Lincolniana Original Manuscript Collection

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"Fulton's Prayer," ca. 1863

This prayer/poem is handwritten on lined paper and is a play on the Lord's prayer praying to Abraham Lincoln during the war.
Letter, A Mother to Her Son, Henry, 1863

This handwritten and undated letter is written to a Union soldier, Henry from his mother as a response to Henry's letter to her on January 31, 1863. the letter expresses thankfulness to hear that he is safe an updates him on family affairs.
Letter, William G. Hodges to Gideon Welles with Endorsements, October 1863

William G. Hodges

This handwritten letter, dated October 1863, is written from William G. Hodges to Gideon Welles as an application for the position of Paymaster in the U. S. Navy and includes Hodges experience and goals. Endorsements by S. H. Montgomery, William McKim, T. D. Sloan and Oaks Ames are included on the last page.
Letter, Mary Todd Lincoln to C. W. Thomas, August 7, ca. 1860s

Mary Todd Lincoln

This handwritten letter, dated August 7, is written from Mary Todd Lincoln to C. W. Thomas endorsing Captain Stackpole and his boat services.
Letter, Richard Yates to Abraham Lincoln, re: John Tillson promotion, December 7, 1862

Richard Yates

This handwritten letter, dated December 17, 1862, is written from Richard Yates to Abraham Lincoln endorsing Colonel John Tillson for promotion to Brigadier.
Orders from William Emile Doster to James Brannin For the Retrieval of Bodies With Brannin's Response, November 10, 1862

William Emile Doster

This handwritten set of documents, dated November 10 and 11, 1862, are the orders for Lieutenant James M. Brannin from William E. Doster to report to the city jail to retrieve the bodies of Sandy and Rachel Sutherland and Brannin's report on the status of the orders as he carried them out. The orders were to take them peaceably if possible but by force if necessary and Brannin reported that the orders were carried out under the protest of the persons in command of the city jail. Doster's orders are written on Headquarters Provost Marshal's office letterhead.
Letter, N. Bateman to John G. Nicolay, Signed by Abraham Lincoln, November 7, 1862

This handwritten letter, dated November 7, 1862, is written from N. Bateman to John G. Nicolay as an application for the appointment of Paymaster in the Army. A handwritten endorsement by Abraham Lincoln is on the back of the letter on the out edge of the fold. The letter is written on Department of Public Instruction letterhead.
Letter, Abraham Lincoln to Unknown, re: Thomas Smith, Fifth Auditor of Treasury, October 8, 1862

This handwritten letter, dated October 8, 1862, is written from Abraham Lincoln to an unidentified recipient, informing the appointment of Thomas M. Smith as Fifth Auditor of the Treasury in the absence of John C. Underwood. The letter is signed by Abraham Lincoln.
General Orders No. 139, Fourth Preliminary Edition of the Emancipation Proclamation, September 24, 1862

This publication of the Emancipation Proclamation, put forth by President Abraham Lincoln was published through War Department on September 24, 1862. The proclamation ensures that all persons held as slaves with any state shall be forever free.
Letter, Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton and David Hunter, September 23, 1862

This handwritten letter, dated September 23, 1862, is written from Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton and David Hunter requesting the appointment of Richard Skinner in the regular army to go on General Hunter's staff. A response from General Hunter is written in light brown ink on the back and appears on the left side of the scan. The original letter is written on "Executive Mansion" letterhead.
Letter, Salmon P. Chase to Elliot C. Cowden, September 2, 1862

Salmon P. Chase

This handwritten letter, dated September 8, 1862, is from Salmon P. Chase to Elliot C. Cowden as a response to Cowden's letter to Chase on September 2. Chase informs Cowden that Mr. John Mack's appointment was made by the President on the recommendation of "some of the best the citizens of New York" and is not under the purview of the Secretary of the Treasury. Chase goes on to encourage that perhaps experience will "prove the selection not so injudicious as you think it now." A Treasury Department envelope postmarked Washington, D. C. Sep. 9, 1862 and addressed to Elliot C. Cowdin, Esq. in New York is included with the letter.
Letter, Elliot C. Cowden to Salmon P. Chase, September 2, 1862

Elliot C. Cowden

This handwritten letter, dated September 2, 1862, is written from Elliot C. Cowden to Salmon P. Chase discussing the incompetence of the newly elected U. S. Collector for the 4th District of New York, John Mack, and requests Chase to investigate a possible removal. The letter is written on Elliot C. Cowdin and Co. letterhead.
Letter, Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton, May 23, 1862

This handwritten letter, dated May 23, 1862, is written from Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton as a thanks on behalf of the two men to the Misses Clarke and family for "the beautiful flowers and more for the sentiments they feel authorized to infer and held by them. The letter is written from Gen. McDowell's Headquarters and signed by both Lincoln and Stanton. A ripped envelope with information on the authors of the letter penciled in. The back of the envelope has a lot of numbers written in pencil.
Letter, Edwin M. Stanton to General George B. McClellan, May 17, 1862

Edwin M. Stanton

This handwritten letter, dated May 17, 1862, is written from Edwin M. Stanton to General George B. McClellan informing him that the president has denied his request to send more troops for reinforcements and had instead ordered General McDowell to march upon the city by the shortest route. Stanton further informs that McClellan is to communicate and cooperate with McDowell and to work to prevent the enemy from overtaking McDowell's army in an attempt to protect the Capitol. The letter is written on War Department letterhead. Some notes at the top have been struck through.
Letter, G. T. Beauregard to Soldiers of Shiloh and of Elkhorn, May 2, 1862

G.T. Beauregard

This typed letter, dated May 2, 1862, is a form letter written from G. T. Beauregard to Soldiers of Shiloh and of Elkhorn encouraging them in the face of the impending battle at Corinth, Mississippi. The letter is includes an illegible signature at the bottom left of the page. The letter is printed on blue "Headquarters of the Foxes" stationary.
Newspaper Clipping, News On the Civil War, Undated

This set of newspaper clippings includes news from Washington concerning the United States Civil War, The Democratic Convention in Wisconsin, various steamer arrivals and departures, the market, and an essay on "Who started the War." The name and year of the newspaper is not included.
Song Lyric Sheet , "We're Marching Along," ca. 1862

This song lyric sheet of "We're marching Along" features the image of men in uniform, marching with a variety of flags. An advertisement for J. H. Johnson's Card and Job Printing Office" is at the bottom of the page.
Letter, Owen Lovejoy to Unknown, July 1, 1862

Owen Lovejoy

This handwritten letter, dated July 1, 1862, to Owen Lovejoy to an unknown recipient letting the person know that Lovejoy has submitted the person's request to the president and thinks the president is in favor of it but made no commitments.
Letter, William Sprague to Unknown, December 24, 1861

William Sprague

This handwritten letter, dated December 24, 1861, is written from William Sprague to an unidentifiable recipient requesting an order to be issued appointing Charles F. Mason to Lieutenant of the 3rd Position, Battery H and informs where Mason is to report for duty. The letter is written on State of Rhode Island, Headquarters of the Commander in Chief of the Rhode Island Militia letterhead and includes a circular illustration of a shield with an anchor and the word "hope" on it in the upper left corner of the paper.
Letter, Lyman Trumbull to J. S. Trumbull, November 7, 1861

Lyman Trumball

This handwritten letter, dated November 7, 1861, is written from Lyman Trumbull to J. S. Trumbull addressing some of his expenses and requests certain payments be made on his behalf.
Letter, Mary Todd Lincoln to Thomas A. Scott, October 3, 1861

Mary Todd Lincoln

This handwritten letter, date October 3, 1861, is written from Mary Todd Lincoln to Thomas A. Scott on behalf of her friend who wants to sell the government his heard of 500 to 1000 Kentucky horses.
Letter, Ambrose E. Burnside to J. Frank Howe, August 21, 1861

Ambrose E. Burnside

This handwritten letter, dated August 21, 1861, is written from Ambrose E. Burnside to J. Frank Howe as a reply to Howe's request for an autograph and informs Howe that he would take great pleasure in writing a full account of the Battle of Bull's Run. The letter is written on State of Rhode Island Quarter-Master General's Office letterhead.
Letter, William Dennison to Peter John Sullivan, August 8, 1861

William Dennison

This handwritten letter, dated August 8, 1861, is written by William Dennison to Peter John Sullivan and is largely illegible. The letter is written on The State of Ohio, Executive Department letterhead.
Letter, Edward Everett to Unknown, July 1, 1861

Edward Everett

This handwritten letter, dated July 1, 1861, is written from Edward Everett to the chairman of the military committee, Henry Wilson, at the request of a friend of Col. Emory concerning Col. Emory's confirmation. Everett offers his endorsement by way of listing many of Col. Emory's positive attributes he's witnessed.
Document, Opinion of the Attorney General, Edward Bates, in the Case of the Claim of Edward & William Stubbs, April 29, 1861

This handwritten document, dated April 29, 1861 and addressed to the President, is the findings and opinion of the Attorney General, Edward Bates, on whether or not the government has solid motive to make a claim against Edward & William Stubbs on grounds that money was mishandled within the scope of their jobs as disbursing clerks. The document details the that the two men, father and son, both withheld or claimed commissions that they were not entitled to and the Attorney General finds that the Secretary of State should transmit the papers to the Attorney for the District where the two men are located with directions to bring suit against them for repaying the money . There are stains, creases, and small tears throughout the document.