30 November 1861

Print

Title: [Print of John Slidell]

Print of John Slidell, clipped from Harper's Weekly. The print was based on a photograph. The caption under the print states: "The captured rebel commissioner Slidell." Photographed by "Brady." The verso of the newspaper is part of "A Strange Story" by Edward Bulwer Lytton, which ran in Harper's Weekly.

GLC05342.02

22 December 1865

Dickson, William G., fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. Levassor

Dickson, who served as a Union Major during the Civil War, discusses recent personal events and reconstruction with his grandfather (possibly Eugene Levassor). Reports that he will soon begin working at the Office of the Treasury in Savannah. States that on his way to Savannah (from an unspecified location), he travelled with General Donaldson and Donaldson's wife. Relays seeing General Davis Tillson, the Assistant Commissioner for the United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. States that Tillson seeks to transfer his headquarters to Savannah, and that he "is…

GLC05732.01

19 April 1861

Evans, W. L., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Achsah M. Level

Discusses the Civil War with Level, stating "I have nothing of importance to write. onley the disturbance in our contry which is caused by the hot headed Northerans. who are working every day contrary to their own welfair if they only know it. but let them go it. we have as meny brave men as they have ..." Reports that he does not wish to quit school and go to war, but will join a local company if necessary. States "our hilth is very good. and we are as ugly as ever ... " Signs the letter as "your unworthy friend." Written in Summerfield, (possibly North Carolina or Louisiana).…

GLC06452.05.01

3 June 1862

French, William Henry, 1815-1881

Manuscript letter

Title: to Israel B. Richardson

Copy of a letter reporting on the Battle of Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks. "My troops to form Line of Battle had to cross the Rail Road, with the exception of the 66th New York, through a dense thicket swamp; which covered the approach of the Enemy , who opened his first fire of about fifty yards distance. Although the attack was bold, and sudden, the Line never swerved; the fired was returned cooly and with deliberation, the first attack was at once repulsed, after a few moments pause the heads of several columns of the Enemy threw themselves upon the intervals of the Regiments on the right…

GLC08986

6 February 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

1 August 1864

Huron, George A., 1838-1927

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter of 7th Indiana soldier regarding the Crater Affair and Us Colored Troops casualties]

Fighting at Petersburg, destruction of an Confederate fort, discussion of black troops. "Saturday morning we blew up a rebel fort in front of Petersburg and immediately opened with mortars and artillery along our entire line, for a few hours the artillery made a continous roar. The explosion of the fort was terrific, men and rubbish were blown into the air a hundred feet high, many men were buried in the ruins and doubtless smothered, Part of the 9th Corps charged the fort and captured it The rebels attempted to retake it and were repulsed repeatedly. We only occupied a portion of the…

GLC08990

11 April 1866

Turner, John Wesley, 1833-1899

Manuscript document

Title: [Special Orders No. 64 ordering the release of Richard Bayly WInder from Libby Prison]

Copy of document by General Turner and Assistant Adjutant General William L. Hulbert. Pursuant to the instructions of the secretary of war, Winder was to be released from the prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he had been held for his role in the mistreatment of Union prisoners of war at Andersonville Prison.

GLC07271.06.02

21 January 1865

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel H. Hill

Reports from his scouts on the enemy's movements during Sherman's Carolina Campaign. Reports enemy's movement should be difficult because the "country was overflowed from the river, & the swamps so full as to be of very difficult passage." Less than two weeks later the Confederates at Lawtonville would be defeated in the Battle of Rivers' Bridge.

GLC08972

16 April 1863

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert writes to his parents while on board the United States Steamer Utica on the Potomac River. States that he and his shipmates expect to reach Fort Monroe, Virginia, the following day. Reports that he sent a letter to his parents the previous week, after which he received orders to report to Alexandria, Virginia. Relates that he (with his regiment) might have to travel to the Black River, North Carolina, to "take the place of those troops which have been sent to Reinforce Genl Foster ... " Refers to several pictures of himself which were possibly delivered by [Lieutenant?] Osborne to…

GLC06298.02

1861

Mixter, Calvin Symmes, 1832-?

Diary

Title: [Civil War diary of Calvin S. Mixter]

Signed diary including printed almanac and eclipse calendar in the opening pages. Mixter writes from various locations. Relates the events of 1861, spending most of his time divided between his home in Hanson, Massachusetts, and his workplace in Boston. Reports political affairs, discussing the secession question with colleagues, and holding a Union meeting. Writes to various governmental officials, including Judge John J. Crittenden, but does not discuss the content of the letters. Reports moving to Boston. Records hearing of the attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, 13 April,…

GLC06583.01

1863

Mixter, Calvin Symmes, 1832-?

Diary

Title: [Civil War diary of Calvin S. Mixter]

Signed diary including printed almanac and eclipse calendar in the opening pages. Mixter, a member of the 22nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, begins his 1863 diary as his corps returns to Stafford County, Virginia, from a reconnaissance to Ellis Ford, Virginia. Writes from various location throughout 1863. Includes various military details, mentioning that General Joseph Hooker superseded General Ambrose Burnside 26 January 1863 as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Frequently mentions writing letters to his wife and children. In March, discusses his application for a commission…

GLC06583.02

1864

Mixter, Calvin Symmes, 1832-?

Diary

Title: [Civil War diary of Calvin Symmes Mixter]

Signed diary including a printed image, an eclipse calendar, a mileage chart, and postage rates in the opening pages. Mixter writes from various locations, including Washington, D.C., during 1864. On 12 January, accepts appointment as 1st Lieutenant Adjutant, 3rd Regiment North Carolina Colored Volunteers. Reports to serve under General Edward Augustus Wild on 21 January. On 14 May reports "Cheering news continues to arrive from the Army of the Potomac. Our losses have been severe, but the rebel are being driven back." Discusses the events of battle preparation and an extended period in…

GLC06583.03

7 August 1864

Knapp, David Scott, fl. 1839-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Knapp and Clarissa Knapp

This document contains two letters written by David Scott Knapp. In his first letter, Knapp, a sailor on a privateer on blockade duty, writes to his father and mother, describing chasing a blockade runner which escaped them. Knapp's second letter is dated August 10, 1864, and is addressed to only his father. In his letter, Knapp primarily discusses family matters and asks his father to write him longer letters. This letter is accompanied by an envelope postmarked August 12.

GLC02669.106

8 July 1864

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert replies to several letters he recently received from his parents. Mentions family members and acquaintances, including the death of Uncle Peter. States that he has confidence in General Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Richmond, Virginia. Expresses disappointment in missing a family picnic, and discusses the availability of fresh vegetables at his station. Refers to the delivery of his letter to his parents by Chaplain Willis. Mentions the activities of Generals Foster (possibly John Gray Foster), Alexander Schimmelfinnig, and Hatch (possibly John Porter Hatch). Relates details of…

GLC06298.04

19 February 1863

Clark, Rufus H., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Special orders no. 50 regarding the honorable discharge of Joseph C. Oliver]

Signed by Clark as Adjutant, Third Regiment Louisiana Native Guards. States that Oliver, Captain of Company E, Third Regiment of the Louisiana Native Guards was mustered into the service by Major [Grotius Reed] Giddings 26 November 1862 and has received pay. Marked as an extract and written at Headquarters Department of the Gulf.

GLC08474.01

19 February 1863

Clark, Rufus H., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Special orders no. 50 regarding the honorable discharge of Ernest Longpre]

Signed by Clark as Adjutant Third Regiment, Louisiana Native Guards. States that Longpre (spelled in the letter as "Longprie"), of French Creole descent, served as First Lieutenant, Third Regiment, Louisiana Native Guards.

GLC08474.02

27 February 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

3 March 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 Ernest Longpre, of French Creole descent, who served as First Lieutenant, Company H, Third Regiment, Louisiana Native Guards. Longpre confirms that he received payment (possibly for the service of a servant James Johnson) from Major M. Vedder, also an army paymaster. Describes Johnson's physical characteristics. "Vedder" is written in blue crayon above docket. This document is partially printed.

GLC08474.04

21 May 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: An act relative to prisoners of war

Confederate act concerning prisoners of war during the Civil War. With war department stamp on verso.

GLC08979.01

30 August 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: An act to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves abducted or Harbored by the Enemy, and other property seized, wasted, or destroyed by them

Confederate act concerning the official documenting of slaves and other private property taken by the Union. Listed as act number two hundred and seventy.

GLC08979.02

13 January 1863

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: Resolutions endorsing the recent proclamation and order of the President on the subject of retaliation

Confederate act supporting Jefferson Davis' proclimation declaring Benjamin F. Butler and other Union officers as criminals deserving of death. Supports the President's order that Butler and his officers, as well as Brigadier General John McNeil, are to be executed upon capture. Also, "all Negro slaves captured in arms, be at onc delived over to the Executive authorities of the respective States to which they belong, to be dealt with according to the laws of said States. Confederate Congress "will at any time co-operate with the Executive, when requested, in any retaliatory measures which…

GLC08979.03

5 January 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: A bill to be entitled an act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities

Confederate act stating "free negroes and slaves" shall be enlisted to work as teamsters for the Confederate army. "The efficiency of the army is greatly diminished by the withdrawal from the ranks of able-bodied soldiers to act as teamsters...therefore...all free male negroes resident in the Confederate States, between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, shall be held liable to perform such duties...in the way of work upon fortifications, or in Government works for the production or preparation of material of war, or in military hospitals, as the Secretary of War may from time to time…

GLC08979.04

22 November 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: An act to ammend an act entitled "An act to increase the efficiency of the army by employing free negroes and slaves in certain capacities," approved February 17th, 1864.

Confederate act increases the pay of "free negroes...to eighteen dollars a month," doubles the number of black workers the Secretary of War can impress., and orders slaves should be impressed out of dire neccesity should be taken from larger slaveholders. With war department stamp

GLC08979.06

12 December 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: Amendment to Senate bill (S. 129) to provide for the employment of free negroes and slaves to work upon fortifications, and so to perform other labor connected with the defenses of the country

Minor ammendments to a Confederate act concerning the use of slaves or free negroes during the Civil War.

GLC08979.07

10 February 1865

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: A Bill to be entitled an act to increase the military force of the Confederate States

Confederate act allowing for the use of slaves as troops in the army. "In order to provide additional forces to repel invasion...the President be and he is authorized to ask for and accept from the owners of slaves the services of such number of able-bodied negro men as he may deem expidient, for and during the war, to perform miiltary services."

GLC08979.08