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...
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...
This nine-page letter written from Arthur H. Harris in Monroe, Louisiana, to his brother George Carroll Harris in Nashville is a conscious political treatise. The author is advocating and justifiying the secession of Louisiana at the upcoming...
Letter from Joseph Gerald Branch in Davis Lake Plantation, Arkansas, to his wife Mary in Maury County, Tennessee. He writes that he has not heard from his wife or children since August. He desires to know whether Mary has received the $15,000 in...
Letter from Joseph Gerald Branch in Davis Lake Plantation, Arkansas, to his wife, Mary, in Maury County, Tennessee. He is concerned that his letters are not reaching her, and he observes, "What is property or anything else compared to one's...
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.
Letter from Jane Smith Washington of Springfield, Tennessee, to her son, William L. Washington in Toronto, Canada, describing a confrontation with Federal troops. Mrs. Washington describes an extremely violent confrontation with Federal troops. In...
J. S. Burrow writes his brother from Chester County detailing his financial problems, his inability to collect money until cotton comes to market, his desire to move from Jacks Creek for better money-making opportunities, and his fear that he will...
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...
Two-page letter to his son George Carroll Harris of Nashville, Elisha W. Harris writes from his plantation Waco Place in Louisiana of attending a local political meeting. He details the zest the crowd displays for politics and the presidential...
William Strickland's watercolor sketch of the Sepulchre or Tomb of Caecilia Metella. The sketch shows part of the Appian Way. Strickland gives a short description of the tomb.
This map illustrates the railroad routes of the United States and Canada that were in operation and in progress circa 1864. State boundaries and state capitals are shown. An inset in the lower right corner features the area covered by Pacific...
A group of five African-American girls are gathered together near a wooden fence and wooden house. Several of the girls are smiling. A white woman in a long dress can be seen in the background walking the other way.
Two-page letter from J. W. Maybin of Vicksburg, Mississippi, to John S. Brien. The letter requests legal advice from John S. Brien, "one of the first legal minds in the United States," regarding his legal options after having seen much of his...
Letter from Thomas Crutchfield Jr. to James R. Hood. Crutchfield makes an effort to prove his loyalty to the Union by recounting his opposition to secession, his informing the Federals of troop movements, his supplying of the Union army with...
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...
Correspondence; Fathers; Children; Families; Mothers; Civil Wars; War
Correspondence from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband, Samiel R. Latta. In this four-page letter, she expresses concern for the safety of her husband. She states that she is "beginning to feel the terrible realities of war in earnest now."
Four-page letter from Beck Wallace to her cousin, Samuel R. Latta, of the 13th Tennessee Infantry, conveys her sorrow at his leaving home to fight for the Confederacy. She is deeply concerned for his wife and children. Beck, a teacher in Fayette...
Letter from G. G. Rutledge to his father G. R. Rutledge concerning a sermon by Dr. Pitts; joining a company in Greene County as a Lieutenant; the quality of volunteers for the army; purchasing new clothing; and buying flour.
