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Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents.
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December 19, 1860
William Bradford Reed writes an unknown recipient and discusses President James Buchanan's perspective on the secession crisis. Reed notes that President Buchanan "told me last night he though things looked better" and that "he has no doubt of the safety of the [federal] forts" located in southern states. "If he can avoid collision," Reed explains that President Buchanan is confident that "he will be able to hand over the government strong to Mr. Lincoln" in March 1861. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1957-10
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
December 29, 1860
United States Supreme Court Justice Robert Cooper Grier (Class of 1812) writes to Aubrey H. Smith regarding the secession crisis. Grier describes President James Buchanan as "wholly unequal" to dealing with the secession crisis, calls Secretary of War John B. Floyd a traitor, describes flaws of other members in President Buchanan's cabinet, and predicts a civil war. "We are governed by fools and knaves," as Grier explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-52
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Robert Grier to Aubrey Smith
1860-1863
Governor Andrew Curtin writes eleven letters to Eli Slifer in which he offers him the position as Secretary of the Commonwealth, describes his preference for David Wilmot as Senator, recommends Wallace Kerr for the vacant clerkship in Slifer's office, notes problems with General Biddle's overcoats, as well as discusses other political issues. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B3, F11
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Andrew Curtin to Eli Slifer, 1860-63
January 5, 1861
New York Supreme Court Justice William B. Wright writes to President James Buchanan and recommends John C. Perry for an appointment as a judge in one of the western organized territories. Wright's letter also includes short notes from prominent New York residents, such as Governor Edwin Denison Morgan and Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals Henry E. Davis, that offer additional support for Perry's appointment. In addition, three New York City lawyers (William Fullerton, Mr. Bradford, Mr. [Cowels?]) and other politicians (Mr. Van Wyck, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Humphries) also express their support for Perry.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1952-11
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from William Wright to James Buchanan
January 12, 1861
New York Supreme Court Judge Henry Hogeboom writes to President James Buchanan and recommends John C. Perry for an appointment as a judge in one of the western organized territories.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1952-11
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Henry Hogeboom to James Buchanan
1861-1864
Thomas Orwig writes twelve letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, regarding Orwig's military and administrative affairs with Battery "E" of 1st Pennsylvania artillery. " My greatest [military] ambition is to crush the rebellion," as Orwig notes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B8, F19
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Thomas Orwig to Eli Slifer
1861-1863
Henry D. Maxwell writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, regarding the following topics: Maxwell's application for the directorship of the mint, recruitment and funding for the army, potential candidates for vacant positions in the military, committee meetings, as ladies' aid societies, as well as personnel requests. "My objection to Lynn is his inherent constitutional double facedness, talking patriotically with one set and the reverse with another... these are the most dangerous men we have," as Maxwell notes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F7
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Henry Maxwell to Eli Slifer
February - December 1861
Jacob G. Frick writes thirteen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Curtin, on a number of topics, including conflict with Baltimore over commerce, affairs in military administration and compensation, as well as daily life in the Union army during the Civil War. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B4, F17-18
Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Jacob Frick to Eli Slifer
March 10, 1861
Former Attorney General Edwin McMasters Stanton writes former President James Buchanan to discuss public affairs in Washington and comment on events that occurred during the last few months of Buchanan's administration.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
March 11, 1861
Former President James Buchanan writes publisher James Gordon Bennett several days after leaving the White House and asks that the New York Herald be sent to him in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Buchanan also reflects on his administration, describing it as "eminently successful in its foreign and domestic policy, unless we may except the sad events which have recently occurred." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F4
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Gordon Bennett
March 14, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes former President James Buchanan to discuss possible nominations to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and comment on resolutions in the Senate that might end the secession crisis.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
March 21, 1861
W. Armstrong writes to Professor James William Marshall (Class of 1848) about money collected from Daniel Hesey. Armstrong also refers to the "Smiths" and explains that he has "not proceeded against them" even though he has not received anything from them.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1861-1
Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from W. Armstrong to James Marshall
[April 1861?]
The Officers of the Lewisburg Infantry company - Captain J. W. Chamberlin, First Lieutenant G. H. Hassenplug, , Second Lieutenant J. Merrill Linn, and Chaplain Rev. L. W. McDaniel - file this petition to ask that Dr. Theodore S. Christ be appointed as Surgeon’s Assistant. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B2, F18
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Petition to Appoint Theodore Christ as Surgeon’s Assistant
April 3, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan regarding Abraham Lincoln, in particular his state of mind. Stanton also discloses that he believes the Secretary of the Treasury made an error in not accepting a loan.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
April - December 1861
Israel Gutelius writes fifteen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he asks Slifer to go to Washington and request the Secretary of the Navy to appoint Gutelius to a position in Philadelphia. "If I am appointed," Gutelius promises to "publish one of the best country papers and ... do as much to Sustain the State and the United States Administrations as any other man." Gutelius also asks for Slifer's input on a printing press used for publishing, and informs him of other political and military news. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B5, F9
Subject: Business and Industry, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Israel Gutelius to Eli Slifer (Apr. - Dec. 1861)
April 11, 1861
Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin writes to an unknown recipient and asks if he will be in Washington, DC. Curtin, who will go to Washington on Saturday, explains that "we will pass a bill at once to prepare the State for what may occur." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1975-27
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
April 12, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan regarding the start of the Civil War, stating that " in less than 30 days Davis will be in possession of Washington."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
1861-1864
John W. Killinger writes eleven letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he recommends Doctor John H. Shank for the place of assistant surgeon, requests advice for a trip to Washington, discusses the military draft, and offers his opinion on various military positions. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B6, F15
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from John W. Killinger to Eli Slifer
1861-1865
Newspaperman Oliver Worden writes fifteen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he requests information on military and political issues for publication in the in the Star and Chronicle. Worden also offers his services to communicate information of military importance and shares updates on various political matters. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B11, F11
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Oliver Worden to Eli Slifer
May 3 - November 15, 1861
Union officer Thomas Chamberlin writes twelve letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Curtin, regarding his experience leading his company in the Union Army during the Civil War. Chamberlin discusses new recruits, organizing the new infantry company, and requesting for additional supplies. "Provisions arrive slowly, and no sooner are the wagons in sight than there is a rush for the quartermasters," as Chamberlin notes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B2, F15
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Thomas Chamberlin to Eli Slifer
May 11, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan apologizing for his previous letters being delayed by the Baltimore Riot. Stanton tells Buchanan news regarding the Civil War and President Lincoln's administration.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
1861-1865
Captain Everard Bierer writes a series of twelve letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Curtin, regarding the assembly and movement of army troops, the transportation of said troops, and requests for promotion. Bierer also mentions dealing with the War Department in Washington DC and health concerns as a result of "much hard Marching on foot." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B1, F18
Subject: Health and Medicine, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Everard Bierer to Eli Slifer
May 19, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan regarding the Civil War. Specifically, the unsuccessful evacuation of Fort Sumter, William Henry Seward, the Secretary of State's negotiations, and the treatment of secessionists.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
May 23, 1861
Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin writes to H. C. Baird about a complaint against the officers of the Fifth regiment. Curtin notes that he has little power or control over most of the issues since that regiment is under federal authority. However, he "will appoint a proper and competent Colonel" if the regiment's term is extended and will send someone "to inspect the clothing and if it is not in all respects good [he] will have it replaced."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-26
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Andrew Curtin to H. C. Baird
May - December 1861
Thomas William Dick writes a series of six letters to his family and friends describing his experience as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Dick discusses the possibility of taking a leave of absence and daily life in the military camp. He also describes several confrontations with the "rebel" army, including the resulting casualties: "We had a few men in our ranks who were so degraded... it was really heart rending... I write these things to let you know something of what war is." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.10, B1, F2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Thomas Dick (May - Dec. 1861)