Goodbye and Thank You!

Thank you for being a part of Today in the Civil War: Dispatches from the Rosenbach Collection, a project of the Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Whether you’ve been with us since this blog started in November of 2010 or just joined us this week, we’ve really enjoyed sharing the breadth and depth of our Civil War collections with you.

If you would like additional information on our Civil War holdings, or anything else in the Rosenbach collection,  please contact the Rosenbach’s  Librarian Elizabeth Fuller with any questions or to arrange a reading room visit. The reading room requires an appointment but it is open to all: scholars, enthusiasts, and the curious alike. The Rosenbach also features exhibitions and tours on a wide variety of historical, literary, and artistic topics, so if you are in Philadelphia, please visit us.

May 15, 1865: The Press

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Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Upper Half

[Special Correspondence of The Press]

Richmond, May 12, 1865.

The event yesterday was the passage through this city of the left wing of Sherman’s army, consisting of the 14th and 20th Corps, under Major General Slocum. Considerable disappointment was experienced in its not breaking camp day before yesterday, as officially announced, but large throngs assembled along the route of the parade. The soldiers have been camped for several days in Manchester, which is connected by a pontoon bridge with this city and many of them have availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Richmond and observe the points of interest.

Citation:Philadelphia Press. Philadelphia, 15 May 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5447

May 6, 1865: U.S. Grant Letter to his Father

AMs 358-10 p1 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-10 p2 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-10 p3 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant

Transcript:

Dear Father,

I have received a sixty days furlough for Samuel A. [Yearrow?]. He can be discharged at any time after his return […]. It will take probably three weeks for my directions to reach him and he return.

I have just returned from Phila leaving Mr. Cramer there. He can describe our new house to you when he returns. My health is good but I find so much to do that I can scarcely keep up with public business let alone answering all the private letters I receive My going to Phila and spending half my time there as I hope to do will give me some leisure. I attend to public business there by telegraph and avoid numerous calls taking up much time or hope to do so.

My kind regards to all at home. I hope to hear of mother’s entire recovery soon.

Ulysses

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. 6 May 1865. AMs 358/10

May 4, 1865: Julia Manners to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

Rush IV-31-55 Julia Manners to Julia Biddle 5-4-1862 p1-4 Rush IV-31-55 Julia Manners to Julia Rush 5-4-1865 p2-3Rush IV-31-55 Julia Manners to Julia Rush 5-4-1865 p2-3Rush IV-31-55 Julia Manners to Julia Biddle 5-4-1862 p1-4

Transcript:

Fort Clarence Rochester Kent

May 4th 1865

My dear Julia

Although I have written so very lately to you, yet still I feel I must send a few lines to express our deep sympathy with you all at the sad event which has plunged your country into mourning! The deed was atrocious, + astonishing and certainly doubly afflicting from its arriving just as Victory was crowning Mr. Lincolns four years of no doubt arduous toil and trouble. Oh! It is sad very sad to think of his coming to such a fearful end. The papers will tell you all England is mourning with you, and most sincerely. I never remember in my life a greater sensation everywhere when the awful news was announced. Even in this place, you saw persons, of all ranks, grouped together, talking with grief + horror, deposited in their faces. And many at full would not credit the news. Poor Mrs. Lincoln how she is to be pitied. Such a fearful blow, will be one indeed very hard for her to get over unless she knows the power of true religion and with whom to lay her sad brothers of sorrow + woe!

All here hope and trust your present President will follow in the steps of his late master and do well for his country but he never will be our Abraham Lincoln!!

I send you one of our penny papers, the “Chatham news,” to show you from the leading articles the feeling in this neighborhood to the awful tragedy.

Thanks dear Julia for the papers you sent me. They were most acceptable + have been and read and reread by us and lent to some of our friends who were most [anxious?] to see them. I found out many well remembered names of [illeg.] I hope yourself + all those near and dear to you are well and all our other relatives-please remember us affectionately to them.

We saw poor Jane Cuthbert the other day. Her spirits are only a very little better. She seems to brood over her deep affliction too much and not exert herself sufficiently to be entirely resigned to the Will of her Heavenly Father who never afflicts but for some wise purpose. I talked to her of poor Mrs. Lincoln’s sad affliction but she seemed to think it was scarcely equal to hers! Poor dear Jane, I am quite sure if she now took more interest in her home duties she would be happy and more resigned. Accept dear Julia a great deal of love for yourself+ all those about you-and believe me-ever yours affectionately

Julia

However Jane Cuthbert desired to be remembered to you all.

Citation: Julia Manners, autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. Fort Clarence, Rochester; 4 May 1865. Rush IV:31:55

May 2, 1865: Jefferson Davis to the C.S.A. Treasurer

AMS 444-2- p1 Jefferson Davis to the CSA Sec. AMS 444-2- p2 Jefferson Davis to the CSA Sec.

Abbeville S. C. May 2nd, 1865

The Treasurer of the Confederate States is here by directed to deliver to Hon. J. H. Reagan Acting Secretary of the Treasury all Bills of Exchange which may be in his possession

Jefferson Davis

Abbeville S. C. May 2nd, 1865

Received of the Treasures of the Confederate States the following Sterling Exchange Vis

By Jos. Deyneed Sep. 28/64 @ 10 % on N M Rothschild Son

(First & Second) London £5000

Same Oct 5/64 10 % on Same (1st & 2nd) 5000

Power Lowe No Jany 14/65 1 % on Thos. & Taylor

Nassau W R S 23.5

Also Thirds of various Bills the Firsts and Seconds of which have been forwarded for collection though all may not have reached their destination

John H. Reagan

This is the last official paper signed by Pres. Davis

Walter Philbrook

Chief Teller, C.S. Treasury

and acting Treas. C. S.

Citation: Jefferson Davis (1808-1889),Order to the treasurer of the Confederate States. Abbeville, S.C., 2 May1865. AMs 444/20

April 30, 1865: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1865-04-22

 

Transcript:

During this most eventful month Gen: Johnson surrendered his Army to Gen: Sherman on the same terms granted to Lee.

The War is now certainly over, for which we cannot be sufficiently thankful to God.

 

Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1

April 29, 1865: Philadelphia Inquirer

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Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Lower Half

Grant Demands the Surrender of Johnston’ Army.

Fortress Monroe, April 27.—a steamer arrived here to-day, from Morehead city, bringing advices from Newbern that General Grant has effectually put an end to the armistice of Sherman.

It was reported in Newbern that Grant had given Johnston up to 6 A.M. yesterday to surrender his army (conditions unknown), but announcing that after that hour hostilities would at once be resumed. To this Johnston is said to have replied that if Jeff. Davis and the leading General officers of the Confederacy were pardoned and permission given them to leave the country, free and unmolested, he would be authorized to accept the terms proposed by Lieutenant-General Grant.

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 29 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546