Collections

Back to top

Search Constraints

Start Over You searched for: Level Collection Remove constraint Level: Collection Places Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Remove constraint Places: Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Places Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Remove constraint Places: Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Number of results to display per page
View results as:

Search Results

Collection

Jefferson Davis collection, 1861-1883

0.25 linear feet

The Jefferson Davis collection contains political and military correspondence of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America. Most of the letters are from congressmen, governors, cabinet officers, generals, and local politicians to Davis.

The Jefferson Davis collection (91 items) contains political correspondence of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America. The collection consists of 10 letters written by Davis, including three to Robert E. Lee, and one document signed by Davis. The remaining 80 items are letters to Davis from congressmen, governors, cabinet officers, generals, and local politicians. They offer a variety of opinions and advice on the Confederacy and the war effort related to both political and strategic matters. Other topics discussed include military and political promotions and appointments, Southern public opinion of the war, intelligence and updates from the battlefield, prisons and prisoners, political support in Europe, and Confederate finances.

Selected items include:
  • January 17, 1861: Jefferson Davis to George Lunt, stating that secession was forced upon the South by Northern aggression and not caused by Lincoln's election
  • September 3, 1861: Simon Bolivar Buckner to Davis recommending that they take decisive military action in Kentucky
  • November 2, 1861: James B. Chesnut to Davis explaining his part in the planning of the battle at Manassas
  • April 9, 1862: Stephen Russell Mallory to Davis concerning iron-clad ships
  • September 3, 1862: Robert E. Lee to Davis recommending that his army invade Maryland
  • October 8, 1862: Two letters to Davis concerning the suspension of habeas corpus
  • April 6, 1763: Joseph Christmas Ives to Davis containing an inspection report on Vicksburg and other forts
  • July 29, 1863: James Phelan to Davis on enforcing the Conscription Act
  • July 21, August 3, 8, 14, 1863: Letters concerning calls to remove John C. Pemberton from office
  • October 12, 1863: John H. Reagan to Davis advising that the army cut off Rosecrans in Tennessee and predicting Union gains if they fail
  • November 18, 1863: George W.C. Lee to Davis recommending that Davis visit Robert E. Lee and his army
  • June 11, 1864: Davis to the Confederate Senate concerning the destruction of the gunboat Cairo
  • August 9, 1864: Herschel Johnson to Davis explaining that the Confederate army must defeat Sherman and protect Atlanta, Georgia
  • February 2, 1865: Act written by Thomas Bocock and Alexander Hamilton Stephens to "regulate the pay…of certain female employees of the government," signed by Davis
  • March 28, 1865: George A. Trenholm to Davis arguing for the Confederate government to purchase cotton
Collection

Milton Hyman Boullemet typescripts, 1853-1884 (majority within 1861-1862)

85 pages

This collection is made up of typescripts of letters and other materials related to the Boullemet family of Mobile, Alabama. The bulk of the correspondence pertains to Milton H. Boullemet's service in the 3rd Alabama Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The materials were transcribed by Aubrey Bartlett of San Francisco, California, a descendant.

This collection is made up of approximately 85 pages of typescripts related to the Boullemet family of Mobile, Alabama, particularly concerning the Civil War service of Milton H. Boullemet. Early items include a letter by bookseller Joe Morris of "Coventry," who noted the popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin (September 24, 1853); a letter from Nash Buckley to his brother Harry about life in Sydney, Australia (November 26, 1853); and a letter Milton H. Boullemet wrote to his parents from the "S. M. Academy" (February 10, 1856). Other items include invitations, a receipt for a casket and embalming services (June 12, 1884), and a patriotic song, "The Southern Girl with Home Spun Dress" (set to "Bonnie Blue Flag").

The bulk of the materials relate to the Boullemet family's experiences during the Civil War. Milton H. Boullemet wrote letters to his parents and siblings while serving with the 3rd Alabama Infantry Regiment, Company E, in Virginia and North Carolina between April 1861 and June 1862. He reported his entry into Confederate service in a letter dated April 29, 1861, and discussed his decision to reenlist in the spring of 1862. Boullemet often described the conditions in Confederate camps and commented on the support the soldiers received from residents of Atlanta, Georgia, and Norfolk, Virginia. Though he seldom saw actions against Union forces, he mentioned a few skirmishes, expressed his confidence after early Confederate victories, reaffirmed his commitment to the cause after the fall of New Orleans, and shared a detailed description of the Battle of Hampton Roads (March 10, 1862).

Boullemet received a few letters from acquaintances and from family members in Mobile; those at home discussed economic difficulties, their commitment to the Confederate cause, and the city's preparations for an expected Union attack. Sallie Nimms, a Georgia resident whom Boullemet met while returning from a furlough, wrote about her support for the Confederacy and her admiration of Boullemet and other soldiers. Later items include condolence letters to the Boullemet family following Milton's death after the Battle of Malvern Hill and a pass for a 15-year-old slave named David to travel through Union-occupied New Orleans (March 24, 1863).

The materials were transcribed by Aubrey Bartlett of San Francisco, California, a descendant of the Boullemet family.

Collection

Robert and James T. Miller letters, 1829-1864 (majority within 1861-1864)

134 items

This collection is primarily made up of letters that brothers Robert and James T. Miller wrote to their parents and siblings while serving in Pennsylvania infantry regiments during the Civil War. They described battles, illnesses and hospital stays, scenery, and military life. The collection also includes additional correspondence and documents related to the Miller family.

This collection (134 items) is primarily made up of letters that brothers Robert and James T. Miller wrote to their parents and siblings while serving in Pennsylvania infantry regiments during the Civil War. They described battles, illnesses and hospital stays, the scenery, and military life. The collection includes additional correspondence and documents related to the Miller family.

The James T. Miller letters (around 80 items) pertain to his service in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia from November 13, 1861-July 15, 1864. He discussed the various camps where he was stationed, soldiers' leisure activities, drills, and many other aspects of military life. He commented on the political atmosphere in Baltimore, Maryland, and the effects of the war throughout the South. Miller sometimes shared his opinions about Copperheads, conscription and men who chose not to fight, Union and Confederate generals, and the Confederate cause. During his service, he participated in (and described) many skirmishes and larger engagements including the Battle of Cedar Mountain, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of Gettysburg. He also wrote about his experiences while recovering from a wound in army hospitals in late 1863. Miller's letters are addressed to his parents and several of his siblings; he occasionally wrote on patriotic stationery. The final item in this group of letters is a note from H. Allen to the elder Robert Miller regarding James T. Miller's death (August 2, 1864). Letters from Susan A. Miller, wife of James T. Miller, about her everyday life during the war are interspersed with her husband's correspondence.

Robert E. Miller's letters to his parents and other correspondents (about 30 items) relate to his experiences in Company F of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment from November 2, 1862-July 18, 1863. Though he wrote less frequently than his brother, he provided vivid descriptions of army life and military engagements, also commenting on the progress of the war and political issues.

Additional materials include a marriage license for Robert Miller and Janet Todd (December 28, 1829), letters by the elder Robert Miller, financial records, and documents related to the Miller family.