30 March 1862

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unnamed Union General hoping he improves from his wounds and stating his importance to the Union cause. Addressed simply to "Dear General," who was recently wounded while fighting Stonewall Jackson's forces. States that his recovery is essential to the Union's success in the war. Docket notes "A friendly letter."

GLC03817.01

20 February 1868

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Document signed

Title: [Deed of sale of excess military sites]

Allows for the sale of lands, buildings, and improvements surrounding Harper's Ferry. Grants conveyance of property to Catharine E. Stipes.

GLC03817.02

23 July 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fitzgerald

General Washington discusses legal matters regarding his disputed land holdings on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, with his former aide-de-camp. Refers to a forthcoming survey of the Potomac River, necessary for a canal-building enterprise he sought to undertake as the first President of the Potomac Company. Expresses concern that he will be unable to simultaneously handle legal matters at both locations.

GLC03818

10 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal for warrant on the pardon of Jonathan C. Boyle].

GLC03824

22 December 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document

Title: to the Army of the Potamac

Printed executive order congratulating the Army of the Potomac for bravery during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lincoln writes that "Although you were not successful, the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than an accident."

GLC03825

22 October 1864

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pass permitting Virginia farmer Benjamin Hummer to bring crops into Washington]

Permits Benjamin Hummer, a farmer from Virginia, to bring his produce to Washington to sell. Also permits him to bring his family, and return with necessary goods. Written on stationery of the War Department. The envelope is an official Secretary of War envelope, also signed by Stanton. Noted at top as "Good for 80 days."

GLC03826

29 May 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government]

Proclamation announcing North Carolina has a Republican form of government, and appointing William W. Holden as provisional governor, who duty it shall be to subscribe rules and regulations for the purpose of altering or amending the U.S. Constitution. Signed in type by President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William H. Seward.

GLC03827

10 March 1864

Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Steele, commander of the Department of Arkansas, writes to Lieutenant General Grant, commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi (just before Grant became commander-in-chief of the United States Army). Corresponded with Generals William Sherman and Nathaniel Banks regarding an expedition against Shreveport, Louisiana. Remarks, "they are both mistaken in regard to the strength of my command and also in regard to the situation of affairs in my Dept." Intends to transmit copies of his correspondence with Banks. Declares, "The forces under Banks will make Kirby Smith run without a…

GLC03834

23 April 1861

Newspaper

Title: Herald Extra. [(April 23, 1861)]

Headlines reads, "Very latest by telegraph his afternoon. Rebellious excitement in Maryland and Virginia. Northern students sent home. 14000 troops at Washington. Vessels arming for the Blockade." Reports on various events related to the 19 April 1861 Baltimore Riot, during which secessionists attacked Union soldiers passing through the city. Discusses a town meeting held in Calais' Horton's Hall, where "The vast assemblage was animated by one sentiment and that a determination to sustain the Government in the present emergency." States that citizens of Cockeysville, Maryland reported…

GLC03838

24 June 1880

Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893

Document signed

Title: [Order to Secretary of State to accredit James Longstreet as Minister to Ottoman Empire]

President Hayes orders Secretary of State William M. Evarts "to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to envelope containing letter accrediting James Longstreet as Minister President to the Ottoman Empire." Longstreet, a prominent Confederate General and military advisor to Robert E. Lee, became a Republican after the war, angering the populace of the mostly Democratic South. His allegiance to the Republican Party earned him choice positions of patronage, including the ambassadorship to the Ottoman Empire. He only served for one year in Turkey before returning to America to take…

GLC03843

7 December 1882

McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter to Perry Mason & Co.]

Discussing possible articles McClellan might write for "The Youth's Companion." McClellan has been asked to write military articles for the magazine, and discusses the style and content of the articles, which he wishes to write about famous historical generals. "The Youth's Companion" was a magazine, intended for the whole family, containing articles on a wide variety of subjects. The magazine was published by Perry Mason & Co., but the name Perry Mason was a fictional one created by the publishers. Daniel Sharp Ford was the real publisher of the magazine. Four holes punched on the…

GLC03853

1862

Handy, L.C., fl. 1861

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Fitz-John Porter

Colonel in the U.S. Army from May 14, 1861. Brigadier General Vol. May 17, 1861. Major General Vol. July 4, 1862. With autograph note and bio on verso. Image ca. 1862, printed ca. 1890.

GLC03854

05 May 1958

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Typed letter signed

Title: to William F. C. Ewing re gathering support for plan to modernize Defense Dept.

Typed on White House stationery and signed in initials, "D.E." Interestingly, Eisenhower compares the intended role for the Sec. of Defense to "corporate practices" and closes by noting "I am sending this letter, or one nearly identical, to a number of my good friends in the business world."

GLC03862

January 16, 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Commissioners of City of Washington

Congratulates the board on obtaining a $100,000 loan from the state of Maryland. Referring to their activities superintending the construction of Washington, D.C., suggests the commissioners present a "full and candid statement on the whole in a Memorial to Congress."

GLC03865

6 July 1798

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: to the New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati

President Adams expresses gratitude for the New Jersey Cincinnati's memorial of support as the country faces imminent war with France. On July 4th Adams had announced his appointment of George Washington ("that renowned, Veteran, and beloved Chief") as commander-in-chief of the army being raised to defend the country. Federalist fear of internal dissent (alluded to here as "intestine divisions") led to the passage of the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts in the midst of the crisis.

GLC03866.01

4 July 1798

Dayton, Jonathan, 1760-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to John Adams

Date inferred from Adams' announcement of Washington as commander of Provisional Army on 2 July 1798. Also inferred from his response to this document, which was on 6 July 1798 (GLC 3866.01). Creator inferred from handwriting of Jonathan Dayton. New Jersey branch of Society of Cincinnati expresses "our entire satisfaction with his Administration of the Government, & in particular as it relates to the injuries & insults which have been received from the French Republic." Asserts that America needs be vigilant to defend its independence.

GLC03866.02

9 January 1777

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Henry Lee

Written by Henry as Governor of Virginia to Lee as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress. Sends congratulations about Washington's victory at Trenton on 25 December 1776. Observes that the people of Virginia are firm. Believes a great number of volunteers can still be found. Hopes enlistments may be filled, but doubts it will happen quickly. Says the Cherokees are humbled, but fears hostilities will break out around Pittsburgh, and he has prepared accordingly. Says arms and woolens are needed. Says "I do indeed pity your situation ... Let me tell you that altho yr Fatigue is…

GLC03869

July 17, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Richard S. Ewell

Brigadier General Commanding Beauregard writes to General Ewell to give instructions on troop position and permit an attack on Centreville, if the opportunity arises. Letter written shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run.

GLC03782

February 4, 1862

Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Mason

Brigadier General Early writes to Major Mason requesting information about recruiting and re-enlisting men. With Mason's 5 February 1862 autograph note signed, on verso of Early's letter, answering Early's questions. Written from "Head Quarters."

GLC03783

30 June 1863

Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Wise

Confederate Major General Hill writes to General Wise, expressing approval of Wise's troop's disposition and their burning of bridges. Hill reports in a postscript that James Ewell Brown Stuart captured Fairfax Court House (27 June).

GLC03784

January 27, 1821

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Cardell

Jefferson asks Cardell to thank the American Academy of Language & Belles Lettres for giving him an honorary membership. Comments on the role of language in the advancement of science, making references to England and France, and contends that language should not be static.

GLC03785

25 October 1866

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Mason re: Jefferson Davis' imprisonment, his law career in England

Cross-written on p. 1. Benjamin mentions that Pres. Johnson is intimidated by the Radical Republicans from releasing Davis. He mentions his legal career in England and says he saw Slidell in Paris.

GLC03787

26 May 1863

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Phillip Dale Roddey

General Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee, writes "Enemy reported sending troop from Corinth to Grant." Requests Roddy to verify the information and report back as soon as possible.

GLC03788

1863

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Header Record

Title: Phillip Sheridan Letter and Engraving [Decimalized .01-.02]

Letter by Sheridan, accompanied by engraving of the General.

GLC03789

30 October 1862

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Lovell

Confederate Major General Lovell writes to his son concerning his belief that the Emancipation Proclamation would create dissension in the North and ultimately aid the Confederacy. "I think Lincoln's proclamation will produce dissensions and trouble at the North, and will thus indirectly benefit our Cause. The Democratic party there is not willing to go headlong into any abolition war." Comments on Joseph's improvements in arithmetic and tells him to be a good boy and take care of his mother.

GLC03790