20 December 1861

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from Camp Wood. Reports on a battle with the Rebels and states that 19 men were killed and more wounded in his regiment. Comments that the Rebels have a camp four miles from him and he is sending his father ninety dollars. Letterhead has a drawing of a lion and donkey facing one another with the phrase "ONE OF US MUST CONQUER" underneath. Envelope has image of Union flag.

GLC03523.03.02

25 April 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Bope writes to a friend from the Battlefield of Camp Shiloh. Reports he survived the bloody Battle of Shiloh (6-7 April 1862) unharmed. Discusses the battle strategy in depth and the horror he felt: "...we had to step over the daed [sic] and mutilated bodies of Friend and Enemy..." Letterhead contains a drawing of Andrew Jackson with the phrase "Our Federal Union, It MUST be preserved."

GLC03523.03.05

28 May 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Alexandria, Virginia that he is frustrated by the delay of being mustered out. Anticipates he will be home no later than 1 July 1865. Informs that the last of the Rebel forces in Texas surrendered and his old commander, General Winfield S. Hancock, now commands the Veteran's Corps. Comments what a terrible fighter General Hancock was. Reports that a photograph of their regiment will go to New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton.

GLC03523.06.12

6 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the colonel has ordered new 10x12 foot loghouses be built on the sight to accomodate eight men per building. He is fond of the area and wishes to stay there longer. Explains to his family why he is at Signal Hill and gives specific details about the telegraphing activites that go on there. Reports that there was fighting at Franklin two to three days ago and canonading could be heard throughout the whole battle. He also reports that Union forces have taken five hundred prisoners. Discusses the hanging of an old negro man who was aiding rebels in catching Union…

GLC07460.034

11 July 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: [Orders detaching John G. Walker from command of the "Baron de Kalb]

Printed document detaching Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker from the command of the USS "Baron de Kalb" in the Mississippi Squadron. Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy and co-signed by A.R.A. Porter. Docket says "Reply Forwarded Aug 20th 1863 David D Porter."

GLC03804.08

7 July 1869

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Porter as Superintendent of the Naval Academy to Commander Walker who was just given command of the USS "Sabine." Apologizes for being so busy. Says he has sent him all the orders he asked for and that he should have sailing directions enough to last him on a trip around the world. Hopes Walker got everything he wanted in Boston. Says that Walker probably wants to know his opinion of the new Naval Secretary, George M. Robeson. Porter says Robeson "has a good deal more 'snap' to him than Mr. Borie." Says the Navy will be "straight as a rams' horn" when he gets back. Written on…

GLC03804.13

29 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. She seems to have had a meeting with "Mr. Welles" -- possibly the Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles. She thinks one of the charges brought against Henry was disloyalty. She is surprised because "you and Pa at the first out break of the war opposed secession." She mentions that their father was president of a Union meeting early in the war. Says there was a "reign of terror" in West Virginia when Confederate forces came through, making arrests. She says it was well known that Henry always did what he felt was right. Also mentions that their father is…

GLC03523.21.55

7 April 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says their father wants him to send home an allotment ticket. Says their father would be able to put the payment, which is in gold, to good use, maybe to purchase land. Continues letter on 18 April 1866. References his letters of 1 February and 11 February, both of which had photographs in them. Henry seems to be thinking about settling in the East Indies. If that is the case, their father would not have thought his resignation such a mistake. Says their Baltimore friends consider his resignation a mistake. Everyone is afraid of the glut of surgeons…

GLC03523.21.56

26 May 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Hopes he comes home from the Pacific soon. Says the newspapers include exciting accounts of mining in Nevada and Colorado. Says the papers are filled with news of war in Europe (Austria and Italy). Mentions that their father conditionally sold 850 acres of mountain land. There is concern about the rights to coal and oil on the land. Updates him on new faces and stores in town, as well as recent marriages. Stained and faded.

GLC03523.21.57

8 July 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says there has been hot weather lately and that their father is in good health. Says he has not answered whether he would like to take advantage of an investment opportunity in a house in Baltimore for 200 dollars. Their father has rented a nice house until 1 October. Says she is putting off all enjoyments until he gets home. Mentions that there are several cases of cholera in Baltimore. Continues the letter on 17 July 1866 -- Says she read in the Sun that the "Wyoming" (Henry's ship) was involved in a collision in Nagasaki, Japan and she hopes it is…

GLC03523.21.59

1861-1865

C.R., fl. 16th century

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Marked that it was written from "Vermont - after dinner," probably referring to the USS "Vermont." Thanks McSherry for his note of that morning and says that he has seen nothing of the requisitions he requested. Says he sent a request to him this morning, but never received a reply. Wants to know if McSherry can fill in for him on board the ship from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GLC03523.21.60

2 December 1861

McSherry, Henry F., fl. 1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Welles

Written by McSherry as Assistant Surgeon aboard the USS "Vandalia" to Welles as Secretary of Navy. Marked "Copy" at bottom. Acknowledges receiving Welles's order of 30 November 1861 to proceed to Philadelphia and to report to Commodore Pendergast for duty on board the "USS Sciota," a steam gunboat. Written at the Navy Yard.

GLC03523.21.62

6 October 1866

Vedder, Gill, fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Says he is sorry the accompanying articles (not included here) were not sent yesterday. Sends a recipe for an unknown substance consisting of: 9 pounds of flax seed meal and 1 ounce quinine. Date of creation and place written from docket.

GLC03523.21.65

25 October 1862-16 June 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Manuscript document signed

Title: [John G. Walker's unbound orderly book for 25 October 1862-16 June 1863]

Contains 38 separate entries, which seem to be a copy of his official correspondence. Is written in several different hands. Writes at first on board the U.S. Gunboat "Chillicothe" at Jeffersonville, Indiana 25-29 October 1862. Afterward he writes from the Yazoo River region on board the U.S. Gunboat "Baron de Kalb." Most of the entries are of correspondence to Admiral David D. Porter, but also contains correspondence with Captain A. M. Pennock, Brigadier General W. A. Gorman, and Captain J. A. Dahlgren, among other lesser-ranked officers. Excerpts: 25 October 1862, to Admiral David D…

GLC03804.01

28 October 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter orders Lieutenant Commander Walker to report to him to take command of the "Baron de Kalb." Tells him to turn over command of the "Chillicothe." Docket says he reported on 4 November. Docket on recto is signed by W.G. Boggs as paymaster who gave Walker $33.85 for mileage to Cairo.

GLC03804.02

4 November 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter commands Lieutenant Commander Walker to take command of the "Baron de Kalb" and "to get her ready for service with all dispatch."

GLC03804.03

January 11, 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Document

Title: [List of those killed and wounded at Arkansas Post aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb"]

Lists 2 killed, 2 seriously wounded and probably mortal, 4 seriously wounded, and 9 slightly wounded from the crew of the USS "Baron de Kalb" at the battle for Arkansas Post. A carte de visite photograph (9.6 x 6.1 cm) of Theodore Zendon, one of the two killed, is also included. Zendon appears to be in his early teens. Verso of the photograph says "Theodore Zendon / 128 East 27th street / N.Y.C." Walker received accolades from Congress for his service during the battle for Arkansas Post. Written of the coast of Arkansas Post, Arkansas

GLC03804.04

February 12, 1863

Meacham, J.W., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Master's Mate Meacham to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Co-signed by Acting Lieutenant and Executive Officer Jonathan V. Johnston, attesting to the veracity of this letter. Meacham says he ordered Henry Hines to sweep down the boiler casemates to prepare them for whitewashing. Hines refused to follow the order. He was sent to the executive officer who threw him in the brig. Afterward William Fordham also refused the duty, "saying he was not contented while on board this boat."

GLC03804.05

February 13, 1863

Gorringe, Henry Honeychurch, 1841-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Ensign Gorringe to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Reports that William Fordam and Henry Hines both disobeyed orders while he was officer of the deck on 10 February 1863. The order was repeated and they both refused to do any more duty on the "Baron de Kalb." Written aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb" on the Yazoo River.

GLC03804.06

3 July 1863

Dorr, S.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W.H.S. Fintress

Written by Dorr as commander of USS "Hamilton" to Fintress as the commander of the USS "Rattler." Recommends that Dr. W.H. Wilson of the U.S. Navy on board the "Rattler" be forwarded to the North "to be designated for the benefit of his health." Dorr says Wilson is in a critical state. Also recommends that a trusted officer escort Wilson. Written while aboard the USS "Hamilton"

GLC03804.07

11 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker in command of the USS "Baron de Kalb." Says when his escort ships are ready, he is to proceed up the Yazoo River and capture all the guns at Yazoo City. Walker is also supposed to inflict as much damage to the enemy as opportunity offers. Says General Grant will send troops with him. Says the expedition will be ready to proceed tomorrow morning. Wants him to capture steamers if possible and destroy effectively those that are sunk. The "Baron de Kalb" was sunk on this mission.

GLC03804.09

16 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker, the former commander of the USS "Baron de Kalb," which sunk on its recent excursion up the Yazoo River. Asks him to call on General Grant 24 hours before he is ready to start up the Yazoo River "for the purpose of raising the De Kalb." Porter wants to save the hull of the "Baron de Kalb" if possible. Tells him to get all the materials necessary to do this. Asks him to save the machinery and everything movable on board if he cannot save the hull. Says the "Champion" will be used for a…

GLC03804.10

12 August 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Tells Walker that as soon as he is finished with the "Yazoo business" that he is to report to Cairo. Porter says he will be there.

GLC03804.11

22 August 1867

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Porter as Superintendent of the Naval Academy to Commander Walker as a member of Porter's staff at the Academy. Tells him to not worry about returning quickly as little is happening. Congratulates him on the birth of his daughter. Makes reference to rumors about him in Annapolis (the handwriting is hard to decipher here), but he hopes Congress will work it out. Written on stationery of the U.S. Naval Academy.

GLC03804.12

28 July 1869

Anderson (professor), fl. 1869

Autograph letter

Title: to the officers and men of the USS "Sabine"

Invitation says that Professor and Mrs. Anderson have the honor to write to the captain, officers and men of the USS "Sabine" inviting them to see the play "Magic & Second Sight" at the Theatre Royal. The professor says he has always felt kindness toward the United States, especially because two of his daughters are natives there. Hopes they will accept because the season ends on Saturday night. Written on Anderson's personal stationery.

GLC03804.14