Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Start New Search

87506 search results

Filter:

Only return results with full-sized images

Sort by

Advanced search

Keyword

Author

Subjects

Place written

Year

Sub-era

15 January 1861

Woodville, William, 1827-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Informs Marchand of the sale of stocks he owns. Woodville was a stockbroker.

GLC02680.10

3 September 1861 - 11 September 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Manuscript document

Title: to John B. Marchand

Copy of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles' promotion of Samuel Huse as "acting Master of the U.S. Steamer James Adger." Includes copies of docketing/endorsements by Commander Samuel L. Breese and Commander John Jay Almy.

GLC02680.11

8 February 1864

Jenkins, Thornton A., 1811-1893

Letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Regarding promotion of Assistant Engineers. Reads in part: "You will please report the names and rank or grade of all Assistant Engineers on board the vessel who are entitled to an examination for promotion under the Circular of the Secretary of the Navy dated December 22 1863." Written on board the U.S.S. Richmond, as part of the blockade off Mobile, Alabama. Signed by Jenkins as captain and sr. officer commanding. 3rd Div., West Gulf Blockading Squadron.

GLC02680.15

12 February 1864

Fitzhugh, William E., 1832-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thornton A. Jenkins

Fitzhugh reports on the amount of coal aboard his ship, the U.S.S. Sebago. Written on board the U.S.S. Sebago, as part of the blockade on Mobile, Alabama. Docket contains signed note regarding blockade ship assignments; may be in Jenkins' hand with his signature. Fitzhugh was a commodore in the US Navy, noted for his capture of the Confederate Ironclad Missouri in June of 1865.

GLC02680.16

1864/02/12

Manuscript document

Title: Names of vessels and commanders off Mobile Bar

Lists the names of 19 vessels engaged in the blockade of Mobile Bay, their respective captains, and their exact location. Docket notes "several absent."

GLC02680.17

16 February 1864

Leroy, William E., 1818-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Has heard that Jenkins thinks his ship is not in proper position in the blockade, and hopes to rectify this problem. Says he felt he was in the proper position, states he takes "pride in endeavouring to go where I am ordered," and asks if he should move his ship, and where to. Says he can "hear our friends the 'Bummers' [mortar schooners] at work in the Sound." Written on board the U.S.S. Oneida, which LeRoy was commanding, during the blockade of Mobile, Alabama. Admiral LeRoy, "the Chesterfield of the Navy," eventually reached the rank of rear admiral. He commanded the steamer "Keystone…

GLC02680.18

20 February 1864

Fitzhugh, William E., 1832-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Enclosing communications regarding James Byrnes, a deserter from the U.S. Army, who now works on board the ship. "I herewith enclose the communications relating to James Byrnes, a deserter from the U.S. Army and now serving on board this ship as Coal Heaver, also my statement concerning him." Written on board the U.S.S. Sebago as part of the blockade of Mobile, Alabama.

GLC02680.19

20-21 February 1864

Low, William W., 1823-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Relays a message from "the Admiral" asking Marchand to forward certain mails and discusses a trading ship that is overcharging for its goods. Docket notes "Reporting the 'Pelican States' violation of Revenue law." Written on board the U.S.S. Octorara, which Low commanded during the Union blockade of Mobile, Alabama.

GLC02680.20

21 February 1864

Jenkins, Thornton A., 1811-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Report on his naval actions. Explains his recent movements, and discusses those of Admiral Franklin Buchanan, the commander of Confederate ships in Mobile Bay. Says his ship will be at the Pensacola Naval Yards for repairs. Written on board the U.S.S. Richmond, during the blockade of Mobile, Alabama. Jenkins was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.

GLC02680.21

1 March 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thornton A. Jenkins

Copy of a letter discussing naval strategy and suggesting that Pensacola, Florida be warned, in case a Confederate ram tries a sneak attack there. Says the rebel rams Tennessee and Baltic are nearby. Written on board the U.S.S. Calhoun, in the Mississippi Sound, during the blockade of Mobile Bay. Farragut was the first Admiral in the United States navy and Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Navy during the Civil War.

GLC02680.22

12 March 1864

Gillis, John P., 1803-1873

Manuscript letter

Title: to William H. Dana

Copy of a letter to Dana, the first page ordering Dana to patrol specific waterways, the second page giving orders regarding "prizes seized at the Rio Grande." Written on board the U.S.S. Ossipee, commanded by Gillis off Galveston, Texas, during the Union blockade. Dana was a Union Naval officer in command of the U.S.S. Cayuga.

GLC02680.23

15 March 1864

Drayton, Percival, 1812-1865

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Enclosing twenty copies [not present] each "of 2 circulars issued by the Bureau of Ordnance" with orders to distribute them to all the vessels on Marchand's station. Written on board the U.S.S. Hartford, of which Percival was captain, off Pensacola, Florida, during the Union blockade of major Southern ports. On "Western Gulf Squadron" stationery. Drayton was Fleet Captain to Farragut, who was commanding the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. As commander of the "Hartford," Drayton fought in the Battle of Mobile Bay. He was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Navigation the next year.

GLC02680.24

15 March 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

A brief communication from Farragut, requesting the "names and positions of all the vessels in your division on the first and fifteenth of every month." Written on board the U.S.S. Hartford, off Pensacola, Florida, during the Union blockade of major Southern ports. On "Western Gulf Squadron" stationery.

GLC02680.25

16 March 1864

Van Deusen, George H., 1836-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

From an assistant surgeon of the U. S. Volunteer Navy, confirming illnesses of two men under Marchand's command. "I hereby respectfully call a Medical Survey on Pat McGough…affected with synavitis of hip joint: and James McGuire has Typhoid fever." Letter is approved over the signature of E. W. Henry as Lieutenant Commander. Written on board the U.S.S. Owasco, off Galveston, Texas, during the Union blockade.

GLC02680.26

30 March 1864

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Stating that he is aware of the situation of sailors whose term has expired, and enclosing an address [not present] on the subject. Written in response to a letter sent to Farragut by sailors on the U.S.S. Lackawanna. Written on board the U.S.S. Hartford, off Pensacola, Florida, during the Union blockade of major Southern ports. On "Western Gulf Squadron" stationery.

GLC02680.27

6 April 1864

Woolsey, Melancthon B., 1817-1874

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Letter enclosing papers [no longer present] regarding "Information obtained from four rebel deserters" and other reports. Written on board the U.S.S. Princess Royal, commanded by Woolsey off Sabine Pass, Texas during the blockading of Confederate ports in that area. Woolsey commanded the "Princess Royal" in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. After the war, he commanded the Navy Field at Pensacola, where he died from yellow fever.

GLC02680.28

9 February 1864

Jenkins, Thornton A., 1811-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Requesting various information pertaining to Marchand's ship, including coal, draft, and speed of the ship. Written on board the U.S.S. Richmond.

GLC02680.30

9 February 1864

Jenkins, Thornton A., 1811-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Ordering Marchand to move his boat to replace a departing ship in the blockade. Written on board the U.S.S. Richmond during the Union blockade of Mobile Bay.

GLC02680.31

31 December 1873

Hieskell, H.M., fl. 1873

Printed document signed

Title: [Pay slip for John B. Marchand]

Printed note stating a pay check has been enclosed for three hundred eighteen dollars and thirty cents. From the Office of Pay Director, Navy Yard, Philadelphia. The amount and date are filled in by hand.

GLC02680.34