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July 11, 1816
Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866
to William H. Crawford
Army Major General Scott requests that Secretary of War William Crawford promote soldier John Wynkoop to position of lieutenant.
GLC01450.719.05
16-26 January 1792
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
[Statement]
First part includes a printed letter from George Washington asking the Secretary of War (Henry Knox) to publish a statement regarding the United States' attempts for the "re-establishment of peace and friendship" with the Indians. The second part is...
GLC02437.10589
16 April 1788
[Copy of a receipt related to pay warrants]
Knox, Secretary of War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops.
GLC02437.03840
January 20, 1863
Winegar, Daniel G., fl. 1862-1865
to Elvira Winegar
They are at Memphis on board a boat and will be heading to Vixburg. He tells her to write to Loren to see if he will stay with her next summer. He is sick of the way the war is going.
GLC01014.024
October 6, 1788
Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803
to James Madison
Pendleton also urges the speedy adoption of the Constitution, undelayed by proposed amendments. He discusses location of the capital, federal elections, war in Europe, rumor of imprisonment of Marquis de Lafayette.
GLC00099.134
1914-1918
Keystone View Company
A Family Living in Their Ruined House Lens
A woman and a young boy stand amongst the ruins of their home in Lens, a city in northern France that was occupied by the Germans for most of the war. Just behind them is an entrance to the basement of their home, where they are still living.
GLC09584.042
29 March 1861
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
to Simon Cameron
Orders Secretary of War Cameron to send a naval expedition to resupply Fort Sumter. Indicates that specific instructions were in an attached memorandum (not included) and instructs Cameron to cooperate with Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles.
GLC08093
19 April 1791
to Benjamin Lincoln
Later copy. Secretary of War Knox reports that he "was happy to have had the opportunity of complying with your wishes relative to young Mr. [William] Balch." Knox mentions some vacant land that "seems mortgaged."
GLC02437.04918
1863
Magnus, Charles, 1826-1900
Panorama of the Mississippi Valley and Its Fortifications
Four-paneled, printed Civil War map showing the Mississippi River from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico up to St. Louis, Missouri and its junction with the Missouri River. Shows counties and towns, with inset drawings of major cities along the way...
GLC03291
5 January 1864
Confederate States of America. Congress
A bill to be entitled an act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities
Confederate act stating "free negroes and slaves" shall be enlisted to work as teamsters for the Confederate army. "The efficiency of the army is greatly diminished by the withdrawal from the ranks of able-bodied soldiers to act as teamsters...
GLC08979.04
1847
Dixon, James, 1814-1873
Speech of Mr. Dixon, of Connecticut against the extension of slave territory.
Delivered in the House of Representatives, 9 February 1847. Printed by J & G.S. Gideon, Washington, D.C. Argues against slavery being extended into the territories and criticizes the president [James Polk] over the Mexican War.
GLC00267.118
1865
Fort Johnson, Morris Island, S.C
One of the "War Views" series, but there is no label on back giving identification or series number. Contains handwritten incription: Ft. Johnson, Morris Island, S.C. looking S.E. Ft. Sumpter in distance." In a second hand: "Hattie M. Wiltsie, Oct...
GLC05137.093
9 March 1785
Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824
to Henry Knox
Thomson, Secretary of Congress, transmits "the ordinance for ascertaining the powers and duty of the Secretary at War, the act establishing the salary and the minute of the election." Expresses his wish for Knox's prompt response and acceptance....
GLC02437.03105
28 June 1944
Korman, Ray, fl. 1944-1945
to Paul H. and Margaret Lobik
One postcard from Ray Korman to Paul H. and Margaret Lobik dated June 28, 1944. The postcard features a cartoon of a drill sergeant yelling at a soldier digging a hole it reads, "Stop pestering me. I'll let you know when the war has ended"
GLC09578.068.02
April 21, 1865
Farmer, George E., fl. 1865
to Maggie
Gives a day by day account of the movements and engagements of his regiment during the Appomattox campaign. Reports that they left Petersburg on 29 March, camped at Dinwiddie Courthouse, and fought a skirmish at Hatcher's Run. After fighting all...
GLC00808.02
3 April 1863
Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864
to William N. Pendleton and Anzolette Pendleton
Notes that General Lee is expecting battle soon, and talks about the strength of Confederate forces. Also mentions his hopes for a Democratic victory in the north. to his parents, Thanks them for enclosing a note from his fiancee, Kate Corbin. The...
GLC03075.01
3 July 1780
[Return of Shells Shot & Powder in Possession of the Continents & the Places where they are deposited, composed with an Estimate of those presented to the Committee of Congress with the Army - 27th June 1780 for sixty Days Service. ]
Lists number of shells and powder requested and their deficiencies by size and place. Includes an explanation of the numbers in Knox's hand at the end. Noted as a copy, "one presented to the Commander in chief, and one transmitted to the board of...
GLC02437.00814
14 September 1788
Knox, William, 1756-1795
William attests to his endeavors to keep affairs in order at the War Office while Henry is away on business. Reports that a Mr. [Joseph] Martin has been appointed by a board of officers "to command an Expedition against Chickamaga [sic] with 1000...
GLC02437.03985
1953/01/15
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Press release of last Presidential Address
Signed on page 2. Printed front and back. Discusses events of his presidency including the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the end of WWII and Korea. "I suppose that history will remember my term...as the years when the "Cold War" began to...
GLC06802
11 December 1863
Cushing, Edward H., 1829-1879
The Tri-weekly telegraph. [Vol. 29, no. 114, whole no. 3769 (December 11, 1863)]
News from the front, Arkansas, Missouri, Shreveport, Memphis, Alexandria. Notice to Negro owners. Editorial on the impressment schedule. The hog question. Banks on the Rio Grande. Canadian journal on the war.
GLC05959.51.098
30 January 1863
Blum, L.V., fl. 1864-1866
People's press. [Vol. 12, no. 39 (January 30, 1863)]
General Bragg's Address to His Army, Stanton vs. Halleck in Fisticuffs, Proclamation of Governor Vance. An article examines the Murfreesboro battle, comparing statistics of losses including prisoners taken, artillery, small arms, wagons, and killed...
GLC05959.27.03
15 April 1863
Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863
to Sister Rosetta
They got on a boat going away from Baton Rouge. He is sick of the war. The possibility that it might end soon are getting bleaker. He has no money to spend on good food.
GLC02751.30
1948
Jesse Brown
One photograph of Midshipman Jesse L. Brown, US Navy dated October 1948. Photographed at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, while serving as a Naval Aviation Cadet. Brown was the first African American to complete Navy flight training. Jesse...
GLC10110
10 October 1864
Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?
to Sephronia Fairchild
Fairchild writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions they are waiting for General Ulysses S. Grant to bring in reinforcements. Comments that his rheumatism is bothering him and he writes of a possible furlough in order to...
GLC03523.06.07
19 August 1863
Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877
Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 1, no. 42 (August 19, 1863)]
An editorial titled "Thoughts" discusses the recent request by Jefferson Davis for a day of fasting and prayer. A long obituary for "Col. Oliver Evans Edwards" gives a lengthy biography as a lawyer, legislative member, and heroism in war. An article...
GLC05959.39.34
2 June 1864
Pinckney, Henry Laurens, 1794-1863
Tri-weekly mercury. [Vol. 84, no. 12, 077 (June 2, 1864)]
Sherman's Raid in Northern Georgia, Petitions Presented in English Parliament to Help End American War, Dispatch from Battle Ground, Near Mechanicsville, Meeting of the Confederate Congress, Lincoln's Bogus Proclamation (May 17, 1864).
GLC05959.44.35
9 July 1776
[Paper calling for "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery"]
Explains that the war is in its infancy and its success will require "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery." Argues that the present force is insufficient and that the current system of temporarily drafting men into the artillery leaves...
GLC02437.00366
3 June 1935
Pounder, George H., fl. 1935
to Jennie and Elizabeth Damuth.
Printed ballot for George H. Pounder. Printed with a poem called "Then and Now!" and a photograph of Pounder. Also contains biographical information for Pounder, who grew up in Wisconsin and was part of the Wisconsin Cavalry during the Civil War.
GLC03523.14.85
17 June 1813
Bailey, Hannah, fl. 1813
to Jacob Bailey
A letter written by Hannah Bailey to her husband Jacob Bailey. Bailey writes that while she misses her husband greatly, but that she trusts in God and hopes it is the Lord's will that he return home from the war.
GLC02669.009
20 August 1862
Hanleiter & Adair (publishers), fl. 1861-1865
Southern confederacy. [Vol. 2, no. 158 (August 20, 1862)]
Prints various articles, including "The Affair at Murfreesboro" regarding General T. T. Crittenden's capture, and "Secretary Seward on the Object of the War". Includes new conscription orders, troop movements and battle reports, advertisements, and...
GLC05959.09.065
30 June 1942
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
to Estelle Spero
Letter written while on guard duty. Diamond describes a formal dance to mark the opening of the camp's new recreation hall that he had attended the night before. He also runs through the couple's financial situation, having been paid that morning....
GLC09120.055
5 September 1777
Helme, R.J., fl. 1768-1778
[Order to pay Timothy Coffin 103 pounds, 11 shillings]
Witnessed and signed by Helm as clerk. Ordered by the Rhode Island Council of War so that Coffin could pay the portage bill of the Sloop Diamond for a voyage to South Carolina. A note signed by Coffin on the verso attests to his receipt. Surname...
GLC01450.412.05
20 January 1864
Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892
[Commission of James S. Brisbin]
One commission dated January 20, 1864 belonging to James S. Brisbin. Item commemorates him for his service as colonel to the 6th Regiment of Colored Troops. Signed by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War and C.W. Foster, Assistant Adjutant General...
GLC09831.03
3 August 1864
Steuart, George H., 1828-1903
to McHenry Howard
Writes as a Confederate prisoner of war to a fellow prisoner of war in Delaware. Steuart was imprisoned at Charleston Harbor "Morris Island." "... We are now being exchanged for the officers from Charleston, and expect to be there in an hour or so....
GLC02238
28 October 1861
Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863
[Orders No. ? on roll calls and drills]
Retained copy of his order relating to rules for roll call inspections, drills and parades for the 2nd Georgia Infantry of which Semmes was elected colonel at the outbreak of the war. Written in pencil from Camp near Centreville, Virginia.
GLC00572.34
Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883
[Platinum Rice Print of Alexander Stephens]
Copyright written on negative on lower right corner. From the original 1865 imperial negative by Gardner, printed in 1901. Rice is believed to have been an assistant to Brady or Gardner during the Civil War. He later opened his own studio.
GLC00551
16 April 1865
Burger, William L.M., 1833-?
General orders, no. 65
Order appointing General H. W. Halleck in command of the Army of Virginia, and General E. O. C. Ord in command of the Department of the South. Order issued by the Secretary of War, signed by Burger as Assistant Adjutant General.
GLC02878.01
14 August 1897
Duke, Basil Wilson, 1838-1916
to George A. Dary
Duke, a former Confederate lieutenant colonel and historian, acknowledges receipt of a letter from Dary, a Boston lawyer. Confirms that Dary's letter (not included) was accompanied by a copy of President Abraham Lincoln's correspondence with Edwin M...
GLC05922.02
11 November 1798
Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815
Discusses Knox's declination of an army commission, and his own views on service. Knox had declined a commission in the army raised during the quasi-war when he learned that Alexander Hamilton would outrank him. Noted as written at Mount Pleasant.
GLC02437.07189
10 September 1861
Viele, Egbert L., 1825-1902
to Edwin D. Morgan
General Viele writes a note of introduction for Lionel Jobert D'Epineuil, of a Zouave Regiment. Informs Morgan, Governor of New York, that the Secretary of War (Simon Cameron) has encouraged the introduction of true French Zouave organization and...
GLC05054
1697/05/03
Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728
Census of inhabitants of Albany
Complying with orders from Governor Benjamin Fletcher, Livingston compiled a census of "Christians and Indians" at Albany, comparing the numbers of 1689 with 1697 to account for the number killed or carried away since the beginning of the war.
GLC03107.00369
1818/07/19
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
to Joseph Gales
Discusses his "second speech on Internal Improvements," which Gales had copied down for him. Briefly comments on the activities at Pensacola during the first Seminole War, noting "that the Executive must feel embarrassed." Mentions expecting a good...
GLC04353.01
10 October 1788
to William Knox
Gives William instructions regarding the delivery of clothing to several posts (William is managing affairs in the War Office during Henry's absence). Also includes a draft note (on the same page), presumably for William to transmit to Captain...
GLC02437.03992
1863 ca.
Iron clad monitor "Choctaw" at Vicksburg. [1863 ca.]
Inscription on verso mis-identifies the ship: "Mississippi River Iron Clad Monitor "Chickasaw" stationary turret." "Choctaw." Stamped Number "12257." Shows the monitor on the River with a view of Vicksburg in the background. See Photographic...
GLC05111.01.0346
1865/09/05
Grifman, William H., fl. 1865
re: Reconstruction, illustrated letter
Letter illustrated with two stick figures on p. 4 (one, shouldering a gun, and one waving a flag) that talks about the end of the war and mentions "Killing Niggers"; "Oh what a happy time it will be for me when we pack our knapsacks for the last...
GLC07064.01
21 December 1788
Smith, Meriwether, 1730-1790
to the Freeholders of the County of Westmoreland
Announces Meriwether Smith's desire to become a representative in Congress for the district containing Essex County, Virginia, through the upcoming election, the first under the recently ratified Constitution. Cites his public service during the...
GLC02450.18
1862/08/04
Attention! Young Men of Belmont District [recruitment broadside]
Civil War recruitment broadside for a volunteer company before the draft goes into effect. Large black and white wood engraving at center showing workmen and farmers rallying around the flag, while a scroll above them reads "No Bounty / When Drafted...
GLC07208
circa 1902
[Group of 6 newspaper clippings about death of Charles J. C. Hutson]
Obituaries, tributes, and eulogies. Charles J. C. Hutson died November 27, 1902. He was a Corporal in the 1st South Carolina Infantry during the Civil War. At the time of his death, he served as clerk of the United States District Court.
GLC08165.83
12 August 1945
Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988
to Sylvia Weiner
Moe discusses the possibility of moving into a bungalow like Mad, he is not too keen on the idea. He had a snack with the boys, and wonders what Alvin's position is now the war is so close to finishing. Written at Camp Boston
GLC09414.1477
8 November 1862
Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863
The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 18 (November 8, 1862)]
General Braxton Bragg's proclamation to the people of the Northwest, announcing the motives of the Confederate army as they move in that direction. Editorial examines the Yankee war debt. Printed on gray and brownish floral diamond pattern.
GLC06208.08
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