5 December 1863

Cosby, George Blake, 1830-1909

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Birdseye McPherson

Written from CSA Headquarters, Cosby's Brigade. Marked as unofficial. Contains a watermark on the upper left corner. General Cosby writes to McPherson, commanding forces at Vicksburg, Mississippi. States "I am informed that Peter Grinner a citizen of Vicksburg has been arrested and is to be tried for being a spy & c- Said Grinner came out from Vicksburg by permission of Genl Sherman on a visit to his brother who is Chf Bugler at my Hdqr- He staid I believe near the camp two or three days- I solemnly pledge my word of honor that said Grinner gave me no information whatever prejudicial…

GLC05814

1863/10/30

Kilgore, Legrand, fl. 1863

Manuscript document

Title: Document of sale for 3 slaves to be transferred from Louisiana to Texas

Sale from Kilgore to E. W. Rogers. The slaves were Bill (25), Patsey (33) and her son John (2). (Through a punctuation error the document seems to say that Kilgore fathered the boy John.)

GLC05838

1863-1865

Bloom Family

Header Record

Title: Four letters of Bloom Family of Pennsylvania [Decimalized .01- .04]

Four letters (no soldier content), with 3 envelopes. Family may be Jewish, but no significant content on that subject. Letter #1, dated 3 February 1863 in Birmingham, Iowa, is from Sarah W. Braun to Ruthanna Bloom. She misses her family and hopes the rebels do not invade. Letter #2, dated 15 December 1863, from Washington Township, is from [Asahel] Walker & wife to "Son & Daughter." Writes that soldiers have taken all his horses and reports family news. Letter #3, dated 15 April 1864, was written by Lydia F. Lerew to "Brother & sister" and describes the death of a child.…

GLC05733

3 December 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Marshall

Possibly to Colonel Charles Marshall, Lee's aide during the Civil War. Mary writes "to collect some incidents in the early life of my husband." States she is "too feeble and unwell to do the subject justice" and asks him to correct errors in dates. Asks that her name not be used. States he had included a sheet with extracts of letters Lee wrote to her (included). Says that when she is well again she can supply more letters and information. The handwritten sheet of dated extracts she includes deal with subjects such as Lee's good treatment of slaves, the death of Stonewall Jackson, the…

GLC05728

1839/07/30

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas G. Morgan

A detailed personal letter of condolence for the death of Bedford Morgan during the second Seminole War, written to Morgan's brother, Judge Morgan of Baton Rouge, at the insistence of their sister, Ann Gibbes Barker. Explains the circumstances of Morgan's death, as one of eighteen killed on a mission to trade with the Seminole Indians. Claims that the surprise attack and murders by the Seminoles violated a recent peace agreement made with General Macomb at Fort King. Describes the Seminoles as "the most evil & treacherous savages that ever existed."

GLC05737

16 April 1861

Sheldon, J., fl. 1861

Print

Title: Departure of the Lynn Light Infantry for the Defense of Washington

Color lithograph by artist J. Sheldon, lithographed by J.H. Bufford's Company at 260 Washington Street, Boston. Shows regiment in red beefeaters style uniform marching toward viewer. A three story stone building in a salmon color dominates the left side of the image, while smaller wooden frame houses are seen in the fore and backgrounds. Civilians gather in the foreground and in building windows to see the troops off, including a black boy playing a drum in the lower right corner of the image. Girl at the center of the image carries a rolling hoop. Verso has note in pencil that says "…

GLC05508.273

10 February 1845

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Angier

Sends Angier a condolence letter upon the death of his wife (and Adams' niece), Abigail Smith Adams.

GLC05513

22 December 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Introduces Rufus Davenport, a Boston merchant, to Washington. Writes that he, "like myriads of others, cannot die in peace, nor live with satisfaction, until they see you, who has done so much for them and for their Country!" Briefly discusses news regarding his estate in Maine and his family. Unaware of Washington's death on 14 December 1799, Knox closes the letter "I pray fervently that your days on earth may be days of felicity without clouds sickness or sorrow." GLC02437.07342 is Knox's retained copy of this letter.

GLC05544

30 November 1987

Cash, Johnny, 1932-2003

Typed letter signed

Title: to Atlee Kohl

Response to Kohl's solicitation letter. Cash writes about accepting Jesus as his savior during church when he was a 12 year old boy. The memory of that experience served as a beacon to call him back to Jesus throughout his life. He writes that studying Scripture is vital for a Christian, and gave him strength in the entertainment business. He remains committed to his faith.

GLC05508.280

29 January 1987

Landry, Tom, 1924-2000

Typed letter signed

Title: to Atlee Kohl

Response to Kohl's solicitation letter. Landry discusses being raised Methodist and going to church. At 33 he realized he was not really a christian, only a churchgoer. He tried to be the best football player and coach he could, but felt empty despite his gridiron successes. He joined a Bible study group and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord, which shifted God and family ahead of football on his list of priorities.

GLC05508.286

31 August 1848

Thomas, George Henry, 1816-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John W. Thomas

Writes to his brother about the dwindling army of occupation, as the war had ended in February. Assures his brother that he will assist in relocating the family to Norfolk. Plans on being discharged soon but will apply for a furlough in October in hopes of seeing everyone for Christmas. Hopes he will not have a hero's welcome when he visits his family and friends and says being presented with a sword by his hometown was enough. Adds that there are conflicting ideas about whether the Mexican peace will last but does not care as long as he can leave "this vile country."

GLC05520

16 April 1673

Bradstreet, Simon, ?-1697

Document signed

Title: Elizabeth Stevenes widow being now in the 60 year of my age.

Deposition sworn before Bradstreet concerning the medical mis-treatment of her brother's son Samuel.

GLC05534

29 November 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Stearns

Written three days before his execution. He asks to be "spared from having any mock; or hypocritical prayers made over me, when I am publicly murdered: & that my only religious attendants be poor little, dirty, ragged, bare headed, & barefooted Slave Boys; & Girls led by some old gray headed Slave Mother...Farewell, Farewell." Docket reads "please mail this to her." Addressed to "Mrs. George L. Stearns." Mary's husband George was a member of The Secret Six, the group that financed Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry.

GLC05925.01

1829

House of Refuge, fl. 1860

Pamphlet

Title: The First annual report of the House of Refuge of Philadelphia with an appendix

Summarizes the management of the House of Refuge for the first year, a juvenile detention center. Details the accounts for the year, prints the members of the board, and has illustrations and diagrams of the building and grounds. Lists donations and subscriptions. Disbound. Printed by John Young.

GLC05948

3 November 1879

Schurz, Carl, 1829-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. C. Barstow

Secretary of the Interior Schurz writes to the Chairman of the Board of Indian Commissioners about the Meeker Massacre at the White River Ute Reservation in Colorado. Mentions that Special Agent General Charles Adams secured the return of women and children held as captives. Discusses reaching a settlement with Utes, arguing against an all-out war because other bands of Utes friendly to the United States might become involved. Written on stationery of the Department of the Interior.

GLC06009

1945/02/05

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, Jr., 1914-1988

Typed letter signed

Title: to Basil O'Connor

Typed on stationery and signed as Lt . Cmmdr. in the US Naval Reserves sending a check to the March of Dimes (National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis) with money raised by his men. There is a long manuscript postscript beginning on p. 1 "Dear Doc" and continuing onto the verso. He says his men organized the fund raising without prompting as a birthday present to his father. He mentions his men's fighting and continues: "...the night of Pa's birthday we killed an even bigger Jap enemy -- which is still secret so I can't give you details. This is a Hellu'va tough war out here and we'll…

GLC05990

16 February 1782

Ridley, Matthew, 1749-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Comments on the arrival of Benedict Arnold in England. Claims that "England is not disposed to Peace." Contains some personal discussion, including comments about their correspondence, his sons, and French women.

GLC05992

24 April 1887

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin B. Sanborn [Incomplete]

Shares some of his views on business and religion, details events relating to his family and discusses his future plans. Does not mind being poor, so long as he can get by. Hopes to take up new work soon. Sends Sanborn a number of letters from other family members. Because his eyesight is so bad, and he is so busy with other work, Brown writes this letter over the course of a number of days, always writing extremely early in the morning. Pages five through nine are missing. The last page is a postscript written in different ink, and also signed.

GLC05993

1864

Fowler, W. H. (William Henry), 1826-1867

Pamphlet

Title: Guide for Claimants of Deceased Soldiers

Written by Colonel Fowler as Superintendent of Army Records and Agent to Adjust the Claims of Deceased Soldiers for the State of Alabama. Printed by George P. Evans & Co. A guide for southern families to claim the bodies and personal possessions of their sons killed on the battlefield. Printed on brown Confederate "necessity" paper. Back cover lists topics found in the pamphlet, including a list of laws of Congress dealing with claims, various rules for making claims, and a discussion of logistical issues involved, etc. Stamped as deaccessioned from the University of Vermont Library.

GLC06158.04

1865

Chaudron, A. de V. (Adelaide de Vendel), fl. 1865

Book

Title: Chaudron's Spelling Book

Full title is "Chaudron's Spelling Book; Carefully Prepared for Family and School Use." Printed by S. H. Goetzel. Top and bottom of recto says "Fifth Edition - Fortieth Thousand." The famous children's spelling book with its covers printed on the reverse side of wallpaper. A pocket size spelling book with numerous woodblock illustrations. Preface claims this book has become the uniform speller in the South and that "In former times, the country was overrun with an endless number of competition School Books in ever line of instruction. The present condition of the country has delivered us from…

GLC06158.09

1860

De Bow, James Dunwoody Brownson, 1820-1867

Pamphlet

Title: The interest in slavery of the Southern non-slaveholder. The right of peaceful secession. The character and influence of abolitionism.

Printed by Evans & Cogswell. Stab-stitched. Debow, a publisher and statistician, issues a pro-slavery and pro-secession polemic. Tries to convince non-slaveholders to uphold the institution of their "section," the South. Uses several arguments to present his case, including: "The non-slaveholder knows that as soon as his savings will admit, he can relieve his wife from the necessities of the kitchen and the laundry, and his children from the labors of the field."

GLC06158.12

1865

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901

Photograph

Title: Albumen photograph with Gen. Harrison as commander of 1st Brigade, 20th Corps + signed note

Portrait group showing Harrison on the far left standing next to the seated General Harrison and two other officers. With a bequest note on verso, ANS of Mrs. Eva Cogswell (General Cogswell's widow) giving it to Gen. Harrison's daughter Elizabeth on 15 April 1901.

GLC06164

1864

Ryder, J. F., fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: [103rd Ohio infantry flag held by the colonel's daughter]

Printed box on verso for tax stamp.

GLC06165

28 June 1864

Loguen, Jermain Wesley, 1814-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Helen Amelia Loguen [written on a printed circular "To the Friends of the Fugitives from Slavery]

Loguen responds to a letter from his daughter, whom he calls "Amelia." Notes that he will not be able to make Amelia's picnic, but will be there to visit her on the Sabbath. Comments on a relative or acquaintance with the measles, and a visit from "Miss [Tenney?]." Hopes to see Amelia's school (where she teaches) when he comes to visit her Sunday. Mentions his ill health and an upcoming wedding. Handwritten letter is two pages long, on two of three blank leaves of a broadside. The broadside, comprised of one page of printed text, was issued 5 June 1860 and is directed "To the Friends of…

GLC06175

13 February 1869

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter

Title: to Libby Custer

Writes to his wife four days after their fifth wedding anniversary. Discusses the heavy rain, a humorous incident in which Colonel Thomas B. Weir formally requested an hour and a half of leave, his relationship with Weir, and his health, the possibility of giving his brother, Tom Custer, a recruiting detail. He also waxes poetic, expressing his love for Libby at length and writing, in part: "you are all I ask for, all I desire, all I long for." Also indicates that he did not want children. The last page is missing.

GLC06179