A form issued by the Confederate Secretary of War promoting W. W. Ferguson to Second Lieutenant of the Corps Engineers. The document is signed by Judah P. Benjamin, whom Jefferson Davis would appoint Confederate Secretary of State the following...
A promotional calendar for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Each calendar month has a colorful drawing of a Centennial building by J.A. Hagstrom, as well as a corresponding quote in the lower right corner.
A three-page narrative describing how Thomas Green Ryman bought his first boat with $3,000 sewn into the lining of his coat. The story describes the number of times the steamer "Alpha" ran aground or sank, claiming the boat sank 13 times, always...
Carte de visite of David Preston Sherfy. Sherfy, using the alias George W. Garber, enlisted in Co. H, 1st Ill. Cav. Regt. at Cairo, Ill., on July 17, 1861. He was promoted to full corporal and mustered out on July 5, 1862. He enlisted in Co. C,...
Certificate of pension (No. 713,317) for Emmaline Jackson, widow of Pvt. William Jackson, Co. B, 1st Tenn. Cav. Regt., USA. Mrs. Jackson was awarded a pension in the amount of $12 per month.
Charles Littrell's application for a Confederate Pension. He provides proof of his service in the Confederate Army in the Civil War as a servant to his then-owner, Jim Littrell, who served under Lieutenant Harden, Captain Cox, and Colonel Jack...
Circular tin containing brass pistol caps that belonged to David Preston Sherfy. Sherfy, using the alias George W. Garber, enlisted in Co. H, 1st Ill. Cav. Regt. at Cairo, Ill. on July 17, 1861. He was promoted to full corporal and mustered out on...
Communication from the Inspector's Office in Richmond, Virginia, on furnishing a tablular statement of the operations of an office, December 27, 1864. An example of form to be submitted each month is hand-drawn at the bottom of the letter.
Correspondence; Children; Families; Civil Wars; War
Correspondence from John G. Latta to his brother, Samuel R. Latta. The four-page letter mentions John G. Latta's intention to move home to Tennessee. It also mentions that Southern sympathizers are being targeted in New England.
Correspondence; Mothers; Children; Families; Civil Wars; War
Correspondence from John G. Latta to his mother, Lucinda (Gilchrist). Letter is from her son in Boston and is dated August 17, 1861. He states that his family will leave Boston for Tennessee on September 3. He is very anxious to get home. He...
Document lists prices to be paid by Confederate armies when buying or impressing goods such as wheat, flour, corn, bacon, beef, sugar, candles, soap, and many others. It includes the 5-year average for prices of goods preceding the war, the...
Double-sided, handwritten, one-page document lists those prisoners being held by Federal authorities. Those incarcerated include citizens, soldiers who have committed disciplinary infractions, and soldiers being held for possible court-martial.
Excerpts from a diary, 1834-1865, and memoir of early life, written by Jesse Cox (1793-1879), a Primitive Baptist minister and resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. He describes the hardships of life as an itinerant preacher, some religious...
Excerpts from a small handwritten diary written by Nannie Haskins, a young girl of Clarksville, Tennessee. Provides an insight into the day to day activities of an observant young girl. Haskins was strongly in support of the Confederacy and loathed...
Excerpts from the diary of William Luther Bigelow Lawrence. He details joining the Nashville Guards, the scarcity of provisions, and the surrender of Nashville. He proclaims the trampling of private rights by Federal soldiers, the fleeing of his...
Civil Wars; War; Slaves; Agriculture; Political issues; Cities & towns
Excerpts from the Robert H. Cartmell Diaries. They contain full commentaries on the nature of his farm operation, the weather, and the fluctuations of the cotton market. They contain thoughtful comments on politics and candidates for office and...
General order No. 73 from Major General Rousseau sentencing Alfred Fowler of Sumner County to three years hard labor in the penitentiary in Nashville for the crime of "being a bushwhacker" with the Lay & Harper Gang, shooting at Federal Soldiers,...
Letter from Arthur H. Harris to his brother George Carroll Harris in Nashville. He writes of the pervading excitement that has surrounded the 1860 presidential election in his area. Though he is glad the contest is over, he acknowledges the death...