Collection Search

[Appointment of Eleazor D. Wood to major in the corps of engineers]

Madison signed as President and countersigned by John Armstrong as Secretary of War. The commission was a brevet for Battle of Lundy's lane near Niagara Falls.

GLC01043.07

General post-office, New-York [postmaster's first report]

First report of the Post Office, by Postmaster general Samuel Osgood. Evans 22978. Folio.

GLC01033

Report of the Attorney-General. Read in the House of Representatives,

A2-H2 I2(-I2) ($1 signed). Submitted by Edmund Randolph as Attorney General on the U.S. judicial system and revising the Judiciary Act of 1789. Randolph was helped in drafting this report by Justice James Wilson. Sabin 67816. Evans 23909

GLC01035

The Secretary of the Treasury [...], relatively to [...] a Mint

A-E2 F2(-F2) ($1 signed). Regarding establishment of a Mint. Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury as an appendix to his report on the Public Credit. Evans 23920.

GLC01036

Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of the Public Debt.

A-D2 ($1 signed). Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. With his name misspelled "Alexarder" on p.15. Evans 24926

GLC01037

Communications from the Secretary of the Treasury, to the House ....

A-Q2 R2 ($1 signed). Evans 26343, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 246. Submitted by Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. With foldout "General Statement of the Appropriations" for 1792

GLC01038

A Plan for the general arrangement of the militia of the United States

A-F2 G2 (-G2) ($1 signed). Submitted by Henry Knox as Secretary of War, the first report issued by his department. Evans 22958, Howes K220. 1 black and white bust engraving of Peter Cooper included.

GLC01039

Treaties between the United States and France

Printed by John Dunlap. First American printing of the first United States treaty.
Contains both the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance is the first Philadelphia printing and the first...

GLC01040

The Secretary of Treasury respectfully reports.... [state debts report]

An appendix to Hamilton's Public Credit report on state debts. Proposes raising customs duties. Evans 23003, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 165

GLC01041

An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio

One printed copy of "An Ordinance for the government of the territory of United States, northwest of the river Ohio" dated 1795. Details new laws on property rights. This printing comes from the first section of Laws of the Territory of the United...

GLC01042

to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his orders to see General William Henry Harrison at Detroit. He urges her to take an educational opportunity and discusses the benefits education would bring her. Notes that the time has come for him to be tested as a...

GLC01043.01

to Mary Wood

He discusses his desire to visit home that winter, which could not be fulfilled because he is fighting in the War of 1812. Discusses the perils of his activities in the west (in Ohio), being surrounded by Indians, and fearing he would not see his...

GLC01043.03

to unknown

Draft of a detailed report of the attack on Fort Erie that had been repelled on August 14, 1814. Wood commanded forces in the battle. Letter written at Fort Erie to a superior officer.

GLC01043.04

Report on public credit. Appendix Treasury Department, March 4, 1790

Written by Hamilton as an appendix to his Public Credit report and issued six weeks later. He recommended raising duties on imported liquor and enacting an excise tax on domestic Whiskey. (This tax eventually led to the Whiskey Rebellion).

GLC01044

Report on the adoption of the gold standard in Japan

Printed by the Government Printing Press. Contains information on the development of the coinage system in Japan during the Meiji Period. Discusses implementation of the Coinage Law of 1897.

GLC01045

to John Hunt Morgan

Smith ordering Morgan to defend Nicholasville and Bryantsville, near Lexington, Kentucky. Letter written in pencil.

GLC01049

to John S. Preston

Confederate general Buckner asks Colonel Preston to have some letters of General John Hunt Morgan's wife sent to Confederate President Jefferson Davis to be forwarded to Morgan, who was in a Union prison camp in Ohio. Partial docket on verso; lower...

GLC01050

to James B. McPherson

Confederate General Adams sends two men, under a flag of truce, to visit their brother, who was being held in Vicksburg as a spy. Asks Union Major General McPherson for permission for them to attempt to obtain proof of their brother's innocence.

GLC01051

[Endorsement on petition for a dentist to join the Confederate Army]

Endorsement on Marx E. Cohen's request to the Surgeon General of the Confederate States to provide " 'Dental Surgery' " to the Confederate Army in the field. WIth several signatures approving the request and several signed annotations on the verso...

GLC01052

[Diary Oliver D. Pratt]

Autograph manuscript signed. Pratt served in Co. L, 1st Battalion, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. Approximately 100 pages written in pencil. Military content about war in Virginia. Dated June 10- October 1, 1864.

GLC01003.01

[Diary of Oliver D. Pratt]

Autograph manuscript signed. Military content about war in Virginia. Written in pencil. Dated October 1, 1864-June 24, 1865,

GLC01003.02

[Seated portrait of John H. Surratt]

One portrait of John Harrison Surratt, Jr., taken by Mathew Brady in 1868.

GLC02194

Journal of a whaling voyage on board ship Cortes of New Bedford, [Massachusetts]

Includes five separate pages of watercolors that were possibly previously bound in the log. Includes daily entries of the whaling voyage and numerous miscellaneous newspaper clippings, poems, and songs. Many entries are accompanied by an ink stamp...

GLC02212

[General orders no. 30 regarding food rations for contrabands]

Signed by Townsend, United States Assistant Adjutant General. By order of the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, establishes food rations "for issue by the Subsistence Department to adult refugees and to adult colored persons, commonly called...

GLC02225

[Collection of two items, quotation signed by Dolley Madison and engraving] Decimalized

GLC02231

to John C. Tidball

Writes a friendly letter to Tidball about how their military circle is breaking up since Tidball is leaving to head the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, and Sherman has left for St . Louis. Praises Tidball's reputation over the years he has known...

GLC02246

[Official ordnance document]

Partially printed document, with printed signature. Treadwell, Captain of Ordnance, informs Captain Albert A. Day (Company K, 20th Michigan Infantry, 9th Corps) that his return of ordnance and ordnance stores for the fourth quarter of 1864 has been...

GLC02249.01

To the men under his command

Written aboard the flag steamer USS Philadelphia. General order, signed clerically, sent by Flag Officer Goldsborough as commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron thanking his men for a victory "worthy of yourselves and the sacred cause the...

GLC02252

[Envelope addressed to Major Vincent]

A free franked envelope (War Department stationery) signed as Secretary of War, allowing the bearer, Major Vincent, to see the Board of Inquiry into Lincoln's assassination.

GLC02256

[Collection of Amos J. Harding, L company, 6th regiment, Missouri, cavalry] [decimalized]

The collection consists of thirteen letters written by various men but all addressed to Amos J. Harding. The letters are from friends and officers in service during the Civil War and are mostly from Missouri; eight of these letters possess dockets....

GLC02178

[Collection of Erastus R. McKinney, I company, 11th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

Collection of 47 items from the papers of Erastus Root McKinney, who served as a private in the 11th Illinois Volunteers. The collection consists of 43 documents, 4 photographs, and a diary, much of which documents McKinney's service in the Civil War...

GLC02179.01

[Diary of Erastus McKinney]

Autograph manuscript signed. Includes reports on Union casualities during the capture of Fort Donelson (fought from 11 February to 16 February 1862 at Stewart County, Tennessee).

GLC02179.02

[Collection of George F. Morse, 91st regiment, New York, volunteers] [decimalized]

Collection of George F. Morse, private, 91st New York Volunteers. There are 52 items in the collection, including 17 letters from Morse, from his enlistment in October 1864, until his discharge in July 1865. Letters were written from Kingston, New...

GLC02180

[Collection of John H. Powers, 1st regiment, Vermont, cavalry] [decimalized]

Collection of 75 letters written to a private in the first Vermont Cavalry, 1860-77, from friends and schoolmates at Newbury Seminary, and fraternity brothers from Wesleyan College. Some of the letters are from soldiers in the field, while others...

GLC02181

[Collection of E. Wyman Stone, A company, 21st regiment, Massachusetts, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .37]

Stone was a corporal in the 21st Mass. Vols., Co. A. The letters are written from Massachusetts, Annapolis, and New Berne, North Carolina. The collection includes 34 letters (some with envelopes), three receipts, a newspaper clipping and a furlough...

GLC02182

[Collection of Edward L. Sturtevant]

A collection of 37 items from a Union captain. Includes 26 wardate letters, 10 envelopes, and 1 carte-de-visite. Written from the training base at Camp Maine, Brooklyn, New York. Describing in detail his duties as an officer, he often finds the army...

GLC02183

to Francis Preston Blair

Praises a letter Blair wrote, published in a newspaper (possibly the New York Evening Post). Has confidence that "we shall succeed in electing Fremont," referring to John C. Frémont's candidacy in the 1856 Presidential election. Compares the...

GLC02184

Why We are at War. Messages to Congress January to April, 1917

Signed in front endpaper. Content surrounding America's entry into World War I. Deckle edges.

GLC02186

Confederate cavalryman with canteen, 1/6 plate ambrotype, ruby-glass

GLC02187

Confederate cavalryman seated with pistol, 1/9 plate ambrotype

The image is said to be that of a member of a cavalryman in Morgan's troop.

GLC02188

Fall in Men! Fall in Promptly! To the Rescue of the State!

Pennsylvania recruitment broadside, published by recruiting officer Lieutenant Thomas Sparks probably asking for men to defend the state during Robert E. Lee's invasion in June-July 1863. Focal point is large depiction of a debonair soldier charging...

GLC02192

Largest Bounties! Recruits Wanted for the Penn'a Volunteers

Pennsylvania recruitment broadside published by recruitment officer Captain P.S. Tinen of the 69th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Printed in blue and red ink by King & Baird at 607 Samson Street in Philadelphia. Dominated by the image of an...

GLC02193

to Edwin M. Stanton

Signed as Major General commanding in the Department of North Carolina. Writes to the Secretary of War to report on the positions and activities of various troops and generals. "From information obtained through our Spies, I am Satisfied that the...

GLC02196

[Collection of Civil War letters from various soldiers & civilians] [decimalized]

Collection of 51 letters, including 24 wardate soldiers' letters, to recipients in Lancaster and York County, Pennsylvania. Written by various individuals, mostly to Isaac Cover (Kover, Coover) and family in Pennsylvania. Most have envelopes....

GLC02197

[Collection of Leander A. Williston, B company, 3rd regiment, Massachusetts, heavy artillery] [Decimalized .01- .60]

Williston was Lieutenant in the 6th Co. Massachusetts Volunteers. Collection includes his appointment as Sergeant in Company 6 of the Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, 27 June 1863, cloth map, muster rolls and ordnance reports and correspondence from...

GLC02198

[Appointment of Williston, Quarter Master Sergeant of the 6th Co. Mass. Vols.]

Signed by Capt. A. P. Allen, printed document on "art. vellum."

GLC02198.60

Life studies of the Great Army

Print portfolio of 40 copperplate etchings made by Forbes while accompanying Union armies. All the etchings have been separated and put in individual folders. Created by Forbes, a member of the French Etching Club, while he travelled with the Union...

GLC02199

[Oil painting of General Ulysses S. Grant on horseback overlooking a battlefield]

Depicts Grant writing in a notebook while overlooking a battlefield. Several Confederate soldiers lay dead and dying in the foreground. Other Union leaders confer on horseback. Completed in black, white, gray, and brown. Signed by the artist in...

GLC02201

to Arthur Carpenter

Writes a witty letter to the business manager at Warm Springs, Georgia, where Roosevelt founded the Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in 1927. Jokes about mosquitoes briefly. Discusses the sprinkler system for the Meriwether Hotel. Signed...

GLC02202

to Howell Cheney

Letter regarding raising money for the war effort. Typed on personal stationery.

GLC02203.01

to Howell Cheney

Letter regarding the Red Cross. Typed on personal stationery.

GLC02203.02

to Howell Cheney

Discusses the sacrifices needed to support the American war effort during World War I. Mentions the War Savings Stamp project as a means for both rich and poor to contribute, but asserts that the such financial support "is a duty rather more...

GLC02203.03

to John Lovett

Serving as New Hampshire State Representative, Webster discusses possible future political appointments with New York Representative Lovett. Discusses a dinner with Richard Stockton, a New Jersey Representative. Referring to the New York election...

GLC02204

[Receipt for meals and lodging]

Signed by Charles Pyncheon. Verifies receipt of 32 shillings from Bartlett as payment for his and Colonel Nathaniel Peabody's food and lodging for eight days at the Springfield, Massachusetts monetary convention held 30 July - 6 August 1777.

GLC02205

to William Moore

Written by Irvine as Brigadier General to Moore as President of Pennsylvania. He is concerned with British deserters and prisoners enlisting into the Continental Army despite the vigilance of recruiting officers. Since there is no defined punishment...

GLC02206

to unknown

Thanks the recipient for information in a previous letter, about the "hostile disposition of the Indians on the Frontiers." Shares his hope that federal treaties will ease the recipient's apprehensions and "produce a general peace." Introduces Col...

GLC02207

[Clipped signature mounted on engraving of Pownall]

Includes Pownall's signature and an engraving of Pownall mounted on backing. Signature possibly created circa 1780. Engraving copyrighted 1897 by Little, Brown, & Co. based on the original engraving by Richard Earlom, first printed in 1777....

GLC02207.02

Proclamation: [Salem Gazette printing re: invasion of Capitol]

Salem Gazette printing dated September 7 at 3 o'clock P.M. from the Salem Gazette Office, reprinting the text from the Boston Evening Gazette.

GLC02208

Dignified retirement: parody on the house that Jack built, -- fitted to the times

A parody of the nursery rhyme styled upon eighteenth century children's chapbooks making fun of Jefferson's retirement at a time of national crisis. The figures are rough allegories of Jefferson (alternately a king then a priest, retiring to a...

GLC02209

[Arkansas survey map depicting land claims]

Depicts a map of the Arkansas surveying district "shewing the extent of Public Survey's in said district on the 30th September 1844." Contains boundary lines, including the Cherokee and Choctaw line, the Louisiana Line, the Missouri line, and the...

GLC02210.02

Speech of governor Dorr, in answer to the question by the court, why sentence should not be pronounced against him

Published by the Republican Herald Office. Appeals to the citizens of Rhode Island, arguing that the sentence given to him goes against the principles of a democratic Republic. Dorr was charged for treason and sentenced to life imprisonment and...

GLC02211

to John A. Wharton

Discusses military matters. Wishes to know the strength of the army Wharton is fighting, says he cannot send General Wood's forces far away, and says his men will soon be prepared to fight. Address page contains a penciled endorsement signed by...

GLC02213

to Walker

Remarks that he has been unable to fight any battles in his home state (Virginia), but has instead served in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Wishes that the French Emperor, Napoleon III, would speed mediation. Notes that his promotion has not...

GLC02215

to Colonel Gibbs

General Pryor instructs, "Don't carry your troops to Blackwater Bridge in the morning. Hold them in readiness to join me at Franklin. The enemy threatens us seriously." Gibbs notes, in pencil, that he received this message at 9:30 pm. Possibly to...

GLC02216

to Daniel S. Donelson

General Randolph, former Confederate Secretary of War, writes: "If the War Department recognized the disbanding of your regiment you were thereby put out of commission and your subsequent assignment to duty was invalid. But if the Regt is still kept...

GLC02217

to John G. Walker

Discusses artillery, ammunition, commissions, assignments, and other military matters in the trans-Mississippi Department. Praises General Walker's command.

GLC02218

to John George Walker

Bryan, Assistant Adjutant General, writes from the Confederate Head Quarters of the Trans Mississippi Department on behalf of Department Commander Edmund Kirby Smith. Informs General Walker that Smith withdraws a previous order to make a public...

GLC02219

Collection of documents related to the surrender of the Army of Tennessee [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC02220

to Robert Wharton

Requests that Wharton, the Mayor of Philadelphia, prevent the exportation of specie to the East Indies, which has a negative effect on the prices "of Property, of Labour and of Work, and of Produce." Also discusses DeWitt Clinton's suitability as a...

GLC02221

to unknown

Jay, prominent abolitionist and grandson of the Revolutionary War patriot of the same name, argues "We have an agency at work for the abolition of slavery in the pending war more powerful than all the Conventions we could assemble. Every battle...

GLC02222

[General orders no. 15 announcing equal pay of troops]

Signed by Wickes as Captain and acting Aide-de-Camp (possibly to Brigadier General Edward Ward Hinks). Informs African American soldiers "By an act that has passed the Senate of the United States, and been favorably reported to the House of...

GLC02223

[General orders no. 59 regarding the purchase of African Americans to serve in place of drafted persons]

Signed by Pratt, Aide-de-Camp (possibly to Brigadier General Innes Newton Palmer). Relates the story of John H. Irish, a recruiting agent, who attempted to bribe officers to allow him to cite previously enlisted men in order to satisfy recruiting...

GLC02224.01

[General orders no. 60 regarding the recruitment of African American soldiers]

Signed by Pratt as Aide-de-Camp (possibly of Brigadier General Innes Newton Palmer). States that some officers "procure negroes and send them to particular agents, receiving from them pecuniary reward." Orders that commanding officers must send...

GLC02224.02

Commonwealth. extra. [(August 26, 1852)]

Sumner's argument for the appeal of the Fugitive Slave Law was that the slaveholding southern states, and not the United States as a whole, condone the institution of slavery, and thus having a national law in which such an institution is aided and...

GLC02226

[Proclamation to the inhabitants of Clarksville, Tennessee]

Proclamation under the name of Rear Admiral Foote after the capture of Forts Donelson and Henry and the city of Clarksville. Written to the inhabitants of the city, at the suggestion of former Congressman Cave Johnson, after the town dignitaries...

GLC02227

to T. S. Whitney

Wishes to know if he will be put on trial in Kansas, since the time set for his treason trial is approaching, and he must return if a trial takes place. Conviction of another free state man, despite little evidence.
Hears there is a warrant for...

GLC02228

to Jeremiah S. Black

Informs Black of the cholera epidemic in Pittsburgh, and warns him not to return to the city until it has abated. States a hundred people a day are dying. Jeremiah S. Black was chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and later U.S...

GLC02229

to [John Sherman?]

General McDowell introduces an officer. The Seller's Description states that this letter was "from a small collection of correspondence addressed to John Sherman, who had just become a U.S. Senator from Ohio at this date." Says "Permit me to...

GLC02230

[Collection of Edward Ward, 4th regiment, Tennessee, infantry] [decimalized]

The collection consists of thirty-four letters written by Edward K. Ward to his sister Elmira Ward. Edward enlisted in Company A of the 4th Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant. He writes of his experiences at Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Nashville...

GLC02232

Oil portrait of Confederate officer Edward K. Ward

Unsigned painting in original oval gold painted frame. Measurements given include frame.

GLC02232.35

Carte de visite album

The carte de visites have been removed from the album and stored in individual sleeves. The collection of images is of Ward family members including Dr. and Mrs. Ward, Samuel Marshall Ward, and Elmira Ward. The album seems to have belonged to...

GLC02232.36

Collection of George Wortham [Decimalized .01-.56]

The majority of this collection consists of correspondence and other documents directed to Captain George "Granville Greys" Wortham from other military personnel. These materials discuss recruitment of personnel and unrest within the Confederate army...

GLC02233

[Collection of Edward H. Hall, A company, 1st battalion, Maryland, cavalry] [decimalized]

The Edward H. Hall Papers consist predominantly of Hall's correspondence to his mother, father, and sister during his service as a private in the 1st Maryland Cavalry, C.S.A. Hall was captured and held at Point Lookout, Md., from 1864-1865; most of...

GLC02234

to Joseph Wheeler

Longstreet, commander of the Department of East Tennessee, writes to Wheeler, commanding a cavalry corps in the Army of Tennessee. In the midst of the Knoxville Campaign, writes "Col. [Ligons?] force should execute the move to the right of the enemy...

GLC02235

to Robert M. T. Hunter

Writes as a prisoner of war and requests Confederate Senator Hunter's help in getting out of prison. " ... McLean has called upon me to-day, with the generous proffer of an endeavour to procure my release. Will you contribute to that object? I am...

GLC02236

to My Dear Father

Campbell, a Confederate general taken as a prisoner of war, writes from prison at Johnson's Island. Mentions suffering and deprivation due to the poor conditions and requests clothing. " ... Send me a suit of winter clothes with change of many...

GLC02237

to McHenry Howard

Writes as a Confederate prisoner of war to a fellow prisoner of war in Delaware. Steuart was imprisoned at Charleston Harbor "Morris Island." "... We are now being exchanged for the officers from Charleston, and expect to be there in an hour or so....

GLC02238

to Jane Johnson

Writes to his wife as a captured Confederate prisoner of war in Salisbury, North Carolina. Tells her about the situation in Maryland, their home state. "From what I hear you can hardly get to Maryland now. You ought not to go if in so doing you...

GLC02239

to William Ward Orme

Written as Governor of Kentucky on executive stationery. Writes to Union Brigadier General Orme to request the release of a Confederate soldier interned at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois. Says that the Confederate soldier, Willie Long, had been...

GLC02241

Plan of Andersonville Prison

Plan of the prison camp drawn by Sneden, a member of the 40th New York Volunteers imprisoned there in 1863-1864. Completed in ink and colored pencil. Sneden's map differs from other contemporary sketches.

GLC02244

[Confederate soldier's parole pass for Private Joseph Ford]

Document reads in full: "Joseph Ford of F company 34th regiment, Ark Infty C.S.A., residing in Benton Co. Ark. having been paroled with the approval of the proper authority, is permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States...

GLC02245

Regulations which all Prisoners of War on Parole are bound to observe.

Signed by Clark, master of an American merchant vessel, imprisoned during the War of 1812 and countersigned by Thomas Gribble as agent for prisoners of war on parole at Ashburton, England. Outlines the rules Clark must follow and the freedoms he...

GLC02247.01

[Collection of Hiram A. Blodgett, I company, 76th regiment, New York, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .04]

Blodgett served as a Union Captain of the 76th NY Vols. Infantry. Collection contains 11 pieces of correspondence to Blodgett, who was serving as a recruiting officer. Includes four letters from recruiting officers and swatches of uniform cloth...

GLC02248

[Parole of John F. Titus]

Partially printed. Titus, of Company A, Nathan Bedford Forrest's Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry, currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee, and is paroled. Printed text states that Titus is "not to be disturbed by the United States authorities so...

GLC02250

[Broadside warning against recruitment fraud]

Issued by Andrew as Governor of Massachusetts. Warns citizens against enticement into other state militias. Says "they can expect no aid from the authorities of Massachusetts in any embarrassments in which they may find themselves." Mentions some...

GLC02251

Papers from Battle of Roanoke Island to end of war re: torpedoes
[decimalized .01-.39]

This collection is composed of 39 items, including correspondence, general orders, legal documents, and a handwritten manual of arms and drilling. These items are largely associated with R.T. Renshaw, a Union sailor from North Carolina, and document...

GLC02254

[Union surgeon's diary, 10th PA Reserve Vols.]

Autograph manuscript. Reports on the Battle of Gettysburg (fought 1-3 July 1863 near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania). He mentions the replacement of General Joseph Hooker by General George G. Meade. Writes on 28 June 1863, "...heard of a change in the...

GLC02255

[Report on Battle of Hatchee]

Printed report of the Battle of Hatchee written by Union Brigadier General James C. Veatch, commander of the Second Brigade of the Fourth Division under Major General Stephen Hurlbut.

GLC02257

Confederate diary 14th TX Cav. re: battle of Franklin, Hood's defeat

Wales served in the 14th Texas Cavalry and kept the diary until 4/6/1865. Used by an Union soldier F.M. Ballard after Wales' capture.

GLC02258

[Confederate Officer prisoners of war poem and sentiment album]

Inscribed on the title page by Fred Pope, Bargetown, Kentucky, and dated October 1864. Signed by over 100 Confederate prisoners of war at Prison No. 1, Camp Chase, Ohio, with rank. Includes poems, songs, quotations, and sentiments by imprisoned...

GLC02259