4 July 1827

Worth, William Jenkins, 1749-1849

Printed document signed

Title: [United State Military Academy diploma of Leonidas Polk]

Diploma is cosigned by Major General William J. Worth, among other instructors. Partly printed document.

GLC01687

13 April 1861

Broadside

Title: [Broadside describing the Confederate attack of Fort Sumter, South Carolina]

Describing the first engagement of the Civil War, this broadside states "Washington in Danger! Rebel Victory! ... The Confederate Flag to Wave Over the Federal Capitol!" Includes various paragraphs regarding the Confederate victory. Contains reports on the engagement from Virginia, Rhode Island, Alabama, Massachusetts, New York, Georgia and South Carolina. Describes how President Abraham Lincoln heard news of the attack. A pencil note instructs "Keep Curio" and indicates origin in Marietta, Ohio. Docketed in pencil, possibly at a later date.

GLC01545.06

January 20, 1953

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Typed document signed

Title: [First inaugural address]

Signed by Eisenhower on the first page. Focuses on protecting freedom and equality, unity and promoting international economic interdependence. Outlines nine principles to advance peace and freedom throughout the world. "The peace we seek, then, is nothing less than the practice and fulfillment of our whole faith among ourselves and in our dealings with others. This signifies more than the stilling of guns, easing the sorrow of war. More than escape from death, it is a way of life. More than a haven for the weary, it is a hope for the brave."

GLC01548

1769/09/30

Butler, Richard, 1743-1791

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of account]

A certificate affirming that a document is a "True Copy" of an account made two years earlier by a man named John Mitchell. The certificate was signed at Fort Pitt, a key cite during the French and Indian War. Countersigned by William Christie.

GLC01541.05

8 July 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Informs that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

circa 1866

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph manuscript

Title: The death of slavery

Bryant's poem, transmitted to the editor of Atlantic Monthly with a letter written 5 June 1866 (GLC 1543.01).

GLC01543.02

3 April 1865

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

Manuscript document

Title: [Telegram to Julia Dent Grant]

Telegram in clerical hand to his wife Julia Grant regarding military matters. Expects to be in Richmond next week and says Sheridan has "picked up 1200 more prisoners today." Sent by Grant from Southerland Station, Virginia, and written on "United States Military Telegraph" stationary, at "Head Quarters."

GLC01545.02

4 July 1865

Geary, John White, 1819-1873

Document signed

Title: Order of the procession at the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of the monument in the Soldiers' National Cemetery, July 4, 1865.

Possibly the program of an 1865 celebration in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Ceremonies include speeches by President Andrew Johnson and Andrew Greg Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania. Docketed by Major General Geary.

GLC01545.08

circa 1865

Pamphlet

Title: [List of forces and commanders involved in operations against Mobile, Alabama]

Full title is "Operations against Mobile, Ala.: Organization of the Union Forces (Commanded by Major-General Edward R. S. Canby) March-April, 1865." Contains a list of Union major generals, brigadier generals, colonels, captains, and other leaders who participated in the March-April 1865 Mobile Campaign under the command of Major General Canby. Lists all units, including the 96th and 97th United States Colored Troops. Includes a 5 cent Internal Revenue Certificate stamp, which was cancelled in 1866, on the last page.

GLC01545.12

23 September 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Queen Victoria

Presenting James M. Mason as the "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" from the Confederate States of America to Great Britain. Mason and John Slidell were captured by Union ships during their voyage to Europe, beginning the Trent Affair.

GLC01546

1 March 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Proclamation of martial law in Richmond]

"I Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America do proclaim that martial law is hereby extended over the City of Richmond and the adjoining and surrounding country to the distance of ten miles." The word "Seal" with a circle around it is written on the second page, in place of an official seal. Signed as President of the Confederate States, written in the hand of Judah P. Benjamin, as Secretary of War.

GLC01547

April 1862

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Battle plan and ship register for assault on New Orleans]

Document created during the battle for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which took place 16-23 April 1862. One side has a list of ships involved in the attack -- the first and second divisions of ships and their captains as well as the first and second divisions of gunboats and their captains. Verso has a hand drawn map of the battle plan to attack Forts Jackson and St. Philip along the Mississippi River. Note below the map says most of the squadron is anchored on the left bank of the river and gives plan of attack after barricades in the river are breached. Farragut noted the breaching of the…

GLC01550

1788

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Book

Title: The Federalist: a collection of essays. [First edition by M'Lean]

12mo. First edition.

GLC01551

1831/08/29

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard G. Dunlap

Defends his friend Major William B. Lewis from charges made by his political enemies, especially John C. Calhoun, including allegations that he interfered in state elections. Discusses Calhoun's maneuverings against himself, and advises Dunlap to believe his account of events, and not be confused by others.

GLC01691

1862/12/27

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb B. Smith and William P. Dole

Written on Executive Mansion stationery to "Sec. of Interior (Smith) and Comr. of Indian Affairs (Dole)." Says that Mr. DuPuy lost his job as an Indian Agent after being falsely accused. Acknowledges that he should be reinstated, but realizes the man now in his place also deserves to stay. Asks the recipients to decide this matter.

GLC01695

15 August 1882

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston and Robert James

Writes to his wife Anna and son Robert (referred to as "My Precious Ones") while being pursued by state and federal authorities. References the Shakespearean character, Timon of Athens, who also spent time exiled in the forest. Reflects on his love for Anna by stating: "Did I not appreciate you I should feel as I was a disgrace to humanity and should be universally and deservedly detested as the most ungrateful being that ever lived." Refers to Charles and Bob Ford as "loathsome wretches" because they killed Jesse James, his brother, in April 1882. Expresses expectations that Missouri…

GLC01692

1882/09/03

James, Frank, 1844-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Ralston James

Writes to his wife, Anna, about the reward offered for his capture. Mentions Dick Liddil, a member of the same gang, and the way Liddil was treated by the authorities. Comments on turning himself in and states that " ... when ever I surrendered up my belt, it would be with the understanding that I was subject to no one for anything." Attempts to comfort her and boost her morale. Mentions that his friends thought him foolish to accept any offers from Thomas Crittenden, the Governor of Missouri. Expresses his view on his situation, "And as for taking tragic revenge on any one, I hold that…

GLC01693

23 December 1885

Younger, Cole, 1844-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Truman

Writes to his aunt while in prison in Stillwater, Minnesota. Discusses the travels of Captain and Mrs. Barton. Relates news received while in prison including Harts Bonnys' marriage on 25 December to Alice Sumner, and Ciry Jones' fall from his delivery wagon. Insists Frank James does not fit the description of anyone in the party at the Northfield, Minnesota bank raid in 1876 any more than the "man in the moon." Discusses the Missouri River waterway convention, scheduled to meet in Kansas City 29 December. Those expected to attend include "all the leading men of state," among them…

GLC01694

12 December 1863

Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thrasher

Confederate General Polk writes to the wife of a man identified as Colonel Thrasher to inform her that he has began an inquiry into the affairs of a man she wrote to Polk about. In an initialled post script, he comments on the removal of Braxton Bragg from command of Army of Tennessee.

GLC01696

3 November 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louis Janin

Informs his friend Janin, who is in Paris, of the death of his son Eugene Janin at the battle of Antietam. "He fell in the battle of Sharpsburg...doing his duty to his country in the front ranks...He was wounded so severely...it was found impossible to convey him and he was left...with not a hope of recovery." Eugene is buried "with numbers of the other victims to the Carnage now which the insensate ferocity of the accursed and demoniac Yankees now wage against us." Written on "Confederate States of America, Department of State," stationary. Military records indicate that Janin was…

GLC01697

1864

Broadside

Title: Election news.

Election broadside announces Lincoln and Johnson elected, prints returns for many states, and states that Wayne County, Illinois, "stands firm."

GLC01698

1864

Democratic Party

Broadsheet

Title: The Democratic platform. Gen. McClellan's letter of acceptance.

An official printing of General George McClellan's acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president on first page. The rest of the broadside is a Pro-Democratic comparison of the Democratic and Republican platforms, and military policies. Reprints campaign songs, military policies, and excerpts from letters and quotes of President Abraham Lincoln.

GLC01701

1864

National Union Executive Committee

Broadside

Title: Is the War a Failure?

Pro-Lincoln,Union ticket election broadside defending the Civil War, which the Democratic Convention at Chicago called a failure. Reprints letters of Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Truman Seymour, William T. Sherman and John Adams Dix on the conduct of the war.

GLC01702

1864

War Democratic State Committee, 1864

Broadside

Title: Watch words for War Democrats!

Published by pro-war, pro-Union Democrats in New York. Quotes a speech made by Peter Cooper 20 years ago advocating Union principles. Reprints an article from a Catholic newspaper titled condemning slavery and an article from the impartial Boston Herald on the lack of freedom in the South.

GLC01703

1864

Democratic Party

Broadside

Title: The real Chicago platform, as expounded by the Democratic orators at Chicago.

Excerpts from orators at the 1864 Democratic convention at Chicago. Issued anonymously by the Copperhead faction of the Democratic Party.

GLC01704