August 7, 1860

McMurran, Joseph, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

McMurran, a Virginia military man and editor of a paper in Christiansburg, Virginia, asks Semmes for a copy of his published work "Infantry Tactics." Docketed by Semmes. McMurran entered the 4th VA Cavalry in 1861 and eventually achieved the rank of sergeant major. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg and then Winchester.

GLC00715.06

September 29, 1860

Aleix, P.O., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: Recommendation letter for A. Kleber

Confirms that A. Kleber served as Sergeant instructor of the 1st Company of Chasseurs a Pied de la Louisiane. Praises him as one of the best instructors of light infantry tactics. Paul J. Semmes was planning on hiring Kleber, a mercenary who served in the French Army, to train his troops. Aleix signs as 1st Lieutenant, 1st Company C. a P. [Chasseurs a Pied or Louisiana Foot Rifles].

GLC00715.08

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01

June 1, 1863

Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Writes to her "dearest husband" as he is on his way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was mortally wounded in battle. She hopes that he is over his cold and fatigue, and asks if he would be able to come home if one of the family got sick because knowing this would put her at ease. She gives thanks that he made it through battles, and comments on their children and their schooling. She criticizes their daughters for their excessive pride, "...they do look down upon these poor people with such contempt I think it is so wicked I pray that they may see their sin." States that she has been…

GLC00715.10

July 13, 1863

Hill, J.H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes and her daughters

Writes to the widow and daughters of Confederate General Paul J. Semmes, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Informs them of the difficulties he is running into concerning the transportation of Semmes's body home. He advises her that his remains may not arrive until late next week. Says he will do all that he can to speed up the transport and "will be at the Depot with my negroes to move the remains to any place your many desire." Mentions other Georgia soldiers killed at Gettysburg. Writes to the women, in Opelika, Alabama.

GLC00715.11

1784

Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Pamphlet

Title: The Articles of Confederation; the Declaration of Rights; The Constitution of this Commonwealth, and the Articles of the Definitive Treaty Between Great-Britian and the United States of America.

First Virginia printing. Swem 7430. Stab stitched. Not fully opened

GLC00716

27 July 1781

Galvez, Bernardo de, 1746-1786

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown [in spanish]

Written by Galvez as the Governor of Louisiana who lead several expeditions against the British along the Gulf Coast in support of the American Revolution. Document lauding Gilberto Guillemard, his second in command and chief military engineer, who recently died under Galvez's command. Praises his second in command for assistance in defeating the British at Mobile, Pensacola, and along the Mississippi River. Written in an attractive italic clerical hand. Red wax seal is extent.

GLC00717

1781

Galvez, Bernardo de, 1746-1786

Pamphlet

Title: Diario de las operaciones de la expedicion contra la Plaza de Panzacola... (in Spanish)

A-F4. Unopened and unsewn. Re: expedition on Pensacola. Galvez led Spanish forces against the British at Pensacola (which had been given with Florida to Britain in 1763) which he captured for Spain. The Floridas were returned to Spain in the peace of 1783 and only became part of the U.S. with the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819. Sabin 26475, Palau 96980, Medina (Havana imprint) 68, Streeter sale 1191, Howes P59.

GLC00718

1860

Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

Pamphlet

Title: The Address of the People of South Carolina, assembled in convention, to the people of the slave states of the United States.

Concerns South Carolina seceding from the Union and encouraging other states that enslaved people to join in forming a confederacy. Printed by order of the convention by Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, South Carolina. No wrappers.

GLC00719

21 August 1858

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt from Samuel Adair]

Received thirty two dollars in cash from Samuel Adair and a note of four dollars against S.H. Houser. Signed by Brown as agent for the National Kansas Committee.

GLC00721

1855-1859

Header Record

Title: William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]

Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron. He later joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS "Patrick Henry," as well as the ironclad CSS "Atlanta." McBlair died in 1863 on board of a hospital ship. This collection includes McBlair's appointments, orders and personal and professional correspondence while on assignment patrolling the West Coast of Africa, particularly the…

GLC00722

January 19, 1858

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

The letter is ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is enclosing two separate orders from the Navy Department. Letter written on board the United States Flagship "Cumberland" in Porto Praya in Cape Verde off the coast of Africa. Thomas A. Conover was a Captain, later Commodore in the United States Navy, and the Commander of the African Squadron. A veteran of the War of 1812, Conover had previously…

GLC00722.02

25 June 1857

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript document

Title: General orders for the government of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

General orders regarding Navy protocols and conduct of officers. Clerical copy, tied with red ribbon. Conover's name appears to be clerically signed. Written on board the U.S.S. "Cumberland. " Forwarded to William McBlair by Conover.

GLC00722.03

1857

Manuscript document

Title: Extracts from the "Private Instructions" of the Navy Department to the Commander in chief of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

Includes extracts from GLC00722.01, noting that the U.S. flag "loses its true character, when it is worn by those who have no right to wear it...such a pretension would subject the flag to degradation and dishonor." Also includes a description of how slave traders disguise their illegal activities, and tips to spot them. Says this service will require the "greatest prudence, and the soundest discretion." Closing paragraph gives instructions for drawing funds from Baring Brothers and Co. in London. In part: "The cunning of the slave trader is constantly forming new disguises to elude…

GLC00722.04

1857

Manuscript document

Title: General signals

Explains a secret numeric code to be used when transmitting signals between ships.

GLC00722.05

1857

Manuscript document

Title: Private signals

Explains a system of secret signals to be used in communication between ships. Orders captains to memorize the formula for the protocol and then destroy the document.

GLC00722.06

1857

Barnes, Edward A., fl. 1857

Manuscript document signed

Title: Rule for ascertaining the longitude by Chro. at Sunset

Details the procedure for obtaining longitude at sea based on the time of the sunset and latitude.

GLC00722.07

April 9, 1857

Dornin, Thomas Aloysius, 1800-1874

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Enclosing a letter "for the guidance Purser Cunningham" regarding letters of credit and a copy of a letter regarding pay to officers on McBlair's ship, the "Dale."

GLC00722.08

11 May 1857

Manuscript document

Title: Officers & Crew, U.S. ship Dale

Complete list of all crew members, according to rank, on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Besides sailors, there are also twenty five marines on board the ship. Written at sea, on board the ship "Dale."

GLC00722.09

June 1, 1857

Cummings, A. B., fl. 1857-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Reports that two crewmen, Charles Moore and John Duggin, were caught drunk and fighting, and that Duggin was also insubordinate. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," off of Funchal on the island of Madeira. Cummings was a lieutenant aboard the "Dale."

GLC00722.10

June 16, 1857

Livingston, John William Turk, 1804-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Livingston is ordering McBlair to sail to Porto Praya and await further orders. Also orders him to deliver enclosed orders to Commander Thompson. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "St. Louis" in Funchal Bay, Madeira. John W. Livingston was then a United States Naval officer and the senior commander of the African Squadron; he reached the rank of rear admiral in 1868. His father was the famous naval officer William Turk, but John changed his surname to Livingston in 1843.

GLC00722.11

July 26, 1857

Morse, W.H., fl. 1857

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Refusing McBlair's request to store naval materials in a United States owned warehouse, because the warehouse is too full already. William H. Morse was the U.S. consul in Cape Verde.

GLC00722.12

1857-1858

Manuscript document

Title: Report of target practice on board the U.S.S. "Dale"

Reporting on the success of target practices. First page details four cannon practices held on 15 July 1857, 31 August 1857, 13 October 1857 and 12 January 1858. Lists size of target, movement of ship, number of shells fired, success of the practice, and numerous other facts regarding the practice. Second page lists results of practice with muskets and pistols.

GLC00722.13

October 12, 1857

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Letter signed

Title: to Charles Wise

Discussing the capture by a British ship of a vessel flying the American flag. Commodore Wise was the captain of the HMS "Vesuvius," which had recently captured the "Bremer." McBlair states that because the "Bremer was flying the United States flag, the British ship had no right to capture her. McBlair's docket notes "not sent.," possibly because the British ship's name has been misspelled as "Vesudius" in this copy. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Slavers often flew the American flag to avoid capture by British ships, as the Royal Navy did not have a right to seize U.S. vessels.…

GLC00722.14

October 22, 1857

Cunningham, John S., ?-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Cunningham lists how many rations sailors are willing to give up, and how long the current rations will last at that rate. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the "Kongo River." John S. Cunningham was a purser in the United States Navy; he later rose to paymaster.

GLC00722.15