8 June 1785

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph manuscript

Title: A proclamation for the encouragement of piety, virtue, education & manners for the suppression of vice.

The closing text is in a scribal hand: "Given at the Council Chamber in Boston...by His Excellency's Command, with advice & consent of the Council...."

GLC04009

12 July 1847

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Pierce

Writes to his wife that he is glad he is given the opportunity to write before marching further inland. Discusses his duties and responsibilities. Describes his encounters with guerillas. Written as a brigadier general.

GLC04012

circa 1896

Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Appeal to women of all nations for aid to the Armenians].

Draft for an appeal for aid for the Armenian persecution of 1894-1897. States that Turkish authorities will not interfere and Clara Barton is at her post. Howe adopted this cause in 1894. Title from content of the appeal.

GLC04014

29 April 1885

Johnson, Badley T., 1829-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Campbell Brown

Doubts that Beauregard ever had a "lost order" at First Manassas. Believes that there was never a missing battle plan, as some have asserted.

GLC04015

1864

Walker, John Burns, fl. 1862-1865

Print

Title: Andersonville Prison, Georgia

A colored, lithographic view of the prison and POWs, printed underneath is the description: "Numbers 1 and 2 comprise Andersonville Prison an area of 26 acres, nearly five acres of which was an uninhabitable swamp. In June, July and August. 1864, 33.000 Union Prisoners were crowded on the remaining 21 acres." Walker, the man who sketched the image, is identified as a Andersonville POW and member of Co. G of the 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Lithograph made by Thomas Sinclair of Philadelphia.

GLC04017

1780/06/21

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown re: gathering powder & lead for expedition against Indians

The document has water damage with losses to the text at center left, and with two small losses in the closing.

GLC04018

22 April 1865

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Walter Taylor

Submits a report of the operations of his command, the Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia from 28 March to 9 April 1865, the days leading up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Detailed account of troop movements, skirmishes with Union forces, and the number of captured, wounded, and killed. Reports being joined by the divisions of Generals William Henry Fitz Lee and Thomas L. Rosser. Indicates that they attacked Sheridan's cavalry at Five Forks. Describes events leading up to the army withdrawing from Petersburg. Praises commanding generals W. H. F. Lee, Rosser, Thomas T. Munford,…

GLC04019

2 January 1865

Lee, Mary Custis, 1835-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M. E. Boswell

Thanks her for her New Year's present which was some sort of cooked fowl. Remarks, "General Lee is in town and if he leaves before we can enjoy it together I shall insist upon his taking it to camp." Comments on "the dear old church where we and our forefathers have so long worshiped" in Alexandria. States that Lee is anxious to have every man in the field. Discusses the liberal contributions made for the soldiers. Asks her to come visit if ever in Richmond and give her address as Franklin Street between 7th and 8th. Addressed to Boswell at the Wilderness, Columbia, Fluvanna County,…

GLC04020

28 November 1865

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John M. Kell

Kell was first officer of the Alabama from 1862 to 1864. Writes to Kell to answer his question about taking the pardon, to thank him for naming his first-born son after him, and to tell him of the disposition of prize money from the ship. Semmes states that he had not been offered a pardon, did not mean to ask for one, and would refuse one if it were offered to him.

GLC04021

circa 1880

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Account of battle between C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge]

Writes about the battle between the C.S.S. Alabama and U.S.S. Kearsarge, which "took place in the English Channel, about seven miles distant from the port of Cherbourg, France on the 19th day of June 1864." On first and second pages, gives details about the building of the Alabama and its capabilities as "a complete Steamer & Sailing ship" with eight guns. On the third page, describes the Alabama's captain, "the Gallant Semmes, Brainy in intellect, Wiry in build & indefatigable in work." Lists the rest of the crew. From the fifth to the eighth page, describes the action…

GLC04022

30 May 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: [Confederate dueling challenge to James T. Hay]

Printed broadside put out by Semmes concerning a controversy between himself and Hay, the editor of the Southern Spy. Semmes calls James T. Hay a "grand liar." He argues "I do not profess to be a 'bully,' as he has pleased to call me; but at the same time, I do not intend to be frightened by an expression of my opinion, by that potent Engine - of wind, and Cowardice." He ends by stating, "Indeed to notice him farther, would but disgrace; unless he offers an insult in person - which he will not dare to attempt."

GLC04023

11 April 1864

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Manuscript letter

Title: [Soldiers of the Army of Western Louisiana!]

Congratulatory special order to his troops after two victorious battles. Praises his men extensively for their valor at the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana on 8 April, and Pleasant Hill, Louisiana on 9 April. Lists prisoners taken and equipment captured. Rallies the men to stay strong as there is still more work to be done.

GLC04024

30 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: to Joseph E. Brown

Announces to Brown, the Governor of Georgia, the surrender of the last Confederate troops to Union General William T. Sherman. The surrender terminated hostilities in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Johnston states, "I made this convention to spare the blood of the gallant little army committed to me, to prevent further sufferings of our people by the devastation and ruin inevitable from the march of invading armies, and to avoid the crime of waging a hopeless war."

GLC04025

1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Document

Title: [Regulations from Confederate War Department]

Printed circular leaflet describing regulations put forth by the Secretary of War Benjamin. Divided into five sections for a total of 17 regulations. First sections deals with "Rules of Organization," describing size of military units and types of officers and staff. Second deals with "Terms of Acceptance," including what equipment will be provided for each soldier. Third deals with "Acceptance and Muster into Service," including what will happen to new recruits. It claims "no recruit will be accepted for less period than the war." Fourth deals with "Supplies and Allowances," including…

GLC04026

May 4, 1875

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Page M. Baker

Thanks Barker for his "vigorous defense of myself in your paper in answer to abuses of the Chicago Tribune." Also states that he is aware "that my letter to Governor Porter was not polite, but the charges of Mr. Sherman had to be met." Baker was editor of the New Orleans Bulletin.

GLC04027

18 May 1865

Allen, Henry Watkins, 1820-1866

Document signed

Title: [Payment for 66 bales of cotton]

Certifies that 66 bales of cotton will be paid to Mr. William Bradford in the Parish of Bossier, "in lieu of the same quantity due him for hauling 210 Bales…to Orange Texas." States that the cotton averages 500 pounds per bale. Signed by Allen as governor of Louisiana. On verso is a handwritten note by the Chief of Ordnance of Louisiana stating the order will be delivered. Also on verso is an order from Governor Allen dated 21 May 1865 and written by the Chief of Ordnance claiming state ownership of all Confederate cotton. Marked with stamp from Record Division, Rebel Archives, War…

GLC04028

1863/04/02

Allgower, Charles S., fl. 1863

Sketch

Title: [Pencil drawing of arrival of Union Troops at Thibodeaux, Louisiana]

Depicts soldiers marching in formation on the riverbank while people watch from a bridge. The town stretches along a curve in the river. Drawn by a Private in the 6th NYS.

GLC04029

31 December 1860

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Barrow

Thanks Barrow for the box of books she sent for her sons and states it arrived the day after her son William's birthday. She then writes of the impending Civil War, "Trusting that the gloomy cloud which hangs over our beloved country may soon be dispelled and that peace and harmony may be restored." Addressed to Barrow in New York City. Year inferred from envelope.

GLC04030

18 November 1829

Audubon, John James, 1785-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Harlan

Describes his journey from Philadelphia to Louisiana and states that he was able to see his wife. Mentions birds he has been studying, particularly swallows. Also states that a friend of his has discovered new birds, which he will tell Harlan about when he can see him again. Informs that he will going to England by the 15 of January. Remarks that he will start drawing next week, both animals and plants natural to "this Magnificent Louisiana." Asks Harlan to give regards to mutual friends. Signed postscript written across page one states that he has "just now Killed a Large New Falcon, yes…

GLC04031.01

11 February 1832

Harlan, Richard, 1796-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John James Audubon

Addressed to John Backman in Charleston, South Carolina but noted that the letter is for Audubon. Thanks him for a recent letter containing interesting information which he has shared with others. Mentions that he received a letter from Mrs. Audubon and that the family is well. Mentions that the winter was very cold and wet which has effected the roads and the mail delivery. Discusses copies of Audubon's work and some plates that were included in error, specifically a hawk and a blue bird. Advises that both Mrs. Audubon and their son Victor want to discourage Audubon from visiting the…

GLC04031.02

6 August 1802

Leclrec, Charles, 1772-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Donatien Marie Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de Rochambeau [in French]

Dated 18 Thermidor, year ten. Written during the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804). Leclerc, French commander at Haiti, informs Rochambeau that General Antoine Richepanse has reestablished slavery in Guadeloupe, and there are slight signs of unrest. Predicts that the insurrection is in its final stage. Advises using examples of severity to inspire terror. Written on Armee de Saint-Domingue stationery. LeClerc died of Yellow Fever in November 1802; Rochambeau was his successor.

GLC04032

1903

Greely, Adolphus W., 1844-1935

Header Record

Title: Collection of 23 letters pertaining to the Red Cross [Decimalized .01- .27]

Greely was a Polar Explorer.

GLC04033

1804

United States. Congress

Book

Title: Debates of the House on the bills for carrying into effect the Louisiana Treaty

Related to the Louisiana Purchase. Printed by Thomas and George Palmer

GLC04034

1855-1886

McNear, Franklin E., fl. 1855-1886

Book

Title: Autograph book and letter from Abraham Lincoln [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC04035

28 August 1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Franklin McNear

Sends his autograph as McNear requested. Torn or cut from McNear's album (GLC04035.02).

GLC04035.01