Letters from Henry Maxwell to Eli Slifer
![Letters from Henry Maxwell to Eli Slifer Letters from Henry Maxwell to Eli Slifer](/sites/default/files/styles/documents_browse/public/image_document/mc2003-04_1861-01-17_pg01.jpg?itok=80YLvk4T)
Henry D.
Henry D.
Henry D.
Henry D. Maxwell writes a letter to Colonel Alexander K. McClure informing him of a possible spelling error in the name of a military officer, whom he praises. "I see the name of A. L. Seem MD of Martin’s Creek printed in todays paper as A.
Henry D. Maxwell writes a series of letters to Governor Andrew G. Curtin regarding military administrative duties, including "the disposition of the property at Camp Washington" as well as making payments to soldiers.
This collection consists of folders in 13 manuscript boxes relating to correspondence and papers of Eli Slifer (1818-1888), an active figure in Pennsylvania politics and the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin, 1861-1867. Most of the letters were written during the Civil War and represent the pressures of local politicians, office seekers, and military men upon the Governor's office. There is much material on the enlistment and acceptance of military companies dated 1861 (e.g. Wiliam Foote of the "Lycoming Mountain Ears"), on the operation of the draft law, 1862-1864, on the soldier's vote, election of 1864, and on military surgeons and hospitals. The collection contains 47 letters and telegrams from Curtin, 1852-1866, and 61 from Col. Alexander Kelly McClure, 1851-1866. The political power of Simon and William Cameron is reflected. The political influence of the German and English press appears in letters of Israel Gutelius and his family. Other subjects discussed include banking, transportation, coal, iron, oil industries, military contracts, and the invasion of Pennsylvania.
There is a series of appendices that arranges the correspondence by Civil War Units, Military Affairs, Political Affairs, Business Affairs, and Miscellaneous Affairs.