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23 August 1872
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
[Presidential authority to the Secretaty of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Amos Owens, William Teal, David Collins and William Scruggs].
GLC01949
21 November 1866
Comstock, Cyrus Ballou, 1831-1910
to Edward Ortho Cresap Ord
Serving as senior aide-de-camp to General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant, Comstock authorizes General Ord to move soldiers from Little Rock to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Referring to reconstruction policies, informs Ord that "It is impossible for the General...
GLC01951
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
8 May 1792
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
[An Act more effectually to provide for the National Defense by establishing an Uniform Militia throughout the United States].
Countersigned in type by Speaker of the House Jonathan Trumbull, President pro tempore of the Senate Richard Henry Lee, and President Washington. The act requires the enrollment in the militia of all able-bodied white men between the ages of...
GLC01959
1808/02/17
to Jean Guillaume Neuville re: whether foreigners can own land in the U.S.
Written as President to Baron Hyde de Neuville. Jefferson ventures an opinion but refers the question to lawyers, particularly in the several states.
GLC01960
1774/01/25
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Bill for surveying and patenting land grant French & Indian War
Document signed for claim against James Ludlow with another Washington document, cosigned by William Crawford 2/25/1774, assigning the debt to Crawford.
GLC01963
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
1862
Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865
[Diary of Sergeant in 2nd Vermont Vols.]
Mentions McClellan, Fair Oaks, Lincoln visit.
GLC01921.02
1863
Gettysburg, service in Virginia. Mentions coming late to Gettysburg, hard fighting there in Hancock's brigade and rumored loss of Confederate General Longstreet.
GLC01921.03
1864
Service in Virginia. Approximately 190 pages.
GLC01921.04
1865
Autograph manuscript signed. About Petersburg.
GLC01921.05
14 June 1861
Gist, States Rights, 1831-1864
to Arthur M. Manigault
Orders that Captain White's company, which had been ordered to fill a vacancy in Colonel Bacon's regiment, be furnished with supplies and ordnance "as tenth company of the 7th Regiment S.C. Vols." Indicates that the "Confederate authorities will...
GLC01922
27 September 1861
Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884
[Petition for the removal of General David E. Twiggs from the command of the District of Louisiana]
Cosigned by Charles M. Conrad, a delegate to the Provincial Confederate Congress. Benjamin, Acting Confederate Secretary of War, represents the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana. Speaking of Twiggs, writes: "advancing age has impaired his...
GLC01923
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
31 January 1863
Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880
to Thomas Hill Watts
Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, writes to Watts, Confederate Attorney General. Seddon states, "You are respectfully informed in reply to the applications of D H Parker submitted by you, that the Exemption Act has not embraced overseers of...
GLC01925
24 September 1862
Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896
[Endorsement submitting a proposal for the recovery of arms to Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise]
Endorsement on a 22 September letter from [J. J. Frey?] to Major Smith Stansbury. Frey reports that he recently delivered rifles and muskets. Relates that a Mr. Sims, who resides near Turkey Island Creek (15 miles from Richmond), recently reported...
GLC01926
4 April 1863
Jones, Samuel, 1819-1887
to Eliakim Parker Scammon
Confederate General Jones, Commander of the Department of Western Virginia, writes to Union General Scammon. Transmits two letters (not included) regarding William Hughart and W. M. [Lydenstriker?], two prisoners taken from the Union Army. Reports...
GLC01927
16 January 1863
Wharton, Gabriel Colvin, 1824-1906
Written from the Narrows of New River. Confederate Colonel Wharton writes to Union General Scammon for General Samuel Jones. Requests that Scammon allow several Confederates soldiers' wives living within Union lines to join their husbands. On page...
GLC01928
24 March 1865
Allen, William Wirt, 1835-1894
[Endorsement on verso of letter from Captain J. Gardner]
In an autograph letter signed, Captain J. [D.?] Gardner writes to M. G. Hudson (possibly Marcellus G. Hudson), Acting Assistant Adjutant General for General Gabriel Colvin Wharton's corps. Gardner requests that several men from his company, now...
GLC01929
Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906
[Draft letter regarding recent conflict between soldiers and citizens]
Creator and circa year previously inferred. Reports that the previous day, Colonel Dibrill had informed Wheeler's adjutant that a man near Dibrill's camp had two hundred bushels of corn that he refused to sell. Wheeler instructed Dibrill to take...
GLC01931
16 April 1863
Hardee, William J., 1815-1873
to Braxton Bragg
Hardee, commanding 2nd Corps, Army of Tennessee, writes to General Braxton Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee. Discusses Bragg's accusations that General Polk (possibly Leonidas Polk) disobeyed his orders during previous operations in...
GLC01933
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
18 April 1861
Taliaferro, William Booth, 1822-1898
[General orders regarding Virginia forces]
Confederate General Taliaferro assumes command of Virginia state forces: "The Undersigned having been ordered to this point by the Governor of Virginia hereby assumes the Command of all Virginia forces which now are, or, hereafter may be ordered to...
GLC01935
circa 1865
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893
The top portion of the page is missing so there is no date. Written in the last days of the war, probably April 1865. Confederate General Hardee informs Confederate Beauregard that "A large number of my command deserted last night - some with...
GLC01936
29 November 1864
Roy, Thomas B., fl. 1864
to Gustavus Woodson Smith
Roy, Assistant Adjutant General, writes from Head Quarters of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Relates the orders of the Department Commander, Lieutenant General William Joseph Hardee, to Smith. Hardee instructs Smith to...
GLC01937
9 June 1855
Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862
to Samuel Cooper
Johnston, Colonel of the Second Cavalry Regiment, writes to Cooper, Adjutant General of the United States Army. Johnston specifies that Lieutenant Colonel William Hardee should be assigned to purchase horses for the mounting of the regiment. Notes...
GLC01938
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
6 May 1865
Watts, N.G., fl. 1865
[Parole of Private John J. Dean of the 23rd Alabama, C.S.A]
Document reads in full: "John J. Dean Private H Company 23rd Ala. Infty. Regiment, a Paroled Prisoner of War, is hereby furloughed until exchanged, with permission to remain at his home, performing no military duty whatever, and paying proper respect...
GLC01940
12 January 1880
Lawton, Alexander Robert, 1818-1896
to Henry W. Cleveland
Cleveland is in the process of applying for appointment as British Consul and has asked Lawton for a recommendation. Lawton questions his own former position as Quarter Master in the Confederacy would not aid the application.
GLC01941
13 November 1864
Muzzey, George H., fl. 1864-1865
to his parents
Assures his parents that he is in good health and is treated well despite being confined in Libby Prison. Informs that he has been in prison now for two weeks after being captured while out foraging. Relays that a friend, George Ingerson, asks if...
GLC01942.01
5 February 1865
Writes while confined as a POW in Libby Prison. Informs his parents that he has been given a position as clerk in the office of the Prisons of Richmond. Asks that they send him a sugar cured ham, dried salmon, other dried meats, coffee, tea, sugar...
GLC01942.02
October 1864
Howell & Brown, fl. 1864
[Carte de visite of George H. Muzzey]
Photographed seated, in uniform by Howell & Brown Photographers, Savannah, Georgia. Most likely taken before being captured in October 1864 and detained in the confederate Libby Prison.
GLC01942.03
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
1889/11
Davis, Varina, 1826-1906
to James Redpath
Sends memoranda (not included) and a brief account of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston retreat of the 1862 Battle of Yorktown, on behalf of her ill husband, Jefferson Davis. Redpath was writing an account of the battle.
GLC01945
1820-1852
Collection of letters written by and to Daniel Webster [Decimalized .01-.67]
GLC01946
18 February 1862
Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893
to Sarah A. Morewood
General Butler writes on Headquarters, Department of New England stationery. States, "Your very truly acceptable present was gratefully received; not for its intrinsic worth for if gold it would not have been more valuable but for the cheering...
GLC01950
28 July 1864
to George G. Meade
Grant, commander-in-chief of the United States Army, writes to Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac. Writes that General Winfield Scott Hancock will return (possibly to City Point) and will be too fatigued for active operations against...
GLC01953
1790/01/27
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Circular letter re: conforming federal and North Carolina laws
Written after the adoption of the Constitution Written at the Treasury Department
GLC01956
1864/04/28
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
to James A. Seddon re: disbanding company and reassigning officers
With docketing ANS of James Seddon, Confederate Secretary of State, on verso saying "I hope the Legislation of Congress will enable me to support your views. JAS."
GLC01957
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
7 August 1864
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
to Henry W. Halleck
Gives a detailed description of the unsuccessful cavalry raids by George Stoneman and Daniel McCook, Jr. at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Both took place on the June 27, 1864 in accordance with Sherman's Order 42. Before the raids, Stoneman...
GLC01961
8 May 1863
to James Whitfield
Along with Mississippi Governor Whitfield, the letter is addressed to Bishop Robert Paine, James T. Harrison, and Dr. Sykes. Davis responds to their letter regarding the defense of Columbus, Mississippi. He assures them that he is concerned for the...
GLC01962
18 October 1849
Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863
to Thomas S. Jesup
General "Stonewall" Jackson asks General Jesup whether officers of light batteries should shod their horses at their own expense or at the expense of the public. Note on verso dated 20 October 1849 in unknown hand states that "Private horses of...
GLC01964
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
to Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith re: military matters, Gen. Burnside
GLC01966
1780/12/24
Orders re: to take charge as Commissary of Virginia militia
Signed as Governor of Virginia, mentioning troops being sent "to Fort Pitt on their way down the Ohio" when Indians were raiding the western borders. The close and "thirty thousand pounds" are in Jefferson's hand.
GLC01967
1914
Harding, Warren G., 1865-1923
Address of W.G. Harding, Before Railway Business Association
Draft of a speech in which Harding reflects on the history of the railroad and his personal connection with it. He extols its benefits and its role in developing modern life, and argues the importance of maintaining it to the United States. He does...
GLC01968
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
The letters of President Lincoln on questions of national policy.
Reprint of six letters by Lincoln: June 13, 1863, to an Albany, New York Committee, discussing his interpretation of the writ of habeas corpus in the Vallandigham case; February 3, 1862 and October 13, 1862, to General George McClellan on the...
GLC01969
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