Browse the complete collection of historical letters, memos, and telegrams.
17,141 lettersALEXANDRIA, VA. ALEXANDRIA, VA., April 24, 1861. General LEE, Commander-in-Chief : I can destroy the light-boats and remove the buoys, through the pilots, without military force. Shall I do it?…
Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va., April 24, 1861. General P. St. GEORGE COCKE: GENERAL: Your dispatch of the 24th is at hand. I rejoice that you so fully recognize the proper…
GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, April 22, 1861. Nowa } Fredericksburg, Va., April 22, 1861. By the authority of the governor of the State of Virginia I assume command of the volunteers…
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, April 22, 1861. : Harper’s Ferry, Va., April 22, 1861. [Governor LETCHER: DEAR GOVERNOR: I have endeavored to keep you advised of my action here. Two official communications…
ALEXANDRIA, VA. ALEXANDRIA, VA., April 22, 1861. Col. R. E. LEE, Richmond Va.: We are the bearers of a letter to you from General Steuart, of Maryland, and we regret,…
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, Harper’s Ferry, Va., April 21, 1861. General Wu. H. RICHARDSON, Adjutant-General: DEAR SiR: My present force here is about two thousand. I have endeavored to-day to get up…
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, Fort McHenry, July 31, 1861. Sir: Mr. John T. Sangston, of Caroline County, is desirous that a company of Union men in that county, who have…
Washington Washington, July 29, 1861. Str: In conformity with your request, I transmit an informal statement of the present condition of the artillery south of the Potomac. Fort Corcoran, above…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, July 29, 1861. Brigadier-General RosEcRANS, Clarksburg, Va.: Leave Cox on the Kanawha for the present if he will consent to stay. Portify the Gauley as…
Wak DEPARTMENT Wak DEPARTMENT, July 27, 1861. Sm: Your letter of the 24th instant, proposing to arm a home guard of 850 picked men in Baltimore, has been received and…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, July 27, 1861. Major-General Banks, U. S. A., Harper’s Ferry, Va.: I have ordered Captain Newton back to you. I do not ask that you…
Washington Washington, July 25, 1861. General Dix, Commanding, &e., Baltimore : Of the four and a half regiments long-term volunteers, which will be up at Baltimore Friday night, retain two…
HEADQUARTERS ARMY HEADQUARTERS ARMY, July 25, 1861. General MCDOWELL, U.S. A., Arlington : General Scott says he hears some of your regiments are too far advanced, particularly between Little River…
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861. Gen. B. F. BuTLER, Commanding U. S. Forces, Fort Monroe, Va. : GENERAL: The following telegram has just been received at…
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861. ; Sir: I received your confidential dispatch last evening, with the let___ ter inclosed, concerning the ‘”‘ Winans arms.”* Major-General Banks…
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861—9 p.m.. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Ariny: COLONEL: I annex a list of fhe regiments whose term…
GRAFTON GRAFTON, July 24, 1861. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General : Cheat River region is stripped of troops except one regiment. One, diverted from Huttonsville, went to Oakland last…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, July 23, 1861. Brigadier-General MCDOWELL, Commanding, &c., Arlington, Va: Col. E. D, Keyes sends word he is at Ohio camps with the well part of…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, July 23, 1861. Brigadier-General MCDOWELL, Arlington : The General-in-Chief directs that you have a suitable escort at the Georgetown Ferry at one o’clock to-day to…
et HeEapguagrers Army et HeEapguagrers Army, July 22, 1861. General McDowEL1, U. S. A., Arlington: General Scott says it is eke intended you should reduce your com ea Ri mand…