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Pay warrant to African American soldier
1 June 1780-1789
Lawrance, John, fl. 1780;
Jeffery Liberty for three pounds, twelve shillings, and seven pence. Signed in full "Jeffry Liberty."
GLC09132.05
to unknown
February 12, 1857
Beecher, Henry Ward, 1813-1887
"I believe that there were never so many thinking upon the subject, never were thoughts more nearly right on the great question of Liberty. I do not disesteem the political & Commercial aspects of Slavery. Its evils in these regards are greater...
GLC09133
Clothing and payroll return document 1st Massachusetts regiment [Decimalized .01- .04]
1781-1783
Manuscript clothing and payroll return documents listing many African American freemen who fought in this desegregated regiment during the Siege of Boston and at Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, and Monmouth, and guarded the Hudson Highlands. These...
GLC09134
[Fragment]
August 1807
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Unsigned fragment. "It would be dishonourable, and might be ruinous if without a redress of our wrongs war did not promptly follow the expiration of the embargo. No other alternative is left to our choice. Every other expedient has been tried and...
GLC09135
Proceedings of a Board of Survey
26 June 1848
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Signed by Major Francis Lee. "Lt. U.S. Grant, Commissary & Regimental Quartermaster, 4th Infantry, had deposited in the trunk of Capt Gore, 4th Infantry, for safe keeping, the sum of $1,000 public money...and the trunk [was] stolen...[N]o blame can...
GLC09136
to Quartermaster General Hale
23 June 1862
Hartranft, John F., fl. 1862
"All quiet in front! No enemy here to fight. Our transportation will not allow us to go into the interior of the state to hunt them up: we want to go to Richmond. In the grand review of our Corps de Armee by Genl. Burnside, the 51st was the largest...
GLC09137
to Dr. George Work
9 October 1859
Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861
Abolitionist and future Union Brigadier General writes of tension in "Bleeding Kansas." "I was stationed here about a year ago, after leaving California. I have marched about 450 miles in reaching here...we were ordered...to protect the emigrants...
GLC09138
to a family member
8 January 1865
Houghton, M., fl. 1865
"[Nashville is] under the control of our guns from the forts and batteries...I saw 3 or 4 dead Rebs still lying on the ground unburied and some that had been buried with some parts still visible above the ground...the point B.F. is where the greatest...
GLC09139
to Secretary of War James Seddon and various Confederate generals
December 1862
Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896
Seven retained telegrams to Union General John G. Foster's expedition towards Goldsboro, NC. "I have no cavalry with a view to the navigation of the Mississippi from New Orleans upwards, sails to-day from the North River, near the State Prison, to...
GLC09140
to George R. Gilman, Governor of Georgia
4 September 1839
Noble, Patrick, fl. 1839
Letter about the crisis over fugitive slaves and the landmark Supreme Court case, Prigg vs. Pennsylvania, which determined that states were not required to enforce slave laws of other states. From South Carolina Gov. Patrick Noble to Gov. of Georgia...
GLC09141.01
"In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine]
14 December 1839
Warley, Jacob, fl. 1839
"In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine], of that important provision of the constitution of the United States, concerning the apprehension and trial of 'fugitives from justice.'...
GLC09141.02
to John W. Frughs
27 July 1872
Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875
Writes shortly after being nominated as Grant's Vice President. "I find your note and the Platform of 'The Young Men's Continental League' ...I have long hoped and believed that the people inhabiting the North American Continent will be united under...
GLC09142
to James M. Shute
February 19, 1869
Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881
"I almost despair of securing any financial legislation this season, thought we shall try to pass a bill legalizing Gold Contracts and also declaring the 5.20 Bonds and greenbacks are ultimately payable in Gold...The late decision of the Supreme...
GLC09143
Gazette of the United States [Marbury vs. Madison]
4 March 1803
Landmark Supreme Court decision reported in the Gazette of the United States. "The Chief Justice this day declared the opinion of the court...on the motion of Mr. G. Lee for a rule to shew cause why a Madamus should not issue to compel James Madison...
GLC09144
to Mrs. J. Sargent Murray
22 May 1815
Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
"By glancing my eye on a passage or two in your brother's history of his use, in multitude of instances during two years, of the 'eau medicinale' d'Husson, I noticed the precision of description which I should expect from Govr. Sargent, and which is...
GLC09145
Orders
10 June 1861
Wayne, Henry C., fl. 1861
About a Union rally by Baptists and Methodists. "The leaders of these two systems, are either designing demagogues, or ignorant enthusiasts...The President [Jefferson Davis] has proclaimed next Thursday as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer...
GLC09147
to David D. Porter
circa 1862
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
During Arkansas expedition. "admiral Porter As soon as General Steele reports in the Continental, will fire a Gun and run down the Gaines's Landing at the rate of ten miles the hour Sherman."
GLC09148
to Darwin C. Pavey
February 24, 1893
Smith, Edmund Kirby, 1824-1893
"Fitz John Porter was my classmate and has always been and is one of my dearest friends. He was always faithful and true in his allegiance and devotion of his country and I place him amongst the very best of your Generals...a born soldier and leader...
GLC09149
Civil War recruiting broadside
29 July 1862
Partially printed recruiting poster for Captain Pierce's company of Monroe County Regiment, headed "War!" above an eagle bearing slogan, "Stand up for the Old flat, Now or Never!" A. Strong & Co., Rochester. 14 x 20 inches.
GLC09150
The Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser
29 April 1788
Letter from "A Free Negro" printed in the Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser. "I am one of that unfortunate race of men who are distinguished from the rest of the human species by black skin and woolly hair, disadvantages of very little...
GLC09151
to Jacob Brinkeroff
January 19, 1845
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
"I cannot refrain from explaining the satisfaction with which I have read your speech on the Texas question. It would have delighted me to have been able to hear you deliver it, but the effect will tell upon the public mind as "A wood in season.'...
GLC09152
Escape of 'contrabands' from Col. Avery's estate near Petersburg Virginia
circa 1864
Pencil sketch signed "S.H.S." The siege of Petersburg lasted from 15 June 1864 to 25 March 1865.
GLC09153
to Robert E. Lee
24 May 1863
Hill, Ambrose P., 1825-1865
"If a judicious appointment of Major General is not made, I fear that all this will be lost... Gen. Pender has fought with the Divisions in every battle, he has been four times wounded and never left the field, he has risen by death and wounds from...
GLC09154
to LaSalle Corbett Pickett
4 July 1864
Pickett, George Edward, 1825-1875
To "Sallie." "Does not your husband wish, pray and sigh to be with his Sallie, his only only love...You know...how much I detest outward show, and manifestations of religion...but to offer up you silent prayer with a truthful heart, and an entrusting...
GLC09155
to George Pickett
11 April 1865
Pickett, Charles F., fl. 1865
"Last Return of Pickett's Division as surrendered on April 9, 1865." Grid shows troops, listed by brigade, with officers and enlisted men counted separately. Just 987 men appear on the return. Also signed secretarially for his brother General George...
GLC09156
to Emily S.B. Brune
29 May 1864
Johnson, Edward, fl. 1864
"I thank you for the box you and my other friends must not send me any more clothing...as I am taxing your genorosity too much. I am now well supplied with almost everything..." Emily S. B. Brune, "the Angel of Fort Delaware."
GLC09157
to Jubal Early
25 April 1864
Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864
Writes of Jubal Early's arrest. "Your remarks upon the enclosed communication of Maj. Brown and G. are considered improper. They are therefore returned for withdrawal. Your attention is now called to the enclosed paper, marked A, showing the...
GLC09158.01
to Alexander Swift Pendleton
26 April 1864
Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894
Writes of his arrest, "I desire to know what is the extent of the limits of my confinement. When you informed me that I was placed under arrest, the condition was that I would confine myself to the limits of my camp. I wish to know if this means the...
GLC09158.02
to Sir
28 April 1864
Writes of his arrest, "I received last night on my return the paper containing General Lee's remarks in regard to the subject of my arrest. Am I to understand that I am released from arrest and resume my command without any further delay? With...
GLC09158.03
[Civil war appreciation for soldiers from George A. Armstrong]
9 April 1865
Armstrong, George A., fl. 1865
"Copy of Order / Head Qrs 3d Cavalry Division / Appomattox Court House April 9-1865 / Soldiers of the 3d Cavalry Division / With profound gratitude towards the god of battles by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our armis rendered...
GLC09160
to Captain Andrew H. Foote
25 November 1861
Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892
"Whatever I can do to assist you in gaining final success which you say 'is with the public this test of merit' I will gladly do. Final success I do not doubt for you...Wellington Napoleon Marlborough did much more than merely fight. A commander...
GLC09164
Carte-de-visite of General Andrew Humphreys
1860s ca.
Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896
Signed. Standing 3/4 figure portrait of the general. Brady imprint on mount and verso. Inscription on verso reads "Commander, 2nd Div., 3 A.C. Gettysburg 579F."
GLC09166
to Reverend Putnam
29 November 1866
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
"All that you said of Massachusetts...was true to the letter...she has always been the foremost state of the Union. How intensely has South Carolina - - slavery cursed, degraded, barbarous South Carolina - - hated her from the beginning!"
GLC09167
to Lt. Col. F. A. Walker
February 6, 1864
Warren, Gouverner K., 1830-1882
Requesting information about casualties from Battle of Morton's Ford: "Will you please tell me how many officers killed? how many wounded? how many missing?
GLC09168
to My Dear Sir
6 April 1863
Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881
Railing against Confederate General Simon B. Buckner over a land dispute. "I can give no proof, but my own word that if the property is conveyed to me that I will convey it direct to the son of the late Col. Kingsbury subject to him of indebtedness...
GLC09169
to William M. Sherry
18 September 1874
Wills, David, fl. 1874
Lincoln's Gettysburg host writes Hon. William M. Sherry. "I have heard Republicans & Democrats here discussing the probabilities of your election in this Congressional District if you were an independent candidate for Congress and received the...
GLC09170
to William T. Sherman [Decimalized .01- .09]
1878
Beale, James, fl. 1878
Nine letters to William T. Sherman about Gettysburg, in response to inquiries made by Hooker regarding Col. Batchelder's published "isometric view" of the battlefield. "Whether Batchelder's 'sold out' to Howard I know not, but importing a whole...
GLC09171
to Maj. Geo. Hooker
February 17, 1878
remains skeptical of Batchelder's remarks. believe Gen. Reynolds was at Gettysburg before 10 am and after as the maps shows. does not believe the 11th Corps reached the town as early as he said they did.
GLC09171.1
February 26, 1878
still finds Batchelder's story to be inaccurate. writes that the Potomac army has a very poor opimiom of Theodore Lyman. thinks Genie Howard uses the excuse of being wounded to lie.
GLC09171.2
15 April 1878
writes about his own military career as a private. writes he was always glad when a battle was orderly and simply tried to fulfill his duties. thinks it an outrage that Batchelder is going to publish a history.
GLC09171.3
23 April 1878
still challenging Batchelder's account. notes his serious blunders as to dates and time. criticizes his engraving.
GLC09171.4
5 May 1878
accuses Batchelder of complete fabrications. Batchelder claims that a Confederate brigade was captured by Buford's cavalry but Beale doesn't think this ever happened.
GLC09171.5
14 May 1878
does not think Gen. Meade planned Gettysburg. Quotes a long paragraph from Buford's letter to refute Batchelder's statements.
GLC09171.6
26 June 1878
learned that Lee was nervous bout the closeness of Reynolds and Buford. the plan was to coax Buford toward Emmettsburg so that Ewell would have time to get to Gettysburg, however, Buford made a rapid advance that afternoon.
GLC09171.7
4 July 1878
has received subsequent letters that made him realize that he was missing a few things in his story, like the importance of the Harper's Ferry Raid, for instance. thanks him for his criticism.
GLC09171.8
29 July 1878
read an article in which an ex-Confederate claimed a certain battle never happen. all these indiscrepancies will give rise to the claim that the war never happened.
GLC09171.9
to Jefferson Davis
15 September 1862
Burnett, Henry C., fl. 1862
" You will pleasure me for again calling your attention to the fact that General Breckinridge has not been ordered to Kenty. His presence at this particular juncture in any state, I regard of the highest importance; our friends in that state have in...
GLC09172
To a Judge
9 March 1861
Cobb, Thomas Read Rootes, 1823-1862
References the Confederate constitution he helped draft: "You will see by the papers that the Convention authorized us to make the necessary changes in the code - Now for work let us go ahead!"
GLC09173
[Dispatches and telegrams]
16 December 1862
Woodson, Gustavus, fl. 1862
Series of short dispatches and telegrams from his command at Goldsboro, North Carolina written in a secretarial hand, with three messages signed.
GLC09174
to Earl Shaftesbury
3 October 1862
Slidell, John, 1793-1871
Attempting to secure diplomatic recognition for the South. "two governments were now considering our question & that our recognition would very probably soon be announced...The advance of Lee in force across the Potomac had a double object, one...
GLC09175
Instructions for Field Artillery, by a Board of Artillery Officers
19 September 1860
Heintzelman, Samuel P., 1805-1880
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Inscribed "S.P. Heintzelman Major U.S. Army." 88 plates.
GLC09176
[Army of the Potomac Circular Orders] [Decimalized .01- .12]
1863-1865
Thirteen circular orders issued between June 13, 1863 and April 4, 1865. Carbon copies of orders issued from 2nd Corps and General Meade's headquarters for battles of Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and pursuit...
GLC09177
[Army of the Potomac Circular Order]
7 June 1863
Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872
GLC09177.01
5 July 1863
GLC09177.02
8 July 1863
GLC09177.03
13 May 1864
Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886
GLC09177.04
[Army of the Potomac Special Orders No. 137]
17 May 1864
GLC09177.05
[Army of the Potomac Circular Orders]
18 May 1864
GLC09177.06
27 May 1864
GLC09177.07
18 June 1864
GLC09177.08
2 June 1864
GLC09177.09
4 April 1865
Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
GLC09177.10
17 May
GLC09177.11
[Army of the Potomac General Orders 1]
GLC09177.12
Requisition for Forage for Public Horses
15 October 1862
O'Rorke, Henry, fl. 1862
For the 140th Regiment New York. Colonel O'Rorke fell at Gettysburg carrying his regimental colors, on Little Round Top.
GLC09178
[Orders to besiege Vicksburg]
25 June 1862
Farragut, David E., fl. 1862
Manuscript copy of his orders of his orders to besiege Vicksburg, including order to open fire on the hospital at 4 AM.
GLC09179
to M. Cauley
23 June 1863
Boyle, William H., fl. 1863
Lead up to Gettysburg. "They have taken an immense number of horses out of this country...all the help engaged scadaddled. If they occupy this county a week longer it will be ruined as much as if a famine and blight had passed over it...it is no...
GLC09180.01
to Isaac H. McCauley
Gettysburg's aftermath. "the rebs have stripped this valley of everything...there is not enough left for the people to live on for two weeks. Both railroads are destroyed. All the new depot buildings are down. Many farms are destroyed by roads...
GLC09180.02
[Printing of laws.]
2 January 1875
McPherson, Edward, fl. 1875
Printing of laws.
GLC09180.03
[Contracting the raising of a monument]
circa 1895-1910
56th Pennsylvania volunteers
Contracting the Bureau Brothers to erect a bronze monument, with a scale architectural rendering.
GLC09180.04
Manuscript map of Gettysburg battlefield
July 1863
With annotations describing the battle and its aftermath. "Perfect desolation everything shot away dead reables [sic] & horse trees bushes & fence & posts all gone a perfect valley of death."
GLC09181
Collection of 16 Union army soldiers' letters[Decimalized .01- .17]
1863
Various
Content includes detailed descriptions of camp life, provisions, Battle of Rappahannock Station, etc. With four original transmittal covers. Letter from Emerson Opdycke dated 30 April 1862: "We expect an immense fight down there [Corinth] which I...
GLC09182
to father
6 March 1863
Heap, Henry, fl. 1863
GLC09182.01
to friend
30 April 1862
Opdycke, Emerson, fl. 1862-1863
GLC09182.02
22 June 1863
Breton, S.A., fl. 1863
GLC09182.04
to friends
5 March 1863
W., O.S., fl. 1863
GLC09182.05
to Lo. Thomas
10 April 1863
Bailey, Lewis J.D., fl. 1863
GLC09182.06
to brother
15 April 1863
[illegible]
GLC09182.07
to Margaret J.
15 May 1863
Hess, John W., fl. 1863
drawings of trees on first page of letter. Third and fourth pages contain a poem entitled "A Soldiers Farewell".
GLC09182.08
to Col. Mc[Kean]
10 June 1863
GLC09182.09
to Catherine
11 June 1863
Gemley, Bazel, fl. 1863
GLC09182.10
to A. Leonard
25 July 1863
Storrs, E., fl. 1863
contains two letters both from E. Storrs. Second one dated 26 July 1863
GLC09182.11
22 August 1863
Hall, C.A., fl. 1863
GLC09182.12
to Henry
28 August 1863
GLC09182.13
to father and mother
13 September 1863
Robinson, George, fl. 1829
stamp on last page, "Department of the Interior Pension Office APR 16 1877"
GLC09182.14
to Corin
8 September 1863
Luck, Alec, fl. 1863
GLC09182.15
to Bymers
18 November 1863
Cayden, F. L., fl. 1863
GLC09182.16
to A. G. Hart
7 May 1862
GLC09182.17
[Special Order providing for safe passage of Confederate troops through Union lines]
10 April 1865
Mahone, William, 1826-1895
Personal copy. "All officers and men of the Confederate service paroled at Appomattox C. Ho. Va. who to reach their homes are compelled to pass through the lines of the Union Armies will be allowed to do so and to pass free on all Government...
GLC09183
[Parole of General Joseph Johnston's personal escort during the Carolina Campaign]
1 May 1865
Also the surrender to William T. Sherman. "Private Felix P. Webster of Genl. Johnston's escort has given his solemn obligation not to take up arms against the Government of the United States...and is permitted to return to his home..." Signed by...
GLC09184
Army of Shenandoah parole of William Bowman, 12th Virginia Cavalry
4 May 1865
Confederate army.
GLC09185
[Field orders for General Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry harassing Sherman near Atlanta]
12 June 1864
Confederate army. "When marching, or arriving at a fork of the road, or any point where it is possible for a command to mistake the route, the commanding officer of each regiment, will leave a courier to inform the commanding officer who follows...
GLC09186
Journal
Journal with signatures, poems, and notes written by Johnson's Island prisoners of war. Including poem, "The Prison on Lake Erie."
GLC09187
[Corn cob black doll]
circa 1860s
With black dyed muslin head and hands, printed cotton dress, belt, and scarf.
GLC09188
to Mother
20 December 1863
Smith, Martin, fl. 1863
A Southerner writing about "Divine Institution of Negro Slavery" and "old Abe and his abolition crew."
GLC09189
[Slavery related collection] [Decimalized .01- .10]
Collection of 7 abolitionist and slavery related autograph letter signed and one John Brown carte-de-visite. Autograph letter signed dated 25 June 1861 from H. Giles, "If this war continues, we can not now even imagine our worst days - nor, do I...
GLC09190
To H.H. Rodgers
15 June 1864
GLC09190.01
To "My Dear Sir"
17 April 1880
Rawle, John Brookes, fl. 1800
GLC09190.02
To "Dear Sir"
15 March 1880
GLC09190.03
February 25, 1880
GLC09190.04
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