9 February 1781

Bee, Thomas, 1725-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Bee writes as a Continental Congressman from South Carolina with news of the American victory in the state (most likely the Battle of Cowpens, 17 January 1781). Also informs that the troops are very low on supplies. Mentions that Benedict Arnold is in Virginia, that Hessians are at Charleston and that North Carolina has been unresponsive to appeals for aid. Also mentions British General Charles Cornwallis and gives an update on other troop movements and events.

GLC06633

10-31 October 1775 circa

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Possibly written to Benjamin Church. Apparently incomplete, this part being the conclusion. Arnold closes by addressing "Gentlemen." He expresses his dismay at Congress' plan to abandon Fort Ticonderoga, "which being the only post of this country, leaves our very extensive frontier open to the ravages of the enemy ... " Writes that he has 150 men and expects to have his regiment complete soon.

GLC06634

16 April 1783

North, Frederick, 1732-1792

Letter signed

Title: to Friedrich Riedesel

Orders Riedesel, the commander of Hessian troops in Canada, to prepare to return to Europe in accordance with the provisional peace treaty made to end the American Revolution. Written at Whitehall.

GLC06635

6 September 1762

Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sir William Johnson

Written by Amherst as Governor-General of British North America, a title he earned after his forces captured Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal during the French and Indian War, to Johnson, a subordinate of Amherst's. Passing along information on British victory at Havana from Lord Albemarle, Commander of the British army. The attack was part of Britain's offensive against Spain when she entered the war in support of France late in 1761. The British government's response was immediately to plan large offensive amphibious operations against Spanish overseas possessions, particularly Havana, the…

GLC06636

10 December 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Thompson

Updates Thompson on family news. States that his sister has told him that Fitch has not paid his debt yet and advises Thompson to consult a lawyer to recover the money owed. Asks him what price he can get for selling his house. Hopes to see Thompson next spring if his army service does not take him to the field. Gives love to the rest of the family. Addressed to Thompson as a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. Free franked by Arnold.

GLC06637

2 May 1863- April 6 1865

Manuscript document

Title: Nominal Lists Casualties, Company Orders, Detailed officers and enlisted men, officers absent and present not on duty

Roster of 120th regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. Written on inside cover, in pencil, "The Regiment enlisted 2000 men but returned home unable to muster more than 350 - such had been the work of bullet and desease." First thirteen pages list officers and enlisted men "absent and present." Remaining pages list "killed, wounded and missing." Includes action at Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Petersburg. The last entry, "Pursuit of Lee's Army," written three days before the surrender at Appomattox. Bound in reverse leather.

GLC06638

8 January 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to editor of the New York World

Wants to correct an "erroneous impression" from an article in his newspaper on his superintending of construction of an ironclad ship (the USS "Monitor") on behalf of Bushnell & Co. Says he is in fact making the ship "to my own plans approved by a special board of naval officers" under an agreement with the Secretary of the Navy dated 4 October 1861. Says he has been joined by "a few loyal and spirited citizens" who think "an impregnable floating battery will prove an important auxiliary at the present crisis."

GLC06639

1892/04

Fontaine, Lamar, 1829-1921

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary C. Day

"Lines suggested, while standing over the dead body of a loved comrade, killed by a bullet fired from across the Potomac, by a treacherous hireling foe, Leisburg Va. Augt 9th 1861." A fair copy of his ballad "All Quiet along the Potomac tonight." Fontaine underlines words throughout the song which emphasize the unimportance of a private's death. Gives his unit as Co. I, 2nd Va. Cavalry, C.S.A. Written on letterhead for Lamas Fountaine & Sons, Surveyers and Civil Engineers.

GLC06640.01

1 August 1917

Dalzell, J.M., fl. 1867-1917

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Blue and Gray of 1867.

A song opposed to reconciliation with the South, praising the loyalty, honor and bravery of Northern soldiers, while condemning the treason of Confederate soldiers. The song was originally written the same year that the Reconstruction Acts passed Congress. This is a handwritten copy of the original.

GLC06640.02

15 April 1899

Fontaine, Lamar, 1829-1921

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary C. Day

A graceful acknowledgement of Day's letter of thanks for receiving "All Quiet on the Potomac." He writes in part: "It is a gratification to an old crippled Reb to receive such as womanly letter as yours." He closes by wishing her a long and peaceful life and a content death.

GLC06640.03

1848/08/19

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M. MacGregor

Expresses his sense of relief from "painful suspense and much anxiety" when he failed to be nominated for the presidency by Whig Convention in Philadelphia. Also thanks her for "attentions to Dr. LeHerd[?] and his Lady" and for being a good friend. Hopes to see her again.

GLC06641.01

14 October 1826

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles B. Haddock

Replies to a previous inquiry from Haddock, his nephew, regarding the first settlers of New Hampshire. States that Nathaniel Adams' 1825 book, 'The Annals of Portsmouth', adds little to general knowledge on the history of New Hampshire. Offers his opinion on how religion and politics shaped the history of New England.

GLC06641.02

[1870 ca.]

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: re: portion of draft of essay on adversity translated to stimulate success

GLC06642

9 October 1863

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Poem

Title: Sonnet to Liberty.

"Know this, O man, whate'er thy earthly fate-/God never made a tyrant nor a slave:/Woe, then, to those who dare to desecrate/His sacred image! - for to all He gave/Eternal rights, which none may violate;/And by a mighty hand th'oppressed He yet shall save." Signed and dated Boston, October 9th, 1863.

GLC06643

24 April 1832

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. Clerc-Lasalle [in French]

Lafayette's letter in French during the reign of Louis Philippe. Partial translation available. Provides advice to a friend of Clerc-Lasalle's on moving to America. Tells him about land policies in America and that his friend should learn English. Expresses anger at Louis Philippe's administration in France. Louis Philippe came to power with Lafayette's approval in 1830, but by 1832 he was claiming the King had broken earlier promises. Despite his waning influence and Louis Philippe's commitment to reform, he continued to fight the King until his death in 1834. Says all benefits of the 1830…

GLC06644

20 July 1782

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses his financial hardships and fear of France's growing power. Hopes Morris can sell his estate for him, since his debts are mounting due to high taxes and low profits. Also hopes Morris can help him secure funds he is owed by a Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina. The Rutledge family was a very prominent one in South Carolina. Is upset by Congress' claim that "they will have no peace however salutary until their good allies assent." Worries that this policy will lead to our aiding the French so greatly that they will come to dominate the globe, and become America's new oppressor.

GLC06645.02

22 November 1885

Herndon, William H., 1818-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Kirk

Gives a friend his perceptions of Abraham Lincoln as a thinker, man, and statesman. He writes in part that Lincoln was "in the best sense of the word..., a deep, thorough and persistent thinker and a great reader of the political history of his country ... he was honest - prudent - far seeing - sagacious - he was cautious - conservative ... " He goes on to say that Lincoln had not reached his full mental maturity as he was assassinated at only 56 years old. Mentions that Lincoln also had negatives as he was not a perfect man, but does not list them.

GLC06648.01

1902/11/28

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter signed

Title: to Joseph Cannon re: problems facing the Philippines after six years of war

Discusses problems in the Philippines after six years of war with the United States and recommends U.S. aid.

GLC06649.01

10 September 1948

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

Typed letter signed

Title: to Harry A. Lee

Offers congratulations on a friend's marriage. Addressed to Lee in San Francisco, California. On personal stationary printed with initials DDE.

GLC06649.03

1965/06/09

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

Typed letter signed

Title: to Robert Cutler re: birthday wishes

GLC06649.04

4 December 1917

Haig, Douglas H., 1861-1928

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simpson Atmore

Letter regarding Franco-American alliance and role of U.S. on western front.

GLC06651.02

6 April 1797

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

References many letters he has received from King and others. Pickering writes as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Expresses anger at the French Directory over exclusion of American representatives in XYZ affair. Says French seizures of American ships has taken on a systematic quality. Says there is "one consolation, that they have weaned us from our undue attachment to France." Claims sentiments in America are turning against the French Revolution after recent events. Mentions the scandal with Ira Allen of Vermont, Ethan Allen's younger brother. Ira Allen…

GLC06652

1775/09/05

Broadside

Title: Fresh Intelligence

Broadside printing of news: Captain Lee of Liverpool sends report of resolution to King George III to dismiss his advisors for giving poor counsel about the rebellious colonies (a false report). States troop strength of the colonies and of Spain and France. Also mentions the mobilization of Spanish troops.

GLC06653

27 April 1865

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Manuscript document

Title: [General Order No. 18]

Announces that by the terms of the surrender of 26 April 1865 between Union General William T. Sherman, and Confederate General Johnston, the officers and men of the army must not take up arms against the United States. Reports that duplicate muster rolls will be made, then troops will march to their respective states and disband, keeping personal property. Ends by saying that events in Virginia have made it the duty of the General to stop further bloodshed and devastation. Clerical signature of Johnston. Written from headquarters of the Army of Tennessee. Also signed as official by A. H…

GLC06654.01

April 26, 1865

Butler, Matthew Calbraith, 1836-1909

Autograph document signed

Title: to Pierre T. Beauregard

Telegram instructing Beauregard to notify the commander of the 6th corps which camped 18 miles from Danville last night that the truce between Union General William T. Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston has resumed. On verso is an autograph note of Beauregard to Confederate General Lunsford L. Lomax, "1:10 PM Genl Johnston who is now on his way to confer with Genl Sherman in advance of Hillsboro directs as follows: 'Notify commander of 6th Corps (Federal) camped last night 18 miles from Danville that truce has been resumed between Genl Sherman and himself.'" Signed with…

GLC06654.02