1858/10/06

Document

Title: to Edward R. Archer, Esqr.

Envelope is addressed to "E.R. Archer, 3rd Assit. Engineer, U.S.S. Steam Ship Powhatan, Hong Kong, China. / Care of [illegible] Speiden, Naval Store [illegible] / Answered Jan'y 14th/[18]59." Reverse: "Written 6th Octr. / Rcd. 29th December/[18]58 / Whampon, China." Multiple postmarks and stamps, the earliest postmark being 1858/10/06 and the latest 1858/12/25.

GLC01896.026

1859/07/26

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Anne Jeffery]

Death of Mary Williamson and her expensive funeral, request for Ann to serve on the administration needed in order to sell Williamson's property, and his inability to visit Ann. Letter is written on stationary with a printed letterhead reading: "Office of Tredegar Iron Works."

GLC01896.028

1860/01/14

Jeffery, Roberta, fl. 1850-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Edward R. Archer]

Regarding events that occured in the summer and fall last including: in June, the death of their cousin, Mary Williamson, and also of "Lucy's Jesse," Roberta giving birth to another girl, Archer's marriage in July, Kate's bout with Typhoid fever in August, "...which took out all her hair so that on Nov. 2d she was pretty nearly a bald bride." Roberta goes on to say that Archer remarried "to settle up Mr. Masons; affairs," who had died in October. Her father along with Terry Flurry [?] became members of the "home guards" and Archer's son became captain of one of the new companies. Also, writes…

GLC01896.032

1860/04/28

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-1872

Letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Response to Archer's request for a letter of recommendation needed to present to the Board of Examing Engineers for promotions. According to an Act of Congress, a letter of recommendation is needed from the ship's commander that the assistant engineer served on when going before the board. However, such a letter was not possible due to the sudden detachment from the U.S.S. Frigate "Roanoke" at Boston which Archer had served on under Montgomery's command until that time. "...[I]t gives me now, great pleasure in assuring you of my entire approval of your whole conduct as an officer and a…

GLC01896.034

1860/08/08

Shock, William H., fl. 1855-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.R. Archer

Two letters, one from Chief Engineer Shock and the other from Captain Pearson, regarding Archer's decision to resign his position as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Both men express their regret about his decision but laud him with praise for his excellent service under their respective commands. Shock was a pioneer in the steam Navy and rose to become engineer in chief of the US Navy. George F. Pearson (1796-1867) was captain of the Powhatan. He rose to the rank of rear admiral.

GLC01896.035

1860/08/20

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Notification of having received letter granting leave of absence from Toucey. "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my detachment, granting me a leave of Absence of three months from the 16th August." Marked "copy" in upper left corner.

GLC01896.037

1861/09/20

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Discusses the reasons why the regiment is no longer in Washington, along with the details of a skirmish with rebels. Requests that he receive mail from home.

GLC07164.13

1862/04/19

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Description of the regiments sickness of war, along with a detailing of the reorganization of the regimental officers. Sends news that the regiment has finally become recognized and commissioned, and details more skirmishes with the rebels. Written at Camp Winfield Scott.

GLC07164.22

1862/05/12

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Details the regiments role as it acts as a flanking army to that of McClellan, while sending news of the destruction of the Merrimac. He states that newspapers are scarce, and that the Union Army is close to claiming Richmond.

GLC07164.24

1862/06/05

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes skirmishes with rebels, along with life on guard duty. He sends news of a battle in which his regiment saved the day.

GLC07164.25

1866/12/20

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friend Paddon

Requesting information about the process of pressing and refining the surplus coal at the Tredegar Iron Works into a saleable product for steamers through compression into blocks that burn longer and produce more steam than unrefined bituminous coal. Archer also gives Paddon information on mutual acquaintances within associated with the Virginia Volunteer Navy. Letter also contains the interesting contention that the spirit of rivalry between North and South has grown sharper since the end of the war and that far from "harmonizing," relations between the two sections are "as mixing oil with…

GLC01896.084

1878/02/24

City, George W., fl. 1859-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Condolences and discussion of the late Robert Archer. City reminisces with Edward Archer about his father, whom he didn't know intimately but considered himself an aquaintance. "This aquaintance was very much increased by the long chats which you and I had at sea on the hurricane deck of the Powhatan. Your subjects on those occasions...were most always some reminiscence of early home life." City reminds Archer of the time his father offered to reward him a "large specified sum of money" if he were to wait until he was 21 to begin drinking. Also mentions his father's love for children and vise…

GLC01896.099

6 September [1862]

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

Move to Jeffersonville aboard extremely crowded train; march across the Ohio River into Kentucky, with enthusiastic reception; rumors of 60,000 Confederates within 10 miles of Louisville; saw "over one thousand negroes" as they passed through town.

GLC02739.009

February 17, 1864

Keating, & Ball, fl. 1864

Printed document signed

Title: [Ten dollar bill issued by the Confederate States of America]

Signatures illegible on the bill printed by Keating & Ball. The money was in the wallet of Robert Bayly Winder, Captain and Assistant Quarter Master Confederate States of America (see GLC07271.07.01).

GLC07271.07.03

February 17, 1864

Keating, & Ball, fl. 1864

Printed document signed

Title: [Twenty dollar bill issued by the Confederate States of America]

One signature illegible, the other reads "D. Gill." The bill was printed by Keating & Ball. The money was in the wallet of Robert Bayly Winder, Captain and Assistant Quarter Master Confederate States of America (see GLC07271.07.01).

GLC07271.07.04

February 27, 1863

Hoyt, Albert H., 1826-1915

Document signed

Title: [Reciept of payment for one private servant]

Signed by Hoyt as United States Army Paymaster. Signed by Joseph C. Oliver as Captain of Company E, 3rd Regiment, Louisiana Native Guards. Oliver confirms that he received payment (possibly for the service of a servant William Pane) from Major M. Vedder, also an army paymaster. Describes Pane's physical characteristics. "Vedder" is written in blue crayon above docket. This document is partially printed.

GLC08474.03

February 6, 1863

Gates, George, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Morris Surry

Union soldier reports on his capture as a spy, his escape, and fighting at Vicksburg, with a hand drawn map of the surrounding area. "I was taken prisoner near Jackson...ase a spie...I bribed a rebel Capt that youst to live in Chicago and got a sute of thayer clothes and the countersigne so that it enabled me to get out of thauer Pickets and I walked Ten miles and come to our Pickets... reported to Gen Sherman and he told me I had better lay still for a month or so and he wase a gayen to comence the assault in the morning and so I told him I would report to my Co and I have been with them…

GLC08988

1865/04/10

Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh, 1837-1891

Document signed

Title: [Parole for Capt. J. S. James]

Certifies Captain James of the 24th regiment of Virginia cavalry as a paroled prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia and gives him permission to go home safely and undisturbed.

GLC03988.01

1813/07/27

Bowen, J., fl. 1813

Printed document signed

Title: [Exchange papers for American prisoner of war Joseph W. Clark]

Countersigned by Jn. Haines and W. Boothby, who along with Bowen were "Commissioners of His Majesty's Transport Service," and Thomas Gribble as agent for prisoners of war on parole at Ashburton, England. Certifies that Clark, a master of an American merchant vessel who had been on parole in Britain since 31 March 1813, has permission to return to the United States and outlines the conditions and mode of his transfer. He was to travel from Ashburton to Dartmouth and embark aboard the Jenny Cartel. Identifying biographical and descriptive information about Clark appears on the verso and…

GLC02247.02

February 17, 1864

Archer & Halpin (Richmond, VA)

Ephemera

Title: [Confederate States of America fifty cents paper currency note]

Signed in facsimile by Robert Tyler, as register and E.C. Elmore as the Treasurer of the Confederate States of America. No. 44502, engraved by Archer & Halpin, Richmond, Virginia.

GLC03501.02

March 7, 1814

Hodgon, Silvanus, fl. 1813-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Hodgdon

Informs his uncle that he is in good health and asks that his love be given to family and friends. Notes that his time (serving aboard the frigate Macedonian) is about half up and he has been at sea since the previous April. He asks to be written to.

GLC01450.705.02

circa early 1861

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Large parts of the letter are faded and it is hard to read. References receiving Henry's letter. Says she is sorry to hear that he is to lose Mr. Cunningham - who appeared to be a naval officer on Henry's ship. She knew he was an agreeable companion. Cunningham might have left the U.S. Navy to join the Confederacy. She writes, "It is a pity to think such a fine[,] efficient Navy may be no longer National." Says they will no longer be a "Great Power" if the country splits into Northern and Southern Confederacies. Says if it happens then the Pacific States, which are far away, will more than…

GLC03523.21.08

circa mid 1861

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Letter is faded with water damage and mold. Written by Anna to her brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Henry seems to have contracted malaria. Says through the tone of his letter she assumes his health is better. Asks if he has taken the quinine. Says their father feels badly for not giving him some before he left. Says that their father reported to her that Henry would not be well enough to travel by Saturday, at least not comfortably. Says 27 prisoners from Back Creek Valley were brought to town yesterday. She thinks a large force is around Winchester. Sends updates on family and friends. Name…

GLC03523.21.10

7 January [1862]

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Explains that though he is acting brigadier general of the newly formed brigade, he has not actually received a promotion from. General Polk. He believes the regiment may be ordered back to Louisiana by General Lovell. Gibson also suggests trying to sell the family's molasses output and mentions a business contact in France, who he has recommended get in contact with John Slidell, Confederate commissioner to France. Though the date written on this letter is January 1861, the content indicates it was written in January 1862. In part: "I wish to say particularly that you mistake as to my…

GLC04501.016

20 March [no year]

Autograph note

Title: to Mrs. Thackmorton

Two separate letters with the same GLC number. First one was written by an anonymous member of the U.S. Navy who served with Henry McSherry to a Mrs. Thackmorton. In response to a previous letter from Mrs. Thackmorton, he says she will write a letter to "Mr Welles" -- probably Gideon Welles -- about "Dr McSherry." She thinks there will be no problem getting Henry's resignation withdrawn because "he has been a good and faithful officer throughout the war." The creator says he served with McSherry through the Mississippi Campaign and in the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron. Claims there is…

GLC03523.21.63