5 July 1815

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Fox, Lord Holland

Condemns Britain's "new crusade" against Napoleonic France: "Our countries are now at peace and I am satisfied that you will unite with me, in a strong desire, that they may long remain so. I well know the interest which you take, in the preservation of free government in both countries, and indeed elsewhere, wherever it may be possible to maintain if a new storm seems to threaten Europe & perhaps this country. Why this second crusade against France? Has not that country a right to chuse its own sovereign, & indeed to establish its own government?"

GLC09109

circa 1850

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unidentified General [possibly Lewis Cass]

"We have been actively opposed to each other in the last political contest and ... will probably be so for the rest of our lives. I want you once for all to understand that differences of that character between men whom I otherwise respect does not produce the slightest diminution in my esteem for them."

GLC09110

January 10, 1834

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles J. Faulkner

Discusses divisions with Virginia, the South Carolina Nullification Crisis, and Andrew Jackson and the National Bank: "I have been called in the Enquirer 'the chief of Nullifiers' in Virginia--and yet I have not in 20 years changed my principles one iota. The course of S. Carolina has never met my approval, altho' I have not abused her as in a state of insurrection and rebellion."

GLC09111

18 October 1852

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.J. Grindall

Discusses the Fugitive Slave Law and his failed bid for 1852 Democratic nomination: "It would be a strange spectacle indeed if the Slave-holding state most interested in the maintenance of faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law should yield her support & give her electoral vote to General Scott."

GLC09112

20 November 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elihu Washburne

"The very flattering interest you have taken in my personal welfare and advancement I know of but one way of repaying... I promise the country my undivided time and exertions and any fault shall be from an error in judgment, not of heart. The battle of Belmont, as time passes, proves to have been a greater success than Gen. McClernand or myself at first thought. The enemies loss proves to be greater and the effect upon the Southern mind more saddening. Their loss was near three to our one..."

GLC09113

3 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Honorable Thomas Ewing

On Grant, Halleck, and floods. "I have not the control & direction of affairs which you suppose... Gen. Buell is assembling a very large force at Nashville. Gen. Halleck will and is now transferring Gen. Grant's Army over to the Tennessee...And tomorrow a joint naval & army expedition goes down in front...If Columbus be evacuated the Expedition should go down to Island No. 10 and New Madrid to cooperate with Genl. Pope... But I cannot flatter myself with the belief that I shall be entrusted with any important command, although Halleck has promised me."

GLC09114

20 November 1863

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Ethan Allen Hitchcock

On retaliation for treatment of Union prisoners at Libby Prison: "I read her [Mrs. Horace Mann] opinion against retaliating in kind, and said 'Certainly that is right.' I read her proposition to shoot or hang a number of selected officers as a retaliation; I said 'that is better, certainly, than to starve all, or any part of them. But no; it will not do.' ...I suppose this killing of our men by hunger was incidental, not designed. There was famine in Richmond...& the prisoners suffered first...Without clearest evidence of malicious purpose on their [the Confederates] part, it would be…

GLC09115

circa 1863

Broadside

Title: Black Republican Prayer

Copperhead Black Republican Prayer. About the emancipation of slaves and Lincoln's prosecution of the war. "May the blessings of Emancipation extend throughout our unhappy land--and the illustrious, sweet scented Sambo nestle in the bosom of every Abolition woman, that she may be quickened by the pure blood of Majestic African--and the spirit of Amalgamation shine forth in all its splendor and glory--that we may become a regenerated nation of half breeds and mongrels, and the distinction of color be forever consigned to oblivion..."

GLC09116

23 May 1796

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pinckney

About Jay's treat and gives instructions regarding Pinckney's recall and replacement by Rufus King. "With the Treaty with Spain ratified by the President were transmitted to Mr. Rutledge the necessary powers to exchange the ratifications with the Spanish minister...Your letters of May and December 1794 relative to a proposal from the Court of Sweden will be recurred to, and the answer which the President shall direct to be given on the part of the United States will either be transmitted to you, or delivered to Mr. King, who is appointed to succeed you as minister of the United States to the…

GLC09117

21 April 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the construction of three batteries around Fort Macon for use during the attack on the Fort. Complains about faulty news coverage of the battles. Gives news of the death of Dr. Lathrop, one of the Division doctors. Tells of Major Appelman being wounded by a "spent grape-shot." He has sent in an order with the sutler to get fruit and farina from Newbern. He has still not fully recovered from his illness.

GLC03603.097

18 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he will attempt to take a furlong at the end of the month. Makes reference to staying at Miss S. G. C.'s house during his time off. Thanks his family for the photograph of his brother ("the young man in the Insurance Company"). Also scolds his family for spreading the information of him seizing the liquor from the soldiers.

GLC03603.114

2 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they have been ordered away with an unknown destination. Expresses distaste at new enlistees being given bounties. Instead, he believes that the states should draft men and attempt to refill the old regiments. Writes, "I can hardly keep from swearing when I think how everything seems to be so mismanaged, especially the enlistments."

GLC03603.130

4 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the passage, by boat, to Acquia Creek from Newport News. Also writes that the officers plan to erect a monument to Dr. Lathrop and that he will consult with the doctor's widow to see what she would like done. Makes reference to a monument being erected for his father in the past.

GLC03603.131

9 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of traveling by train to Fredericksburg. Requests news of how the recruitment is going in Connecticut. Does not believe that his regiment will see fighting in Richmond because the Union troops greatly outnumber the rebel troops.

GLC03603.132

28 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of preparing to leave Fredericksburg: "This is the first time we have shown the enemy our backs, the first time we have been ordered to run and I hope the last time." In a note on the 30th says that they were expecting to fight but that the enemy never appeared. Ends with "Rumor says the enemy is advancing. If so we shall retreat I suppose."

GLC03603.139

3 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the retreat from Fredericksburg and thanks his mother for the rubber coat she sent him. Writes more about Lieutenant Eaton's condition, which he says is deteriorating.

GLC03603.140

6 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the compliments that the 8th Regiment has received on their marching skills. Describes his uniform fading and the bright uniforms of the new enlistees. Writes, "The large bounties being paid to new Regts are killing the spirits of all the old troops."

GLC03603.141

10 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes, "We are after Jackson. Burnside commands us and we are strong." They have heard a rumor that Jackson is in Pennsylvania with 100,000 troops.

GLC03603.142

25 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that they have been ordered to Harpers Ferry. Writes that he will be unable to take his furlough because of Lieutenant Eaton's and Lieutenant Shepard's injuries from battle. Requests that newspapers with stories about the battle be saved or mailed to him. Also mentions that the regiment may go to Washington, D.C. to recruit. Describes the Chaplain's heroic service to the regiment during the battle, saying that he was the last to walk off the field though slightly wounded. Also says that though the 8th regiment had many wounded and a few killed, that other regiments and companies had…

GLC03603.146

10 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the views from the march from Antietam. Also predicts that Colonel Harland will soon be promoted to Brigadier, but is concerned that the Colonel will not ask men to be references in his favor. Writes about the other men he is sharing a tent with, Lieutenants Weed and Goodrich, and responds to news from home about his brother George's career choice. Also reflects on marching past the battlefield and seeing the dead bodies as either "losses" or "gains." Writes, "Live rebels, with theirs pointing towards me, I find is a much more horrid sight than heaps of them dead." Responds to a…

GLC03603.151

20 March 1863

Webb, William A., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [An agreement signed by Confederate officers and sailors]

Document guarantees the Union Navy that there will be no hostilities or political intrigue while the Confederates are confined to the Union ship. Has 18 signatures, including the Commander William A. Webb, William McBlair, etc. The "Atlanta," captured in June of 1863, was the first Confederate ironclad to surrender to the Union. Webb was roundly criticized for waging action against orders. He later commanded the CSS "Richmond."

GLC01007.01

23 June 1863

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Thomas H. Patterson

Written on letterhead of the U.S. Flag Ship "Minnesota." Written by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as Commander of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron to Commander Patterson of the USS "James Adger." Lee says he has been instructed by telegraph that Major General John Dix will receive the captured crew of the CSS "Atlanta" that are currently on board the "James Adger." Tells him to proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia to drop them off. He is to drop off the officers of the "Atlanta" in New York at Fort Lafayette though. Lee suggested to the Department of the Navy that the "James Adger's" boilers…

GLC01007.02

20 June 1863

Reynolds, William, 1815-1879

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Thomas H. Patterson

From Commander Reynolds of the USS "Vermont" to Commander Patterson of the USS "James Adger." By order of Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, Reynolds sends officers and crew of the captured CSS "Atlanta" to the "James Adger." Says a list is enclosed (see GLC01007.05). Reynolds adds a short note saying six of the wounded men as well as the ship's surgeon and hospital steward remain on the "Vermont" and that their names are not on the list. Written on blue paper. Reynolds was promoted to rear admiral in 1873.

GLC01007.03

25 June 1863

Mager, N., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [List of officers from captured CSS "Atlanta" transfered from the USS "James Adger" to the USS "Princeton"]

List of 18 officers from the captured CSS ironclad "Atlanta" transferred from the USS "James Adger" to the USS "Princeton." First name is of the commander, William A. Webb. Signed at the bottom by "N Mager" the Commanding Officer and Officer on Deck of the "Princeton."

GLC01007.04

January 29, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman," in Hatteras Inlet. Writes a quick note to enclose with his other letters saying that a steamer will take the mail to Fortress Monroe.

GLC03603.071