February 24, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

Writes to his wife about a package he has sent her. Responds to news of his sons' ill health and suggests a healthier diet for them. Mentions a ship named the Everglade which is to be purchased the next day, "when I will take immediate command." The ship will be renamed the Savannah. Has gathered a group of "25 men & will probably make up the 50 before I leave." Year of letter inferred from day of week.

GLC00684.06

March 5, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

Writes that "I hope to refer the Savannah ready for service day after tomorrow." Makes reference to Yankee slang on third page. In closing, Kell mentions that he had meant to send a copy of Lincoln's inaugural address and adds that "I do not think it is calculated much to intimidate the President of our Southern Confederacy, nor will it carry much weight in the North."

GLC00684.07

March 18, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

Writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." Reports that he will be sailing to Fernandina, Florida in an attempt to get guns for the boat. Letter written aboard the Savannah, offshore of Dungeness Manor on Cumberland Island.

GLC00684.08

March 22, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

Writes to his wife about the ill health of their son. Mentions that "Commodore Tattnall is here & I am to report to him tomorrow: Morris' Steamer the Huntress has arrived."

GLC00684.09

August 16, 1863 - August 18, 1863

Kell, Julia Blanche, 1836-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Evelyn Kell

Writes to Kell's sister Evy. Mentions Kell's mother and his sister Mary. Discusses a stylish new bonnet she has recently sent to Evelyn, which "is quite moderate. I think my summer bonnet is higher," and offers to send fabrics from Macon Mills to Kell's mother and sisters. On 18 August mentions a letter from Kell "dated 'Bahia' 20th of May." Writes that Kell has reported "they have destroyed 47 vessels of the enemy," including the Hatteras. Says that Kell thinks "the Yankees will be quite ready for peace -- how mistaken he is poor fellow!" Julia's brother "Nath went off in Col Nesbit's…

GLC00684.10

1 June 1864

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to commander of the Provisional Navy of the Confederate States]

Kell promoted for service "as first Lieutenant and Executive Officer on the C.S. Steam Sloops Sumter and Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes." Commission effective from 4 October 1863. Signed by Mallory as Secretary of Navy.

GLC00684.11

circa June 1864

Tremlett, Francis W., fl. 1850-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." Encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, & indeed the British people" to the sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama -- "it was a glorious death & I find is so regarded everywhere." Dated Tuesday morning. Francis W. Tremlett, a British parson, was an ardent Confederate sympathizer. Semmes and Kell stayed with Tremlett in London following the sinking of the Alabama.

GLC00684.12

28 November 1864

Lee, Sydney Smith, 1802-1869

Document signed

Title: [Confederate States Navy Department orders to proceed to Richmond]

Partially printed document signed by Captain Sydney Smith Lee. Docket added 1 December 1864 reads: "Be pleased to assume command of the C.S. Iron-Clad 'Richmond'." Co-signed by John Mitchell aboard the Virginia. Sidney Smith Lee, older brother of Robert E. Lee, had accompanied Perry to Japan in 1853 and served as one of the early commandants of the U.S. Naval Academy Lee was commissioned as a commander in the Confederate Navy in 1861 and promoted to captain and chief of the Confederate Navy Bureau of Orders and Detail in 1864.

GLC00684.13

03 January 1865

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Document signed

Title: [Navy Department invoice of stores]

Receipt for "a Tin basin & pitcher" signed by York and Kell.

GLC00684.14

March 24, 1865

Lee, Sydney Smith, 1802-1869

Letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Grants Kell leave until the first of May, "when you will report in writing to this Office the condition of your health." Forwarded by Surgeon James Harrison. Written on stationery of the C.S. Navy's Office of Orders and Detail.

GLC00684.15

February 4, 1869

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Writes that, while in Baltimore, he has inscribed a copy of his book and ordered the publishers to send it to Kell's "little son, my namesake." Fondly inquires after Kell's family. Raphael Semmes, commander of the famous raider CSS Alabama was promoted to admiral in the Confederate Navy in 1865, and briefly served as a brigadier general in the army following the fall of Richmond.

GLC00684.16

July 27, 1886

Grady, Henry W., fl. 1870-1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Writes on behalf of self and partner Evan P. Howell, both of the Atlanta Constitution, to endorse Kell for Georgia Secretary of Agriculture and to suggest "that you apply to Gen Gordon for the position of Adjutant General," which Grady describes as "a place of dignity & such work as would come to your inclination." Written on stationery of The Constitution. Part of signature is missing.

GLC00684.17

June 4, 1892

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie Kell

Writes to his daughter, Carrie, in reply to a letter from her. Talks about his gardens at length and mentions a drought that makes "travelling on the Rail Road unbearable." Reports the birth of a grandchild named Walton Carroll. Written on printed stationery of the Georgia Adjutant General's office. Signed with initials, "Your affectionate Father J.M.K."

GLC00684.18

January 9, 1894

Sinclair, Arthur, fl. 1880-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Promises to send the papers of the deceased Captain Evan P. Jones to Kell. Mentions that he had been corresponding with Jones about the C.S.S. Alabama "when death called him away." Tells Kell that "you would be pleased, and no doubt gratified to learn how much he admired you."

GLC00684.19

October 20, 1899

Galt, Francis L., 1831-1915

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Writes to congratulate Kell on his daughter's marriage and to request help in finding his own son a job in business. Mentions "the Charleston Reunion last spring" and a circular he has received from one of the men who attended, who intends to compile a history of Confederate naval narratives. Writes that "living here on the frontier of the National Capital we have been regaled with the excitement of the Dewey celebrations lately" and comments on the "decay of republican institutions." Mentions the Transvaal War and his memories of "our stay among the Boers...and our famous ostrich hunt."…

GLC00684.20

October 7, 1900

Gordon, John Brown, 1832-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

Sends his sympathies to Julia Blanche Kell on the announcement of Kell's death. John Brown Gordon, a former Confederate lieutenant general, served post-war as a U.S. senator (1873-80, 1891-97) and governor of Georgia (1886-90).

GLC00684.21

1845-1909

Van Valkenburgh Family

Header Record

Title: [Letters and photographs of the Van Valkenburgh family of New York] [decimalized .01-.37]

Correspondence from the Van Valkenburgh family, who lived mostly in upstate New York. Of the five brothers in the family, three joined the Union cause and another joined the Confederates. One member of the family, Frank, became a lawyer in Wisconsin (see GLC06253 for additional materials). Robert was a Union officer and Congressman from New York. The bulk of the collection dates from 1865. Some of the collection's key materials revolve around Gerrit, the brother who lived in Arkansas as an attorney and joined the Confederate cause as a member of Fagan's Arkansas Cavalry (Gerrit lived near…

GLC00686

January 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Written by Gerrit as a Confederate prisoner of war. References his brother's letter of 23 December 1864. Is glad because the letter was "the first word of tiding I have had from you in answer to my letter & I began to fear that your displeasure at my course had led you to think that I was not worthy of a word from your pen." Reports that a Miss [Hill] gave him $211 and brought photographs of his family. Says she was the only lady he has spoken to since being captured. Says he arrived at Johnson's Island on 28 December 1864. Declares that his Christmas and New Years were not happy, but…

GLC00686.12

January 13, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother as a prisoner of war in Ohio. Says it has been a long time since he heard from her and that he has wanted to write to her earlier, but was travelling around so much he was unable to tell her where to reply until now. Reports that he arrived at Johnson's Island after stints as a prisoner in Kansas and Camp [Merlow]. Explains that his current situation is better: "Here we are as well treated as could be expected - have good fare - comfortable bunks & as much exercise as we desire." Has met a number of New York men in the prison as well as some acquaintances from…

GLC00686.13

January 26, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his mother. References his mother's letter of 11 January 1865. Says the other letters mentioned in the 11 January letter never reached him. Declares that "It is a source of sorrow to me, that I am opposed in principle to the balance of our family - but I am honest in my belief - act in strict accordance therewith - and hope & believe, that if I am wrong, I will be forgiven." Reports that letters from other family members have been sharp and that "most of the letters I have had from the north, seem to be written under the impression that I am either a…

GLC00686.14

January 29, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Kate Van Naven

Writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his sister Kate in Wisconsin. Seeks some sort of reconciliation with his family. Begins by asking "Can you take me by the hand, and greet me as a Brother? or will that world Rebel - Traitor, come to your lips before the [other one]?" Says he has not heard from her in a long time. Asks for an update from her. Adds that he is glad that all the husbands of his sisters have decided to stay home rather than fight. Saw a sleigh the other day for the first time in five years and mentions that it reminded him of "those good old days when I used to handle the…

GLC00686.15

February 28, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Refers to his mother's letter of 28 January 1865. Says he is sorry that the letters he writes to her are not arriving. Updates her on family information. Reports that he has contracted Erysipelas and that his face has been swollen for a week. Adds that it has since peeled all over. Says the weather is good and that the woods are full of flowers. Mentions that he was not aware that his brother Robert was going to Japan until he received a note from his brother Frank (Robert was selected as the American ambassador to Japan). Says he is doing well and that he may marry in the fall. Hopes they…

GLC00686.16

05 June 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of Edward Stevenson who had been convicted in Massachusetts in May 1858 of counterfeiting].

Edward Stevenson was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because he had served out his sentence, but was unable to pay his fine he remained incarcerated. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC00741

25 November 1935

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Miguel Lujan (c/s Homer S. Cummings [AG])

Pardon restoring civil rights. Pleaded guilty to importing sotol; pardoned since he was unable to pay the fine.

GLC00743

14 January 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Patrick Neady for an unspecified felony]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. Neady had been convicted in Washington in December 1817. Pardoned after the jury and the judge in the case recommended mercy.

GLC00744