25 September 1883

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Discusses Hunt's retirement. Expresses hope that Logan (possibly Senator John Logan, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs) presses the 62 year bill during the upcoming winter. Writes "I shall not mourne when my time comes, tho' I do not doubt that I shall have vitality- enough left to feel like a cat on a strange garret at having nothing to do. I console myself however with the reflection that I shall still retain the right to grumble!" Instructs Hunt to ask General Andrew Atkinson Humphreys to show him correspondence Gibbon sent to Humphreys regarding a report on the Battle of…

GLC02382.048

9 October 1883

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Mentions an editorial in the 3 June 1883 issue of an unspecified Herald, which Gibbon had previously requested from Hunt. States that the Herald contained a review of a book by Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (possibly The Virginia campaign of '64 and '65; the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James, published in 1883). The review refers to a mistake made by Gibbon during the campaign; Gibbon asks Hunt to ascertain Humphreys' source of information regarding details of the book, and mentions Hancock and Mitchell (possibly General Winfield Scott Hancock and W. G. Mitchell, his aide-de-camp…

GLC02382.049

7 November 1883

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Discusses what he calls a travesty of justice regarding a Court of Inquiry held in the case of Lieutenant Ernest Albert Garlington. Garlington led the Greely Relief Expedition expedition in the Arctic. The expedition failed, and in the process the ship Proteus was destroyed after Garlington sailed into Smith Sound, Newfoundland. Hunt's son was a member of another one of the Greely Relief Expeditions. Written at Fort Laramie.

GLC02382.050

15 November 1884

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

He has been asked to write a description of battlefields and monuments. Mentions his approval of Hunt's writing an account of the Battle of Gettysburg. Asks Hunt about writing for "free" or "money." Refers to the Democratic victory. Written at Fort Laramie

GLC02382.052

6 September 1884

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Signed "JG." Describes the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a large painting by Paul D. Philippotteaux, ca. 1882. Mentions, "I send you a rude sketch..." (not included). The first copy, made in Chicago is now (1993) in private hands. The second copy, made for Boston, was transferred to Gettysburg (ca. 1913) where it currently resides under the care of the National Park Service. Copies 3 (Philadelphia) and 4 (Brooklyn) were destroyed.

GLC02382.053

6 March 1885

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Refers to military decisions providing post-war funds to soldiers. Comments on Democrat leadership. Invites Hunt to Chicago to see the Gettysburg painting.

GLC02382.055

12 March 1885

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Writes that General Winfield Scott Hancock is on the brink of death due to pneumonia (Hancock did not die until February 1886). Relates that Hancock recently dined with a Lieutenant Kingman, and fell sick the next morning. Writes "I fear Hancock will leave his family in very poor condition." Mentions several doctors working with Hancock, and a Mrs. Taylor, who has remained by Hancock's side. Of Hancock, declares "... there are few more high toned honorable gentlemen in the army, few possessed of more good hard common sense & very few more honest & faithful in the performance of…

GLC02382.056

24 May 1885

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Refers to the sale of the Gettysburg painting and to Hunt's Gettysburg article. He refuses to work any further for promotion: "I contend I have already done all my work for promotion & if this does not promote me, I am afraid I shall have to live & die a Col." Written at Fort Laramie

GLC02382.057

25 May 1885

Gibbon, John, 1827-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

Informs Hunt that Century Magazine has offered him (Gibbon) $100 to write an article on the surrender of Appomattox. Wonders if Hunt thinks this an adequate price. States that his article will be a selection from his book Personal Recollections of the Civil War. Asks Hunt questions regarding how publication affects the copyright of his writings. Refers to the Gettysburg paper (possibly one of the articles Hunt wrote on Gettysburg for the Battles and Leaders series). Envelope contains extensive pencil notation added at a later date. Written at Fort Laramie

GLC02382.058

28 July 1863

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson Hunt

States that his failure to reply to Hunt's former correspondence was due to his lack of faith in the army post office. Instructs Hunt not to give up his command as Chief of the Artillery. Says "I look forward to being back in command, some of these days, perhaps not until March 5 1865….Give my kindest regards to my friends, & remember who they are." Looks forward to being "back in command"(with the date referring to his upcoming campaign for the presidency). Hopes Hunt continues to advance in rank. Writes "I have watched our old Army of the Potomac with a heavy heart... " Has seen F.J. […

GLC02382.060

February 1, 1865

Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Tate writes that he hopes Stephens might make a compromise to "stop the war tho I am not willing to compromise on any terms I want them to contend for our independence to the last." He adds later, "If we are whipt it wil not be the fault of the solgers [sic] especial[l]y in this amy, it will be the People at Home and Hoods army." Tate expects Sherman to reach Branchville and cut their communications. re: peace party with Alexander Stephens starting for Washington

GLC02082.63

1863/10/26

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elihu B. Washburne re: a second term "would be a great honor...."

Written on Executive Mansion stationery and noted as "Private & Confidential." Concerns a leave of absence for Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn [sic], an appointment for Israel Washburn at Portland, Me. which was accepted, and for his friend Thompson Campbell. (Slight mat burn in margins.)

GLC02083

1 October 1862

Forney, John W. (John Wien), 1817-1881

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Secretary of the Senate J.W. Forney recommends William Cole, Esq., editor of the "Irish American," for a paymastership in the U.S. army. Cole also comes recommended by Bishop John Hughes, General Michael Corcoran, Horace Greeley, and New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan. Lincoln's endorsement of Cole, sent to Secretary of War Stanton five days later, was originally written on page 4 of a blank leaf of this letter, but has since been detached (GLC02086.02).

GLC02086.01

23 April 1892

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Abbott

Written on printed stationery of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, as Principal, to Anne Abbott, regarding a fund "to help girls who go as missionary teachers".

GLC02087

20 September 1861

Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883

Autograph document signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair Jr.

Telegraph draft to his brother, regarding the quarrel between Francis Blair and John C. Frémont. Blair writes, "Fremont requests your letter from President & I sent it, It will do to stand by - Caution friends against controversy with the Provost either in German or English…." Francis Blair had been highly influential in getting Frémont appointed as commander of the Western Department, which included Blair's home state of Missouri. Blair had believed Frémont would ensure that Missouri remained under Union control, but he quickly clashed with him, and began to lobby for his dismissal from…

GLC02089

14-17 April 1862

Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis S. Corkran

Date and location from docket. Previously showed a letter from Corkran to President Abraham Lincoln. In response, Lincoln desired to see an article related to the topic of the letter, in "The American" (possibly a newspaper with which Corkran was affiliated). Lincoln also read and approved a speech by Frank (likely Francis Preston Blair), Montgomery's brother, covering Lincoln's views on slavery. Discusses the speech, noting that if "published and public attention can be attracted to it it will help to quiet things in Maryland very much... [and] to releave the people of Maryland of any…

GLC02090

22 August 1863

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

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Jamieson

Writes to Jamieson, the Collector at Alexandria, Virginia in reference to the transport of merchandise such as cotton and tobacco to the states in rebellion. Instructs that Jamieson will have to prepare a statement each month showing the number of permits granted to transport goods to the rebellious states, including any money received for these permits and the total value of the merchandise transported. Also orders that the same will apply to any money received from the sale of captured, seized, or abandoned property. Chase signs as Secretary of the Treasury. On Treasury Department…

GLC02091

1865/06/16

Schurz, Carl, 1829-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Howe Terry

Lengthy letter describing the war-time sacrifices of Erhandz Richter, a Richmond brewer, presumably of German origin, who sacrificed his fortune and risked his family to serve in the Union Army. Schurz pleads Richter's cause with the commander of the Dept. of Virginia, asking him to assist Richter in returning to his business, which had been sold off by his partners, who were Confederate sympathizers. With a docket on the verso from Head Quarters in Richmond concerning action to be taken about Richter and his brewery.

GLC02094

18 September 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. W. Carnac

Lee briefly responds to a query from Dr. W. Carnac denying the allegation that there was any romantic involvement between George Washington and Sue Grimes (Grymes), the first wife of Nathaniel Burwell. Lee comments that although he believes Washington acknowledged the beauty of Miss Grimes (Grymes), anything beyond that is imagined. Dr. W. Carnac previously sent Lee a manuscript (not included) detailing the alleged involvement.

GLC02096

1866/02/15

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Envelope: case of soldier who sought transfer from volunteer to regular army

Memorandum on the face of an Executive printed stationery envelope, in the case of Capt. W. A. Wainwright (Vols.), seeking a transfer to the regular army. Docketed by Acting Sec. of War Thomas Eckert on envelope flap, when Johnson was trying to fire Stanton.

GLC02097

[13 March] 1832

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. F. Graves

Written as a Senator from Virginia before passage of the tariff of 1832 which caused South Carolina to "nullify" the law and led to the nullification crisis. The letter is dated "Washington 13. 1832." (The Tariff was passed 14 July 1832.) Tyler encloses a copy of his speech on the tariff bill and regrets that he cannot send copies of Henry Clay's speech. He concludes, "Whether we shall settle the tariff or not remains to be determined. I think a better spirit prevails than at the commencement of the session." Also mentions that the "apportionment Bill passed yesterday to its 3d reading…

GLC02099

1844/04/13

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam re: Texas and the annexation treaty

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania to his friend Edward Gazzam. Buchanan's delaying tactics the following year as Secretary of State under Tyler allowed the president to ask for a declaration of war against Mexico. A portion of the letter on p. 1 was removed by cutting, probably by Buchanan. With free frank.

GLC02100

1840/12/09

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Butler re: results of a meeting with the President

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. Buchanan met with the President to discuss Edward Gazzam's claims (to be made minister to Texas). He adds "There is no news. The better opinion seems to be that Webster will be the Secretary of State under Harrison." With free franked integral address leaf docketed.

GLC02101

1 April 1842

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Expresses the great value he places on Gazzam's friendship and political support. Comments that the office of the president is one that should not be sought out, but should also not be declined. Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. With a postscript at the end stating he will return to Washington tomorrow or Monday. Later addition, in another hand at the end "(x office of President)." Addressed to Gazzam in Petersburg, Pennsylvania.

GLC02102

January 27, 1847

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Encloses a passport and a letter for General Campbell. Gazzam was to depart on a voyage to Havana soon and apparently asked Buchanan if there were any dispatches needing posting. Buchanan politely replies that dispatches post to Havana by mail very quickly and that couriers are not usually paid to carry them so he cannot comply with his request.

GLC02103