January 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 course had led you to think that I was not worthy of a word from your pen." Reports that a Miss [Hill] gave him $211 and brought photographs of his family. Says she was the only lady he has spoken to since being captured. Says he arrived at Johnson's Island on 28 December 1864. Declares that his Christmas and New Years were not happy, but…

GLC00686.12

February 28, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 that it has since peeled all over. Says the weather is good and that the woods are full of flowers. Mentions that he was not aware that his brother Robert was going to Japan until he received a note from his brother Frank (Robert was selected as the American ambassador to Japan). Says he is doing well and that he may marry in the fall. Hopes they…

GLC00686.16

February 20, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Washington, Adams, Jay and Jefferson, and monopolise all power to him Self."

GLC00747

1885

Hovenden, Thomas, 1840-1895

Print

Title: 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 George Gebbie.

GLC00737

May 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: 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 channel through which we can expect to get supplies from abroad now almost our only dependince. [.... ] Let it be distinctly understood by every body, that Charleston and Savannah are to be defended to the last extremity. If the harbours are taken, the cities are to be fought street by street and house by house as long as we have a foot of…

GLC00751

28 June 1919

Paris Peace Conference, 1919-1920

Document signed

Title: 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

Book signed

Title: 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

Manuscript document signed

Title: 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

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 papers no doubt have informed you that my command has been hemed in here by overwhelming numbers! The Rebels have been close to us with numbers much larger than ours but so far they have considered prudence the better part of valor. It is to late for them now. I am reinforced to about thribble my former strength and more are coming." Also thanks…

GLC00705

05 November 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [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

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 removed to the western part of the state. He is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

1855

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Pamphlet

Title: 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 instruction, for a detached company and a Battalion; in conformity to Scott's system of Infantry Tactics; and the general regulations for the Army." Inscribed on the front cover by Jno E. Davis to John A. Quitman, Mexican War General and governor of Mississippi. Two blue Confederate States of America 5-cent stamps are housed with pamphlet. In blue…

GLC00715.05

June 1, 1863

Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 this would put her at ease. Gives thanks that he made it through battles. Comments on their children and their schooling. Criticizes their daughters for their excessive pride, "...they do look down upon these poor people with such contempt I think it is so wicked I pray that they may see their sin." States that she has been very frugal, they…

GLC00715.10

May 20, 1863

Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 "our affairs in Miss." after the loss of Jackson, Mississippi to the Union Army. Comments that "Virginia is the sacred soil still."

GLC00761

1866

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

Book signed

Title: 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 inscriped by Lansing in pencil on page 187 above the peom "The Scout toward Aldis": "Major Edwin Y. Lansing's cavalry camp in the Virginia woods, April 1864." In April, 1864 Melville and his brother obtained a pass to visit the front to search for their cousin, Colonel Henry Gansevoort. Melville met Lansing in a scouting party he and his brother…

GLC00768.01

1865

Wilson, William L., 1843-1900

Diary

Title: [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 ever. Entries for early January describe the movements of his regiment through the Alleghany Mountains, Cheat Mountain, and the Tygarts Valley in Virginia. Reports a skirmish with Union forces near Beverly, West Virginia, 9 January. Often mentions the arduous journey, the weather, prisoners of war, plunder, and his horses. On 28 January he…

GLC00653.17

20 December 1876

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document signed

Title: [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. Docketed at top by Edward D. Townsend as Adjutant General, reads "Recorded Volume 21 page 260. Adjutant General's Office December 21, 1876". Features a paper seal from the Office of War, and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.08

18 December 1902

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Document signed

Title: [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 Office, Dec 18 1902". Features paper seal from the Office of War and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.12

26 December 1900

McKinley, William, 1843-1901

Document signed

Title: [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's Office, December 26, 1900". Features a paper seal and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.17

26 December 1901

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Document signed

Title: [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 General's Office, December 26, 1901". Features paper seal from the War Office and two detailed patriotic scenes.

GLC00778.20

July 8, 1933

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: 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" about New Deal policies that the American public is being fooled by, most of them pertaining to economic matters. Decries a lack of "encouragement to individual prudence and thrift, any encouragement to any holding to moral anchors in all of this situation" and blames it on the New Deal, an era "where white rabbits please and thrill the audience…

GLC00782.10

December 25, 1866

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 that Radicals in Congress are attempting to force the District Attorney "to account for their failure to prosecute such cases. I am inclined to the opinion that the Radicals have abandoned blood and turned their attention to plunder."

GLC00771

October 5, 1780

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 metamorphosed into a puny lover." Continues on to say how much he misses her, but that he must remain until Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison returns. States that he will not be delayed past November and assures her that he is doing everything in his power to return. Descriptively explains how much he loves and misses her, ". . . my…

GLC00773