printed on necessity paper inside the fort. Uneven inking and spotting overall. Old paste adhesive stains, possibly from posting.

GLC06875

circa 1 November 1864

Ringwalt & Brown, fl. 1863-1865

Broadside

Title: [Broadside regarding recruitment of African Americans and celebrating emancipation in Maryland]

Printed in commemoration of the adoption of emancipation in Maryland. The print incorporates five illustrations, three documenting African American combat valor and two related to emancipation and the future of African Americans. At the top of the transparency is a long illustration of African American troops in the Battle of Port Hudson, above it the words (from George H. Boker's poem): "God Save the Republic: Never in field or tent scorn a black regiment." Portrays these images on the front of the headquarters of the supervisory committee for recruiting colored regiments, located on…

GLC05701

29 April 1863

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

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

26 July 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Discusses the health of Martha's brother, Robert, who has been sent home from his regiment to recuperate. Talks about recent Union victories at the battles of Vicksburg and Port Hudson and predicts that "a few more blows...& the rebelion will be on a parr with our stock in the Bull Run fight." Writes about the effect of the climate on the good health of soldiers. Mentions that soldiers practicing guerrilla warfare are "scattered through the country, but they do more good than evil for they live off the citizens, who are professionaly Union men but practically trecherous cowards."…

GLC07006.02

14 March 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Is well and enjoying good health. Hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Has not received a letter from home in four weeks. "What the reason is I do not know." Expects to receive one the next time the mail arrives. Has not been paid since January 1, and could use 50 cents worth of postage stamps. Stamps are "darn scarce." If he were closer to New Orleans, he could get stamps. Wants to know if Eliza received his letter. Does not know how long he will be staying here. There is fighting nearby at Port Hudson. Wishes his regiment were part of the action: "I for one should like to…

GLC08914.017

29 March 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Stationery is stamped with a colored series of stars with a shield bearing the stars and stripes in the middle. Glad to hear he is enjoying good health. Is also well. "Had a battle" on the Yazoo River; "captured 26 rebel vessels" and burnt six more. Does not think he can "get away," but is not worried; does not think the war will last long. "We will be back before next winter." This is the first letter he has received from home in "about three months." Apologizes for not writing more. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.018

May 19, 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Describes how the Confederates look: "like Hell. They don't wear no uniform they wear Citizen [civilian] clothes and rags." Many look "half starved." Has written a lot today. Has heard talk that the regiment is going up to Port Hudson along with their entire brigade. "We will have some fun" there. "Would rather fight than eat." Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.026