circa 1845-1847

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: Typed excerpts of compositions by Franklin Van Valkenburgh when he was 12

Not an original document; no date for typed excerpt. Contains 2 excerpts from compositions, one written when Frank was 10 in 1845, the other when he was 12 on September 28, 1847. First composition is about wishing. The second composition is titled "the History of a Black Board." Some handwritten notes in pen on second page. Image of purple and yellow flower on the back of the stationary. Includes an envelope with the words "News Paper Scraps &C &c." The return address is for the Van Valkenburgh family in Milwaukee.

GLC00686.01

November 12, 1848

Van Valkenburgh, Loty, fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written to Frank when he was 13 years old by his sister Loty who seems to be somewhere in the western part of the South. Frank is referred to as "Master" in the address. Frank is separated from his family (GLC00686.19 says he is at "the Academy") and Loty is writing him to alleviate his loneliness. Loty seems to have been married recently and writes of understanding about homesickness: she says "I have learned that contentment is the only true happiness." Goes into further reminisces about her old home. Mentions that the church is 6 miles away and that services are only every other week. Says…

GLC00686.02

January 31, 1849

Van Valkenburgh, Mary, fl. 1849

Autograph letter

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Incomplete letter from Mary to her 14-year-old brother Frank. References a "little letter" that Frank wrote to her. Writes about her life at school. Says most days are alike and comfortable. Asks him how "the Academy" is going. Asks for an update on family members and reports what she knows to him. Asks him to give her a detailed account of his school, teachers, and studies. Reminisces about how she nursed him through an illness. Philosophizes about their futures and gives him advice.

GLC00686.03

1 June 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Document

Title: [Printed party invitation]

Franklin Van Valkenburgh's name is written in pencil at the bottom. An invitation for "A Cotillion Party." The party will begin in the assembly room of J.M. Brewster in Townsend (unknown state). The party is on 3 July 1854 at 4 p.m. Lists 8 committee members and 2 room managers. Small image of an eagle at the top. Written from "Townsend," with no state given.

GLC00686.04

15 November 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed daguerreotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man. Date from seller, who found date behind frame. In brown case with elaborate scroll-work with gilt edges and red interior. On the paper lining of the recessed case bed are two pencil inscriptions, one much heavier and possibly later than the other. The later one reads: "Nov 15 / taken at / Bath 1854" while the former is very faint and only the date "Nov 15th / 1854" can be deciphered.

GLC00686.33

circa 1850-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed tintype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate tintype in green oval velvet case, gilt around frame, portrait of clean-shaven man in suit, inscribed on inside cover "F. B. Van Valkenburgh."

GLC00686.34

circa 1850-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Edward Porter, fl. 1865-1908

Photograph

Title: [Framed daguerreotype portrait of Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man in suit. Square leather covered wooden frame with border, star and scrollwork design on back. Photo surrounded by gilt oval.

GLC00686.35

circa 1860-1870

Van Valkenburgh, Robert B., 1821-1888

Sculpture

Title: [Plaster bust of Robert Bruce Van Valkenburgh]

Lifesize gilded plaster bust of Robert with a few areas of gilt loss.

GLC00686.37

October 29, 1848

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Replies very graciously to a request for an autograph. Addressee's name has been cut-out of the page. Taylor signed as Major General, United States Army.

GLC00693.02

September 12, 1860

Nichols, William Augustus, 1818-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Joseph Hardee

Letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General William A. Nichols, addressed to William Joseph Hardee at West Point. He informs Hardee that General Paul J. Semmes's request for a Sergeant to be appointed to assist with the instruction of his command has been endorsed by the Secretary of War. Nichols was brevetted Union brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1865.

GLC00715.07

April 14, 1857

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Sailing orders from the Navy Department, placing McBlair in charge of the sloop of war "Dale," and commanding him to sail to the African coast to combat illegal slave trading. McBlair is ordered to join the "United States African Squadron" and to stop ships transporting illegal cargo or falsely flying the American flag. Letter written from the "Navy Department." Pages bound with a green ribbon. Isaac Toucey was the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He also served as a Congressman and Senator from Connecticut, United States Attorney General, and Governor of Connecticut.

GLC00722.01

May 2, 1858

Hawley, Charles E., fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Letter, with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed on the verso. The letter, written on board the U.S.S. "Marion" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde, states that Hawley is ill with dyspepsia, does not believe he can recover on board, and wishes that "a medical survey may be held in my case." McBlair's note on the next page, written on May 3, 1858, on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at Porto Praya, orders the medical examination to be held. Note on bottom of page states that Hawley passed; it is signed by Assistant Surgeons W. Sherman, R. J. Mason and H.W.M. Washington.

GLC00722.37

1852-1863

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Paul J. Semmes, 2nd Regiment, Georgia, infantry [Decimalized .01-.11]

Letters and documents re: Georgia militia & secession (less .5) [decimalized .01-.11]

GLC00715

1852

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Memorandum book]

Signed and dated on front cover by Semmes, 26 June 1852. Concerns a trip to Arkansas to purchase a planation and to enslave people to work on the cotton crops. Records that he left to go to Memphis on June 28, 1852. Keeps an account of his finances. Makes notes on land for sale and pertinent details such as the county, crops, etc. On page two he writes, "Look at the negroes bought by Fawlks." He later writes, "Mr. Morey engages to buy negroes for me at $10 per head...all acclimated & good negroes accustomed to making cotton…" On 2 August 1852 he details what he is looking for in a…

GLC00715.03

March 22, 1853

Clemons, W.G., fl. 1853-1860

Letter

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Letter signed by five members of the Columbus Guards electing Semmes captain of the company. The letter and the signatures are all written in the same hand. Letter is on blue lined paper.

GLC00715.04

1855

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Pamphlet

Title: Infantry tactics.

Semmes wrote this for the Columbus Guard, of which he was captain. Concerns "Rules for maneuvering a detached company by the rear rank; and from the front rank to the rear rank, and reciprocally, when in march; together with general rules and instruction, for a detached company and a Battalion; in conformity to Scott's system of Infantry Tactics; and the general regulations for the Army." Inscribed on the front cover by Jno E. Davis to John A. Quitman, Mexican War General and governor of Mississippi. Two blue Confederate States of America 5-cent stamps are housed with pamphlet. In blue…

GLC00715.05

August 7, 1860

McMurran, Joseph, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

McMurran, a Virginia military man and editor of a paper in Christiansburg, Virginia, asks Semmes for a copy of his published work "Infantry Tactics." Docketed by Semmes. McMurran entered the 4th VA Cavalry in 1861 and eventually achieved the rank of sergeant major. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg and then Winchester.

GLC00715.06

September 29, 1860

Aleix, P.O., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: Recommendation letter for A. Kleber

Confirms that A. Kleber served as Sergeant instructor of the 1st Company of Chasseurs a Pied de la Louisiane. Praises him as one of the best instructors of light infantry tactics. Paul J. Semmes was planning on hiring Kleber, a mercenary who served in the French Army, to train his troops. Aleix signs as 1st Lieutenant, 1st Company C. a P. [Chasseurs a Pied or Louisiana Foot Rifles].

GLC00715.08

16 November 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Broadside

Title: Southern Guard.

Broadside of the Southern Guard, announcing that Semmes has been elected to the command and will proceed to organize a brigade. Includes a dramatic speech by Semmes praising the South and urging secession. With transmittal letter (see GLC 715.09.02), which is published in the broadside.

GLC00715.09.01

1860

Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

Pamphlet

Title: The Address of the People of South Carolina, assembled in convention, to the people of the slave states of the United States.

Concerns South Carolina seceding from the Union and encouraging other states that enslaved people to join in forming a confederacy. Printed by order of the convention by Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, South Carolina. No wrappers.

GLC00719

21 August 1858

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt from Samuel Adair]

Received thirty two dollars in cash from Samuel Adair and a note of four dollars against S.H. Houser. Signed by Brown as agent for the National Kansas Committee.

GLC00721

1855-1859

Header Record

Title: William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]

Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron. He later joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS "Patrick Henry," as well as the ironclad CSS "Atlanta." McBlair died in 1863 on board of a hospital ship. This collection includes McBlair's appointments, orders and personal and professional correspondence while on assignment patrolling the West Coast of Africa, particularly the…

GLC00722

January 19, 1858

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

The letter is ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is enclosing two separate orders from the Navy Department. Letter written on board the United States Flagship "Cumberland" in Porto Praya in Cape Verde off the coast of Africa. Thomas A. Conover was a Captain, later Commodore in the United States Navy, and the Commander of the African Squadron. A veteran of the War of 1812, Conover had previously…

GLC00722.02

25 June 1857

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript document

Title: General orders for the government of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

General orders regarding Navy protocols and conduct of officers. Clerical copy, tied with red ribbon. Conover's name appears to be clerically signed. Written on board the U.S.S. "Cumberland. " Forwarded to William McBlair by Conover.

GLC00722.03

1857

Manuscript document

Title: Extracts from the "Private Instructions" of the Navy Department to the Commander in chief of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

Includes extracts from GLC00722.01, noting that the U.S. flag "loses its true character, when it is worn by those who have no right to wear it...such a pretension would subject the flag to degradation and dishonor." Also includes a description of how slave traders disguise their illegal activities, and tips to spot them. Says this service will require the "greatest prudence, and the soundest discretion." Closing paragraph gives instructions for drawing funds from Baring Brothers and Co. in London. In part: "The cunning of the slave trader is constantly forming new disguises to elude…

GLC00722.04