21 February 1864

Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

"This week chronicles a new era in my army life." "Rejoiced" to hear the box with his boots is on its way. Thinks the shoemaker purposely delayed the making of his boots. It is ridiculous that he had to go all the way to Boston to find leather. "We had a chapel built and we have prayer meetings 3 evenings of the week, a bible class Sunday forenoon and preaching in the afternoon." Has gone to some of the prayer sessions, but does not want to go today because he has guard duty tonight. Weather has been very cold for a week now.

GLC09355.048

5 March 1864

Kellog, James H. (fl. 1862-1864)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

He saw his old friend General Wood and they had a grand time. He has been practicing on the bugle lately. He has to learn 25 different calls.

GLC02415.068

19 April 1864

Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918)

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Unsure when he will leave; mentions visiting sights in New York City (Wood's minstrels, Barnum's Museum, theatre). Writes that Grant's name "got a tolerably good cheer (and I helped him on that) and then he got a good many hisses. But when McClellan's name came up he got a big cheer and then I helped hiss him, I did. But Fremonts couldnt get a single thing but hisses."

GLC04558.130

29 June 1864

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877

Newspaper

Title: Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 2, no. 38 (June 29, 1864)]

Army correspondents send reports of their various units, including from Richmond, Virginia (Kershaw's Brigade) and Columbus, Mississippi. A letter regarding "The Released Prisoner" entreats any prisoners to follow God. "Songs upon the Battle-field" reports on Christian hymns being sung on the front. Brief articles on page 2 include"Yankee Nonsense," "Bounty Bonds," "Dependence on God," and more. "Secular News" reports on Charleston, Generals Grant and Sherman, and an attack on Danville Road, amongst other news items.

GLC05959.39.55

12 October 1864

Lydston, William (c. 1813-1881)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Forbes

States he was requested by H. P. Brothers to write to Forbes and send his watercolor drawing of the siege of Petersburg which he drew while watching the action that night. Gives a description of the siege and explains what is depicted in his drawing. " ... the cannonading, musketry and shelling lasted a full hour and a half.

GLC04406.01

circa 1864-1865

Broadside

Title: [Collection of 2 items celebrating Sherman's March to the Sea.]

GLC08277

1 January 1865- 11 August 1865

Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868)

Diary

Title: [Diary of a soldier 2nd Brigade Band, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, during Petersburg Campaign]

States that his band played out the old year and in the new 1 January. 2 January, mentions "Rebs threw a shell at us while playing the Star-spangled Banner at Div Hd. Qrs shelling continued for some time afterwards. Notes that his band performs and practices nearly every day. 12 January, notes that a flag of truce has been sent by Confederates, with a sealed communication for General Ulysses S. Grant. 17 January, notes that Fort Fisher, North Carolina, was taken with 1400 prisoners.

GLC04562

1865/2/6

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He thinks the rebellion will be over by the 4th of July. Reminisces about friends and playing in the snow. Leon must return to his regiment. Confederate peace commissioners came into Union lines while Confederate bands played patriotic union songs. [Hampton Roads Peace Conference which occurred 2/3 at Fort Monroe on the "River Queen."]

GLC04662.092

13 March 1865

T.D.W.

Manuscript

Title: When Sherman Marched to the Sea

Manuscript copy of a song written to commemorate Union General William T. Sherman's famous march to the sea, which began with General Sherman's troops leaving the captured city of Atlanta, Georgia on 15 November 1864, and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah on 22 December. Written at the bottom of the last page is, "Words and music composed by Union officers while in rebel prison at Columbia S.C." Sherman received a copy of this song and printed it in his memoirs, chapter 23, where he indicates it was written by Adjutant Byers.

GLC04984

31 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C. (fl. 1864-)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

had to sleep under a canvas instead of a tent one night. General Sheridan is operating with them with 25,000 cavalry. saw a black band that he enjoyed. the battle continues.

GLC08311.39

circa May 1865

Unknown

Document

Title: Banquet programme

Fragment of banquet program, probably for a celebration following the victory of the Civil War. Sherman presided. Poems, songs, and reports given for each army. Verso has illustration of Union flags with lists of victories. On May 24 a Grand Review parade displayed all troops in Washington, D.C.

GLC04195.33

1865/10[?]/30[?]

Photograph

Title: View of fair for Union Volunteers and Sailors

Image shows a large crowd gathered for a fair in front of a "Union Volunteer Hospital" and a "Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon." The crowd includes soldiers, a band, people standing on the Hospital balcony, and a small group of people standing at a cannon. Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "Fair for Vols & Sailors' Home Academy of Music Oct. 30th 1865." Photographers stamp on verso "R. Newell, 724 Arch St. Philad'a. AUG 1865."

GLC05111.02.1338