27 February 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David D. Porter

To Adm. David D. Porter. Vicksburg campaign letter re frustrated attempt to dig a canal to bypass Confederate forces. "At the present stage of water the submarine pump cannot be used. Capt. Prime therefore has had it put aboard the Champion. Will you be kind enough to let us have the pump and steamer again when the water falls about ten inches from its present level?"

GLC09363

1 June 1782-1789

Lawrence, John, 1719-1802

Printed document signed

Title: [Pay warrant for African American soldier]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War pay warrant issued to African American soldier Nero Cross, for five pounds, eight shillings, and five pence. Signed by John Lawrence, treasurer of the State, "X" on verso by Cross, and docketed every year to 1789 when interest was paid.

GLC09364

circa 3 March 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Certificate of service for African American soldier Primas Hubbell]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War African American soldier Primas Hubbell. Certification of service signed by three Kent, CT selectmen; with order for delivery of pay to Joseph Pratt, signed with "X" by Hubbell; and with attestation of above via Hubbel's appearance before Justice of the Peace Jedidiah Hubbel.

GLC09365.01

29 May 1783

Printed document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment]

Receipt of payment of eleven pounds, three shillings, and fourteen pence to Primas Hubbell, signed by selectman Joseph Pratt.

GLC09365.02

9 January 1784

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Certificate of enlistment and discharge for Samson Cuff]

Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War African American soldier Samson Cuff. Certification of enlistment and discharge signed by four Windsor, CT selectmen. To the Committee of Paytable.

GLC09366.01

17 January 1784

Manuscript document signed

Title: [pay request for Samson Cuff]

Pay request, signed "X" by Samson Cuff, and signed by Justice of the Peace Henry Allyn.

GLC09366.02

22 January 1784

Phelps, Jesse, fl. 1784

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment]

Receipt of payment of eighteen pounds and ten shillings to Samson Cuff, signed by Jesse Phelps.

GLC09366.03

11 April 1831

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Buchanan

The only U.S. president who never married, to his sister Harriet: "When you have determined (as I trust you will not) never to marry I shall cheerfully provide you a comfortable home. It would afford me great pleasure & promote my own comfort & happiness to have you for a house keeper. Still I think you ought to marry, should a favorable opportunity offer. There is nothing very desirable in the situation of an old maid; still it is less comfortless than that of an unhappy wife."

GLC09367

2 May 1862

Humphrey, Marshall, fl. 1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: to A.C. Moore

General orders to Col. A. C. Moore to recall all troops on furlough from the 29th Va. Volunteers: "Events render it imperative that there shall be no delay in executing this order. The country demands the energies of all its soldiers, and the General relies upon them to fulfill their whole duty at any sacrifice." The previous December, Marshall had threatened to arrest and court-martial Moore because he did not bring his troops to the defense of Abington quickly enough to suit the general.

GLC09368

27 January 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Re Burnside's ill-fated "Mud March." Firsthand account by a soldier in the 1st Mass. Volunteers, who writes to his brother: "…nor did our movement benefit the 'Glorious Cause' in the least, except it cause Burnside to be removed and a better man put in his boots, Say McClellan and then the movement will be of a vast benefit to that suffering part of the community known as the Army of the Potomac. I don't know as I am much the worse off now for the jaunt through the mud, and if Burnside be removed I will not complain but I think I got off cheaply, for it was about time for another slaughter,…

GLC09370

21 February 1865

Owen, John, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James

Captain of 36th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, mentions the locations of fellow Harvard alums, including "[Robert Todd] Lincoln in the army," and the health of those released from POW camps. He announces the news that "at this moment [received from] the Orderly…'By telegraph…a despatch from Admiral Dahlgren that Charleston is evacuated & that he is running up to take possession - you will fire a…salute…for the Capture of Charleston & Columbia, U.S. Grant.…' Hurra for Dahlgren & Sherman - The fall of Ch. & Columbia ­ Yea! verily the end approaches & one last fight more…

GLC09371

9 July 1862

Broadside

Title: [Orders from the State of Maine]

Two Executive Orders and three General Orders from the State of Maine, printed together, re the necessity of raising additional troops for the Union cause. Bottom of page is a statement addressed to "the Patriotic Citizen Soldiery of Maine: …With the $100 cash bounty … the advantages of entering the service by voluntary enlistment, rather than by being detached or drafted, are most apparent. The adoption of the latter course, for want of volunteers, while it will deprive our citizens of the Government Bounty, premium and advance pay, will also deprive them of the honor of volunteering in this…

GLC09372

16 November 1846

Brown, Neill, fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to a cousin

[Slavery] From Cleveland, Ohio to a cousin in North Carolina: "I am here surrounded by abolitionists, yea in the very hot bed of this class of people.… Three weeks since there was a negroe woman who said she was a fugitive slave from Mississippi, got up in the pulpit of one of the churches here and related her suffering while in slavery, more than three fourths of what she said of the usage or treatment of slave in the south I know to be false. A few nights after this in the same church 2 individuals who had been imprisoned in the penitentiary of some slave state for negro stealing or as they…

GLC09373

22 August 1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her cousin

Alabama woman writes to her cousin in Michigan about family news and her mother's illness, and how life has changed since Emancipation: "It does not seem possible that I could go through the same amount of labor and endure the anxiety and suspense of the past two months again. But one has not the most distant idea of what they can perform until circumstances forces them to exertion. Until our servants were freed, I was considered entirely too delicate to perform any kind of household work. And had any one told me that I could, or would in a few years, perform the entire work that was then…

GLC09375

3 February 1820

Printed document

Title: "In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union..."

"In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union,' …being under consideration, …Mr. Thomas proposed to amend the said amendments, by adding… : …in all that tract of country ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, excepting only such part thereof as is included in the limits of the state contemplated by this act, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…Provided, always, That any…

GLC09376

4 January 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Talks of mutual acquaintances, (including a death, one in an "insane retreat" and one who goes down town and returns "pretty tight"), Christmas (when he hears a sermon by an African missionary on "what shall be done with the Black race,") and often of God and Church. Mentions having his photo taken, and the "Boys" needing the mittens that Mary's Sewing Society has made. Finally, he acknowledges Mary's invitation to spend next New Year's with her, adding, however, that "soldiers can not tell whether or what they will do much before hand." Written on military…

GLC02165.01

28 January 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Confesses that the people enjoying the winter, sleighing etc., makes him miss home and that he hopes he never sees fighting like that which has been going on in Kentucky. Also says the stormy winter inhibits drilling. Mentions General Ambrose Burnside and an expedition of some secrecy (perhaps the North Carolina Expeditionary Corps). Finally, he discusses a friend who has been drafted into the state militia, expresses some doubt whether he will ever be discharged, and describes the regiment receiving their colors "without ceremony" in the city at Col. Demong'…

GLC02165.02

23 February 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Laments camp accommodations ("you are at Church listening to a good sermon while I am seated on a wash basin and writing on a Camp Kettle") and not being able to spend "the last Sunday in Brookfield that perhaps I shall ever spend in Ct. with you." Talks of writing letters for soldiers in his company who are ill with measles or in the hospital. Jokes with some hints of jealousy that his friend went sleighing with a man named John. Then, describes part of the journey his company will take by railroad and steamboat, stopping at Fort Monroe (in Virginia).…

GLC02165.03

27 May 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Describes his time in New Orleans in the beginning of May, including the abuse from the natives, such as threats of the Yellow Jack. Also describes in good detail his regiment's role in the taking of New Orleans upon his arrival on May 1st and their discovery of ammunition, cannon, and even money buried by the Rebels in their retreat.

GLC02165.04

29 May 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Mentions going into New Orleans and meeting many acquaintances from home, noting that the people "seemed to behave themselves very well." Wounded acquaintance, William, returns to service, and William, the writer, notes he would not like to return home until he can do so "for good." Discusses heat, flies/mosquitoes, and the manner in which troops can trade rations for fruit in season. Finally, the war is taking a toll when he says, "I am getting tired of this life which I am leading. It is so monotonous, every day a like, and I shall be glad when this war…

GLC02165.05

25 July 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Talks of the attempts of some (such as his friends Wilkinson and Johnson) to be discharged, and Sunday morning mandatory cleaning routines. Mentions General Ambrose Burnside will be reinforcing General George McClellan and that he doubts his regiment will stay put for long as the army needs them on the move. Says a scouting expedition will be going out because of a guerrilla band that has been harassing Union men. Written on military stationary with the image of an eagle.

GLC02165.06

29 July 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. First mentions a skirmish near Lake Pontchartrain. Visits a nearby plantation, visiting its sugar house, and conversing with former enslaved people who say they would rather be there than in the camp. Describes the situation of the Blacks in the camp and describes them as "independent and saucy." Talks of a funeral for two uncommisioned officers and a march through mud, then a Maine regiment that loses one or two men a day to disease.

GLC02165.07

16 August 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Hubbard to a friend. Talks of the departure of "Doctor" for whom Holly most likely works and whom Holly is sad to see go. A man comes along and asks for whiskey; describes his practices of "prescribing" whiskey. Comments that though his accommodations are fine, he wishes he were home with friends. Says he is glad he enlisted for three years instead of nine months, as the nine month enlistees have some disgrace attached to them. Anticipates news from Charleston, hoping that if Charleston falls, and they can take Mobile "the Rebs will have to cave."

GLC02165.08

28 August 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at an unkown location to a friend. First, he compares a soldier's occupation to a teacher's and observes that if he is paid no matter the amount of work he does, it is logical that he should be lazy. Is dubious whether they will defeat the rebels. Expresses dislike for Bethel Military Co., hoping they will have to fight in the front ranks. Talks of friends at home. Says furloughs are not being granted, but he would still not like to come home without being able to stay. Talks of Major General John C. Breckinridge's victory at Baton Rouge and gives a detailed description of their…

GLC02165.09

24 March 1783

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Army Rations issued to the Engineer's Department]

Request for six days' worth of provisions for Masons;. Signed by a Joseph C. [Dellezenne]. Countersigned by John Lillie with note from Robert Matthews. Date and place writ from note.

GLC02437.02023