U.S. Civil War & Slavery

Manuscript collections related to U.S. Civil War & Slavery.

"On the Flogging of Women" commentary, ca. 1827 (MS 100)

Document is an anonymous commentary on an article appearing in the February 28, 1827 edition of "The Anti-Slavery Monthly Reporter" that discussed propositions put forward by Lord Bathurst for reforms in the treatment of slaves in the Colonies; in particular, a prohibition of the flogging of women, which failed to pass.

Allen and Morris ledger, 1862-1864 (MS 221)

Business ledger of transactions for services with various persons and companies, including the Confederate States of America. The firm of Allen and Morris was located in Prattville, Alabama. (81 p.)

Americas collection, 1811-1920 (MS 518)

Original letters, broadsides, pamphlets, printed materials and books documenting the 19th century and early 20th century political and cultural relationships between the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, Spain, and Portugal. (5 boxes)

Ann Marie Stewart Turner letters, 1857-1913 (MS 114)

The letters are written by and to Ann Marie Stewart and her husband James, family and friends. James wrote letters as a prisoner during the Civil War. 1857-1913. The collection is .25 linear feet.

Bobo Confederate scrapbook (MS 289)

The Civil War and Confederate scrapbook of Mrs. Mary J. Bobo contains pasted clippings from the Nashville (Tenn.) Banner newspaper on some of the history and battles of the U.S. Civil War dating from 1902-1907.

Brooker, W. H. Civil War Diary. 1863-1866. (MS 126)

The diary was kept, for the most part, by a Southern private in the Army of Tennessee, and it describes day-by-day troop movements and military actions from 6 October 1863 to 22 June 1864. 1 inch (1 folder).

Broun family U.S. Civil War papers (MS 177)

Genealogical and historical information on the Broun and Thruston families, and description the Broun family's experiences during the U.S. Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. 3 folders.

Brown, John. Letter. 1862. (MS 199)

John Brown wrote this letter from Grigsby's Bluff and gives news of the people there. Grigsby's Bluff was located on the Neches River in Eastern Jefferson County. It name was changed to port Neches in 1901. One letter written in 1862.

Campbell personal papers, 1820-1906 (MS 329)

These letters reflect the family and military life of the Campbell family, part of which immigrated to Seguin, TX.

Campbell U.S. Civil War account, 1861-1862 (MS 314)

Four manuscript volumes describing the U.S. Civil War, 1861-1862, approximately 55 leaves per volume, with information apparently taken by Albert Sherod Campbell from newspaper accounts.

Confederate imprint collection, 1861-1865 (MS 71)

Ca. 1,050 Confederate imprints printed during the U.S. Civil War era consist of official and unofficial documents of the Confederate and State governments and cities. Formats include handbills, recruiting posters, sheet music, sermons, isolated laws and regulations, and fiction and non-fiction books. (16 boxes)

Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary (MS 287)

A leather-bound hand-written diary kept by John C. Crosby, during the United States Civil War while Crosby served in the Seventh Maine Regiment of the Union army (probably as a hospital orderly).

Cullum, George. Civil War Letter. 1861. (MS 112)

A letter written during the U.S. Civil War on November 11, 1861, from New York by Union Army General George W. Cullum to a close friend 1 letter.

Davis, Jefferson. Letters, 1846-1888 (MS 005)

Original handwritten letters between U.S. Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his government and military colleagues, and his wife, Varina.

Dix, J. A. Civil War Pass, Letter. 1862, 1869. (MS 110)

John A. Dix was commissioned Major General by President Lincoln in 1861 and served in administrative positions during the Civil War, issuing the military pass in this collection during that time. After the war he was minister to France (1866-69).

Douglas autograph collection, 1851, 1857 (MS 458)

The Earle C. Douglas, Jr. autograph collection includes 3 autographs of Confederate States of America personalities, Jefferson Davis (1851), Judah P. Benjamin (1857) and Steven R. Mallory (undated).

Dunban, John R. Letters. 1864-1865. (MS 150)

This collection consists of letters written John Dunban wrote this collection of letters between 1864 and 1865 to his family at the end of the Civil War. Dunban served in Co. H. 77th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers and writes about his family and their farm and news of his regiment, including unfair elections, the "dumb ague," mutinous feelings in his regiment, and the treatment of deserters. The letters also contain descriptions of Texas and Louisiana. (12 items)

Elliott family collection, 1830-1951 (MS 249)

Collection consists primarily of diaries, letters, scrapbooks and notebooks belonging to Card G. Elliott, Sr.; his wife Mary Malone Elliott and daughter Mary Alice Elliott. (2 boxes)

Frost U.S. Civil War papers, 1861-1885 (MS 321)

This collection is comprised chiefly of George W. Frost's correspondence, created while Frost served as a Union naval officer during the U.S. Civil War, including his service aboard the U.S.S. Fort Donelson (1861-1865). (1 box)

Glass financial papers, 1852-1867 (MS 322)

The papers of William S. Glass, receiver of revenue for the Confederate government in the Texas counties of Victoria, Cameron, DeWitt, and Refugio, document purchases, land sales and more which occured during the U.S. Civil War.

Gray, Judge Peter W. Papers. 1833-1870. (MS 417)

The Judge Peter W. Gray papers from 1833 to 1870 include extensive handwritten documents on several of Gray’s early Texas district court cases, lectures, speeches, and official documents concerning the creation and organization of the Texas Historical Society. Court cases relate to murder, slavery, counterfeiting, the legal nature of circumstantial evidence and self defense; the notes related to these cases are generally Judge Gray’s direction to juries. The speeches include a speech given by Gray at the Democratic Convention in Austin in 1852 for the nomination of Sam Houston for the presidency. 0.25 lin. ft. (1 box)

Green, William Wilkinson. Diary, 1862-1865 (MS 103)

Diary written during the U.S. Civil War while Green served in the Union Army (chiefly in Virginia) with the 5th Michigan Infantry Regiment, Army of the Potomac from 1862-1865. 1 folder.

Grimes, James F. Letters, 1863-1864 (MS 105)

Letters of James F. Grimes, a Union soldier of the 17th U.S. Infantry during the Civil War written to Sarah A. Jones between 1863-1864 while Grimes was stationed mainly in Virginia and mentioning camp life and current events, but primarily of a personal and affectionate nature. (27 letters)

Hobbs, Alexander. Diary. 1862-1863. (MS 370)

Alexander Hobbs, a Union soldier from Massachusetts, recounts in his diary his trip from New York to Galveston in December 1862 and his participation in the battle of Galveston on Jan. 1, 1863 and his subsequent capture by Confederate forces. A personal Bible with notes and dates carried by Hobbs during the war is included in the collection.

Hutcheson papers (MS 37)

The John W. Hutcheson papers include correspondence to and from Texas attorney and soldier Hutcheson before and during the U.S. Civil War, and several documents describing Hutcheson's life and his military career with the 4th Texas Regiment. 1852-1903 (bulk dates 1852-1862). 3 folders.

Johnson Confederate Supply Requisition records, 1861-1865 (MS 332)

Charles B. Johnson Confederate Supply Requisition records pertain to the business of the Wichita Indian Agency as well as receipts, quartermasters' store lists, payment abstracts, invoices, and records of acquisitions made by the Confederate States of America in the State of Texas during the U.S. Civil War. (1 folder)

Kentucky Infantry, 6th Regiment, Co. Records (MS 294)

The U.S. Civil War Company records of the 6th Regiment Kentucky Infantry consist of General Orders; descriptive rolls of officers; a register of men discharged and why; a register of death; a register of deserters; and a descriptive roll of the regiment with physical and vital information. (1 box)

Kuntz Louisiana U.S. Civil War collection (MS 256)

Louisiana receipts, posters, newspaper clippings, military documents and correspondence arranged chronologically from 1811 to 1959, relating to the Confederate states, U.S. Civil War, slvery, and more.

Libby Prison Inmate Letter, 1864. (MS 113)

Letter written during the Civil War by an anonymous Union Army prisoner- of-war, dated December 18, 1864, and addressed from Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, to United States Senator William Wright of New Jersey, describing his worsening health while held as hostage for a Confederate officer. 1 letter.

Lovejoy papers, 1863-1864 (MS 246)

Photocopies of letters written by Union soldier Corporal James K. Lovejoy to his wife while stationed in Louisiana, 1863-1864.

MacDonald Family Papers. 1834-1953. (MS 361)

Letters from Alexander MacDonald to his wife, Margaret MacDonald; letters from James MacDonald, serving with a Texas regiment during the Civil War, to his mother, Margaret MacDonald; letters of condolence to Margaret MacDonald after James's death during the war; letters from other family members; wills; maps; documents; and books. This collection includes materials from 1834 to 1953. 7 linear inches.

Maclay letters, 1894-1895 (MS 147)

Letters written by Maclay to Admiral Thomas A. Stevens mentioning his intention to write a comprehensive account of the Navy's part in the U.S. Civil War.

Mahan, A. T. Letter. 1893. (MS 182)

Letter written to General James Wilson regarding the publishing of Mahan's biography of Farragut, an admiral in the U.S. Navy during the U.S. Civil War.

Martin U.S. Civil War letters, 1862-1865 (MS 031)

Correspondence from Aaron Martin to his family regarding personal matters, the U.S. Civil War, and army life.

Massenburg, N. B. daybook. 1852-1861. (MS 374)

N. B. Massenburg, a North Carolina planter, kept this daybook covering the years 1852-1861. The daily entries deal primarily with agricultural and weather conditions, and progress reports. Sales of land, equipment and slaves, along with prices, are recorded. A list of slaves and their ages is at the end of the book.

Miller family letters, 1861-1872 (MS 456)

Letters written by James Miller (A Company, 63rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers) to his brother Samuel in Williamsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Also included are letters from Robert and Ben Miller to Samuel Miller. (17 letters, 1861-1872; 3 pieces of Confederate currency)

Missouri Cavalry and Descriptive Rolls, 1863 (MS 292)

Four bound volumes of descriptive rolls recording the status (as of 1863) of soldiers serving in the following Missouri regiments in the Union Army during the United States Civil War: Missouri Infantry Volunteers, Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, Missouri Infantry and Cavalry Militia.

Moody, Young. Papers. 1860-1896. (MS 404)

This collections contains the papers of Young M. Moody, who lived from 1822 to 1866. He was a businessman and a Confederate general with the Alabama 43rd regiment. The collection includes correspondence, business records, daguerreotypes, and memorabilia.

Morrison letters, 1861-1864 (MS 244)

U.S. Civil War letters (photocopies) from William J. Morrison to his brother Stephen Morrison. (54 letters)

Mosby U.S. Civil War scrapbook, 1886-1887. (MS 153)

This scrapbook is of news clippings related to John Singleton Mosby, a Confederate Partizan Ranger during the U.S. Civil War. One 5-inch by 7-inch scrapbook with clippings from 1886-1887.

Muir papers, 1763-1969, bulk 1935-1969 (MS 17)

Correspondence and research notes reflecting the interests of former Rice history professor Andrew Forest Muir, including 19th century Texas and Houston history; free African Americans in Texas pre-Civil War; William Marsh Rice; 19th century missionary work in Texas and Hawaii by the Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopal Churches. (82 boxes)

Neumann family papers, 1850-1955 (MS 241)

Chiefly letters to Louisa (Neumann) Bering, a resident of Houston, Tex., from her brothers and sisters, including letters from her brother, Emil Neumann, describing his service in the Confederate Army. (40 letters)

Osterhout Family Papers. 1836-1941. (MS 355)

Papers of John Patterson Osterhout (1826-1903), relating to his life in Pennsylvania, impressions of Texas, service as a judge, Confederate soldier, and leader of the Republican Party in Texas, and of his son, Paul Osterhout (1859-1944), and his studies at Baylor University and University of Pennsylvania Dept. of Medicine, activities fighting yellow fever during the digging of the Panama Canal, and his career in Colombia, Nicaragua, and Panama. Includes material concerning the Texas Republic, Baptists in Texas, and other Osterhout family members.

Reding, James M. Letter. 1863. (MS 107)

A letter written during the Civil War in December 1863 by James M. Reding, a Confederate soldier, to his sister concerning recent action, including capture of a Union boat in Matagorda Bay, Texas, and the arrival of a Confederate boat loaded with arms; he also advises against his brother enlisting in the army. 1 letter.

Roberts, Charles. Letters. 1862-1864. (MS 377)

Charles Roberts wrote these letters to his family while he served in the 93rd Regiment of New York State volunteers from 1862-1864. 27 letters.

Shannon-Scott family papers, 1848-1942 (MS 250)

Consists of letters, genealogies, military documents, newspaper clippings, and modern reproductions of family photographs, pertaining to the families of Alexander May Shannon and William B. Scott. (5 folders)

Slosson's diary and ledger, 1858-1860 (MS 223)

Diary and farm ledger kept by O. M. Slosson, a farmer in upstate New York (Pompey, Onondago County), reflecting the life of a Northern farmer just before the U.S. Civil War. (1 bound volume of 130 pages)

Smith, Cyrus Burnet. U.S. Civil War papers 1856-1958. (MS 411)

Dr. Cyrus Smith served as a surgeon in the U.S. Civil War. His papers include his diary, military passes, induction and discharge papers, correspondence, photographs, hospital reports, bills of lading relating to the cotton trade in 1850's and Smith's thesis from Medical School. 1856-1958. 15 linear inches.

Storrow, Samuel. Civil War Journals. 1863-1865. (MS 192)

Two journals kept by Samuel Storrow during the U.S. Civil War, the first while Storrow served as a corporal in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, 44th Regiment (September 20, 1862-June 18, 1863), and the second while serving in the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 2nd Regiment (September 1864- March 1865), during which time he was promoted to first lieutenant; in his entries Storrow describes movements of equipment and troops, camp life, weather, and military actions. 1 linear inch (1 folder)

Texas Artillery, Maclin-Fox-Dege Battery records, 1861-65 (MS 295)

Letterbook and descriptive roll book for this U.S. Civil War artillery unit, including military personnel, enlistment information, and more. (2 bound volumes)

U.S. Civil War National Cemetery letters, 1867-1891 (MS 264)

Twenty letters regarding the location of national cemeteries related the U.S. Civil War dead, from various U.S. military departments.

U.S. Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 (MS 476)

These photographs, taken during the U.S. Civil War, reflect a wide range of battles and sites, although not all are represented. The photographs were taken by a variety of photographers, including Mathew B. Brady and Alexander Gardner. (84 photographs)

Wilson, Hugh. Civil War Papers. 1862-1868. (MS 125)

Many of these letters, written from 1862-1868, are to Wilson's future wife, Mary Grier, containing information on the South Carolina upper classes. Wilson also talks about hospitals, medicine, schools, cemeteries, camp life, the military, and conscription. 1 inch (1 folder).

Wright, Horatio. Letter. 1865. (MS 108)

General Horatio Wright's letter of February 12, 1865, written probably while the VI Corps was on the front lines at the siege of Richmond. 4 pages.

Wright, Mrs. E. H. Letters from Union Generals, 1864. (MS 111)

Six letters written in 1864 from U.S. Civil War generals of the Union Army in reply to Mrs. E. H. Wright's request for their photographs. 6 letters.