Content Description

The Asa Moore Janney Forest Mills ledgers contains three ledgers belonging to Asa Moore Janney, a Quaker qho owned Forest Mills located in Loudoun Country, Virginia. The ledgers contain accounts of flour and other commodities Janney provided to families including African Americans as well as volunteers in the Confederate army. The ledgers tracked daily business sales and transactions along with labor expenses for the mill operation.

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Five prints from various publications depicting the Battles of Williamsburg and surrounding areas including Yorktown and Big Bethel during the Peninsula Campaign conducted by the Union Army and lead by General George B. McClellan in 1862. The prints are drawings showing Union and Confederate soldiers at battle, using barns as hospitals, and marching as they advance toward Richmond.

Content Description

The John Newton Bell papers includes personal and professional correspondence from relatives, business associates and religious figures throughout Virginia and the greater Appalachia. Letters document subject areas including the Civil War, the hospitalization of women in mental health facilities, agricultural issues, and religious matters related to the Presbyterian Church.

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A letter from Biddle Boggs to Mrs. B. Miller discussing the American Civil War (1861-1865).

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A letter sent by a man named Andy, a solider during the Civil War, to his cousin. Andy writes that his unit recently moved into enemy country, and that their scouts captured a man from South Carolina. He goes on to say that he is paid "well" and details how others in his group are paid, as well as how much he plans to send home.

Scope and Contents Three page letter in which Derry writes to inform his friend Stella that he had the opportunity to spend time with a mutual friend, Sargent Talcoot and that the gentleman paid for his supper before he shipped off to Virginia from New York. Derry describes landing at Fortress Monroe and of the devastation in and around Hampton where the Rebel forces had burned the town a year before. In his closing, Derry recommends that a Mr. John Rumble stay home as the conditions for the Union troops are...

Scope and Contents Four page letter informing his parents of his well being and fine accommodations at his encampment. As part of the 141st New York Infantry regiment and stationed among its headquarters, MacDonald states that the shelter and food is as fine as anyone could enjoy or expect. He reports that he heard news of his regiment moving in to Washington, D.C. to protect the city for the winter months and delights at that potential. Lastly, he reports on packages sent to other soldiers and the high...

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The photograph is of George O. Ennis, a photographer and Civil War (1861-1865) soldier in Virginia's 19th Infantry. The photograph is a carte de visite (cdV) which is a type of small photograph patented in Paris, France by photographer André Adolphe Eugène Disdéri in 1854, although first used by Louis Dodero. In the photograph, Ennis is wearing a suit with a striped bow-tie The photograph was produced in 1872 by the C.R. Rees & Co. studio in Richmond, Virginia.

Content Description

The Gamaliel Lyman Dwight and Sarah Helen Whitman Papers contain three letters written by Gamaliel Lyman Dwight to Sarah Helen Whitman during the Civil War (1861-1865). In his first letter to Whitman, Dwight mentions a man who knew Edgar Allen Poe, a former romantic interest of Whitman. The remainder of the correspondence includes Dwight's impressions of Camp Winfield Scott, a tent encampment near Yorktown that served as the headquarters of Union General George B. McClellan.

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One handwritten letter and envelope from Gideon Koiner to his brother Jonathan Koiner describing the 1860 election. The letter notes the political atmosphere of the day and public opinion on the matter. One standard ink letter on paper.

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Letters, 1864-1865, of Lewis Hobbs, a member of the 11th Maine Regiment during the Civil War, written to his sister, Sarah F. Hobbs. The letters are written when Hobbs' unit is near Richmond, Virginia, including during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. Topics include battles and skirmishes, injuries to soliders, and Hobbs' opinion of African-Americans. December 29, 1864 letter written on printed and colored leaflet with song "The Army and Navy for ever."

Content Description

The civil war diary of Horatio S. Carnrite, who enlisted in the 184th regiment of the New York State Volunteers. This collection contains the 134 page diary along with a 56 page handwritten transcription. There are a few mentions of Black cavalry movements.

Content warning: contains language that is derogatory towards people enslaved, as well as towards people of color.

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One page letter from Norfolk, VA. She reports that there are twelve negroes guarding a bridge in close proximity to her and it unsettles her as a result. She does not think much of the African American guards. The remainder of her letter is in regard to the receipt and sending of correspondence between herself and the recipient.

Content Description

One diary written in pencil and pen by John L. Little, a captain during the Civil War at the Siege of Suffolk.

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The note, written in 1843 by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney and signed by President John Tyler, records the president's involvement in the discharge of Joseph Taney from Old Capitol Prison during the Civil War. The note was likely forwarded to War Secretary James Madison Porter. Includes a single sheet of paper measuring to 3" x 5" and ink prose.

Content Description

Three page letter begging her friend, Sue, to go on a trip as it would please her very much. She comments that the war should not deter her as there is no risk of danger in travelling.

Scope and Contents Four page letter from Knox from Hampton, Va. near Fortress Monroe to his wife, Sarah in Ddanbury, Connecticut. He was attached to the 1st Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers and was involved in the push to take the peninsula under McClellan's Division. His letter describes to rubble Hampton was reduced to after their shelling and anticipates that the Army would move through Yorktown and take control of it by nightfall. He also anticipated that the Army would take Richmond quickly. The...

Scope and Contents Four page letter from an unnamed author to her sister. In it, she references family or friends who are under orders to march, anticipating a battle soon as a result. She also references the battle at Fort Donelson. Other portions of her letter refer to visits and communication with mutually known individuals, a literary club begun by women in her area in which she participates, and her dismay at the notion that her sister wants to buy wine glasses as she prefers her sibling to be a...

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Two page letter written from the U.S. Military Prison Camp Chase in which Livingston addresses the sad state of affairs of the Confederacy. He reports of the loss of many acquaintances and devastation throughout the countryside to land and property. He also writes that he is hopeful an exchange will occur soon and that he will be able to go home to continue with his life. Clearly from his sentiment, the war is over and his only wish is to return home.

Content Description Cordelia (Cordie) Meanley’s diary consists of two bound books. The smaller one consists of 184 pages, covering the period from August 1862 to November 1863 (Book 1). The larger one has about 220 pages, running from November 1863 to November 1871 (Book 2). In both books, there are some gaps between dates, despite Cordie Meanley’s declared intent on the first page “to keep a diary of my life.” Some pages reflect subsequent revisions or deletions. Generally, her diary...

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Four page letter directed to a friend to inform her of her new situation as a house maid for a wealthy family. The house in which she works seems the finest in the town of Attica, according to Noblit. Additionally, she writes that the townspeople are celebrating constantly, especially since many of the soldiers have returned from battle. Other parts of the letter reference church services and winter weather.

Content Description The Randolph Family Papers contains correspondence and financial documents relating to Isham Randolph (1771-1844), first cousin of Thomas Jefferson, David Coupland Randolph (1804-1886), son of Isham Randolph, Isham Randolph Page (1834-1923), nephew of Isham Randolph and Judith Randolph Swann (Circa 1815-1870), sister of Isham Randolph. Materials document daily financial activities such as the hiring and buying of enslaved people, and Isham Randolph's role as an officer at the James River...

Content Description

A single four page letter from Sergeant John R. Guthrie remarking upon the food, pay, and medical conditions with Camp Heintzelman's Corps. Written on letter sheet with a stamp featuring General McClellan. (Derogatory language directed towards the enslaved.)