Tag Archives: Virginia

24 April 1865: “the vessel and ways were put in order under my direction”

Item Description: Two telegraph reports from the U.S. Navy regarding the seizure of the C.S.S. Beaufort by the U.S.S. Maumee, and the seizure of a confederate tug boat by U.S.S. Phlox in the James River. These telegrams display of the actions … Continue reading

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9 April 1865: “I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of N. Va on the following terms”

Item Description: Letter from General Ulysses S. Grant to Robert E. Lee laying out the terms of surrender for the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House. Item Citation: Folder 22b, in the Edward Porter Alexander Papers, #7, Southern … Continue reading

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3 April 1865: “You will be careful and thorough in dragging the river for torpedoes and send men along the banks to cut the wire.”

Item Description: Report of Lieutenant Commander R. Chandler, United States Navy, 3 April 1865, regarding the removal of obstructions in the James River, transmitting instructions to Union navy ships on the James River in Virginia for similar operations. [Scans courtesy of Google Books … Continue reading

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29 March 1865: “I would respectfully request that you direct one or two gunboats to lay in the Appomattox…”

Item Description: Letter from Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. Army, to Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, U.S. Navy, asking that gunboats be positioned in both the Appomattox and James Rivers. Item Citation: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in … Continue reading

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26 March 1865: “We had a small fight at Petersburg yesterday”

Item Description: In this letter, E.P. Alexander describes the atmosphere around Richmond after the Attack on Fort Stedman in Petersburg, VA. He also discusses what the the scene was like following that battle. In particular, he mentions a large crater where the … Continue reading

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25 March 1865: “This is my first and I hope will be my very last fight, as it is anything but agreeable to see men fall all around you killed or wounded.”

Item Description: Letter written by Henry Armand London to his father.  He describes the events of the Battle of Fort Stedman, a failed attempt by the Confederate Army to break the siege on Petersburg.  He mentions wounded and captured members … Continue reading

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15 March 1865: “If you can’t get the gold I would get the things wh. you will most surely want, & get yourself some more green tea now while you can. I can’t bear to think of your getting out of it.”

Item description: Letter, dated 15 March, 1865, from Edward Porter Alexander to his wife Bettie Mason Alexander. [Item transcription available below images.] Item citation: From the Edward Porter Alexander Papers, #7, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North … Continue reading

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13 Febrary 1865: “You have no objection to my marrying on the spot or do you prefer my waiting until I am Brigadier General”

Item Description: A letter from R. Roulhac to his mother regarding, provisions for clothes, his romantic pursuits at home, as well as his rank in his regiment. He speaks at length about how much letters from home mean to him. … Continue reading

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9 December 1864: ” we keep very warm and comfortable as this is a small church and has a large fireplace at each end.”

Item Description: Letter from John W. Davis to his mother.  He describes his efforts to find his unit, the Topographical Engineers, around Wytheville, VA.  He also describes his unit’s camp in a church in Wytheville. Item Citation: Folder 30 in … Continue reading

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1 November 1864: “Camp on the Appomattox”

Item Description: Sketch of a camp on the Appomattox near Petersburg, VA. Item Citation: From Folder 36 of the John S. Henderson Papers, #327, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Item Transcription: Camp … Continue reading

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