Category: Letters & Transcripts

Letter from SC Commissioners to President Buchanan Asking Him to Withdraw Federal Troops from Charleston Harbor, 28 December 1860

[Letter of the commissioners to the President] Washington, 28th December, 1860. Sir: We have the honor to transmit to you a copy of the full powers from the Convention of the People of the South Carolina, under which we are “authorized and empowered to treat with the Government of the United States for the delivery…

Letter from A.G. Magrath to J.W. Hayne regarding Fort Sumter, 12 January 1861

State of South Carolina Executive Office, State Department Charleston, 12 January 1861 Sir, The Governor has considered it proper in view of the grave questions which now affect the State of South Carolina and the United States, to make a demand upon the President of the United States for the delivery to the State…

R. E. Harris, a Union solder, to his mother, April 23, 1865

On board Government Transport Potomac River April 23th 1865 Dear Mother My situation as I write is rather a pleasant one. We are sailing down the Potomac river from Washington intending to land at Chaplain Point about 60 miles from Washington on the Maryland side. We are in search of J. Wilkes Booth the Murderer…

U.S Navy regarding the seizure of the C.S.S. Beauford by the U.S.S. Maumee

U.S.S. Maumee Richmond, April 24, 1865 SIR: In regard to theletter of James C. Slaught, captain and assistant quartermaster, referred to you by Major-General ORd, I have respectfully to state that I took possession of the Confederate naval steamer Beaufort by the order of Rear-Admiral Porter, and under an order of Marjor General Weitzel, at that…

Robert D. Graham to Susanna Sarah Washington

Dear Mother Hearing of a chance opportunity to send a letter to N.C. I drop you a line I hope Jimmie who I left in good health at Appomattox left on the 13th instant had reached home before this and informed up that John and myself are also doing well. I have about recovered the…