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6 November 1861
Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863
to Brother Henry
Tomorrow morning the regiment marches toward Tahrick Church. Many think the South will sue for peace in about six weeks' time. Written in Camp Lyon
GLC02172.27
16 November 1861
There was a report about a small fight in Western Virginia in the morning paper. He has been catching colds lately and has an awful one right now. But he can take it for he is as 'tough as a bull." Written in Camp Lyon
GLC02172.28
9 December 1861
They have been in their current location 8 weeks now. He does not know how much longer they will be there. Their pickets were fired upon by the Rebel cavalry.
GLC02172.32
31 December 1861
The Rebel pickets are three miles away. There is firing on both the right and left. He wishes could get a chance to take a sleigh ride. He will get his next two months pay this morning.
GLC02172.34
21 January 1862
They have been on picket guard for four days. They got paid but he hasn't had a chance to send him money yet. It has been very muddy because of the rains.
GLC02172.36
23 February 1862
They left camp about a week ago and are now near Newport News. They have better sleeping quarters than ever before. A mutual friend is in the hospital.
GLC02172.41
16 April 1862
Their campground was near the city of Hampton. He mentions some historical events that took place in town.He has talked to Edward a number of times.
GLC02172.45
16 May 1862
A lot of the boys are sick in the hospitals They haven't been able to get any newspapers for a while. He sees boats pull up to Cumberland's Landing. Written at McClellan's Camp at Cumberland's Landing.
GLC02172.47
9 June 1862
They are camped near Richmond now and are awaiting reinforcements. The papers report the previous fight was particularly tough. He needs paper and postage stamps.
GLC02172.49
18 July 1861
to Father
He talks of how they made the journey from Detroit to Washington and were then presented to the President and General Scott. Some men were detailed to go on picket duty. At some point shots were exhanged and 5 or 6 Rebels were killed.
GLC02172.06
circa 1861-1865
Morse, Justus, fl. 1861-1864
to Catherine (Kitty)
They say a lot of men in the Southern army are disillusioned. He expects there will be another fight soon since he saw six boats going down the river. His health is good.
GLC02170.64
to Catherine (KItty)
He knows she wants him to come home but it is hard for a well person to get a furlough. he thanks her for the lock of hair she sent. He has a book called 1001 Home Amusements filled with puzzles and stories.
GLC02170.66
3 May 1860
Treadwill, A. B., fl. 1860
Teaching Certification
This is to certify that Charles B Porter his examination and is able to give instruction for two years in Newton, Michigan.
GLC02172.01
15 August 1861
He doesn't want his brother to enlist because he's afraid he'll pick up too many vices. He is glad his brother received the money. He complains that his father hasn't written.
GLC02172.10
28 August 1861
A lot of commotion. General McClelland came by three times and there have been messengers going back and forth. He is on guard today.
GLC02172.13
8 September 1861
There has been fighting among the pickets.Three of their men were wounded and one died yesterday. There are a lot of peach and apple trees where he is.Troops are continually coming in. 70,000 crossed into Virginia Thursday night. Written in Camp...
GLC02172.16
26 September 1861
They heard about General Mulligan's surrender to the rebels supposedly because General Freemont did not send reinforcements. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.19
28 September 1861
They had inspection that morning. He is glad his brother has given up the idea of enlisting for now. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.20
1 October 1861
One of the men almost drowned and they were up half the night. Then they had to a trek of about ten miles. They captured three prisoners. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.22
15 October 1861
During the battle of Bull Run, their company stayed back in a town called Centreville. They went out on picket again and ended up five miles away. They are unable to advance any further for now. Written at Camp Poe
GLC02172.25
circa 1880-1890
Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912
Lincoln writing the Emancipation Proclamation
Depicts a menacing-looking Lincoln slumping in his chair writing the Emancipation Proclamation with his left foot sitting on top of a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Demon imagery is found throughout. The Statue of Liberty's head is covered by Lincoln...
GLC00493.03
February 18, 1863
Jones, William, 1760-1831
to Philip B. Jones
One letter addressed to Philip B. Jones from William W. Jones dated Feburary 18, 1863. Pertains to paying $1,400 for a 35-year old enslaved man named Joe currently being held in Gradys Jail. Also mentions that Joe's wife (unnamed) was included in the...
GLC01449.02
August 20, 1866
Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879
to Edwin M. Stanton
Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Major General Hooker recommends Colonel Brisbin "for the Colonelcy of one of the new colored regiments" to Stanton, Secretary of War. Praises Brisbin...
GLC01504.02.14
January 13, 1868
Hatch, Edward, 1832-1889
to James S. Brisbin
Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. General Hatch personally expresses his regret in losing General Brisbin as a recruiting officer in Lexington, Kentucky. Writes, "I think the Regiment...
GLC01504.02.17
1869/05/10
Russell, Andrew J., 1829-1902
Joining of the rails at Promontory Point [Russell #227]
GLC04481.01
October 7, 1870
Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873
to Norvell Caskie
Updates Caskie on her husband Robert E. Lee's illness. " ... Dr. Madison says that the Genl has neither paralysis or apoplexy but is suffering from tension of the nerves of the head connected with his former illness." Advises that in case Caskie...
GLC01440.02
1860/12/20
Charleston Mercury, fl. 1860-1861
The Union is dissolved! [Charleston Mercury, Extra Ed.]
Docketed on verso with contemporary and (apparently post-war) note.
GLC02688
1863
Currier & Ives
The gallant charge of the fifty fourth Massachusetts (colored) Regiment. On the rebel works at Fort Wagner, Morris Island, near Charleston, July 18th, 1863, and death of Colonel Robt. G. Shaw.
Portrays African American soldiers carrying a United States flag which reads "54th Mass" on the stripes section of the flag as they meet a battle line of Confederate troops. There are 2 prints of this image, with different colorization, both are...
GLC02881.23
03/31/1862
Kelly, Mary, fl. 1862
to Sarah
She has joined her husband at the hospital. He was wounded in the lower abdomen. The wound appears fatal and he seems resigned to die. She hopes to move him to a better hospital. She comments on her fate and "right hard trouble every spring."...
GLC04197.25
circa 1868
Ku Klux Klan
To Davie Jeems
Threatening a Black office-holder. "Notice/To Jeems, Davie, you must be a good boy...at night I am a Ku Klux sent here to look after you and all the rest of the radicals and make you know your place. I have got my eye on you every day...[T]ell...
GLC09090
November 1863, 1910 ca.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner [later print] [O-77 detail]
Detail of Alexander Gardner's famous November 8, 1863 portrait, reprinted about 1910 by Jason Rice. Ostendorf O-77 Head detail (p. 145). Labelled "no. 36." Accompanied by a photograph of Jason Rice's attestation of authenticity (in collateral file)...
GLC00245
April 21, 1866
Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892
Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Meigs, United States Quartermaster General, recounts that General Brisbin and a small squad of recruits made "great efforts to rally the retreating and...
GLC01504.02.12
November 6, 1862
to Benjamin F. Butler
Seeking details about free black labor in Union-occupied Louisiana
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953). Vol. V 1861 - 1862, p. 487 - 488.
GLC01570
June 19, 1863
to E. Malhiot
Signed as President, insisting that Louisiana will not be allowed to have an election until the new state constitution abolishes slavery. Demonstrates the hardening of Lincoln's attitude towards slavery.
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of...
GLC01571
June 15, 1864
to Ulysses S. Grant
Very brief telegram: "I begin to see it. You will succeed. God bless you all." A very famous letter.
GLC01572
1861/01/13
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
to Francis W. Pickens re: prophesy of a Civil War; secession
Prophesizes that the South is "probably soon to be involved in that fiercest of human strifes, a Civil War," and discusses secession and withdrawal of southerners from the U.S. Congress.
GLC04624
January 1, 1863
Emancipation Proclamation [California printing, Cheesman copy]
One of three color lithographic broadsides. Printed by L. Nagel and copyright by "F.S. Butler, 1864." Presented to Lincoln for signing by David Williams Cheesman. Signed on back: "Property of Mrs. Maria Cheesman/ Phoenix/ Oregon." See Eberstadt,...
GLC00742
February 23, 1865
Burbridge, Stephen Gano, 1831-1894
to the Adjutant General
Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Excerpt from a letter from General Burbridge, who praises Brevet Brigadier General James S. Brisbin's recruitment of African American troops in...
GLC01504.02.02
September 18, 1866
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869
to Fitz-John Porter
Pierce, former President of the United States, discusses General Porter's court martial and conviction for his actions at the Battle of Second Manassas. Writes, "There are reasons why I am disinclined at at [sic] present to address any request to...
GLC01513
6 November 1863
Yeatman, James E., 1818-1901
[Appeal from the Western Sanitary Commission to President Abraham Lincoln regarding the condition of freedpeople]
The Western Sanitary Commission informs President Lincoln that many freed enslaved people in the Mississippi Valley have no provisions, clothing, or bedding, and little cooking supplies or knowledge as to using such. States that "To meet the present...
GLC01545.11
May 3, 1861
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
to Philip St. George Cocke
Signed two weeks after Lee left the service of the U.S. Army.
GLC01564
May 10, 1861
Signed three weeks after leaving the service of the U.S. Army.
GLC01565
July 13, 1863
to John Daniel Imboden
Lee outlines his plans for the safe retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia 10 days after their defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg. He gives instructions to Brigadier General Imboden to cross the Potamac and proceed to Cherry Creek to ascertain...
GLC01566
18 November 1863- October 1864
Woodlin, William P., fl. 1863-1864
[Diary of an African American soldier in 8th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Company G]
Woodlin's brief entries describe camp life, his service with the regimental band as a horn player, several battles, the weather, equal pay with white soldiers, and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, among many other topics. He describes his...
GLC06599
2 December 1863
Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865
to Martha Weir
Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is...
GLC07006.05
28 May 1864
Fletcher, Francis H., 1841-?
to Jacob C. Safford
Fletcher, a black soldier in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, complains bitterly of the inequality of treatment and pay between the white and black soldiers. "Just one year ago to day our regt was received in Boston with almost an ovation...
GLC07345
1864
Stebbins, Lucius, fl. 1864
Reading the Emancipation Proclamation
One lithograph dated 1864. Depicts black family gathered around a black soldier reading a newspaper. The family all look to the soldier in varying stated of shock and hope as he reads the emancipation proclamation. Present are eleven people including...
GLC07595
6 December 1864
[Fragment of Lincoln's last State of the Union address concerning the thirteenth amendment]
An 11-line fragment of his last Annual Message to Congress dealing with the failure of Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment and recommending they reconsider: "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution [inserted...
GLC08094
Kimball, Myron H., fl. 1863-1865
[Carte-de-visite of emancipated children, Isaac and Rosa]
One carte-de-visite entitled,"Issac & Rosa, Slave Children from New Orleans," dated 1863 printed by Kimball. Imprint on image details that the children were emancipated by George H. Hanks. Image consists of two children holding hands. This item would...
GLC05111.02.1051
1863 ca.
The President's dedication address at Gettysburg
Printed by Miller & Mathews. Contains textual variations indicative of a very early printing of the Gettysburg Address.
GLC06811
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