9 October 1853

Autograph endorsement

Title: to unknown

Confidential endorsement has original author's name struck. Discusses the sin of writing letters on a Sunday and includes a funny anecdote. Writes about a possible lapse in the U.S.-Mexican treaty regarding the taxing of items left behind by American servicemen. Mentions the coinage Mexico has received from Americans living in that country and its prohibited circulation. Discusses rendering it valueless, then imposing a duty on coins carried out of the country. Discusses his knowledge of what conspires within the President's Palace and mentions the Mexicans' plan to trade with the United…

GLC03587.04

12 October 1853

Green, Thomas J., 1802-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Gadsden

Introduces Mr. Robert Rose, who is hand delivering this letter, as a businessman connected with building the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, of which Gadsden is an advocate. Writes that if Gadsden is successful in securing a treaty with Mexico for Sonora, he should insist upon 30 degrees north latitude from the Rio Grande to the Gulf of California. He says that the land is rich in silver, is closer to a Chinese trading post, and will be accessible by railroad. Encloses a letter for Hon. Robert J. Walker regarding the "Pacific road" (not included). Imprint in the upper left corner reads "O…

GLC03587.05

29 November 1853

J.B.M., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his friend about his lack of correspondence. Chides Cripps about setting up the San Francisco boys for when they arrive in Mexico. Includes local news and describes the financial burden the ranch has become. Sends his regards to Cripps' mother, if she has yet joined him.

GLC03587.06

2 November 1863

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Discusses strategy to engage General Robert E. Lee's army. After much deliberation he decided "to attempt the movement by his right, throwing the whole army rapidly & secretly, across the Rappahannock at Banks ford & Fredericksburg & taking position on the heights beyond the town." Predicts that success will depend on celerity and secrecy. Also mentions a delay with the railroad, the unchanged Confederate position, and rumors of Lee receiving reinforcements, all before his lengthier discussion of his plans against Lee's army. Written on stationary of the "Head-Quarters…

GLC08902

25 November 1860

Muggins, Pete, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Intensely vitriolic letter sent to President Lincoln shortly after his election: "God damn your god damned old Hellfired soul to hell god damn you...Now you God damned old Abolition son of a bitch God damn you..." Attached to a board with a transcription and description dubbing this the "Hot stove" letter.

GLC08904

13 March 1838

Hopkin Brothers (firm), fl. 1819-1838

Letter signed

Title: to William B. Stone

Discusses debts and financial arrangements. Also comments on slaves being used as collateral: "We regret that you have had so much trouble with Keybird the lien on the Negroes is ample security for our debt." Hopkins Brothers was a commission firm founded by Johns Hopkins (who also founded the university named for him). Stone was possibly the William B. Stone who was a merchant merchant in Port Tobacco and Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

GLC08905

16-19 August 1856

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jason Brown and others

Discusses the fighting between pro-slavey and anti-slavery activists in Kansas. Explains that "Events of the most stirring character are now passing within hearing distance...more than 200 shots have been fired within the past half hour, and within a mile of our Camp. Have just learned that some 80 of our free state men have 'pitched in' to a pro-slavery Camp this side of Lecompton." Provides a rich description of both current events and happenings over the past month, both their own actions and those of the pro-slavey men. Recounts the capture of "The notorious Col Titus who only a day…

GLC08906

1863

Buchanan, William R., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: [Civil War diary of William R. Buchanan]

Diary of U. S. soldier covering the Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga campaigns. The entries are sporadic near the beginning of the year but near-daily from March until December. On 3 July 1863, at Gettysburg, he writes: "at daylight went into action and took a position on a hill where Lieut. McKeever was picked off with a large number of our men...When we buried Lt. McKin the after'n went in again & held them all night." Signed by Buchanan, who provides his address in Philadelphia in case the diary was lost.

GLC08910

May 1864

Manuscript document

Title: [Pay and Muster roll with wages for former slaves]

Lists approximately 100 freedmen by name on the "Mdme. Rosts Hermitage Plantation, Parish St. Charles," Louisiana, who were under the charge of Federal officer Henry B. Fitch. Next to their names are their ages and wages. In some cases there are notes next to the entries; one is listed as a "Suckler" and one with "Child sick -deduct rations." The plantation was that of Pierre Adolphe Rost (1797-1868), a French immigrant, Louisiana judge, and Confederate diplomat. The Union army had seized the plantation while the Rosts were in Europe, and transformed it into a work colony where…

GLC08912

August 1862-October 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Header Record

Title: [Civil War letters of Grove Bell, a private in the Union Army] [decimalized]

This collection is a series of 15 letters and one printed poem from Private Grove Bell to a number of recipients, including his sister. The poem is dedicated to the Ladies of Portland, Connecticut, Bell's hometown. Private Bell enlisted in the 20th Connecticut Infantry on August 4, 1862. He was mustered into D Company. In 1862 and 1863 the 20th Connecticut fought as part of the Army of the Potomac and saw action in Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Although Bell survived extensive action in both these battles, he died on December 4, 1863. Highlights of the collection include a letter…

GLC08913

September 1862- July 1876

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On August 22, he was mustered into K Company of the 128th New York Infantry regiment. The next day, the 128th left for Baltimore, Maryland. From there, the regiment travelled to New Orleans by way of Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. In January, 1863, Rifenburgh's regiment was assigned to General William T. Sherman's division. It took part in both of…

GLC08914

18 July 1863

Manuscript document

Title: List of Casualties in 6th Reg't Conn Vols 1st Brigade Morris' Island

Lists men in the regiment and details of their injuries. Additional casualties and their type (killed, wounded, taken prisoner) are marked in pink ink next to the names at later dates. Some of the casualties were from the siege of Fort Wagner, which lasted from 18 July 1863 to 7 September 1863.

GLC08915

1865

Julian, George Washington, 1817-1899

Pamphlet

Title: Dangers and Duties. Reconstruction and Suffrage. Speech of Hon. George W. Julian, Delivered in the Hall of the House of Representatives, Indianapolis, Ind., November 17,1865, in Response to an Invitation from that Body

Published by Gazette Steam Print. Argues that although the rebel states have been defeated, the nation is still in a period of great uncertainty. Amongst other topics, Julian discusses punishment of rebel leaders, repudiation of the Union debt, and negro suffrage in Indiana.

GLC01265.41

1865

Chester, John, 1832-1910

Pamphlet

Title: The lesson of the hour : justice as well as mercy, a discourse preached on the Sabbath following the assassination of the President, in the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. by John Chester

Published by Washington Chronicle Print. Blames Lincoln's assassination on the rebel Southern states, slavery, and those from the North that have aided and sympathized with the rebels. States that the "duty of the hour" is to make sure that the heaviest punishment is given to rebel leaders and instigators by the hands of the government.

GLC02913.06

1862

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Pamphlet

Title: Expulsion of Mr. Bright. Speech of Hon. Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, in the Senate of the United States, Jan. 31, 1862

Published Scammell & Co. Printers. Explains his reasons for voting to expel Senator Bright of Indiana from the Senate. Senator Bright was charged with writing a letter to Jefferson Davis ( president of the Confederacy) on March 1, 1861. Accuses Senator Bright of aiding a rebel (Thomas B. Lincoln) in the selling of a fire-arm to Jefferson Davis.

GLC05255.01

1865

Speed, James, 1812-1887

Pamphlet

Title: Opinion on the constitutional power of the military to try and execute the assassins of the President by James Speed

Published by the Government Printing Office. Argues that the Lincoln conspirators should be tried before a miltary court because they committed the crime as public enemies.

GLC05255.03

28 February 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon for George W. Sullivan

Sullivan was convicted of burglary and sentenced to prison for five years. C/S William Seward, Sec. of State. With collateral, National Archives certification and photocopy of document.

GLC08885

February 11, 1866

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Wilson

Replies to a letter Wilson wrote when Garrison discontinued publication of the Liberator, his anti-slavery newspaper. Writes that he so values Wilson's letter, he will ask his children to preserve it with other valuable autographs and memorials. Declares "I have certainly lived to see the most astonishing revolution in the feelings and sentiment of a people, of which history makes any record; breaking the yokes and fetters of millions... abolishing a system of oppression as seemingly impregnable as it was fiendishly cruel, abasing the proud and lifting up the lowly... For the humble share I…

GLC08888

20 November 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 356

Signed by H.L. Scott. Partial docket reads "Orders No. 356." Trials of four American soldiers before a military commission on charges of robbery, manslaughter, and theft.

GLC00911.35

24 November 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 357

Signed by H.L. Scott. Republication of Orders Nos. 318 and 322: allowing sick and wounded soldiers the option of returning home. Orders eligible returning soldiers to register for recruitment service once home. Announces a train departure and calls for letters and mail.

GLC00911.36

25 November 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 358

Signed by H.L. Scott. Announcement that the army will begin to raise money for the occupation of Mexico. Beginning in December, soldiers and officers are to demand necessary quarters from the civil authorities of the places occupied by the troops.

GLC00911.37

December 1, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 359

Signed by H.L. Scott. Proceedings of two court martials on charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and abusive conduct against a Marine. Brevet Colonel Bennett Riley presiding.

GLC00911.38

26 November 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 360

Signed by H.L. Scott. Docket reads "General Orders, No. 360." Proceedings of six trials before the military commission on charges of larceny, attempt to defraud the United States, robbery, brutal conduct, and burglary. Major H. Bainbridge presiding.

GLC00911.39

December 2, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 362

Signed by H.L. Scott. Forbids the export of silver or gold from occupied areas of Mexico. Imprint reading "Bet Field Message" in upper left corner.

GLC00911.40

December 6, 1847

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 365

Signed by H.L. Scott. Lists sick and wounded soldiers returning home and reporting by letter to the Adjutant General for recruiting service.

GLC00911.41