Manuscripts

G. T. Beauregard order and letters

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Description: Includes original order to fire upon Fort Sumter.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1861-1881.
Call number: mssHM 25134-25139
Creator: Beauregard, G. T (1818-1893)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from William K. Bixby, 1918.
Restrictions: Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.
Rights: The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard letter to Senator John Slidell

Manuscripts

Contemporary copy of a letter sent from G.T. Beauregard of the Engineering Corps to Louisiana senator (and Beauregard's future brother-in-law) John Slidell. In the letter Beauregard outlines what he believes to be strategic mistakes in General Scott's planned assault on Utah Mormons with a corps from California. Beauregard analyzes the proposed military strategy at length, as well as offering his suggestions with a variety of historical examples. Later segments of the letter thoroughly express Beauregard's outrage with what he perceives as the economic and political favors granted to the Northern states at the expense of the South. He closes with recommendations for future officer positions under a possible Army expansion, and specifically mentions G.W. Smith, George B. McClellan, and J.K. Duncan. Beauregard writes that he himself would like to be appointed colonel of a regiment, preferably the Zouaves.

mssHM 24506

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G. Nelson Allen letters

Manuscripts

These 12 letters, all written to Allen's daughter Emma Merrit, are handwritten copies of the original letters (location of originals is unknown). The majority of the letters are actually written by both G. Nelson Allen and Elizabeth Allen. In the letters they discuss their lives in Ohio and Wisconsin as well as their decision to go to Colorado to try their luck there. While on the journey to Colorado, G. Nelson and Elizabeth discuss the trail, its conditions, the weather and landscape, the other emigrants they pass, the loss of their dog Beppie, and the Native Americans with whom they interact, more specifically the Pawnee. The letters are written from Fort Des Moines, Cass County and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Fort Kearny, Nebraska. In the letter dated 1887, Elizabeth Allen reminiscences about their trip across the plains. In one letter (1858), G. Nelson reminiscences about living on the Gila River, near Tucson, Arizona and Fort Yuma. Included are transcripts of the letters.

mssHM 74421-74432

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Isaac Swain letters to James Fowler Simmons

Manuscripts

Swain, who lived in San Francisco, wrote these letters to Rhode Island Senator James Fowler Simmons. In the letters Swain discusses business interests he still holds in Rhode Island, politics in California, his lawyer Annis Merrill, the south seceding from the Union, the Fort Sumter situation, and Simmons' speech to Congress regarding secession.

mssHM 67912-67914

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Major General James Paterson orders to Adjutant General Roger Johnson

Manuscripts

Orders issued by Paterson to Adjutant General Roger Johnson at Halifax, N.S. directing him to order "His Majesty Armed Brig Arrogant to proceed to Fort Howe" to take "the provisions necessary for supplying the Garrisons of Fort Edward and Fort Cumberland."

mssHM 69941

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Billy Newbanks letter to Maggie Newbanks

Manuscripts

An autograph letter written by a young man to his sister living in Monmouth, Illinois. He comments on her education, plans to get an organ, and learning to dance while he also discusses his loneliness, family matters and sends greetings to various friends. He mentions the social life of the fort, the "colored soldiers in other words Negros" and the Native Americans living near the Fort. Newbanks had arrived at Fort Sill just three years after the post was established to prevent Native American attacks upon Euro-American settlements in Kansas and Texas. The letter has slight foxing, with an addressed, postmarked envelope.

mssHM 83796

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H. T. Scott journal

Manuscripts

This journal is H.T. Scott's account of his overland journey to California. Most of the daily entries document he and his party distance traveled that day, and where they camped. Upon arriving at Sonora in the final entry, Scott writes, "We can get plenty here to eat we was very glad when we could see the town sum." Dated 1852, April 13 through August 23. Also included is a photocopied facsimile of the diary.

mssHM 52095

G. T. Beauregard order and letters

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Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard letter to Senator John Slidell

G. Nelson Allen letters

Isaac Swain letters to James Fowler Simmons

Major General James Paterson orders to Adjutant General Roger Johnson

Billy Newbanks letter to Maggie Newbanks

H. T. Scott journal