Collection Search

to Robert E. Lee

Contemporary military copy of Grant's surrender terms for General Lee, signed by the clerk and labeled a copy. Proposes the terms on which he will receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Directs Lee to create two rolls of all...

GLC02124

[Appointment of Richard Varick, Mayor of New York]

Appointment of Varick to the positions of Mayor, Water Bailiff, and Clerk of the Market. Includes pendant seal attached with ribbon. Modern mounting.

GLC02127

Battle of Nashville

Six stanza poem dramatizing the action at the Battle of Nashville. Each stanza has a heading: "The Preparation," "The Night Scene," "The Prelude," "The Second Day," The Chief," and "The Charge." The stanza titled "The Chief," is the shortest and is...

GLC02135

[Cabinet photograph of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman]

Signed on mount and verso. On mount of the West End Gallery, St. Louis, Mo., inscribed on verso to "Dr. Thomas T. Mirror, Seattle, W[ashington]. T[erritory]." on 1886 August 24.

GLC02136.04

[Endorsement on Senate resolution to Secretary of War Stanton]

Lincoln endorsement as President to Edwin M. Stanton, requesting data, written on the verso of a Senate resolution dated 14 May requesting information concerning the arrest of persons in Kentucky since the 1st of September 1861 and their imprisonment...

GLC02040

to Joseph Wilson

Returns an application for permission to dispatch a vessel in ballast (not present). Explains rules for customs regarding tonnage on vessels. Wilson was Customs Collector for Marblehead, Massachusetts.

GLC02049

to Charles Sumner

Written on her personal stationery, embossed with a "D," to her benefactor and friend, Sumner. Requests him to send certain government publications to her at the Government Hospital for the Insane of the Army and Navy in Washington, D.C. Among...

GLC02075

to Andrew Johnson

Written as a member of the House of Representatives for New Jersey to oblige Augusta, Georgia, resident Henry W. Hilliard, a former member of Congress. Newell asks for Johnson's signature on pardon warrants for Georgians Baldwin B. Miller, W. C...

GLC02078

to William B. Hazen

President Grant's Commissioner of Indian Affairs writes to General Hazen, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southern Agency, regarding claims of Creek Indian refugees and related expenses. Written on stationary of the Department of the...

GLC02079

to Abraham Lincoln

Secretary of the Senate J.W. Forney recommends William Cole, Esq., editor of the "Irish American," for a paymastership in the U.S. army. Cole also comes recommended by Bishop John Hughes, General Michael Corcoran, Horace Greeley, and New York...

GLC02086.01

to Francis P. Blair Jr.

Telegraph draft to his brother, regarding the quarrel between Francis Blair and John C. Frémont. Blair writes, "Fremont requests your letter from President & I sent it, It will do to stand by - Caution friends against controversy with the Provost...

GLC02089

to Elliot C. Cowdin

Wishes Cowdin a happy New Year. Addressed to Cowdin in New York.

GLC02095.17

to [Edward W.] Kinsley

Criticizes Buenaventura Baez, President of the Dominican Republic. Kinsley apparently informed Sumner of a dinner for Baez. He states in full, "A Dinner to Baez! Why not invite the murderer of the Virginius crew? At least please read an authentic...

GLC02095.18

[Quotation of Charles Sumner on the struggle to end slavery]

Complete quotation reads: "Our cause is nobler even than that of our Fathers, in as much as it is more exalted to struggle for the Freedom of others than for our own."

GLC02095.26

[Check signed by Charles Sumner]

Check for $51.17 payable to Mr. Beckwith Huntly from the First National Bank, Washington, D.C. Signed by Sumner. Endorsed on verso. With US inter-revenue stamp.

GLC02095.32

to Dr. W. Carnac

Lee briefly responds to a query from Dr. W. Carnac denying the allegation that there was any romantic involvement between George Washington and Sue Grimes (Grymes), the first wife of Nathaniel Burwell. Lee comments that although he believes...

GLC02096

Special order No -

Unnumbered special order commanding Colonel William Hillyer to Memphis to meet with General William T. Sherman on "special business" and return quickly. Statement of payment scrawled horizontally on the recto.

GLC02020

[Endorsement authorizing U.S. Navy to store munitions at Fort Mifflin]

Document signed by Commodore Henry K. Hoff as Inspector of Ordnance. Written to Commander Henry Alexander Wise as the Chief of Bureau of Ordnance. Marked "No. 272" Says there is enough room for 500 barrels of powder in the magazine at Fort Mifflin....

GLC02027

[Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]

John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.

GLC02041

[Pen and ink drawing of council of war at Gettysburg]

Signed in pencil by Marshall, and apparently intended for publication. The original pen and ink drawing shows Meade, Sykes, Newton, Butterfield, Getty, and Howard. Mounted; dimensions refer to the image.

GLC02057

to C. F. Manahan

Requests that Manahan make arrangements with Western Union Telegraph Company or the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company to connect lines with his private line. Offers to repeat a telephone lecture in Lowell [Massachusetts] as long as the lines are...

GLC02062

to Harriet Jane Hanson Robinson

Abolitionist and suffragist Foster responds to questions from Robinson who was doing research for her book, "Massachusetts in the woman suffrage movement. A general, political, legal and legislative history from 1774 to 1881" (Boston, 1881). Foster...

GLC02076

to unknown

Offers lectures on twelve numbered topics dealing with nervous disorders and insanity of which the recipient has checked 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 12 for a possible lecture. Also a note on page two, "$100 for marked articles." Written on dark blue...

GLC02077

to his sister

Continues GLC02082.30. Comments on a code for writing letters.

GLC02082.31

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about camp news and marching orders.

GLC02082.32

to Mary

Reports sending the bone ring.

GLC02082.52

to Mary

Written in pencil on a large legal sheet. Provides news about skirmishing. Mentions boys suffering from sore feet.

GLC02082.59

to Mary

Written in pencil. Mentions that little mail has arrived from Alabama since Sherman captured that city.

GLC02082.62

[Diary of a Union soldier in the 7th Iowa Vols.]

GLC02088

[Note declining Charles Sumner's attendance at Mr. Lincoln's circle]

Signed in text. Dated 6 January, no year specified. States that Sumner regrets not being able to attend "Mr. Lincoln's circle," to be held that evening, due to the state of his health.

GLC02095.09

to Epes Sargent

Sumner thanks Sargent for his sympathetic praise. Writes, "The verses on Shaw I had enjoyed before, & had sent to England," likely a reference to Sargent's poem, "Colonel Shaw: On Hearing that the Rebels Had Buried His Body Under a Pile of Twenty...

GLC02095.12

Mr. Sumner's Lecture on White Slavery in the Barbary States.

Sumner's lecture given before the Boston Mercantile Library Association, 17 February 1847. Published by William D. Ticknor and Company. Printed in Cambridge by Metcalf and Company, printers to the University. Inscribed on the original orange cover...

GLC02095.19

[Quotation of Charles Sumner on liberty]

Complete quotation reads: "For myself in a case of doubt I feel that I cannot go wrong when I lean to the side of Liberty."

GLC02095.25

[Envelope with free frank and docket]

Free frank of Sumner on envelope addressed to John Jay, [Nassau St] New York. With docket.

GLC02095.34

[Remains of violets from Charles Sumner's funeral service]

In folded paper with note: "Violets from the coffin of the Hon. Chas. Sumner, March 13/74 deceased Mar 11. 74. [10]. m. to 3 pm." Violets are no longer intact; only brittle pieces remain.

GLC02095.36

[Carte-de-visite of Charles Sumner]

3/4 image of Sumner holding a French newspaper.

GLC02095.39

to Munn & Company

Written by Ericsson, the Swedish immigrant inventor responsible for building the first Union ironclad ship, to the Munn & Company as proprietors of the magazine "Scientific American." Writes that he is returning their article "on the subject of my...

GLC02106

Capture of a rebel Lunette near Yorktown, Va. April 26th 1862 by detachments from the 1st & 11th Mass. Vols. commanded by Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover

Chromolithograph with hand retouching. Published by John B. Bachelder in Boston and lithographed by Endicott & Co., New York. Depicts a battle scene at sunset. Key identifies officers and regiments featured in the image.

GLC02131.03

[Color print depicting Abraham Lincoln]

The caption underneath this print describes Lincoln as the Republican candidate for sixteenth President of the United States. A red drapery serves as a backdrop for this oval-shaped print. Published by Currier & Ives. Note along the bottom of the...

GLC02132.01

How the War Commenced, and How Near it is Ended

Published by the National Union Executive Committee, Astor House, New York. Issued during the reelection campaign of Lincoln. Heavily criticizes the rhetoric of the Confederate States and the Chicago Convention. Contains a map (12.7 x 28.6) and...

GLC02133

Proclamation to the people of the Philippine Islands

Title continued: "The Treaty of Peace between the United States and Spain, ratified several weeks ago by the former, having on March 20th been ratified by the latter, the cession to the United States...."

GLC02134

to his sister

Continuation of GLC02082.22. Discusses illness and hospital duty.

GLC02082.23

to Lewis Pintard

Informs that he has been confined four weeks with gout and was not able to write. Begins by writing about ordering trees from Mr. Livingston. Disagrees with a legal position maintained by Alexander Hamilton, who was an attorney in New York City at...

GLC02046

[Authorization for William Lee to return to Virginia].

Pass authorized by the Council Chamber of the State of Massachusetts Bay and attested to by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts John Avery releases Lee from Massachusetts on parole as of September 13, 1779. A note confirming Lee's...

GLC02064

[Senate resolution submitted by Charles Sumner]

Appeals to the people to manifest their loyalty by ceasing to fight or work for the rebels, and putting their resources into supporting the Union. States that the government will reciprocate. Writes, "...it is the further duty of the government of...

GLC02095.22

to Charles Sumner

Asks Sumner to help a graduate of Harvard, Edward B. Drew, to obtain a post in the Chinese Customs Service. Drew hopes Sumner will help him arrange a meeting with Sir Frederick Bruce, British representative at Washington, D.C.

GLC02095.38

[Carte-de-visite of Charles Sumner]

Signed by Sumner along the base of the image. Taken by Brady & Co.'s Photographic Portrait Galleries, Washington, D.C. and New York.

GLC02095.40

Attention! Company! [Recruiting broadside for New York 156th Infantry]

Announcment made by Lieutenant Holmes, the recruiting officer of the regiment. His first name could not be discovered. Printed by Hommel's Power Press Printing in Kingston, New York. Depicts large eagle holding scroll reading "The Union must be...

GLC02028

[Clipped signature]

Written on lined paper fortified by solid backing.

GLC02063.03

[Clipped signature]

Contains biographical information pertaining to Johnston and price written in pencil on verso.

GLC02063.04

[Clipped signature]

GLC02063.05

[Delevan Bates]

Cabinet portrait of Delavan Bates in uniform by the Snyder Studio. Inscription on verso reads: "Brig. Gen. Delavan Bates/MOH [Medal of Honor] at Crater/121st NY Infantry/Cabinet/Signed $125.00." Bates was Union Brevet Brig. Gen., 30th U.S. Colored...

GLC02068

List of names of members co. 'H' 39th Mo. Vol. lost Sept 27th 1864 near Centralia by Andersons Bushwackers

Lists the names and ranks of the fifty-six Union men killed by Confederate bushwhackers under the command of William "Bloody Bill" Anderson. Anderson, under whose tutelage Jesse James fought, was killed and decapitated less than a month later....

GLC02074

[Carte de visite of George Peabody]

GLC02080

to his sister

Mentions guns to keep Lincoln's ships away.

GLC02082.02

to his sister

Written in pencil from the "Chickahominy River" on small sheet of paper (appears to have been taken from a pocket diary). Discusses marching 8 days and nights, and military action.

GLC02082.15

to his sister

Written in pencil on small leaves removed from a pre-printed alphabetized ledger. Mentions Strasburg, Virginia, and a raid by Jackson.

GLC02082.21

to his sister

Discusses being appointed hospital steward. Provides news of Fredericksburg.

GLC02082.22

to his sister

Continuation of GLC02082.25-.26. Mentions sham battles with North Carolina troops, and includes verses of "Maryland."

GLC02082.27

to his sister

Reports that General Hooker ordered evacuation of Fredericksburg. Mentions pride in the spirit of Maryland.

GLC02082.28

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about the Battle of Chancellorsville. Discusses those wounded and burned to death and mentions that Jackson has been shot.

GLC02082.33

to his sister

Discusses camp news and further battle news.

GLC02082.34

to Mary

Describes the retreat through Maryland and Pennsylvania. Mentions the plentiful food. Describes the battle of Gettysburg & retreat. Written in pencil. May be missing conclusion. Author assumed based on letters of similar handwriting and content...

GLC02082.38

to Dorcus and to his sister

Letter on first page to cousin Dorcus, hoping that her sweetheart Robert has fared well in the late battle. Uses a numeric code. Letter of last three pages to his sister. Describes Gettysburg and their retreat: "Hear we have bin for several days...

GLC02082.39

to his mother

Discusses shooting a deserter. Writes from a camp on the Rappahannock River.

GLC02082.43

to Mary

Comments on camp news, picket duty & drilling. Written from Camp Co. H 5th Alabama Regiment, twelve months volunteers near Orange C.H., Virginia.

GLC02082.47

to Mary

Provides camp news. Believes that 1864 will be a desperate year for the South.

GLC02082.48

to his sister

Written in pencil. Provides more information on the Wilderness Campaign and reports heavy losses in own company.

GLC02082.55

to Mary

Continuation of GLC02082.60. Mentions citizens giving dinner.

GLC02082.61

The Crime Against Kansas. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. In the Senate of the United States, May 19, 1856.

Sumner delivered this speech after the May 1856 debates on slavery in Kansas. Condemns Southern advocacy of the expansion of slavery. Published by Greeley and McElrath, New York. Advertised on cover page as being "for sale at the office of the New...

GLC02095.20

[Print with a clipped signature of Preston S. Brooks]

With clipped signature of Brooks. Both engraving and signature are pasted to backer page. A pencil note, also on backer page, explains that Brooks attacked Charles Sumner after Sumner's famous "Crime Against Kansas" speech in the Senate.

GLC02095.37

to Nicholas Cooke

Also signed by James Clarke. Apologizes for their delay in providing Governor of Rhode Island Cooke with accurate records of recent imports and exports that they are compiling. Thinks a more extended accounting would be more useful, and if Cooke...

GLC02105

[New Hampshire proclamation to meet the draft quota]

Proclamation promulgated by New Hampshire Governor Gilmore and New Hampshire Secretary of State Allen Tenny. Encourages the enlistment of New Hampshire citizens, who "will rise in their might and like an avalanche... sweep the last traces of armed...

GLC02125

[Cabinet photograph of Jefferson Davis]

Bust photograph. Signed on photograph image and also inscribed on verso, in purple ink.

GLC02126

to Charles Villere

Beauregard, in charge of the defense of the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, replies to previous correspondence from his brother-in-law Villere. He writes "I am happy to hear of the confidence in me expressed every where, but I am always fearful...

GLC02129

Ravine occupied by the picket reserves, Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker's Division. Heintzlemans Corps D'armee. At the Seige of Yorktown, April 1862.

Duotone in gray and black showing an episode in the siege of Yorktown. Night scene of men in camp. Key identifies officers and regiments featured in the image. Published by John B. Bachelder in Boston, lithographed by Endicott & Co., New York. Note...

GLC02131.04

[Carte de visite of P.G.T. Beauregard]

Signed on image & verso 3/4 bust by R.A.Rees, Richmond. Inscribed to Miss C. M. J. Kearn, New Orleans, 1869 May 26.

GLC02136.08

Congressional Globe [New Series...No. 4]

Lincoln's Spot Amendment Speech on page 64 condemns the pretexts for starting the war with Mexico. Requests proof from President Polk that American blood was shed on American soil and that the enemy provoked the Americans, and asks if those Americans...

GLC02025

to James McHenry

Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow pretends...

GLC02065

to [Arnold B.] Johnson

Written "to Johnson," possibly his secretary Arnold B. Johnson. Writes that he lost his pocketbook on the journey from Washington to Philadelphia and believes it was stolen. States that it contains a draft for $1800, and discusses the process by...

GLC02095.06

Protection of Freedmen: Actual Condition of the Rebel States. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts ...

Title continues, "... on the bill to maintain the freedom of the inhabitants in the states declared in insurrection and rebellion by the proclamation of the President of July 1, 1862; delivered in the Senate of the United States, December 20, 1865."...

GLC02095.23

to John C. Spencer

States that the lead pipe delivered by F.O. J. Smith, the contractors with Mr. Tatham and his brothers, is defective. Describes the main problem, "I find it defective in many points but particularly in the destructive effect that has been produced...

GLC02112

[Cabinet photograph of Absalom Baird]

With short biographical description on verso. Awarded the Medal of Honor, Civil War at Jonesboro, Ga. Gilt edges. Sept 1864 - "Voluntarily led a detached brigade in an assault upon the enemy's works."

GLC02136.16

to Horatio Gates

Describes his visions of lava flows, overflowing oceans and ghosts (sounds almost Blakean). Mentions places all over the globe and gives strange account of manufacturing snowshoes from a pattern from Greece. Stephen as Major General in the Revolution...

GLC02021

The British magazine and review, or, Universal miscellany. [Vol. II, no. 18 (Jan. 1783)]

In addition to its regular news and literary items, prints the preliminary treaties of peace (Treaty of Paris) between England and the United States and France, ending the American Revolution. Published by Harrison & Co.

GLC02061

to Leonard Ross

Discusses an exaggerated news report regarding the battle of Antietam. Writes "The substance of the news is that 'Genl McClellan has driven the Rebels out of Maryland with great slaughter and has bagged Genl Lee.' The bagging part I think is...

GLC02063.01

[Clipped signature]

GLC02063.06

to his sister

Written in pencil. Reports that Pensacola is the oldest & dirtiest city. Discusses some illness. Mentions Zouaves. Gives his future address as Richmond.

GLC02082.03

to his sister

Written in pencil. Discusses the possibility of settling the war in July, and the decision to compromise or go into hard fighting.

GLC02082.04

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about illnesses and camp news.

GLC02082.10

to his sister

Gives news of Battle of Cumberland Gap. Reports that Beauregard is to command in the west.

GLC02082.13

to his sister

Written in pencil on blue-lined notepaper. Discusses military action.

GLC02082.16

to his sister

Written in pencil. Discusses the Shenandoah Valley and provides more news of Antietam and Stonewall Jackson.

GLC02082.20

to Mary

Describes his leisure time. Reports that they are being sent to Chattanooga. Complains about the complaining men of the South. Describes how Lee treated deserters: he shot them.

GLC02082.42

to Mary

Written on long sheet of blue letter paper and cross-written on page 1. Discusses camp news, battles & skirmishing. Location listed as Camp 5th Alabama Regiment near Brandy Station, Virginia.

GLC02082.44

to Mary

Discusses battle action in the Wilderness Campaign, and mentions Yankee losses.

GLC02082.54

to Theseus Apoleon Cheney

Writes that he is glad Cheney is regaining his health. Comments on the upcoming presidential election and the Civil War: "The good news must stimulate you. Of the result, political or military I cannot doubt. Mr. Lincoln will be re-elected, &...

GLC02095.14

Hymns and music at the funeral services of Charles Sumner.

Held at King's Chapel, Boston, 16 March 1874.

GLC02095.35

to Jabez True

Discusses delegates elected to the national convention and gives the number of ballots for each. Written on blue paper. Recipient name from later penciled note on verso.

GLC02111

Gettysburg. Repulse of Longstreet's Assault

Wide panoramic view at the moment of the repulse of Longstreet's (actually Pickett's) charge at the Battle of Gettysburg 1-3 July 1863. Large black and white steel engraving (papier colle) based on the larger painting by James Walker and painted...

GLC02131.02