1860/11/03

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Acceptance of Archer's resignation from the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.044

1861/09/28

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter signed

Title: to Robert W. Jeffery

Duplicate of Gideon Welles' letter acknowledging Jeffery's resignation as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy.

GLC01896.047

1860/09/27

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received from Toucey orders to report for duty in Philadelphia, and decision to decline promotion in order to resign from service. "...I respectfully decline it, having determined to engage in private business, I therefore tender you my resignation as 3rd Asst. Engr..." Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.040

1860/09/27

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Archibald

Explaining reasons for his resignation to the Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy, and pride felt of serving in the Engineer Corps. "Since my return from the East Indies, in the "Powhatan", I have determined to pursue a private life with a view of advancing my own interest as well as that of my employees."

GLC01896.041

1860/11/13

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Expresses his disapproval of a possible appointment to office from Abraham Lincoln who has been elected president, the conflict between North and South, his advice to prepare for the worst and to hold above all else the fundamental principle of self-preservation. "...do not put any obtruction in the way, as far as your influence is concerned in making all preparations for the defense of our portion of the country..." Richard also expresses his belief that Lincoln's administration will fall apart in the first six months for he cannot possibly hold together both the conservative and…

GLC01896.045

1861/11/08

Eldridge, William, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Eldridge

Regarding: Hardships and suffering of military life, poor mail delivery as he does not receive letters sent from home very often and vice versa, and an anecdote about a young boy originally a Yankee [from New Jersey] who joined the regiment after the Battle of Manassas. Also, expresses belief that he will be home by Christmas.

GLC01896.048

1862/10/04

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Has decided to leave Greensborough and go to Wilmington to "attend the sick" in that city, acknowledging that he is leaving his post without permission but rationalizes his behavior with the contention that his request must have "miscarried" in the mails. Richard was a surgeon in the U.S. Navy before the war.

GLC01896.049

1862/10/09

Jeffery, Roberta, fl. 1850-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Timberlake

Roberta describes her family's nighttime escape from Norfolk to Petersburg, aboard a baggage car, and then there further traveling to Richmond, Lynchburg and Buchanan. Includes a description of accommodations and prices of goods in Petersburg and an account of the family's eventual return to Richmond. Includes news about battle deaths and quick anectdotes. In pencil on the wrapper of the letter is a note from Aaron Jeffery to his cousin [Fanny] begging her to tell him the state of "my affairs" and bemoaning the news that the "servants" are "behaving badly about the care of the household." He…

GLC01896.050

1863/04/03

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Richard reports on his arrival in the city of Charleston and finds it "...much more quiet than I supposed they would be." He asserts that the people believe that the Yankees will not attack the city and that they are going about "their ordinary pursuits" as if war was a distant prospect.

GLC01896.051

1863/04/20

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Concerning information about his unexpected transfer from Charleston to Savannah where "...my responsibilities are greater & the means of meeting them less..." Discusses the anti-climactic Union attack on Charleston including the unimpressive performance of Federal ironclads, and requests information about the family and news of Hill in North Carolina. Also, expresses his fears that either Gen. Bragg's [Army of the Tennessee] or Johnston's [Army of the Mississippi] forces will encounter the numerically superior army of Grant's in Tennessee, and be forced to abandon Vicksburg. Letter is…

GLC01896.052

1863/06/05

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Positive analysis on the ability of General Pemberton to command at Vicksburg, the defense of which is, maintains Richard , "...a defence of the obstinacy of the President..." He consequently tears into the newspaper editors and the gulible, ignorant masses. Robert heatedly discusses Yankee foraging and destruction of Southern property and finishes with speculating on the how much longer the war will last. He believes that the war will continue unabated until it is brought onto Northern soil, and is accompanied by the destruction of Northern property. He forecasts an invasion by Gen. Lee's…

GLC01896.053

1863/06/11

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Musing about the meaning of Vicksburg, Jeffrey maintains that Grant will have to "whip" both Pemberton and Johnston before he can get anywhere. Continues with a long indictment of the Yankees and the observation that "they are now enlisting negroes for their army which is a good sign, as it is certain that they cannot get whites & is some evidence of their weakness & desperation." [Partial transcript available.]

GLC01896.054

1863/07/28

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Requesting that the family "...write often, for my anxiety is very great at times, & a letter does relieve it much." Richard speaks of the physical stress he has been undergoing, reflects pessimistically on the value and fate of the of Charleston to the Yankees as compared to the losses of other cities, and the sorry state of Savannah should that city come under siege. Note: Asks Aaron to subscribe to a Richmond newspaper of his choice. [Partial transcript available.]

GLC01896.055

1814/09/24

Jeffery, Richard, fl. 1748-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Jeffery

Apprehension of not hearing from Ann, assuming she has fallen ill, British fleet going to sea, inhabitants partaking in military duties or evacuated, death of neighbor, boredom.

GLC01896.007

1863/01/23

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes conditions which led to the delay of his regiment's move from their present position, along with its contempt of General Burnside. He mentions the prevalence of desertions, along with news of a possible upcoming battle with the rebels. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.41

1863/04/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Discussing furloughs, he asserts that he wants his pay before he decides to return home of any length of time. Refers to times of guard duty when the union and rebel picket lines exchange papers across a creek. Discusses training for a regimental move, along with a request for news from home. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.44

1864/05/30

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Mentions his viewing of prisoners of war, along with the Picket Lines ability to see Richmond while on duty. He laments how a possible battle did not occur, and requests news from home.

GLC07164.55

1856/07/12

Welsh, Charles W., fl. 1850-1856

Manuscript signed

Title: [Navy Department orders for Edward Archer]

Request for a signature on Archer's oath of office.

GLC01896.018

1857/04/07

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: [Navy Department orders to report for duty]

Orders to proceed to Norfolk, Va. and report to Captain Dornin for duty onboard the U.S. Steam Frigate Roanoke. Co-signed by Thomas A. Dornin on 1857/04/17 and by J.B. Montgomery [?] on 1857/05/04, certifying that Archer reported for duty.

GLC01896.019

1857/08/29

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Grants Archer a one week extension for a leave of absence.

GLC01896.020

1857/09/17

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: [Navy Department orders to report for duty]

Orders to report for duty to the USFS Powhatan. Co-signed by Thomas A. Dornin on 1857/09/24, certifying that Archer reported for duty.

GLC01896.021

1857/09/18

Dayton, A.O., fl. 1857

Manuscript signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Advises Archer to contact "the purser on whose books [his] name is borne" regarding any funds deposited with him. Also states that the U.S. Steam Frigate "Roanoke's" purser has not yet transferred Archer's account.

GLC01896.022

1860/08/16

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Grants Archer leave of absence for three months and detachment from U.S.F.S Powhatan.

GLC01896.036

1860/09

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Orders to porceed to Philadelphia by September 18, 1860 to face examination for promotion to First Assistant Engineer.

GLC01896.038

1856/05/20

Dobbin, James Cochran, 1814-1857

Document signed

Title: [Request for examination by the board of Naval Engineers]

Requests that Archer report to Daniel B. Martin, Esq., Chief Engineer, to be examined by the Board of Engineers. The form is to be given to the care of J.R. Anderson, Esqr., Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Va. Document co-signed by Daniel B. Martin on 1856/06/02 when Archer reported, and again on 1856/06/20 when Martin signed for Archer's discharge. Dobbin was secretary of the Navy (1853-1857) under Franklin Pierce.

GLC01896.016