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1866
Carte de visite in civilian dress (bust), signed on image
Carte-de-visite of Mosby in civilian clothes. With manuscript name on verso, scratched out. Signed on image
GLC01881
12 July 1862
Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864
to Earl Van Dorn
Confederate General Polk writes to Confederate General Van Dorn to discuss Captain R.A. Stewart's record of service and recommend him for a promotion. Also discusses the request of some Louisiana parishes to raise artillery reinforcements for...
GLC01883
29 June 1865
Long, Eli, 1837-1903
to Eugene B. Beaumont
Copy of part of the report on Battle of Selma given to private Henry Prince. A secretary's copy of the official Battle Report from the Battle of Selma, 2 April 1865, signed by Long. Prince is praised for distinguished service, exhibiting "coolness...
GLC01902
4 May 1865
Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868
General Orders no. 3
Signed official at bottom by Lieutenant Joseph Lyman, A.D.C. Orders that Federal troops are not to pillage homes and plantations since the hostilities of the Civil War have ended. Advises newly freed blacks to stay on their plantations with their...
GLC01908
8 January 1862
Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881
to Bishop Wittingham
Burnside, commander of the North Carolina Expeditionary Corps, writes, "...I was so occupied with my military duties that I was compelled to forego the pleasure of attending to my private correspondence; but I can assure it was and has been ever...
GLC01912
8 September 1862
Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877
to unknown recipient
Addressed only to "Dear Sir" but probably written to Brigadier General Eliakim P. Scammon (based on similar material in the Gilder Lehrman Collection). Reports that the Confederates, 200,000 strong, are marching upon Cumberland Valley in...
GLC01919.01
1861
Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865
[Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]
Mentions first Bull Run.
GLC01921.01
9 June 1792
Washington, George, 1732-1799
to Thomas Jefferson
Recommends purchasing land and building a facility rather than leasing space for the United States Mint. So that "all the applications may be brought to view," letters and engravings are "to be shewn to the Director of the Mint" and brought to...
GLC01996
29 November 1861
Field, Cyrus W. (Cyrus West), 1819-1892
to James Tyler Ames
Field writes to Ames in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Writes, "As a personal favor to me will you consent to manufacture in the very best manner of the very best materials one repeating gun, similar to the one you saw exhibited to the President in...
GLC02019
September 9, 1842
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Elections in Sangamon County, Illinois, for State Representatives...
Said to have been presented to his fiance Mary Todd, listing election results for 1832, 1834 and 1836. Lincoln has signed his name three times, once for each time he ran. Attested by clerk Noah W. Matheny, pages 2-3, with seal on p. 3. See...
GLC01978
1861/04/29
Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863
to John Letcher re: building railroad between Strasburg & Wincester
Jackson recommends building the railroad for military purposes.
GLC01979
1792-1793 ca.
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Collateral to US Mint: Rittenhouse medal, one-cent & half-cent coins with prints
Collateral items: print of Jefferson; a photo, "Ye Old Mint;" a print titled "The Coin Room;" a commemorative medal with the words "David Rittenhouse 1st Director U.S. Mint;" a one cent coin with a flowing hair liberty on the front and chain link on...
GLC01997.02
Bachmann, John, fl. 1849-1885
Panorama of the Seat of War. Birds Eye View Of North And South Carolina And Part Of Georgia.
One of Bachman's six lithographic views of the Confederate States in the series: "Panorama of the Seat of War." Shows the Atlantic coast from Albemarle Sound south to Savannah and inland to the Blue Ridge Mountains. All the major towns of the...
GLC02003
1776
Ratzer, Bernard, 1700-?
Plan of the City of New York in North America
Engraved by Jeffrey and Fagan. Oversize engraving showing lower Manhattan Island, part of Brooklyn and Hoboken, N.J. A cartouche extending across the bottom has a panoramic "South West View of the City of New York." Based upon the survey of 1766...
GLC02006
1829
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
President's message
An Extra of the Hartford Times, reporting from telegraph the text of Jackson's first State of the Union. The address discusses what will be many of the major issues during his Presidency. Discusses removal of Native Americans, questions the...
GLC02009
21 May 1863
Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864
to Joseph Wheeler
General Morgan writes to Wheeler, Commander of Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee. Reports that Lieutenant [Cull?], sent to obtain wagons from McMinnville, Tennessee, has returned empty handed. Requests Wheeler's assistance in acquiring wagons....
GLC02012
1862/12/10
Van Cleve, Horatio P., 1809-1891
to Joseph Wheeler re: flag of truce for captured Union soldiers, surgeons
Clerical docket on verso.
GLC02015
13 June 1865
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
[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
10 December 1862
Foote, Andrew H. (Andrew Hull), 1806-1863
to James Wilson Grimes
Written by Rear Admiral Foote from the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting to Senator James Grimes of Iowa (Grimes served in the U.S. Senate 1859-1869). Grimes was a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs when this letter was written. References a...
GLC01952
17 November 1870
Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895
to Thomas B. Pugh
Douglass refuses to speak at the Philadelphia Academy of Music because of its discriminatory policies towards African Americans. The letter escalates into a barrage of criticism against the Academy and Philadelphia the "City of Brotherly Love", which...
GLC01954
27 October 1789
To the Members of the Society of Cincinnati... [speech as president]
One manuscript speech dated 1789, signed by Washington and addressed to those members of the Society in Massachusetts.
GLC01972
1 May 1865
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Order for a military commission
Written on War Dept. stationery, with "War Department" struck and substituting "Executive Chamber." Title taken from docket. A draft for the orders by which the Booth conspirators were given military trial. Written as Secretary of War.
GLC01975
circa 1864
[Manuscript Civil War map of Atlanta and vicinity]
Detailed map on blue lined paper of Atlanta and environs from General Sherman's Atlanta campaign. Shows roads, railroads, forests, and rivers. Directions and latitude not given.
GLC01924
25 July 1863
Wharton, John Austin, 1806-1838
to Colonel Isaac W. Avery
General Wharton discusses Avery's failure to follow orders regarding a horse intended for Colonel Smith. Remarks that because Avery did not follow his orders, "Smith in consequence was compelled to walk across the mountains... to this place, whilst...
GLC01934
20 May 1865
Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg, 1817-1873
[Parole of Private Beadles, 8th Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A.]
Canby's name is printed on the document; signed by a Colonel [Sam E.] Young. Document reads in full: "D.C. Beadles Pv. of K Company 8th Regiment Ken. Cav. Vols. C.S.A. residing in Madison Co. Tenn. having been, with the approval of the proper...
GLC01939
1 August 1864
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
to Samuel Jones
Telegram sent by the Southern Telegraph Companies. Asks Jones in Charleston, South Carolina, for a list of captured Confederate officers who might be exchanged for Union officers. Writes "If exchange is perfected furnish promptly lists of officers...
GLC01944
1861/02/22
to Francis W. Pickens re: control over proposed attack on Fort Sumter
Written as President of the Confederate States. Pickens was governor of South Carolina. Also concerning the larger issue of who determines peace or war. Beauregard fired upon Fort Sumter six weeks after the date of this letter.
GLC01958
1810/06/28
Adams, John, 1735-1826
to Benjamin Rush re: re: "Has America no soul?" and America's future
Written from retirement at Quincy, bemoaning the state of America, its manipulation by European politicians and its potentially great future. Adams asks whether "America has no soul" since no one jumps to its defense. He also foresees, like many...
GLC01965
1862/12/06
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
to Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith re: military matters, Gen. Burnside
GLC01966
10 August 1864
Tate, Jeremiah M., fl. 1829-1877
to Mary
Written on stationery from a captured soldier from the 20th Maine Volunteers. Discusses hospital duty, and mentions General Jubal Early's campaign in the Washington, D.C. area.
GLC02082.56
1 February 1865
Tate writes that he hopes Stephens might make a compromise to "stop the war tho I am not willing to compromise on any terms I want them to contend for our independence to the last." He adds later, "If we are whipt it wil not be the fault of the...
GLC02082.63
1863/10/26
to Elihu B. Washburne re: a second term "would be a great honor...."
Written on Executive Mansion stationery and noted as "Private & Confidential." Concerns a leave of absence for Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn [sic], an appointment for Israel Washburn at Portland, Me. which was accepted, and for his friend...
GLC02083
20 September 1861
Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883
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
23 May 1864
Discusses battle action in the Wilderness Campaign, and mentions Yankee losses.
GLC02082.54
5 November 1864
Written in pencil. Reports that he went back to his regiment. Mentions the Battle of Cedar Creek.
GLC02082.58
1 January 1865
Continuation of GLC02082.60. Mentions citizens giving dinner.
GLC02082.61
10 April 1865
[to Elihu B. Washburne]
Souvenir document presented by Grant to loyal supporter and fellow Galena townsman, Elihu B. Washburne, who served as Secretary of State and Ambassador to France during Grant's presidency. Informs that Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia on...
GLC02084.01
11 August 1862
Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870
to Benjamin F. Butler
Written by Flag Officer Farragut to Major General Butler as commander of the Department of the Gulf. Farragut says he has just returned from an official visit with the Spanish commander of a steamer of war who had been detained for lack of proper...
GLC02092
12 November 1861
Ericsson, John, 1803-1889
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
19 June 1863
Dupont, Samuel F., 1803-1865
to Thomas H. Patterson
Written aboard the U.S.S. Wabash in Port Royal Harbor. Rear Admiral Dupont gives orders to Patterson, commander of the U.S.S. James Adger on delivering prisoners of war to the proper authorities. Instructs Patterson to " ... proceed with the James...
GLC02115
9 April 1865 on or after
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
21 June 1865
Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897
to Andrew Johnson
Signed by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to President Johnson. Lee says that John Mercer Brooke of Virginia, who is now in Richmond, is deserving of amnesty. Says Brooke was trained in the U.S. Navy, resigned to...
GLC02029.01
16 April 1865
General orders no. 66
Secretary of War Stanton announces the death of President Lincoln to the armies. States that "headquarters of every department, post, station, fort, and arsenal will be draped in mourning for thirty days." Also, funeral honors will take place at...
GLC02031
1866/04/02 after
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
A Proclamation: Declaring the insurrection at an end in certain states
Printed on blue paper. Reconstruction related.
GLC02037
[1786/11/11]
to James McHenry re: news of Lafayette, conspiracy to return a slave
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...
GLC02065
1862
Holmes, fl. 1862
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
17 July 1862
Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893
to Eliakim P. Scammon
Writes to Scammon, his superior and colonel commanding the 1st brigade, concerning safeguarding Union loyalists in West Virginia. Mentions a Mr. Caldwell, who wants to get his family out of Mouros. Describes his plan to follow them and asks for...
GLC02033
November 10, 1864
[Carte de visite on U.S.S. Hartford with Capt. Drayton]
Carte de visite depicting Farragut and Drayton standing near a steering wheel. Also signed on verso by Capt. P. Drayton.
GLC02035
26 August 1863
The Draft in Berks County
Extra from the "B. & S. Journal" -- the Berks and Schuylkill Journal. Broadside lists men drafted in the first Northern draft by town, with occupation, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Lists the names of men from 16 different towns. Mentions number of...
GLC02036
1865/01/10
to Jefferson Davis, re: the waning strength of Confederate forces
Signed as commander in chief of Confederate forces. Lee comments particularly and generally about the positions held by his generals and the weakened condition of all armies.
GLC02042
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