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March 3, 1885
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901
to "Dear Judge"
Discusses a river and harbor bill and mentions giving $75,000 for salaries. Written on lined paper with the lines running vertically.
GLC00655.15
May 28, 1862
McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885
to Henry W. Halleck
Informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest to Richmond. McClellan states...
GLC00664.01
November 16, 1865
Spinner, Francis Elias, 1802-1890
to Moses Fowler Odell
Spinner, United States Treasurer, responds to a telegraph and a letter from Odell, a former United States Representative from New York. Laments the suicide of Preston King, stating: "While his heart was overflowing with human kindness toward all men...
GLC00669
January 3, 1863
Lewis, Henry, fl. 1863
to cousin Charlie
Lewis describes the destruction in the town from artillery when Union forces occupied it, mentions pickets and surveillance balloons and talks about morale. Written from Camp Opposite Fredericksburg, in Virginia.
GLC00653.25
February 28, 1865
Grant, Jesse R., 1794-1873
to Frank A. Hilton
Written in response to a request for an autographed letter written by his son, Ulysses S. Grant. He writes, "I have no letter from him written for such a purpose..." He also gives a brief history of the family and states concerning his son, "...it...
GLC00655.12
February 9, 1932
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
to G. C. Hutcherson
Thanks him for his support and for his work in Indiana. States that he is pleased others believe him worthy of a higher office. Written as New York State Governor on stationery. Addressed to Mr. G. C. Hutcherson, The Shirley Canning Co., Inc...
GLC00655.19
May 19, 1862
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893
General orders, no. 44
General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt...
GLC00666
4 March 1933
Inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Title continues, "President of the United States / delivered at the Capitol, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1933." Signed at the end by Roosevelt. First inaugural address. Printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. in...
GLC00675
11 January 1843
Tyler, John, 1790-1862
[Appointment of John Kell to midshipman in the Navy of the United States]
Partially printed commission effective from 9 September 1841. Co-signed by L.B. Hardin and Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy. Seal missing.
GLC00684.01
March 18, 1861
Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900
to Julia Blanche Kell
Writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." Reports that he will be sailing to Fernandina, Florida in an...
GLC00684.08
circa June 1864
Tremlett, Francis W., fl. 1850-1864
to John McIntosh Kell
Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." Encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, &...
GLC00684.12
February 4, 1869
Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877
Writes that, while in Baltimore, he has inscribed a copy of his book and ordered the publishers to send it to Kell's "little son, my namesake." Fondly inquires after Kell's family. Raphael Semmes, commander of the famous raider CSS Alabama was...
GLC00684.16
October 20, 1899
Galt, Francis L., 1831-1915
Writes to congratulate Kell on his daughter's marriage and to request help in finding his own son a job in business. Mentions "the Charleston Reunion last spring" and a circular he has received from one of the men who attended, who intends to...
GLC00684.20
January 11, 1865
Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885
to his brother
Written by Gerrit as a Confederate prisoner of war. References his brother's letter of 23 December 1864. Is glad because the letter was "the first word of tiding I have had from you in answer to my letter & I began to fear that your displeasure at my...
GLC00686.12
to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh
Refers to his mother's letter of 28 January 1865. Says he is sorry that the letters he writes to her are not arriving. Updates her on family information. Reports that he has contracted Erysipelas and that his face has been swollen for a week. Adds...
GLC00686.16
February 20, 1788
Washington, George, 1732-1799
to Samuel Griffith
Discusses his uncertainty as to whether he is fit to be the school's Chancellor. re: Presidency of William and Mary College
GLC00745
December 4, 1805
Adams, John, 1735-1826
to Benjamin Rush
Writes concerning his and George Washington's administrations by referring to those "melancholly books" such as "Tully's Memoirs" and "Cicero's Life" from which he compares the first and second triumvirates to Hamilton's "Schemes, to get rid of...
GLC00747
1885
Hovenden, Thomas, 1840-1895
The last moments of John Brown
Etching on vellum, based on Hovenden's 1884 painting depicting John Brown kissing a black baby while on his way to the gallows. The painting was based on an incident reported in the New York Tribune, that later proved to be apocryphal. Printed by...
GLC00737
May 29, 1862
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
to Governor Francis W. Pickens
Written to South Carolina's governor, Pickens in response to Pickens concerns about the city of Charleston. Lee writes in part, "The loss of Charleston would cut us off almost entirely from communication with the rest of the world and close the only...
GLC00751
28 June 1919
Paris Peace Conference, 1919-1920
Peace Congress, Versailles 1919, Session of 28 June 1919: Agenda. Signature of the Treaty of Peace between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany
Printed souvenir program signed by Wilson, Lansing, Balfour and others, including Paderewski (Polish premier and pianist) and the new leaders of the new nations of Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.
GLC00752
11 March 1861
Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868
Constitution of the Confederate States of America
First printing, signed by Howell Cobb, President of the Constitutional Congress at end. Parrish & Willingham 8 is a variant with space for signing by Cobb, for private distribution (cf. Parrish 1)
GLC00759
18 August 1862
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States
Address on state of Confederacy and conduct of the war. In the hand of Burton Harrison, Davis's private secretary and signed on last page by Davis.
GLC00699
April 18, 1790
to Dr. Benjamin Rush
Also discusses corruption and his unhappiness as Vice President. Very affectionate towards Rush. Beliefs on government and other reflections.
GLC00704
August 17, 1861
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
to E. A. Collins
Grant discusses surrounding Rebel forces and writes that he only has the power to appoint two officers. These two men will be his aides-de camp, and he wishes to appoint John A. Rawlins and "Thompson" from his previous command. Also states "The...
GLC00705
05 November 1862
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of John Woodcock].
GLC00710
January 23, 1861
Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863
to William Henry Chase
Retained copy. Writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. Regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was...
GLC00715.01
1855
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...
GLC00715.05
June 1, 1863
Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863
to Paul J. Semmes
Writes to her "dearest husband" as he is on his way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was mortally wounded in battle. Hopes that he is over his cold and fatigue. Asks if he would be able to come home if one of the family got sick because knowing...
GLC00715.10
May 20, 1863
Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880
to Sarah B. Seddon
Sends news home to his wife from wartime Richmond. Comments on working with Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Laments recent military engagements in Mississippi under generals John Pemberton and Joseph E. Johnston. Notes his anxiety about...
GLC00761
1866
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891
Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.
First edition of Melville's only book of poetry. Inscribed on inital blank facing the titlepage: "Major Edward Y. Lansing from H. Melville. As a souvenir of his soldier hospitality at the cavalry camp in the Virginia woods, April 1864." Also...
GLC00768.01
1865
Wilson, William L., 1843-1900
[Diary of William L. Wilson, B company, 12th regiment, Virginia, cavalry]
Diary of a Confederate private in the 12th Virginia cavalry which includes detailed entries on the Appomattox campaign leading up to General Robert E. Lee's surrender. Begins entries for 1865 by saying that the end of the war seems farther away than...
GLC00653.17
20 December 1876
[Appointment of Thomas Ward, Captain in the First Regt. Artillery]
Appointment of Thomas Ward as Captain in the first Regiment of Artillery, beginning on November 1, 1876. Signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President, countersigned by James D. Cameron ("J.D. Cameron") as Secretary of War. No reason given for promotion...
GLC00778.08
18 December 1902
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
[Appointment of Thomas Ward, Brigadier General]
Appointment of Thomas Ward to Brigadier General, beginning July 22, 1902. Signed by Theodore Roosevelt as President, countersigned by Elihu Root as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Acting Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Adjutant General's...
GLC00778.12
26 December 1900
McKinley, William, 1843-1901
[Appointment of Philip R. Ward, First Lieutenant of Artillery]
Appointment of Philip R. Ward to First Lieutenant of Artillery, beginning August 10,1900. Signed by William McKinley as President, countersigned by Elihu Root as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Adjutant General...
GLC00778.17
26 December 1901
[Appointment of Philip R. Ward, Captain in the Artillery Corps]
Appointment of Philip R. Ward to Captain in the Artillery Corps, beginning August 23, 1901. Signed by Theodore Roosevelt as President, countersigned by Elihu Root as Secretary of War. Docketed at top by Adjutant General, reads "Recorded, Adjutant...
GLC00778.20
July 8, 1933
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
to Henry L. Stoddard
In a letter marked "Personal," Hoover writes critically about President Roosevelt and the New Deal. Comments on an economic conference and going off the gold standard. Provides a list of "misrepresentations and illusions held out from Washington"...
GLC00782.10
December 25, 1866
to Henry L. Benning
Cobb, former President of the Confederate Provisional Congress, requests Supreme Court reports from Benning, Confederate General and former Georgia State Supreme Court Justice. Bitterly discusses legal property cases during reconstruction, claiming...
GLC00771
October 5, 1780
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
to Elizabeth Schuyler
Begins a dramatic love letter to his fiancee with, " I have told you, and I told you truly that I love you too much . . . I meet you in every dream. . . I am to be thus monopolized by a little nut brown maid like you and from a Statesman and soldier...
GLC00773
11 June 1863
Mahan, D.H., fl. 1863
[Diploma of Thomas Ward from West Point]
Signed, amongst others, by D.H. Mahan.
GLC00778.03
April 8, 1785
to Richard Price
Recipient from contents. Thanks Price for his book Observations on the importance of the American Revolution. Has received 1st and 2d editions. States that to him the chief liberty is that of conscience.
GLC00782.01
January 16, 1766
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
to Joseph Galloway
Describes the debate in Parliament over whether or not to repeal the Stamp Act of 1765. Comments at length on the speech given by William Pitt in favor of the American position. Marked "Copy" on p.3. Some notes in the form of a list pertaining to...
GLC00782.03
November 17, 1910
Harding, Warren G. (Warren Gamaliel), 1865-1923
to William D. Street
Written after his defeat in the 1910 Ohio gubernatorial election to thank Street for his support in the campaign. Cheerfully accepts defeat and recounts humorous misconceptions of his positions. Typed on personal stationary in purple ink with...
GLC00782.09
April 30, 1818
Glascock, Thomas, 1790-1841
to Andrew Jackson
A brigadier general in the Seminole War, Glascock tells Jackson of his return to Fort Early during the first Seminole War and gives an account of the Chehaw Affair. Discusses the misunderstandings that lead Captain Obediah Wright, who was in the...
GLC00782.11.03
27 February 1869
Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872
[Fifteenth Amendment resolution]
Reconstruction amendment passed to combat southern opposition to federal policies toward freed slaves. Printed certificate sealed and signed, attached to printed resolution with a purple ribbon and red State Department seal. With printed circular...
GLC00788.01
May 25, 1862
to Gen. Rufus Saxton
"If Banks reaches Martinsburg is he any the better for it?" re: Gen. Banks's retreat before Jackson.
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. V 1861 - 1862, p. 237
GLC00790
March 7, 1868
Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882
to A. D. Worthington
Refuses a request to help with a biography of her husband, Abraham Lincoln, citing poor health and the many false accounts already written about him. "So many pretentious persons, who were quite strangers to my husband & our household ... all...
GLC00782.15
11 January 1863
Wood, Sterling Alexander Martin, 1823-1891
[Report on the Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone's River]
Written from the Headquarters of Wood's Brigade, General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne's Division, Army of Tennessee (Confederate). Brigadier General Wood directs this report to Captain Irving A. Buck, Cleburne's assistant adjutant-general. Discusses...
GLC00784
1878-1892
Lansing, Edwin Y., fl. 1878-1892
Letterbook of outgoing correspondence with memoirs of military
Containing pressed copies of Lansing's letters and an account of his military career, pp. 73-78 (5/19/1882). These include military letters as clerk in the Depot Quarter Master Dept (1870s), business letters and family letters to his brother Abraham...
GLC00768.02
30 November 1859
War Department, United States
General Orders, no. 23.
With manuscript notes of Paul Semmes on front page. Statement of costs for clothing, camp and garrison equipment for the Army of the United States for the year starting on 1 July 1859. From the Adjutant General's office, S. Cooper. With fold out...
GLC00508.01
October 1, 1787
Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794
to James Madison
Recipient is James Madison, who was awarded this degree in 1787. Madison's name is faded. Witherspoon informs the recipient, a College of New Jersey [Princeton] alumni, that he has been awarded the Degree of Doctor of Laws. Written from "Tusculum...
GLC00496.255
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