29 April 1863-10 December 1863

Goddard, Dighton, 1822-1910

Diary

Title: [Diary of Dighton Goddard]

Diary of a soldier in the 34th Massachusetts Volunteers. Written in pencil in a small leather bound planner. Most entries detail the weather, the regiment's movements through Virginia, foraging, rations, and daily occurrences. Entry on 3 May mentions that the cavalry captured 12 Confederates and surrounded and fired at a major who had escaped into the woods. Entries for 14 and 15 May describe an engagement near New Market, Virginia where his regiment suffered losses because they were outnumbered. Reports marching to Harrisburg on 2 June, then on to Port Republic where he describe a…

GLC03608.01

April 14, 1865

Farmer, George E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Farmer

George E. Farmer writes to his father that he is in excellent spirits after being present at Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender. He discusses the Appomattox Campaign and indicates that he participated in the fighting near Dinwiddie Courthouse and was with the dismounted cavalry at Five Forks. He explains that though the fighting was fierce, the soldiers knew it was the end of the war and that the Confederates could be beaten. He was also present at the battle on Brown's Road and was with the advance the day Confederate General Richard S. Ewell was captured. He describes the events…

GLC00808.01

April 21, 1865

Farmer, George E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maggie

George E. Farmer gives a day by day account of the movements and engagements of his regiment during the Appomattox campaign. He reports that they left Petersburg on March 29, camped at Dinwiddie Courthouse, and fought a skirmish at Hatcher's Run. After fighting all day on the 30th, they were attacked in strong force on the 31st. He states that they fought in the Battle at Five Forks on the first of April and briefly describes the battle. He says they skirmished near Amelia Courthouse on April 4, then marched 25 miles to Jetersville. He reports fighting at Deatonsville on April 6, and…

GLC00808.02

May 4, 1865

Farmer, George E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maggie

George E. Farmer writes that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston did not surrender as soon as anticipated. He remarks that Union General Philip H. Sheridan's "destroying Angels took the war path again." He states that his regiment marched along the Boydton Road and reached the Nottoway River the same night. By Friday, they were 100 miles from Petersburg on the south side of the Staunton River when they heard of Johnston's surrender, halted for the night, and continued on to Petersburg the next day. He comments upon the condition of the city of Petersburg, and laments the assassination of…

GLC00808.03

February 18, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document signed

Title: General orders: [Nos. 19 and 20]

Co-signed by Winfield Scott and H.L. Scott. Order No. 19: "The senior field officer of Artillery, Colonel J. Bankhead, 2d Artillery, will enter upon the duties of chief of Artillery as soon as there shall be occasion for planting heavy batteries." Order No. 20 discusses general rules of conduct for army personnel.

GLC00911.01

9 April 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 101

A free black man, Isaac Kirk, referred to as a resident and citizen of the United States, is charged, convicted of, and sentenced to death for rape.

GLC00911.02

4 May 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 135

Signed by H.L. Scott. Order allowing the timely discharge of loyal volunteers as opposed to sending them further into Mexico, thus lengthening their tour of duty.

GLC00911.03

26 June 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 190

Signed by H.L. Scott. Republication of General Orders, No. 20, declaring Martial Law. Discusses the code of conduct for military personnel.

GLC00911.04

28 June 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 192

Signed by H.L. Scott. Summary of 32 courts martial.

GLC00911.05

12 July 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 211

Signed by H.L. Scott. Orders preparing troops for battle, including exercises, uniform, arms, appointments, and reviews.

GLC00911.06

5 August 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 246

Signed by H.L. Scott. Order for marches, naming Brevet Colonel Childs military and civil governor of Puebla, Mexico. Includes prerequisites for marchers and harsh punishments for those who fail to complete the drills.

GLC00911.07

6 August 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 249

Signed by H.L. Scott. Docket reads "Aug. 6. 1847 Col. Riley case." Proceedings from a court of inquiry regarding Colonel Bennett Riley's command of the 2nd Infantry and 4th Artillery in blockading a road leading to Jalapa, Mexico, in order to cut off the enemy's retreat.

GLC00911.08

24 August 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 262

Scott and Santa Anna enter into an armistice allowing the Mexican government to receive peace propositions from an American commissioner. The five acts included herein outline the stipulations of the armistice.

GLC00911.09

8 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 281

Signed by H. L. Scott. Partial docket reads "General Orders, No. 281, Sept. 8th 1847, Proceedings of GCM." Colonel Bennett Riley, presiding, tries 29 privates for desertion in a general court martial and, finding them guilty, sentences them to be executed the next morning.

GLC00911.10

10 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 282

Signed by H. L. Scott. Partial docket reads "[Gener]al Orders, No. 282, [Sept.] 9th 1847, [Proceedings] of GCM, [illegible]." Announcement that the four convicted deserters herein mentioned will be hung tomorrow, as they were in transport when their fellow deserters were executed this morning (see GLC00911.10). Right margin cropped.

GLC00911.11

10 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 283

Signed by H. L. Scott. Partial docket reads "[General] Order, No. 283, Sept. 10-1847, [Procee]dings of a GCM, Cases of Desertion" and "Maj. Bonneville, Comd of 6th Infy." Brevet Colonel Garland, presiding, tries 36 privates for desertion in a general court martial and, finding them guilty, sentences them to death.

GLC00911.12

14 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 284

Signed by H. L. Scott. Announces the capture and possession of Mexico City, though the war is not yet over.

GLC00911.13

16 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 286

Signed by H. L. Scott. Thanks the army for a job well done in fighting its way through Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, San Cosme and Tacubaya to Mexico City. Imprinted seal partially visible in bottom right corner.

GLC00911.14

17 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 287

Signed by H. L. Scott. Republication of General Orders, No. 20, declaring Martial Law. Discusses the code of conduct for military personnel. Written from the National Palace of Mexico.

GLC00911.15

19 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 290

Signed by H. L. Scott. Partial docket reads "[General] Orders, No. 290, [Sept.] 19-1847, [Establis]hing Gen. HQ [illegible] hours" and "Clarke, 6 nif." Establishes location of the Adjutant General's office. Imprint in upper left corner reads "Bet Field Message." Right margin cropped.

GLC00911.16

19 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 291

Signed by H. L. Scott. Proceedings of a trial finding Henrique Garcia, Mexican Chief of Battalion, not guilty of bearing arms and threatening American soldiers in Mexico City, a violation of the laws of war. Brevet Brigadier General Smith presiding.

GLC00911.17

20 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 293

Signed by H. L. Scott. Docket reads "General Orders, No. 293, Sept. 20th 1847, Sergeant and Corporals who distinguis [sic] themselves in action. Commanders to make report on the subject." Republishes section 17 of an act of Congress (3 March 1847) stating that any non-commissioned officer who distinguishes himself during a tour of duty will have attached to him by brevet the lowest grade of rank along with an increase in pay.

GLC00911.18

21 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 294

Signed by H. L. Scott. Partial docket reads "[General] Orders, [No.] 294, [Sept.] 21-1847, [Procee]dings of GCM." Summary of court martials of six soldiers, all found guilty of mutinous conduct and drunkenness on guard, and all sentenced to death.

GLC00911.19

22 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 296

Signed by H. L. Scott. Announces speculation that a conspiracy is afoot and orders everyone to be alert to mutinous or terrorist activities, especially Mexicans impersonating priests.

GLC00911.20

24 September 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 297

Signed by H. L. Scott. Docket reads "General Order, No. 297, Sept. 24th 1847, Deference to be paid to Religious ceremonies. Distribution of knives to thieves and murderers. Measures taken to secure the Leaders." Prohibits the interruption of processions and asks Protestants to respect Catholic ceremonies. Announces that released convicts have been outfitted with weapons to assassinate drunk soldiers. Originally numbered as 296, struck and replaced with 297 by Scott.

GLC00911.21