Original Civil War-Era Documents
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These are definitely one-of-a-kind items! One of these would make a wonderful and unique gift for someone who's seeking Civil War autographs & ephemera, memorabilia related to a particular family name, to Civil War veterans, or who is interested in the contribution of their county and/or state to the war effort.
Some items will be the more familiar names, but others will be less common. Prices can vary widely, from the "investment" range to the surprisingly affordable. Not bad for a genuine piece of history!
This section will be added to and updated regularly, so bookmark this page and stop by again!
For the time being, items are listed in the order that they are added to this page.
New! Original Circa 1860s Handwritten Manuscript Letter By a Union Soldier to His Father Revealing His Most Recent Civil Wars Encounters and Experiences
From the seller: "Very Good. Manuscript. 16mo-over 5¾"-6¾" tall. CIVIL WAR-VIRGINIA holograph; Letter written by Union solider from New Market, VA., 4 pages, unsigned so possibly incomplete but interesting content. To his father; "...I said I did not know whether I should ride my horse or get sent through by rail as far as Winchester / I saddled my horse and rode out about two miles / went to captain to see if I would be sent my rail-he said no because bridge was gone / railroad bridge at the ferry across the Potomac was washed away by heavy rain / must ride my horse or stay behind / packed my duds & mounted my horse in a drizling rain / passed through Charlestown where John Brown was tried and hung 8 miles from the Ferry & stopped about 4 miles from Berryville / took quarters in old deserted tavern with Marve / started for Woodstock where regiment was / orders-no women companions / took off my overcoat and rolled it and strapped my saber and pitol, haversack & canteen to saddle, this lightened my load / we did not pass near enough to the field of battle this side of Winchester to get sight of it though I saw where the skirmishing commenced on the road & our men drove them back onto the hill about a mile and a half before they made a stand behind the stone wall / some trees by the road were all picked up by rebel bullets and they probably sheltered some of our men and an old house was burnet down by a shell from our guns that sheltered them. " Very good descriptive letter."New! Original Manuscript Civil War Diaries for 1863 and 1864 with Pocket Bible
From the seller: "Wheaton RACE from Brocton, Chautauqua County, NY enlisted at 19 years old 8/11/62 and was mustered out 6/8/65. The 1863 pocket diary (2' x #.3") closely written in ink begins with the landing by boat up the Mississippi in Louisiana and describes the author's experiences during conflicts and skirmishes at Bisland, Port Hudson and Brashear City. The 1864 pocket diary (3" x 5.5") closely written in ink describes action at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill;, LA. In July, the 114th received orders to march toward Washington where it subsequently saw heavy action at Winchester where Race describes the action. Race remained in a defensive position during the following battle at Cedar Creek. The Pocket Bible (Oxford-1851) is inscribed by Race "Found March 17, 1864 while on a march up the Teche". Two manuscript diaries and associated Bible from the western front."Manuscript Soldiers Discharge, 21 Nov, 1862
From the seller: "Signed by Col. J. V. JORDAN and approved and signed by Col. H. M. SHAW. Document on blue paper measuring 6" x 7 1/2". Mounted in a double-sided black and gold frame. Some minor crease-wear and a few pinholes not affecting text, else a bright, handsomely displayed document. Document reads as follows: "Soldiers Discharge/ Know ye that John F. RITCH a private in Capt Jos. WHITTY's Company {K} 31st Regiment N.C. Troops aged sixteen is hereby honorably discharged from the C. S. Army by reason of an Act passed exempting all persons under eighteen years of age. The said John F. RITCH was born in Craven Co. State of North Co. five feet three inches high, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation when enlisted a farmer. Given at Camp Martin Thur. 21st day Nov. 1862. J. V. JORDAN Col. 31st Regiment N. C. T." Also signed as follows: "Approved H. M SHAW Col. Comd. Brig." Written on top of the text from top to bottom is a statement of discharge pay that reads as follows: "Paid by Major McGUIRE to 31st Nov. 1862 date of discharge $132." Docketed on the verso as follows: "Examined and approved By Order Brig. Gen. RANSOM. T. ROWLAND, A. A. G." RANSOM, a brigade commander from Warren County, NC, who served with his North Carolina troops under LONGSTREET, died and was buried in New Bern in 1892. John V. JORDAN, from Craven County, was wounded near Petersburg in 1864. He died in 1895 and was buried in New Bern. Henry Marchmore SHAW, originally from Newport, RI, was a physician in Camden and Currituck counties before becoming a Col. in the 8th NC. He was killed in action near New Bern in 1864."4"x6" Broadside: Head Quarters District of Homochitto, Extract, Special Orders No. 1
From the seller: "Broadside measuring 4 X 6". Some foxing, else fine. Only printing. Unrecorded. In part: "The Brigadier General Commanding having been invested by Gov. Clark with authority to take command of all men in Mississippi liable to military duty south of Jefferson and Copiah counties, and west of Pearl River, such persons are hereby ordered to report for duty at once. Failing to respond to this call will be severely punished." We find no record of the District of Homochitto, and it is interesting to note that Clinton, LA, where this order was printed, was re-occupied by Confederate forces on the day this broadside order was printed. Federal forces captured Clinton again a week later. During this period Union forces had mounted a major expedition from Natchez to the Homochitto River. As the order indicates, men were in short supply. The broadside is crudely printed on a field press and is undoubtedly one of the few Confederate imprints issued from Clinton, Louisiana, and also one of a very few issued in the Confederate military district of Homochitto. "1864 Handwritten Manuscript Civil War Era Diary of [James SHERBURN] Pioneer New Hampshire Man
From the seller: "Very Good. Manuscript. 64mo-up to 3" tall. James M. SHERBURN's name when googled immediately brings up a site regarding the "James SHERBURNE Cemetery, where besides others, is buried the wife of James M. SHERBURN, James himself and as the following list shows many if not all their children: Capt. James M. Sherburne DIED Nov. 10, 1867 age 56 ys. 11 ms. Betsey C. (Blake), wife of James M. Sherburn, DIED April 20, 1854 ae 41 y rs 6 mo & 20 d s. Adele, Dau. of Capt. James M. & Betsey C. Sherburne DIED Apr. 9, 1869 ae 19 yrs. 22 dys. Charles H., son of Capt. James M. & Betsey C. SHERBURN, DIED Sept. 14, 1855 ae 9 y rs 9 mo. & 9 d s. Emeline P., dau. of Capt. James M. & Betsey C. Sherburn DIED Feb. 20, 1853 ae 8 y rs 9 m0. & 10 d s. Mary E. dau. of Capt. James M. & Betsey C. SHERBURN DIED July 16, 1853 ae 1 y r 3 mo. & 23 d s. Charles H., son of Capt. James M. & Betsey C. SHERBURN, DIED Aug. 9, 1854 ae 4 mo s. Charles H., son of James M. & Lucy C. d 1861 ae 1 mo. (not found). This information is not mine and as such we cannot 100% gurantee that it is the same due to the slight discrepancy in spelling with the "e" present at times and missing at others. All that stated this diary is a journeyman's trade diary more than anything Else. James seldom writes of personal matters though he does mention having Christmas "up Mother SHERBURN to diner...supper boiled Mother BICKFORD. " Other observations include people falling down wells and breaking arms type thing but more so this is a super economic detailing of 1864 New Hampshire. Prices of items, costs of work, 100s of names of people worked for and on and with. James was involved in many pursuits; lumber, butchering, hauling, milling, plowing, picking apples, curing and salting, making cider+++. This diary also includes James' weather observations nearly every single day."Handwritten Manuscript Autograph Signature of C. K. STRIBLING, Civil War Naval Officer Born in Pendleton, South Carolina
1881 + 1883 + 1890 Handwritten Manuscript Journals - Diaries of P. H. GRISHAM, Civil War Veteran, Genealogist of Washington, D. C., Alexandria Virginia, Arkansas and Tennessee
From the seller: "Fine. 64mo-up to 3" tall. Signed. Autograph Autograph signature, clipped and mounted of C. K. STRIBLING- naval officer, born in Pendleton, South Carolina, 22 September, 1796; died in Martinsburg, West Virginia, 17 January, 1880. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 18 June, 1812, and served in the frigate "Mohawk" on Lake Ontario in 1815, where he participated in the blockade of Kingston. He was commissioned lieutenant, 1 April, 1818. cruised on the Brazil station in 1819-20, and then in the West Indies suppressing piracy. He commanded the sloop " Peacock" in the East Indies in 1835-37, and was on leave for two years after his return. He was commissioned commander, 24 January, 1840, and in 1842-44 had the sloop "Cyane" and frigate " United States" successively on the Pacific station. For the next two years he had command of the receiving-ship at Norfolk, and he then went out as fleet-captain in command of the ship-of-the-line " Ohio, " of the Pacific squadron, during the latter part of the Mexican war, returning to New York in April, 1850. He was superintendent of the naval academy at Annapolis in 1850-'3, was commissioned captain, 1 August, 1853, and commanded the steam sloop " San Jacinto" on special service in 1854-55. He was commandant of the Pensacola navy-yard 1857-59, and served as flag-officer in command of the East India squadron in 1859-61. When the civil war opened he returned home, and, notwithstanding the secession of his native state, adhered to the Union. He served on the board to regulate the compensation of government officers in 1861, and on the light-house board in 1862. By operation of law he was placed on the retired list in December, 1861, but he continued to render valuable service in command of the navy-yard at Philadelphia in 1862-64, and from February till July, 1865, as commander-in-chief of the Eastern Gulf blockading squadron; after which he was a member of the light-house board until 1872. He was commissioned commodore on the retired list, 16 July, 1862, and rear-admiral, 25..."
From the Seller: "Good+ Manuscript. 32mo-over 4"-5" tall. Three curious diaries/logs/journals of Peter H. GRISHAM [mustered out a Corporal of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. ] Peter tends to write front to back and then change back to front in these 'pocketbook' type journal. Peter meanders making observations, jotting memories, detailing genealogical histories; Mrs. Mary BLEVINS, his sister, some famed people he knew through his father and notes the history of the family's steel works is in the snippets to follow. "July 10th, 1883. My duties have been arduous + have neglected to keep up any diary, regularly. I went to Arkansas-last May was a year-via Baltimore, Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Chicago, St. Louis by RRs and by Steamer too Memphis + by RR to Little Rock + Geary [? ] Ark. to my sister, Mrs. Mary BLEVINS near Pangburn, White Co. Ark? " "July 22nd, 1883-Wrote letter to J. Lundy BROTHERTON, Phila., in reply to his in regard to Benj LUNDY and Elihu and Elijah EMBREE who printed + published the 1st Emancipation newspaper in the US States some 50 years ago....took me to clerk at his great ironworks in 1838....I stayed at his house as a clerk near six years and was present when he died. " "About six years ago Bridget (an Irish girl that sews for them) that G. EATON, was paymaster general under Genl SCOTT killed himself before this: he ran away with the granddght. of his 1st wife. Col. CLARK...knows of it. " July 29th, 1883, Alexandria Va. This ancient city is still inhabited by many of the old Virginia Aristocracy who own the best of the property. The city was mostly of the tory sort I believe in the days of Washington-who attended Church here in the same building I did today....That it sympathized with England and the King may be inferred from the names of the streets-King St., Queen St., Prince.....It was also a strong rebel city during the late war sending about a thousand soldiers into the rebel army under Genl R. E. LEE who lived a few miles above opposite the city of Washington. The pocketbook has a page or two missing, one hinge is loose is written in pencil, blue crayon and pen. A number of pages are financial - stock holdings, monies loaned and repaid. Some more legible than others especially the log parts where he has crossed out information that was no longer relevant. 50+pp. Diary for 1881, also a pocketbook style tells the long tale of the death of Catherine M. MELVILLE and other historically relevant events for Washington City, DC as he writes. 20+pp.Diary for 1890 is for the most part very much like the others."Civil War-era Letter to South Carolina Soldier
From the seller: "Hand-penned letter from George BROWN & his wife to son Abba, dated October 16th, (18)64, Williamston. Written on 8 x 10 off-white stock and folded three times (no envelope). "My Dear Child/It has now been three weeks since we have heard a word from you/I have written every few days but still get no answer, but I know that the fault is not in you, for I know that you have written but we never get those letters. " Text occupies both full sides, with the mother imploring the son to try to retrieve a winter coat she has for him. Second half of rear has father apologizing for not sending him more money, and "I have visited Wit's place on Snake River/there is plenty of land for all our hands to work..." Item is in very good shape, with a crescent-shaped burn mark lower half of left margin."Autograph Letter Signed, By F. W. M. HOLLIDAY, Confederate Colonel, Member of the Confederate Congress, and Post-war Governor of Virginia
From the seller: "Description: 2 pp. ALS, dated august 15, 1887, to Ben. W. AUSTIN, Secretary of the Trinity Historical Society, expressing appreciation for having been named an honorary member of the Society. HOLLIDAY served during the Civil War as colonel of the Thirty-third Virginia Infantry in the Stonewall Brigade (until the loss of an arm at Cedar Mountain), was elected to Confederate Congress (where "[h]e generally supported the DAVIS administration and took an interest in the employment of disabled soldiers like himself. He struggled to keep the Confederate cause alive to the end. As late as March 18, 1865, he proposed a resolution urging Congress to redouble its energy 'to the maintenance of our great cause and to the prosecution of the war to a successful issue.'"); and later, was elected governor of Virginia. See, Encyclopedia of the Confederacy, 2:782-83."ALS Letter from John W. HINKLE
From the seller: "Description: 2 page original manuscript letter written in ink (one leaf, 4.5 inches by 7.5 inches, written on both sides), dated June 3, 1862 from Corinth, Mississippi. Addressed to wife, Adeline HINKLE. Good content, much on recent engagement with Rebels, amputation of friend's arm, burning of the town, etc. Very legible."Sold!
Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) from CATON & BOWDRU to Mr. S. F. DICKINSON at Gordon Springs, Georgia...re Debt of Col. G. W. GORDONFrom the seller: "Description: Gordon Springs, Georgia not published 27 June 1855. Legibly written in sepia ink on pale blue laid paper. 10.5" x 8.25" one leaf The writers acknowledge a $400 payment from Dickinson, and ask him to try to collect an overdue amount from Col. G. W. GORDON. Boatner's Civil War Dictionary lists a George Washington GORDON (1836-1911) who rose through the ranks from Captain to General in the C.S.A. Gordon County lies in the northwest corner of Georgia."
Sold!
Autographed Letter Signed (ALS), Linesville, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1862 Elisabeth E. PATTERSON to Clara TOMPKINSFrom the seller: "Description: VG+, very slight edge stains condition. Other binding. Original Civil War era letter handwritten & signed in ink to an estranged female friend or relative. She writes that her husband is in army in Baltimore with the 111th Pennsylvania Regiment under Captain THOMAS at Camp McKim. Author writes that she is lonesome in Linesville [near Meadville, PA], a "very nice town or burg" with her 2 children (girl named Mary Jane aged 4 & boy named Henry Harrison aged 3). "I think he is the prettyest boy in Crawford County." She inquires if Clara is married with children, & writes that she will "get my likeness taken and send it to you." She writes, "I expect Uncle James has forgoten me. I have not riten to him every since I lived in Kansas." She mentions other male relatives or friends in Nashville, Washington, & yet another (James) who is "sick in the barricks. he has been in three battles. he sais it is not much fun. he has been in the army eight months. and they have not got but one months pay yet." She continues about women friends or relatives. "Jane is going to be maried before long. She is keping company with a young man by the name of Benjamin Franklin OATS." This letter is filled with feelings & mispellings, as evidenced above. We don't often encounter Civil War manuscript material such as this letter. Would be a good addition to a collection of Civil War letters by women. Measures 9.5 x 8.75" on lined paper with watermark. It is folded in half, then thirds."