15 May 1861

Peyton, William M., 1805-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: A written and printed version of a letter from William M. Peyton to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05021

5 March 1863

Bidwell, Daniel D., 1816-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Titcomb Sprague

Written from Camp White Oak Church. Colonel Bidwell of the 49th New York Volunteers writes to Sprague, Adjutant General of the State of New York. Attests that John C. White is "a worthy and efficient man and one who has distinguished himself in service." Argues for White's promotion.

GLC05024

17 September 1862

Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to M. Jefferson Thompson

Proposes an exchange of prisoners in response to Confederate General Richard Taylor's threat to execute ten Union prisoners from the 8th Vermont regiment. Refers to the deprivation of some property on Taylor's plantation and remarks that he believes it very unjust of Taylor to allow personal feelings to get involved. Makes no threat of retaliation and informs that he will not harm the prisoners he has captured. Written on stationary from the headquarters of the Department of the Gulf. 1 black and white bust engraving of Benjamin F. Butler.

GLC05025

15 May 1863

Carr, Eugene Asa, 1830-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Preston Blair, Jr.

General Carr, commander of the 14th Division/13th Corps, writes to General Blair, commander of the 2nd Division/15th Corps. Encloses a dispatch (not included) from General John Alexander McClernand, commander of the 13th Corps. Writes "I have no idea that the enemy intends to attack tonight but think that he has been making believe all day for the prupose of making us look out for our rear and diverting us from Jackson: which probably, he did not know was taken." Indicates that he (Carr) is prepared to march at 6:00 am. Encloses a rough sketch (not included) of roads and troop positions…

GLC05026

3 July 1862

Cochrane, John, 1813-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Says the Union army "is inadequate to the capture of Richmond. I have at no time thought that it was" able to do so. Written just after the Seven Days, as the Union forces begin to withdraw and the Peninsula campaign comes to an unsuccessful close. McClellan's attempt to take Richmond from the South has failed, even though his force greatly outnumbered the Confederates. Many historians argue that it was the trepidation of McClellan and some of his officers that caused the Union failure at Richmond. Cochrane's view is similar to those expressed by McClellan. Of the president, says "The…

GLC05028

22 July 1862

Duffie, Alfred Napoleon Alexander, 1835-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Mauray

Colonel Duffie of the First Rhode Island Cavalry writes to Colonel Mauray, Assistant Adjutant General, Company H. Discusses the state of his regiment. Writes, "Since soon 15 days I have the honor to command this regiment it is for me a sad duty to say: that regiment has been raised very badly, that is to say men have not been inspected by a doctor Today my regiment is going very low because many men are not fit to be horsemen by some kind of disease... no man has pass the regular inspection prescribed by par. 937." Requests the blacksmiths William Sprague, Rhode Island Governor, had…

GLC05030

6 August 1861

Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890

Letter signed

Title: to Simon Cameron

Possibly written and signed by John's wife Jesse Benton Frémont. General Frémont, commander of the Western Department, writes to Cameron, Secretary of War. Frémont writes, "I am desirous of placing a force of three thousand men near the Southern part of New Mexico, from which to threaten Arkansas and Texas. In operating in the Indian Territory and Arkansas, we will be met and opposed by a large force of Texans, now encamped near San Antonio, unless we keep them idle by a force threatening them with attack... A force occupying El Paso, Texas, could be moved either upon San Antonio or into…

GLC05032.01

2 October 1862

Gorman, Willis Arnold, 1816-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

General Gorman requests that Stanton, Secretary of War, transfer him to a command in the West. Writes, "I have served in the 'Army of the Potomac' since May 1861. I have been engaged in nearly all the battles & expeditions of that portion of the Army. I was born, raised & educated in the West, All my social ties are there, All my private interests are there, All my early military experience was there & with those people, except during this rebellion." Notes that his brigade has been reduced by casualties, and that with many new men coming in, he thought it an appropriate time…

GLC05035

24 June 1865

Hatch, John Porter, 1822-1901

Autograph document signed

Title: General Orders No. 62

Marked as a "True Copy." Contracts between planters and freedmen: "any contact... which contains provisions tending to peonage, will be considered null."

GLC05037

1 April 1863

Hurlbut, Stephen A., 1815-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

General Hurlbut offers a report of "the present situation of the Enemy's forces" to Grant, commanding the Army and Department of the Tennessee. Mentions the position, status, and weapons in possession of several Confederate generals and their troops, including Sterling A. M. Wood and James Roland Chalmers. Writes "There is Every indication of a Raid to be made soon on our lines of communications." Requests another regiment of cavalry for General Grenville Mellen Dodge. Plans to send a brigade of infantry and artillery to destroy the [Tallahatitus?] Bridge and to move a force to Panola (…

GLC05038

26 June 1862

King, Rufus, 1814-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Writes from "Opposite Fredericksburg." Written by Brigadier General King as commander of a division under General Irving McDowell to Secretary of War Stanton. Says "A contraband has just arrived here, who left Louisa Court House, 35 miles, from this point, at Sundown, Today." The contraband reported that [General Robert S.] Ewell's and [General Stonewall] Jackson's Confederate troops, numbering 40-50,000, passed Louisa Court House on their way to Richmond, Virginia last Friday through Monday. They were leaving the mountains, except for some calvary troops, and looked worn out. Says "His…

GLC05039

January 25, 1857

Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John A. Hasler

Location derived from content. Lyon writes from Fort Lookout, Nebraska Territory. Writes to his nephew John, including a partial letter on verso to Kate, John's sister. Facetiously comments, "the promises of the juvenile song are progressing to a substantial and happy realization. But my Dear Nephew, let me advise you, that in attaining to the size and strength of manhood, you also attain to its responsibilities, when, instead of finding in your little political play, but bright colours and gay images for youthful pastimes and sport, you must come to find it the sacred insignia of our…

GLC05040.01

28 November 1864

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christopher L. Ward

Accepts his defeat in the presidential election of 1864 as the will of the people, but still believes that the country will eventually adopt his policies. Remarks, "I accept the result as a proof that the public mind was not yet prepared to adopt the policy we advocated, & which I believe is yet destined to run the Republic ... " Thanks Ward for all his efforts.

GLC05041

10 November 1861

Mansfield, Joseph K.F., 1803-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. T. Goodman

General Mansfield replies to Goodman's request for his autograph. Says "You ask my autograph - If I could close this unhappy war as easily as I can comply with your complementary request, I should be happy. We are now engaged in a contest from which there is no retreating. We battle for principle, and our glorious institutions, and the word should be onward; and may the Great God who rules over all, guide our steps and conduct us to a happy end." Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC05042.01

7 March 1861

Mitchel, Ormsby MacKnight, 1809-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Harris

Mitchel discusses President Abraham Lincoln and the pending Civil War with Harris, United States Senator from New York. States "How would it do for Mr Lincoln to offer to receive the Commissioners from the 'Cotton States' or the accredited representatives of the discontented citizens of states yet members of the American Union- And in this proposal to receive them, state his willingness to treat of all matters now causing irritation... in the hope that an agreement might be made, to refer the Entire question to a national convention, to be assembled at an Early day? Mr Lincoln has addressed…

GLC05044

8 June 1861

Morris, Thomas A., 1811-1904

Autograph document signed

Title: to Virginians

Written in Grafton, West Virginia (then Virginia). Brigadier General Morris writes from the Headquarters of the United States Volunteers to issue a proclamation of the Commanding General, Department of Ohio. Declares "I have now the pleasure of announcing that we have routed and completely discomfited the secessionists at Phillippi. Their forces are demoralized ... In full confidence of your ability and desire to protect yourselves, I now call upon you to come to the support of your Constitutional Government." Accompanied by a separate paper border.

GLC05046

16 August 1864

Prince, Henry, 1811-1892

Letter

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Written in the hand of Captain Russell, aide-de-camp. Reports on events which occurred since Prince was assigned to command the District of Kentucky. Relates that he was superceded unannounced by another commander (possibly Stephen Gano Burbridge). Writes that "a policy calculated in my belief to spread ruin & devastation and having no good in it, is being pursued, at the moment that an improvement in the feeling of the citizens towards the government was making itself apparent to me.." Calls Burbridge's policy a reign of terror. Reports on public killings, supported by Burbridge, of…

GLC05049

30 November 1863

Seymour, Truman, 1824-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Harris

General Seymour writes to Harris, a United States Senator from South Carolina. Replies to Harris's question regarding what the Union can do to engage and defeat Charleston. States "It all is comprised in a single word- Nothing. Expectations of brilliant fears of arms here must be disappointed- there is now nothing to be done." Referring to General Quincy Adams Gillmore, commanding Union operations in Charleston Harbor, writes "General Gillmore came here with an express understanding that he was to remove, or place beyond power of offence, the chief obstacle to the entrance by the monitors…

GLC05050

8 July 1863

Sibley, Henry Hastings, 1811-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Pope

General Sibley writes to Major General Pope to report on his arrival at Camp Hayes and his preparations for a fight with the Eastern Sioux. THe Sioux were encamped at Devil's Lake and led by Little Crow. Describes the desolate country and preparations being made. Praises the soldiers under his command. Noted as "Personal." Written from Camp Hayes, west of Cheyenne River, on stationary of the "Head-Quarters, District of Minnesota, Department of the Northwest."

GLC05051

4 May 1864

Stone, Charles Pomeroy, 1824-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear Tucker

Reports arriving in Cairo by steamer two days before. Discusses his reputation in the aftermath of the ill-fated Red River Campaign, during which he served as commanding General Nathaniel P. Banks's Chief of Staff. Mentions travelling with Thomas Edward Greenfield Ransom, who was severely injured during the campaign in the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads. Relates that Ransom's recovery is remarkable. Writes "This Cairo is rather a miserable uncomfortable place... The order reducing me to Colonel met me here. It is rather rough to come back after three years since to point where I started in…

GLC05052

25 November 1863

Tyler, Daniel, 1799-1882

Letter signed

Title: to Donn Piatt

General Tyler, commander of the District of Delaware, writes to Piatt, Chief of Staff, Middle Department. Withdraws his suggestion that the 5th Regiment, Maryland Volunteers should concentrate at Fort Donelson, due to the lack of quarters at the fort for additional troops. Relates that Captain Clayton's cavalry company will patrol the state for deserters. Recommends that a company of invalids should be sent to guard the hospital and public stores in Wilmington. Advises sending the 5th Regiment, Maryland Volunteers, "at least as far south as North Carolina." One black and white bust…

GLC05053

10 September 1861

Viele, Egbert L., 1825-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin D. Morgan

General Viele writes a note of introduction for Lionel Jobert D'Epineuil, of a Zouave Regiment. Informs Morgan, Governor of New York, that the Secretary of War (Simon Cameron) has encouraged the introduction of true French Zouave organization and drill.

GLC05054

2 June 1864

Ward, William Thomas, 1808-1878

Document signed

Title: to John Speed ["Report of operations of this Brigade from the 13th to the 19th of May inclusive."]

Cites details of the Atlanta Campaign (May-September 1864). General Ward, commander of the 1st Brigade/3rd Division/20th Corps, describes events taking place 13-19 May. Mentions General Harrold (possibly a misspelling of General William Harrow, commander of the 4th Division/15th Corps in the Atlanta campaign). Refers to General King (possibly John Haskell King). Mentions Lieutenant Thompson and Colonels Kennett (possibly Henry G. Kennett), Smith, Harrison, and Gilbert. 1 black and white bust engraving of Dahlgram.

GLC05055

15 July 1863

Wright, George, 1803-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry W. Halleck

Writes from Headquarters of the Department of the Pacific that opponents of the government are creating the impression that the tenure of mining interests in California is at the mercy of the Government. Includes a blotter.

GLC05057

11 July 1862

Smith, Joseph, 1790-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Hull Foote

Rear Admiral Smith writes to Admiral Foote. Discusses Naval affairs, noting "Congress has got the Navy Laws in a complete labyrinth." Also comments, "The Govt. is in a quandry about Army affairs. I hope they will come out well. The everlasting nigger is chief component of the difficulties." Marked "Private" at the top and again in post script. Also in post script, notes that Foote is " a model man of the times."

GLC05060