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.

Back to Collection Search

Atchison, David Rice (1807-1886) to Jefferson Davis

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06569 Author/Creator: Atchison, David Rice (1807-1886) Place Written: Platte City, Missouri; Jackson, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 May 1853; 13 July 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 24.7 x 20 cm.

Summary of Content: Page one consists of a letter from Atchison, a United States Senator from Missouri, introducing Judge Samuel Treat of St. Louis to Davis, Secretary of War. Describes Treat as "a politician of the Nullification, Secession, & High Treason School, to which I belong, he understands the true position of parties and men in this State." Pages two and three consist of a 13 July 1863 letter from J. F. Allison, an infantryman from Illinois, to his parents. Allison discusses the surrenders of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Port Hudson, Louisiana. Describes witnessing Confederate General John C. Pemberton raise white flags, surrendering access to the Mississippi River. Writing from Jackson, Mississippi, Allison states "Grant is putting the army through- he makes them earn their bread. All feel confident in Grants ability to capture Jackson." Requests that his parents save this letter, as "It clearly proved that Jeff Davis was at that time conceiving his plans for secession." States that this and other documents were taken from a plantation near Jackson.

Background Information:

People: Allison, J. F., fl. 1853
Atchison, David Rice, 1807-1886
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
Grant, Ulysses S., 1822-1885
Pemberton, John Clifford, 1814-1881
Treat, Samuel, 1815-1902

Historical Era: National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860

Subjects: Letter of Introduction or RecommendationConfederate General or LeaderNullificationSecessionTreasonCivil WarMilitary HistoryConfederate States of AmericaUnion Soldier's LetterUnion ForcesSoldier's LetterSurrenderBattle of VicksburgBattleBattle of Port HudsonUnion General

Sub Era: Age of Jackson

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.