12 November 1846

Caffrey, R.E., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Joseph Humphreys]

He describes a trip to Last Island in the Gulf of Mexico and a bizarre dream in which Caffrey was transformed into a fish.

GLC04501.055

4 May 1847

Valentine, Mark, fl. 1847

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

He discusses the health of Martha [Valentine] and plantation business. He hopes to settle Claude's accounts with Dr. Nebett. He gave Nebett 5000 bales to help payoff the debt.

GLC04501.056

31 March 1822

Whitman, Kilborn, 1792-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Judge Whitman indicates that he has extended the "Indictment against Hanover" to August, giving Hobart time to act on it.

GLC06313.04.180

16 April 1822

Dorr, Ebenezer Ritchie, 1799-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Seeks information for Thomas Wilson of London about a claim made by William Sutton Skinner under "the Florida Treaty."

GLC06313.04.182

22 April 1822

Whitman, Cliab, fl. 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes to Congressman Hobart to oppose a petition to put another post office at Staughton Corner in Staughton, Massachusetts, describing arguments both in favor and against the idea. Suggests re-distributing the two existing post routes to accommodate those seeking an addition office.

GLC06313.04.183

27 April 1822

Gordon, William, 1783-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Dr. Gordon writes on behalf of Ebed Stockton, a Revolutionary War soldier who lost his pension due to a new law and was petitioning to have it restored. Describes some of Stockton's ailments.

GLC06313.04.185

22 May 1822

Dorr, Ebenezer Ritchie, 1799-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Thanks Hobart for helping his get information for Thomas Wilson of London about a claim made by William Sutton Skinner under the Florida Treaty (see GLC06313.182). Comments on his efforts to obtain the information.

GLC06313.04.186

31 May 1822

Gurney, Nathan, 1769-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses the progress of a petition to the governor for an appointment of Dr. Collamore, which did not yet make it through the legislature.

GLC06313.04.187

15 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the men have been busy foraging for Rosecrans' Army. He comments that they've been learning drilling in the French fashion. Writes that the men have taken to singing at night in their tents and have some pieces of sheet music including "The Soldier's Dream". He also writes that his favorite piece is "Never Forget the Dear Ones that Cluster Around thy Home". Updates his family on the health of his company and writes that it is harder for a soldier to get a furlough. Writes about the alcohol problem at camp and states that although he is offered liquor everyday, he…

GLC07460.022

24 September 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: to Lewis West

Printed document signed by Welles. Orders that West is now detached from the USS "Ladona" and that he is to proceed to New York without delay. He is to report to Rear Admiral Paulding for passage to Charleston, South Carolina and to report to Rear Admiral Dahlgren for duty on an ironclad under his command. Stamp dated 28 September says West was paid 9 dollars in mileage fees. Countersigned by Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding. He noted that West reported for duty on 28 September. Commodore Cornelius Kinchilo Stribling had served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War before the Civil War. Verso is…

GLC03836.56

30 May 1853

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Hayden

He has been so busy getting his affairs in order to leave for Washington that he hasn't had time to reply to Hayden. Writes that Wendell Phillips properly named McLean when he called him the "Western Miscreant." Possibly refering to John McLean, an American jurist and politician who served in Congress, as U.S. Postmaster General, and as a justice on the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts. Wendell Phillips was an American abolitionist, Native American advocate, and orator.

GLC07483.18

circa 29 April 1858

Burritt, Elihu, 1810-1879

Printed document signed

Title: Prospectus of "The North and South."

Transmitted by Burritt to Reverend Dr. Murray with a letter (GLC 2448.03.01). Advertises the publication of a weekly newspaper, "The North and South," with Burritt as editor. The paper's objective is to "unite the millions of all sections and parties who deprecate the existence of Slavery, from moral, political, or economical considerations, in a plan of co-operation for its peaceful and gradual extinction, by which the Southern States shall receive a fair and honorable compensation..."

GLC02448.03.02

13 May 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Weir

References his friend's letter of 3 April. References Farragut and Porter's running of the forts below New Orleans. Tells the story of a ship that snuck past him. Tells of other run-ins while on blockading duty. Relates a conversation he had with a captured Confederate blockade runner while his ship was recoaling. Talks for 2 pages on General McClellan, mostly in a positive vein. Says the politicians and "crazy abolitionists of the Horace Greely school" are the only ones against him. Mentions General David Hunter and says "He has issued a proclamation recently, freeing all the slaves in South…

GLC03836.35

9 July 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says a new lieutenant arrived on his ship and that he is now again a watch officer. Says he did not want to be an executive officer, but once he had the position it was difficult to give it back. Has applied to be ordered to another vessel, but does not have time to fill in the details of why. Has received newspaper accounts from Richmond and says Stonewall Jackson is the best general the war has produced so far. Says General Hunter is to go North to reinforce McClellan and wishes it would have taken place earlier, as some good units were wasted in an attack on James Island. Part of the…

GLC03836.36

26 August 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

Written by Lewis to his sister Mary. Continues the letter on 30 August and 5 September. Disparages where he is stationed, saying it is desolate and lacks civilized life. Says he has been made an executive officer again, due to personnel changes on the ship. Says he is at St. Andrews Sound because the "Alabama" has been under steam for over a year and cannot be trusted to make the trip north to be overhauled. Therefore they are waiting in Georgia for the machinery to come to them. Says the repairs are needed as dry rot is everywhere. At St. Simons three weeks before he "had the pleasure of a…

GLC03836.37

31 October 1862

Paulding, Hiram, 1797-1878

Letter signed

Title: to Lewis West

Commodore Paulding orders Acting Master West to go to Philadelphia without delay and report to Commodore Pendergrast for duty aboard the USS "Juniata." Note signed by Navy Agent James S. Chambers says West was paid 9 dollars for travel from New York to Philadelphia. Docket signed by G. J. Pendergrast says West reported for duty on 1 November 1862. Pendergrast died of a paralytic stroke on 7 November 1862.

GLC03836.38

31 October 1862

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: to Lewis West

Printed Navy Department document orders West to proceed to Philadelphia without delay and report to Commodore Pendergrast for duty on the USS "Ladona." Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Note on bottom of document, signed by Commander C.H. Stribling, tells West to report to Commander Rolando. Docket signed by Commanders Paulding and Rolando says West reported on 5 November.

GLC03836.39

17 January 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Rumors abound of a Confederate attack on Newport News by Longstreet's Corps and riverboats. Says the "Galena," "Patapsco," "Minnesota," "Pawnee," "Ladona," "Commodore Morris," and "Commodore Perry," are present. Says things are in order, but he has been critical of some of the younger officers. Reports that they "Neither like me very well and I think they will like me still less as they get better acquainted." Says his ship will soon leave Newport News for Port Royal to join DuPont's fleet. Says the ship is "wretchedly out of stern," which has been slowing her down. Says it occurred when the…

GLC03836.40

23 January 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

References his mother's letter of 20 January. Says they are waiting in Newport News under sailing orders, which means they could leave at any minute or sit for an indefinite period. Says the tugboats are sent 8 or 9 miles upriver to keep a lookout for Confederate riverboats and that they announced an attack the night before. There was great confusion when the ships deployed to defend against the attack because of a night fog. Nothing came of the supposed attack. Goes on to describe the Norfolk navy yard in detail, saying it was "a scene of utter ruin and desolation." Says the hull of the USS…

GLC03836.41

5 February 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says they arrived at Port Royal towing the ironclad "Weehawken" after a stormy passage. Describes sailing in the storm in detail. They wanted to cut the "Weehawken" loose, but no one could get on her deck to release the chain. Updates her on recent blockading news around South Carolina. Continues letter on 6 February. Has just been told to have any letters to him directed to Key West, Florida. Says the "Weehawken," has sustained more damage than expected.

GLC03836.42

9 February 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Signed twice by West. Says his destination has been changed from Key West to Bull's Bay, 12 miles north of Charleston. Says the damage to the "Weehawken" did not occur from the stormy voyage, but from "treachery at home." Mechanics took her machinery apart and found 50 pounds of iron bolts and old pieces of iron between the cylinder head and the piston. Says "Somebody's neck deserves stretching." Continues letter on 12 February, saying he is at Charleston assisting with the blockade. Says they might be going to Key West soon. Says he is very impressed with the armor of the Monitors.

GLC03836.43

12 March 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Weir

References Weir's poor health. Says "The only difference between the blockade here now, and last year is, that if possible it is more inefficient than it was. It seems to me that the slowest ships and the thickest headed commanding officers are always specially selected for duty." Is pessimistic about the future because of the leadership of Hunter and Turner specifically. Says there have been recent changes in their blockading system due to intelligence of the many ships reaching Nassau from Charleston, but he doubts they will amount to much. Says his captain is energetic and vigilant. Says…

GLC03836.44

22 March 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says nothing has occurred since his last letter. Reports that the Confederates are improving their defenses to the harbor. Says "By the time they have completed their last battery, I presume there will be no longer any reasonable excuse for delaying the attack." Says they captured a small ship that had lost its way and drifted out to sea. Says he was able to speak to the captured sergeant and 8 privates. Written while aboard the USS "Ladona"

GLC03836.45

12 April 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to R. West

Might be an incomplete letter. Says the recent attack on Charleston was unsuccessful. Describes the battle in detail. Says "The result of this action is mortifying, but as I never felt very sanguine of it's success I can't say I am disheartened."

GLC03836.46

4 May 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

Writes to his sister. Says nothing has occurred since the battle at Charleston except their capture of a schooner at Bull's Bay. In frustration says "I have now given up all hope of the Ladona ever doing anything. She is now so covered with grass and barnacles, as to reduce her speed, never great, to five knots an hour, under the most favorable circumstances, and when the wind is ahead, to three." Says the per annum pay of the crew of the ship is $88,000 and that the money might as well be thrown overboard. Says they have given up chasing steamers and only make captures "by vessels running…

GLC03836.47