March 8, 1789

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth

Ellsworth, a Senator from Connecticut, reports to his wife, who he calls "Nabby," concerning the first Presidential election. States that "the Votes for the President-& Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of-General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter." States that a public building was erected and finished for the new national leaders.

GLC00641

December 12, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses his recent election to Speaker of the House, alludes to its possible effect on his presidential run in the election of 1824, and explains that his political opponents desire to form a caucus. Also notes his improving health. Remarks on foreign affairs, particularly "the affairs of Spanish America," which had resulted in the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine ten days earlier. Clay argues: "Physically we can not, morally we may interfere in the affairs of Europe; and the great sheam [sic] of moral power would not be small nor unfelt."

GLC00645

October 1, 1883

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Audenreid

Signed on top of the first page. Sherman writes to Mary Audenreid, the widow of Sherman's aid from 1863 to 1880, Col. Joseph C. Audenreid. Sherman began an eight-year romantic relationship with her starting in 1880. He discusses remodeling his house. He explains his plans to retire due to his age; he will be turning over command of the Army to Philip Sheridan, on November 1, 1883. He plans to then move to St. Louis, and morbidly adds: "to wait for the final summons to Bellefontaine [Cemetery]."

GLC00651

July 10, 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Washington

In the letter, George Washington discusses Pennsylvania troops mutiny and Treaty of Paris. Docketed on page 4 by his nephew. Also mentions Congress moving to New Jersey. The letter is in very poor condition from severe mold damage (inactive).

GLC00652

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

July 4, 1863

Fuller, Josiah C., 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Detailed description of the 32nd Massachusetts Volunteers, E Company at Gettysburg. Mentions moving their headquarters several times due to shellfire.

GLC00653.06.01

October 27, 1851

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes to his son, Robert Tyler. He discusses the defeat of Judge Campbell, who had been rejected because he was a Roman Catholic: "to make a man's religious opinions the test for office is to break down the fairest and most beautiful pillar of the Constitution." He believes the Presidential election remains an open contest, and that his support of the tariff of 1842 would be a suitable point on which Robert Tyler might speak. He believes that Millard Fillmore is likely to obtain the Whig nomination. John Tyler was President of the United States from 1841 to 1845.

GLC00639.24

December 24, 1814

Gambier, James Gambier, Baron, 1756-1833

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certification of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent]

Cosigned by Henry Goulburn and William Adams. Certification made by the British signers of the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Indicates that Secretary of Legation Christopher Hughes will deliver the treaty to the United States. Gambier was an admiral in the British Navy, Goulburn was undersecretary of the colonial office, and Adams was an admiralty lawyer.

GLC00639.32

March 19, 1800

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mes. Willings & Francis

Refuses to pay any further compensation to Charles Rutledge "while charged with their affairs in Spain." "I find that I shall not be warranted in making any further payments in his behalf; and therefore I cannot accept the bill drawn by him...for 2567.10 [pounds] sterling." Black wax remnant for the seal located on the address leaf above the docket. Noted as being from the Department of State above the date.

GLC00640

May 15, 1861

Letcher, John, 1813-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Council

States that Colonel Fauntleroy outranked General Robert E. Lee in the United States Army and feels Fauntleroy is entitled to be commissioned nothing lower than a brigadier general in the Provisional Army. With endorsement of P. F. Howard, secretary of the Council approving the nomination. Says "…I regret that I cannot concur in the recommendation made by the Council in the case of Colonel Fauntleroy. If I am correctly informed, Col Fauntleroy ranked General Lee in The United States Army, & if this is so, it seems to me, that he is justly entitled to the commission of a Brigadier General…

GLC00642

September 10, 1798

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. Simpson

Encloses two port notes (not present) for $2,000 to be placed to his credit. Discusses a note that should have been withdrawn by Mr. Wallace. States he will pay the interest and the notary charge as soon as he knows how much it is. Addressed to Simpson in Philadelphia as cashier of the Bank of the United States.

GLC00643

May 17, 1853

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lizzie Ellicott

Chastises her lightly for not replying to his note and gift sooner. Mentions that he was in Syracuse, New York and visited Gerrit Smith in Petersboro where he also gave a speech. Hopes to visit in July.

GLC00644

May 15, 1773

Hooper, William, 1742-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Hooper

States that this letter will be delivered by a good friend, Mrs. Lobb. He describes how Mrs. Lobb cared for him diligently during a long illness he suffered. Informs that Mrs. Lobb is a recent widow, and asks his mother to provide her and her daughter with lodging and hospitality in Boston during their trip to Wilmington.

GLC00646

October 29, 1788

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Trist

One letter addressed to Eliza Trist from James Madison dated New York, October 29. Discusses his travel plans and health. Also mentions a man named John, whom Madison arranged to be placed in the Almhouse (center for the homeless). Mentions Edmund Randolph, William Grayson, and Thomas Jefferson. Trist was the daughter of a woman who ran a Philadelphia boarding house where Madison and Jefferson frequently stayed. Signed "Js. Madison Jr."

GLC00647

October 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648

20 May 1863

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [John H. Morgan's endorsement on an offer for an exchange of prisoners]

Morgan's endorsement as Brigadier General and Confederate raider. On verso of a letter copy to Union Major General Ambrose Burnside from John W. Finnell, Adjutant General Kentucky Volunteers, dated 21 April 1863, regarding the exchange of a pro-Union Kentucky senator and Judge Buster and William Ingram. Morgan states these two men were arrested at Monticello, Kentucky, by Colonel Chennault of Morgan's command. Morgan reports that they have been " ... placed under bond & parole to Exchange themselves for Southern-rights men who have been arrested and placed in confinement by the Federal…

GLC00649

September 14, 1862

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to T. B. Roy

Will obey orders he has just received regarding surveillance. Is scouting enemy pickets and estimates enemy troop strength. Describes Union recruitment meeting and wonders what to do about disloyal citizens. Roy was Hardee's Assistant Adjutant General. Docket contains Hardee's autograph endorsement signed. Docket states the letter was forwarded to Braxton Bragg, and contains the signature of George G. Garner, Bragg's Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00650

1860-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of soldiers letters diaries &c. [decimalized]

[decimalized 00653.01-00653.26]

GLC00653

circa 1864

Manuscript document

Title: The Red River Expedition [incomplete]

Mentions Generals Andrew Jackson Smith, Joseph Anthony Mower, and Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, among others. Lists details of the campaign. Writes "We marched back to Alexandria... Gen Banks had arrived some days previous and taking command of the entire forces, prepared to move on toward Shreveport. Up to this time the expedition had been entirely successful but after this time I cannot say so much..." Possibly by Lieutenant Colonel William Heath. Written for publication in a newspaper.

GLC00653.02.02

1863-1864

Ives, Warren A., fl. 1863-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Warren A. Ives] [Decimalized .01- .03 ]

Ives served in H company, 151st regiment, New York volunteer infantry. Collection contains three letters: an autograph letter signed dated 26 June 1863 and written from Maryland Heights (4 pages); an autograph letter signed dated 23 May 1864 and written from Fredericksburg, Virginia (1 page); and an autograph letter signed dated 24 October 1864 and written from Middletown, Shennandoah Valley (4 pages). The 24 October 1864 letter graphically describes "Sheridan's ride" at Cedar Creek.

GLC00653.03

May 1863

Header Record

Title: [Letters about the Battle of Chancellorsville]

Collection of two soldier's letters about the Battle of Chancellorsville. The first, written by an unknown soldier to his wife and children, is dated 8 May 1863 and written near Falmouth, Virginia. The second is an autograph letter signed from a soldier named Simeon to his mother. It is dated 10 May 1863 and was written from Court House, Virginia. Each letter is four pages long.

GLC00653.04

24 June 1864, 23 August 1864

Vanaernam, Henry, 1819-1894

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry Vanaernam, field and staff, 154th regiment, New York, infantry]

Surgeon in the 154th NY Volunteers, Surgeon in Chief. Describes Confederate resistance and the shelling of Atlanta just before its fall. Both written in pencil.

GLC00653.05

November 18, 1861

Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

A Confederate captain in an ordnance unit tells his father about Civil War activities in Arkansas and Missouri. He comments on the arrival of Union General David Hunter with 36,000 soldiers. He discusses the strength and position of Confederate General Ben McCulloch's men. He claims that "The burning of the bridge in Tenn. has virtually cut the Confederacy in two," and consequently the mail has been limited, and may be worse still if Union General William T. Sherman moves into South Carolina. He notes that they have not heard from their enemies in the Creek nation, indicating that…

GLC00653.07

July 18, 1863

Bud, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writer is identified only as "Bud." The letter-writer calls Gettysburg "one of the Bloodiest Battles of the war." He reports on people from home and describes damages. Letter is considerably damaged by water staining with slight text loss in center.

GLC00653.08

1863-1864

Header Record

Title: Collection of Joseph B. Gorsuch, Company I, 83rd regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry [Decimalized .01-.22]

Letter GLC00653.09.10 indicates that Gorsuch also served as Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee from June 1864 until his death in 1865. Gorsuch's letters span from Vicksburg to the Red River Campaign. Most letters are written to Joseph Curtis, Gorsuch's uncle. Collection includes a sketched map of Vicksburg (.02), a pencil note citing an unknown person's fever from malaria (possibly Gorsuch's own illness) (.17), and Regimental resolutions following his death (.18).

GLC00653.09