5 October 1872

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Henry Smith, convicted of counterfeiting.

Pardon of Henry Smith, convicted of passing counterfeit money. (c/s Hamilton Fish)

GLC05086

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Harpers Ferry, Va.

Writing on mount misidentifies the scene as Richmond, Va.

GLC05087

1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Items pertaining to Confederate General Dabney Herndon Maury]

GLC05012

12 October 1862

Pegram, John, 1832-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carter L. Stevenson

Orders Stevenson to try to hold his ground as the Confederate army makes preparation to retreat from Kentucky "Gen Smith wishes you to obstruct the road if possible...In case you are forced to abandon the present position, fall back to the nearest good position, but it is hoped you will be able to defend the crossings...Gen. Bragg thinks it is of vital importance that the position should be maintained as arrangements are being made for falling back to East Tennessee." Written at 2:40 p.m., four days after the Confederate defeat at Perryville halted the Confederate invasion of Kentucky.…

GLC05013

22 July 1864

Price, Sterling, 1809-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas C. Reynolds

Confederate General Price replies to a letter from Reynolds, Governor of Missouri, in which Reynolds asked whether Price would command an expedition into Missouri. Writes, "I consider such an expedition practicable, and in the contingency you suggest desirable and important." Price agrees to take command of the expedition if General Smith (possibly Edmund Kirby Smith) does not intend on taking possession of the Arkansas Valley. Transmits a copy of the St. Louis Democrat (not included) reporting Confederate possession of Platte City, Missouri. Of the possession, writes "It is significant…

GLC05014

22 April 1864

Thompson, Meriwether Jeff, 1826-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary G. Rogers

Thompson, a Confederate general taken as prisoner at Fort Delaware, writes to thank Rogers for a basket of "'goodies' such as only sweet ladies can make. ... which remind us of our dear homes in the days of 'piping peace' when Plenty and Happiness overspread our land, and before red-handed War had scattered Ruin and Desolations round our hearthstones." Petition style document signed by 11 Confederate officers (colonels) including Basil W. Duke, Hart Gibson, C.H. Morgan, Jas. J. Andrews, R.C. Morgan, Jno. A. Tomlinson, Cicero Coleman, Lucius H. Smith, W.W. Ward, Jas. Shecker, and Robert Vance…

GLC05016

4 May 1861

Ingraham, Duncan N., 1802-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Captain Ingraham writes to a general who remains unnamed in this letter. States "I drop you a line to say we are all quiet here... Lincoln seems determined to carry it on..." Predicts that the Union will not attempt to invade the location of the recipient. Reports that he will soon travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit his family. Writes "I wish you could trick up a few more deserters, they will demoralize the command of our genialBrown..." Relates that a mutual acquaintance, Warden, is still held as a prisoner of war. Docket states "About Pensacola." Accompanied by paper…

GLC05017

5 January 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: An Address to the People of the Free States by the President of the Southern Confederacy.

Contemporary fake on emancipation. Imprint, "Richmond Enquirer Print." A fictitious response of Jefferson Davis to the Emancipation Proclamation, threatening retaliation by enslaving Black people. It says in part "All negroes who shall be taken in any of the states in which slavery does not now exist, in the progress of our arms, shall be adjudged, immediately after such capture, to occupy the slave status, and in all states which shall be vanquished by our arms, all free negroes shall, ipso facto, be reduced to the condition of helotism...."

GLC05018

18 September 1863

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Requests that the Treasury Department provide $30,000 in gold for expenses of the Navy Department, as previously discussed. WIth autograph endorsement signed by Jefferson Davis on the verso: "Secty of Treasury for attention, the purpose is known and approved I hope the aid asked for can be promptly given - Jeffn Davis." With Confederate twenty cent tax stamp. Mallory was Confederate Secretary of the Navy.

GLC05019

15 April 1861

Moore, Andrew Barry, 1807-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie Moore

Moore, Governor of Alabama, discusses the Civil War with his daughter following the Battle of Fort Sumter. Expresses pride in Alabama's soldiers. Consoles Mattie in her husband's absence, stating "you must not be uneasy about your husband--rather glory in his ... order, & determination to do his whole duty to his country ... I assure you your patriotism would never have induced you to say to him stay ..." Predicts that Virginia will likely secede from the Union the same day he writes, with other border states soon following. Plans to travel to Pensacola, Alabama. Accompanied by a…

GLC05020

15 May 1861

Peyton, William M., 1805-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: A written and printed version of a letter from William M. Peyton to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05021

5 March 1863

Bidwell, Daniel D., 1816-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Titcomb Sprague

Written from Camp White Oak Church. Colonel Bidwell of the 49th New York Volunteers writes to Sprague, Adjutant General of the State of New York. Attests that John C. White is "a worthy and efficient man and one who has distinguished himself in service." Argues for White's promotion.

GLC05024

17 September 1862

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to M. Jefferson Thompson

Proposes an exchange of prisoners in response to Confederate General Richard Taylor's threat to execute ten Union prisoners from the 8th Vermont regiment. Refers to the deprivation of some property on Taylor's plantation and remarks that he believes it very unjust of Taylor to allow personal feelings to get involved. Makes no threat of retaliation and informs that he will not harm the prisoners he has captured. Written on stationary from the headquarters of the Department of the Gulf. 1 black and white bust engraving of Benjamin F. Butler.

GLC05025

15 May 1863

Carr, Eugene Asa, 1830-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair, Jr.

General Carr, commander of the 14th Division/13th Corps, writes to General Blair, commander of the 2nd Division/15th Corps. Encloses a dispatch (not included) from General John Alexander McClernand, commander of the 13th Corps. Writes "I have no idea that the enemy intends to attack tonight but think that he has been making believe all day for the prupose of making us look out for our rear and diverting us from Jackson: which probably, he did not know was taken." Indicates that he (Carr) is prepared to march at 6:00 am. Encloses a rough sketch (not included) of roads and troop positions…

GLC05026

3 July 1862

Cochrane, John, 1813-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Says the Union army "is inadequate to the capture of Richmond. I have at no time thought that it was" able to do so. Written just after the Seven Days, as the Union forces begin to withdraw and the Peninsula campaign comes to an unsuccessful close. McClellan's attempt to take Richmond from the South has failed, even though his force greatly outnumbered the Confederates. Many historians argue that it was the trepidation of McClellan and some of his officers that caused the Union failure at Richmond. Cochrane's view is similar to those expressed by McClellan. Of the president, says "The…

GLC05028

22 July 1862

Duffie, Alfred Napoleon Alexander, 1835-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Mauray

Colonel Duffie of the First Rhode Island Cavalry writes to Colonel Mauray, Assistant Adjutant General, Company H. Discusses the state of his regiment. Writes, "Since soon 15 days I have the honor to command this regiment it is for me a sad duty to say: that regiment has been raised very badly, that is to say men have not been inspected by a doctor Today my regiment is going very low because many men are not fit to be horsemen by some kind of disease... no man has pass the regular inspection prescribed by par. 937." Requests the blacksmiths William Sprague, Rhode Island Governor, had…

GLC05030

6 August 1861

Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890

Letter signed

Title: to Simon Cameron

Possibly written and signed by John's wife Jesse Benton Frémont. General Frémont, commander of the Western Department, writes to Cameron, Secretary of War. Frémont writes, "I am desirous of placing a force of three thousand men near the Southern part of New Mexico, from which to threaten Arkansas and Texas. In operating in the Indian Territory and Arkansas, we will be met and opposed by a large force of Texans, now encamped near San Antonio, unless we keep them idle by a force threatening them with attack... A force occupying El Paso, Texas, could be moved either upon San Antonio or into…

GLC05032.01

2 October 1862

Gorman, Willis Arnold, 1816-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

General Gorman requests that Stanton, Secretary of War, transfer him to a command in the West. Writes, "I have served in the 'Army of the Potomac' since May 1861. I have been engaged in nearly all the battles & expeditions of that portion of the Army. I was born, raised & educated in the West, All my social ties are there, All my private interests are there, All my early military experience was there & with those people, except during this rebellion." Notes that his brigade has been reduced by casualties, and that with many new men coming in, he thought it an appropriate time…

GLC05035

24 June 1865

Hatch, John Porter, 1822-1901

Autograph document signed

Title: General Orders No. 62

Marked as a "True Copy." Contracts between planters and freedmen: "any contact... which contains provisions tending to peonage, will be considered null."

GLC05037

1 April 1863

Hurlbut, Stephen A., 1815-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

General Hurlbut offers a report of "the present situation of the Enemy's forces" to Grant, commanding the Army and Department of the Tennessee. Mentions the position, status, and weapons in possession of several Confederate generals and their troops, including Sterling A. M. Wood and James Roland Chalmers. Writes "There is Every indication of a Raid to be made soon on our lines of communications." Requests another regiment of cavalry for General Grenville Mellen Dodge. Plans to send a brigade of infantry and artillery to destroy the [Tallahatitus?] Bridge and to move a force to Panola (…

GLC05038

26 June 1862

King, Rufus, 1814-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Writes from "Opposite Fredericksburg." Written by Brigadier General King as commander of a division under General Irving McDowell to Secretary of War Stanton. Says "A contraband has just arrived here, who left Louisa Court House, 35 miles, from this point, at Sundown, Today." The contraband reported that [General Robert S.] Ewell's and [General Stonewall] Jackson's Confederate troops, numbering 40-50,000, passed Louisa Court House on their way to Richmond, Virginia last Friday through Monday. They were leaving the mountains, except for some calvary troops, and looked worn out. Says "His…

GLC05039

January 25, 1857

Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John A. Hasler

Location derived from content. Lyon writes from Fort Lookout, Nebraska Territory. Writes to his nephew John, including a partial letter on verso to Kate, John's sister. Facetiously comments, "the promises of the juvenile song are progressing to a substantial and happy realization. But my Dear Nephew, let me advise you, that in attaining to the size and strength of manhood, you also attain to its responsibilities, when, instead of finding in your little political play, but bright colours and gay images for youthful pastimes and sport, you must come to find it the sacred insignia of our…

GLC05040.01

28 November 1864

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher L. Ward

Accepts his defeat in the presidential election of 1864 as the will of the people, but still believes that the country will eventually adopt his policies. Remarks, "I accept the result as a proof that the public mind was not yet prepared to adopt the policy we advocated, & which I believe is yet destined to run the Republic ... " Thanks Ward for all his efforts.

GLC05041

10 November 1861

Mansfield, Joseph K.F., 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. T. Goodman

General Mansfield replies to Goodman's request for his autograph. Says "You ask my autograph - If I could close this unhappy war as easily as I can comply with your complementary request, I should be happy. We are now engaged in a contest from which there is no retreating. We battle for principle, and our glorious institutions, and the word should be onward; and may the Great God who rules over all, guide our steps and conduct us to a happy end." Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC05042.01

7 March 1861

Mitchel, Ormsby MacKnight, 1809-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Harris

Mitchel discusses President Abraham Lincoln and the pending Civil War with Harris, United States Senator from New York. States "How would it do for Mr Lincoln to offer to receive the Commissioners from the 'Cotton States' or the accredited representatives of the discontented citizens of states yet members of the American Union- And in this proposal to receive them, state his willingness to treat of all matters now causing irritation... in the hope that an agreement might be made, to refer the Entire question to a national convention, to be assembled at an Early day? Mr Lincoln has addressed…

GLC05044