Search Results: Civil War from Seth Kaller, Inc.

"We, the members of the Loyal League, do hereby pledge ourselves, by words and acts, whenever practicable, to use our influence in support of the Government in all its measures for the suppression of the present unholy rebellion; and we will use our influence to discountenance and oppose all efforts in opposition to the Government and the Union." [CIVIL WAR--RHODE ISLAND].
Pledge and original membership roll of the Loyal League of Providence, Manuscript Document Signed, with 161 signatures, ca. January 1863, [Providence, RI]. 2 pp., 7¾ x 22¼ in.
Historical Background

Loyal Leagues (also often known as Union Leagues) were men's clubs established during the Civil War. They usually consisted of the professional, merchant, and artisan classes in northern cities. The first such club formed in Philadelphia in 1862.

Many of the signers of this membership roll were born between 1844 and 1850, and many were probably students at Providence High School. In 1861, students from the high school… Read More

A remarkable broadside advertising the sale of bulletproof vests to Union forces in North Carolina in the wake of the occupation of much of coastal North Carolina by General Ambrose Burnside's Expeditionary Force. [CIVIL WAR].
Broadside. "Good News to the Army." Bartlett & Munn, Agents for Manufacturers. Newbern, N.C., April 17, 1862. 1 p., 9¾ x 6 ½ in."We beg leave to say to the officers and soldiers of the Expedition, that after some delay we have received another invoice of those Monitor, or Bullet Proof Vests, which we are selling at our stand, opposite the Post Office, and as it is impossible for us to visit all the various Camps, please call and examine, or order, with measure of breast and waist, which will insure a good fit. We shall be here only a week or two longer, therefore it is for the interest of all who may wish to purchase to call immediately..."

Historical Background

Several firms attempted to sell such bullet proof vests during the war, with ads for body armor even… Read More

"with the same determination to divide the country unless they can secure universal abolition, we are exposed to the same dangers every day, and God only knows in what unlucky hour our ruin may be consummated... Compare his policy with McClellan's expression of readiness to receive any State when its people offer to submit to the Union."

This Democratic Party campaign pamphlet quotes an April 1864 letter to argue that Lincoln gave Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant free rein to conduct the war, after having interfered with and micromanaged McClellan's Peninsula Campaign in 1862. The publication also declared that Republicans were stained with "The Taint of Disunion" and quoted from Republican speeches and editorials to insist that the Democrats were the party of "UNION AND PEACE." [ABRAHAM LINCOLN].
Printed Document. Democrat Campaign "Document No. 12" with headings "Lincoln's Treatment of Gen. Grant," "Mr. Lincoln's Treatment of Gen. McClellan," and "The Taint of Disunion." [New York,… Read More

1865. Hardcover. Very Good. Book. Bound collection of separately printed General Orders from the Adjutant General's office for 1865. Containing 168 of 175 consecutive orders, and a 94-page index at front. Bound for Major General William Scott Ketchum, with his name in gilt on the spine and his markings or wartime notes on numerous pages. 4 3/4 x 7 in. Early resolutions concern the rates of pay for officers' servants, equal clothing allowances for commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and widow's rights to prize money, and equal pay for both black and white volunteers (Order No. 31/Public No. 57) and freedom for the wives and children of any army or navy volunteer (Order No. 33/Public Resolution No. 25). Also includes several orders relating to the assassination of President Lincoln: Order No. 66 announcing the assassination; Order No. 67 announcing Andrew Johnson's ascent to President; and Order No. 69 announcing the closing of military bases in observance of the funeral of Abraham Lincoln,… Read More

[ABRAHAM LINCOLN].
Chromolithograph. Presidents of the United States, [Philadelphia]: Published by F. Bouclet, lithographed by A. Feusier. Sheet size: 21 in. x 27 in. Image size: 24½ in. x 18¾ in. A large, patriotic chromolithograph, issued around the time of Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration. The central image is the goddess Columbia wearing a draped American flag, flanked by bald eagle and Union shield. Behind her is a steam ship and the artist's rendition of what the then-uncompleted Capitol building was expected to look like. Surrounding Columbia is an ornate frame made up of portraits of the presidents of the United States from 1789-1861—including a beardless Abraham Lincoln: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William H. Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln.

Historical Background

Erin Mast,… Read More

When enslaved African Americans fled to the ships of the Union blockading fleet, officers often sent them to "contraband" camps such as those at Port Royal, South Carolina, or Fortress Monroe, Virginia, or shipped them north. However, the Union Navy, short on manpower, also encouraged able-bodied male contrabands to enlist. In September 1861, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles authorized the enlistment of contrabands "under the same forms and regulations as apply to other enlistments." As crew members of navy ships and gunboats, these black sailors served on blockade duty and even on expeditions up southern rivers and creeks.

On January 5, 1863, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles ordered commanders of squadrons to forward monthly returns of "contrabands" employed on board the respective vessels under their command. The USS Western World had been part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in 1861 and 1862. After extensive overhaul, the Western World was reassigned in March 1863 to the… Read More

A cordial letter to Col. Charles J. Helm, Confederate agent in the West Indies, sending thanks to "Mrs. Phebe M. Newcomb" for her donation of wool socks to the Confederate Army. He takes the opportunity to speak eloquently to the privations that Southern troops, specifically the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, have endured. "Permit me to thank you, & thro' you Mrs. Phebe M. Newcomb, for the wollen socks she has been kind enough to make…" G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Autograph Letter Signed, to Col. Charles J. Helm in Havana Cuba. From Charleston, S.C., January 28, 1863. On "Head Quarters, Department of South Carolina, Georgia & Florida" stationery. Endorsed on verso by Helm. 1 p., 8 x 9⅞ in.
Complete Transcript

Charleston S.C. Jany 28th 1863

Dear Col.

Permit me to thank you, & thro' you Mrs. Phebe M. Newcomb, for the wollen socks she has been kind enough to make & to send for our gallant soldiers now battling manfully… Read More

EDWARD D. TOWNSEND.
Document Signed, printed Special Orders No. 41, Jan. 27, 1864. Creating and Appointing Abbot to a Board of Engineers to review Sea Coast Fortifications, especially New York Harbor.
Henry L. Abbott (1831-1927) commanded the Army of the Potomac's siege artillery at Petersburg. For this and other recognizable services during the war, he was brevetted brigadier general.

Condition

Some toning, etc.

"As you and I have both expressed friendly sentiments towards the citizens of the Flowery Kingdom, we may hope to be in high favor should we live till that time." DAVID DIXON PORTER.
Autograph Letter Signed, to "Reverend Dr. Newman." Washington, D.C., March 14, 1879. 3 pp., 5 x 8 in.
Partial Transcript

"Not long since I read in the 'Herald' a very interesting report of a lecture by you on the subject of the Chinese and our treatment of them. Your utterances coincided so nearly with my own opinions that I was particularly pleased with the article. By today's mail I send you a copy of the 'United Service Quarterly Aeneio' [Aeneid?] containing an article on Chinese contributed by me. The article was written some two months ago about the time when the Californians began to get excited on the subject of the Chinese Question. The article I send may serve to amuse you and perhaps make you a little uneasy about the future prospect of the establishment of a Mongolian dynasty in Washington. As… Read More

When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah! / We'll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah! Hurrah!... [PATRICK GILMORE].
Broadside, "When Johnny comes marching home." Philadelphia, Johnson & Co., Song Publishers. [1863-65]. 6 x 9 in., 1 p.
Noting that the music was published by Tolman & Co., Boston, and sung to the tune, 'Johnny Fill Up the Bowl,' the song's lyrics were written by Irish American bandmaster Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore (1829-1892). Its first sheet music publication was deposited in the Library of Congress on September 26, 1863, with words and music credited to "Louis Lambert," a pseudonym.

"Sherridan has been doing some good work. 1400 prisoners passed here a few days ago that he captured And Report says he has captured 1000 more. A couple of officers stopped here last night, that had just been exchanged. They were captured last August and gave me a good account of their trials & tribulations down in Dixie. One of them gave $100. for a common pair of shoes from all appearances the Confederacy will soon collapse. Sherman has been heard from, is at Fayetteville, N. C. think Richmond will fall, before fall."

Civil War veteran David F. McGowan writes about prospects for Union victory and life in Maryland as the Civil War draws to a close. DAVID F. MCGOWAN.
Autograph Letter Signed, to Ellen [P. Fowler?], March 15, 1865, Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. 3 pp., 5x 8 in. Also includes DAVID F. McGOWAN, Autograph Letter Signed, to Ellen [P. Fowler?], May 9, 1865, Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. 4 pp., 5 x 8 in.
Complete Transcript

Ellicotts Mills,… Read More

COMPANY D, 1st VERMONT CAVALRY. [CIVIL WAR]. Manuscript Document Signed, June 1862: List of clothing distributed to 54 men, including 25 caps, 24 blouses, 50 trousers, 66 flannel shirts, 15 drawers, 19 bootees, 69 stockings, and 3 blankets. Each row signed by the soldier who received the items. 1 p., 15½ x 23¾ in.
"We the undersigned Non Commissioned Officers Artificers Musicians & Privates of Company 'D' 1st Vt Cavalry do acknowledge to have received of Capt. A. W. Preston the articles of Clothing set oposite our respective names"
Soldiers included:
Jacob Trussell Rodney Eames
Harrison B. Michell James Esdon
Josiah H. Moore Samuel L. Higgins
George P. Blair Orin S. Hendrick
George C. C. Clemment Azro H. Kinerson
Horace Ide… Read More

Foraging during wartime often pits an army against its supporters in the civilian population. In his final month of departmental command before returning to the Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate Brigadier General John Nichols warning his soldiers not to molest citizens or their property. [CONFEDERACY]. JOHN ECHOLS.
Broadside. General Orders. Dublin [Virginia], September 5, 1864. 12 x 10 ½ in.
Excerpt:

"Frequent complaints having reached these Head Quarters of depredations having been committed upon the property of citizens of South Western Va. and East Tennessee, and of the willful and unnecessary waste of the substance of the country by the straggling squads of men connected with the various command in this Department, the immediate attention of all Commanding Officers is directed thereto; and they are hereby ordered to bring all offenders in this respect to speedy and certain punishment. Officers are responsible for the conduct of their men and they will be held to such… Read More

[ABRAHAM LINCOLN].
Print. Abraham Lincoln. The Nations Martyr. Assassinated April 14th. 1865. Currier & Ives, New York, N.Y., 1865. 1 p., 13½ x 18 in. Light toning. By recycling stock images, Currier & Ives could issue "rush" prints of important 19th century events, thus providing Americans with graphic depictions of current events. Based on Anthony Berger's famed photograph taken in February 1864, this is a fine example of a "rush" print of Lincoln following his assassination to hang in the homes of Americans mourning the loss of their president.

In February 1862, General Mansfield Lovell sends reinforcements to Albert Sidney Johnston, the chief Confederate commander in the West, so he can defend Nashville and Fort Donelson. The move was fruitless; Fort Donelson fell to Union troops a week after this letter was written. MANSFIELD LOVELL.
Autograph Letter Signed, to Albert Sidney Johnston. New Orleans, La., February 7, 1862. 1 p., 8 x 11 in.
With: a carte-de-visite of Lovell in Confederate uniform. New York & Washington: Brady's National Photographic Portrait Gallery, [ca. 1862].

Partial Transcript

"Capt. Gibson's battery (21 rifled 6 pdrs. and two 12 pdr. Howitzers) has been detained for want of transportation, but will leave tomorrow morning for Nashville. Capt. Bains has received his battery, and with the exception of a portion of his harness, is ready to proceed to join your command; but as his company is totally uninstructed, I have thought it best to retain them at their encampment in the Jackson Rail Road to drill and be… Read More

Court reporter records the impassioned defense, before the U.S. Supreme Court, by David Dudley Field of Lambdin P. Milligan and others, who were tried by military commission in Indiana during the Civil War and sentenced to death for disloyal activities. The court's landmark decision agreed with Field's reasoning that the federal government could not employ military tribunals where civilian courts were in operation. [LAMBDIN P. MILLIGAN].
Printed Book. D. F. Murphy, reporter, Supreme Court of the United States. In the Matter of Lambkin [sic] P. Milligan, William A. Bowles, Stephen Horsey, Under Sentence by Military Commission. Argument of David Dudley Field, Esq. for the Petitioners. March 12 and 13, 1866. New York: Williams J. Read, 1866. 97 + 104 pp., 6⅝ x 10⅛ in.
Excerpts:

"Is it true that the moment a declaration of war is made, the executive department of this government, without an Act of Congress, becomes absolute master of our liberties and our lives? Are we then subject to… Read More

1905. No binding. Fine. Autograph Note Signed. 1 p., 8 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. Complete TranscriptIn the debate in the C. [Congressional] Globe, you will see that the great Statesman and true patriot, Hon. Thadeus [sic] Stevens said ""The propositions fall short of my wishes, but they fulfill my hopes."" &c. I am very busy in my judicial duties, or would write you more fully. S.N.Historical BackgroundStephen Neal (1817-1905) was an Indiana lawyer. He served in the state legislature and was later a judge. In 1866, he drafted what would become the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Legend has it that he presented it his friend, Indiana Congressman Godlove S. Orth, and that Congress passed the draft as Neal had written it. This is unlikely; Ohio Congressman John Bingham is usually given credit as the amendment's principal author, to say nothing of Congressional machinations that make passage of anything without revision nearly impossible.Neal is actually summarizing Stevens's arguments in the House of… Read More

Brigadier General William Cogswell offers a dramatic farewell message to the troops under his command in the Army of Georgia. A Salem, Massachusetts lawyer, Cogswell turned his law office into a recruiting station after learning the 6th Massachusetts had been attacked in Baltimore. He was first in, last out, in his Civil War service: In 24 hours, he raised the first full company of the war (Company C, 2nd Massachusetts Volunteers) and his brigade fought in the final battle of the war in Bentonville, North Carolina. Despite his relative obscurity, Cogswell's eloquence rivals the great farewell messages in military history. WILLIAM COGSWELL. CIVIL WAR.
Manuscript Document Signed. General Orders No. 14. [Farewell to the Army of Georgia], Near Washington, D.C., June 9, 1865. 1 p., 7¾ x 12 in.
Complete Transcript

Head Quarters, 3rd Brigade, 3d Div., 20[th] A[rmy] [Corps],

Near Washington, D.C. 9th June 1865

General Orders

No. 14

Officers and Enlisted… Read More

"this place is to be evacuated all the troops and the gunboats leave with us there is a general move of the darkeys they all want to go with us they do not dare to stay here after we leave for fear of the guerrillas I believe we are to take every thing with us that can be of use to the rebs" THOMAS BOURNE.
Autograph Letter Signed, April 18, 1863, Elizabeth City, [North Carolina]. 2 pp., 8vo.
Complete Transcript

Elizabeth City April 18th / 63

My Dear Mother

We are under marching orders for New Bern to join the regt we recd the orders yesterday we leave here to day if nothing happens every thing is hurry and bustle here this morning so that it is rather difficult to write beside I have a very poor pen but I thought I must write you a few lines just to let you know of our movement this place is to be evacuated all the troops and the gunboats leave with us there is a general move of the darkeys they all want to go with us they do not dare to stay here… Read More

ADDISON W. PRESTON.
Autograph Document, c. July to October 1863, 2 pp., 8 x 12¼ in. Complete Transcript

Lightersvil Md

July 5 Having march all night I enterd Lightersvill Md with 200 men and captured 125 rebels 100 head of cattle and several waggons Entered Hagerstown at 12 oclock "M." Marching between two detachments of Lees Army

July 6 Hagerstown During the early part of the day four companies of my command were thrown into the town as sharp shooters where they were sharply engaged until 3 oclock PM when I was ordered to act as rear guard while our forces retired In so doing, we were obliged to confront greatly superior numbers whose repeated assaults only terminated with darkness The loss to the regiment here was severe

July 8 Boonsboro Was not engaged until after noon by a vigerous attack of all our forces during which a brilliant charge was made by a portion of this regiment the enemy was driven from the field

July 11 Col Sawyer assumed command

July 13 Second Engagement at… Read More