Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

12 search results

Showing results 1 - 12

1860

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Photograph

Title: As brigadier general, vignette bust portrait

Graphite inscription on recto "General Braxton Bragg." Graphite inscription on verso "Bragg." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

GLC05111.02.1040

1861/01/27

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elise Bragg re: eye-witness account of secession of Louisiana

Written on state Executive Mansion stationery, and also mentioning the replacement of the Federal flag by "the Goose [sic, Pelican] was hoisted in its stead"

GLC02282

6 April 1861

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: [General Bragg discusses military matters in the Pensacola area]

Bragg (Confederate) states "Our truce remains in force, 'They are not to reinforce, We are not to attack.' It is being carried out by both parties so far. All kinds of supplies ... were being furnished the enemy when I got here.

GLC02409

21 April 1861

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry J. Hunt

Writes to his old friend and comrade about the turn of events their lives have taken over the last year and expresses is his regret over them being on opposite sides in the war. "How strange are the mutations of life! That we should be in hostile array against each other.

GLC00925.01

14 November 1861

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Ruggles

Expresses sympathy for Daniel Ruggles' sickness and his wish that Ruggles is "promoted or assigned the immediate command" of Fort Barrancas. States that Confederate General Mansfield Lovell will "have difficulty in passing the ordeal of Congress."

GLC02459.05

3 April 1862

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza B. Ellis

General Bragg writes to his wife Eliza on the eve of the battle of Shiloh. He discusses preparing to engage the enemy, gives his own estimation of Union troop strength, and discusses Confederate deficiencies. Praises his own command as the best in the army. Bragg hopes to destroy the enemy forces nearby, then attack their reinforcements, which are only a few days off. Crossing the Mississippi River is their biggest obstacle, because the Union forces have all the boats. He writes that he wishes to share the fate of his army and his country.

GLC00910

12 July [1862]

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elisa Bragg, his wife

"The whole work has to be done over . . . Genls. Lee, Huger & Magruder are too slow, as we were at Shiloh, and the fruits are lost for want of vigorous pushing . . ."

GLC08369

30 January 1863

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Letter signed

Title: to Christopher G. Memminger

Confederate General Bragg sends a $100 counterfeit Confederate bill (see GLC05006.02) which he found on a man who was now being held for questioning.

GLC05006.01

26 May 1863

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Phillip Dale Roddey

General Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee, writes "Enemy reported sending troop from Corinth to Grant." Requests Roddy to verify the information and report back as soon as possible.

GLC03788

20 November 1863

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Confederate commander Bragg tells Grant that "As there may still be some non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal". Grant received this brief letter while preparing to attack Bragg's nearby forces at Chattanooga. Grant's endorsement reflects his obvious skepticism of Bragg's motives. In his memoirs Grant discussed this particular letter.

GLC04208

18 May 1864

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Military telegram requesting Daniel H. Hill be assigned to command one of Pierre G. T. Beauregard's divisions]

Also with autograph endorsement signed by Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General of the Confederate Army. Recipient's copy of a telegram from Beauregard to Bragg. Beauregard had requested that General Hill be assigned to his department as a division commander. Bragg's endorsement denying the request appears on the verso. Bragg, backed by President Davis, for whom he now served as special military advisor, did not approve of Beauregard's request because of a prior feud between him and Hill, who remained on duty in the Charleston area.

GLC00864

15 June 1875

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas F. Pinckney

Comments on the present difficulties faced by engineers, but sees better times ahead. Says that Texas has "a big and a bright future, far more promising than any other southern State." Claims the state now needs more laborers to reorganize the society and the economy for future growth.

GLC02359

Showing results 1 - 12