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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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1861
Captain Jacob G. Frick and other members of the Northumberland and Point Infantry company petition the Pennsylvania General Assembly to change the name of their company to "Cadwallader Infantry of Northumberland." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B4, F17
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Petition from the Northumberland and Point Infantry to the Pennsylvania General Assembly
June - August 1861
John Taylor Cuddy writes six letters to his mother and father, describing life as a soldier in the Union army at the start of the Civil War. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F3
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from John Cuddy (Jun. - Aug. 1861)
1861-1863
William Mintzer writes thirteen letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he discusses a proposal for a portion of a loan for the state, other wartime banking issues, recommends his brother-in-law for the position of Notary Public, deserters of the military, as well as other political topics. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B8, F6
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from William Mintzer to Eli Slifer
June 8, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to James Buchanan stating that Stanton and their friends were very pleased by Judge Jeremiah Sullivan Black's message that Buchanan was in good health. Stanton also shares his opinion on the Patriot cause, financial troubles for the Union, and General John Adams Dix's troubled relationship with Lincoln's Cabinet.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
1861-1863
William Meredith writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he discusses bounty payments to soldiers, a potential bill for consolidating government-funded loans, purchasing the battle ground at Gettysburg for memorial purposes, as well as other Union army affairs. Mr. D. McConoughy has asked about raising "a fund by private participation to purchase the Battle Ground at Gettysburg to be held by a Corporation to be formed by the Legislation, as a memorial of the Victory," as Meredith notes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F23
Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from William Meredith to Eli Slifer
1861-1864
John Linn writes thirteen letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, regarding the organization of regiments for military campaigns, recommendations of officers for new positions in the Union army, the Milton Cornet Band, as well as other administrative duties. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B6, F26
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from John Linn to Eli Slifer
June 12, 1861
Edwin Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan regarding Bethel Bridge near Fortress Monroe and military appointments during the Civil War.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-9
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Edwin Stanton to James Buchanan (Copy)
July 11, 1861
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 11, 1861 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.
Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Location: Dickinsoniana Programs
Subject: Dickinson College Events
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: 1861 Commencement Program
July 11, 1861
Thomas Miller Griffith (Class of 1858) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1861.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: OC 2005.4, F1
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - Thomas Griffith
July 11, 1861
David Hastings congratulates Edgar E. Hastings (Class of 1865) for coming out at the head of his class at Dickinson College following the final examinations. Hastings also shares news from Harrisburg as well as notes that Bob Noble had become "another victim of evil Company." "Had [Noble] volunteered in the defense of his Country's land and fallen in the battle field," David explains that Noble's "family and friends would have been saved from the taunts" of the "community."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1975-15
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from David Hastings to Edgar Hastings
July 16, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to former President James Buchanan regarding his opinion on the future for the Confederates and Fort Sumter, and the expectation of a battle at Fairfax.
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)
July 19, 1861
Pennsylvania Governor Andrew G. Curtin responds to S. G. [Theud's?]request about raising a new Pennsylvania volunteer regiment. While "I most heartily approve of the plan," Curtin notes that he "[does] not [have] the power to arm and equip a company" since Pennsylvania is "confined to the fifteen Regts now ready and ordered into service." Curtin also refers to "the war of defamation waged against me." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1861-2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Andrew Curtin to S. G. Theud
July 26, 1861
Edwin McMasters Stanton writes to James Buchanan regarding the "imbecility" of the Lincoln administration, the desire for a new Cabinet, and bankruptcy. Stanton composed this early on in the Civil War, shortly after the first Battle of Bull Run, which he refers to as "the dreadful disaster of Sunday."
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)
September - December 1861
John Taylor Cuddy writes six letters to his friends and family, describing life as a soldier for the Union Army along with his experience in military campaigns during the Civil War. "I think it a long time to see you all but I think that this [war] will be over till next [summer] for the rebels is [nearly] clean out for they have got nothing barely to eat," as Cuddy notes. For some of his letters, Cuddy uses paper with illustrations of individuals like General Winfield Scott and Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F3
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from John Cuddy (Sept. - Dec. 1861)
September 20, [1861?]
Mary M. Dick writes her older brother, a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, and shares family news. "Father and the rest are so engaged between the farm and the shop," as Mary explains to Thomas William Dick. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: Mc 2001.10, B1, F1
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Mary Dick to Thomas Dick
September 25, 1861
Henry D. Maxwell writes Major James Veech regarding how to close the Pay Department "as soon as practicable." "It is considered that with the payment of the Reserve Corps the object of its creation has been accomplished & the necessity for its continuance has ceased," as Maxwell explains. Maxwell also asks Major Veech that he forward two sets of accounts as paymaster for an audit. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F7
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Henry Maxwell to James Veech
1861-1862
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. Maxwell also writes on behalf of Rev. John Koehl, who would like his son to be either "furloughed or discharged" from the Union army. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F7
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Henry Maxwell to Andrew Curtin
1861-1862
W. W. Sellers writes three letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in which he discusses the formation of a company of volunteers from Fulton County, recommends James Pott for a commission in the Union army, and offers a list of "suitable persons" from in Fulton County " for enrolling the militia preparatory to the draft." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B9, F21
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from W. W. Sellers to Eli Slifer
October 4, 1861
Everard Bierer writes Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin to request the appointment as a Lieutenant Colonel or a Major "in some of the Pennsylvania Regiments now organizing." Bierer claims that he has been "drilling constantly and studying hard now for over 4 months" and is "sufficiently qualified for the position sought for." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B1, F18
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letter from Everard Bierer to Andrew Curtin
October 16, 1861
Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin (Class of 1837) issues this proclamation during the Civil War on October 16, 1861: "...to the People of this Commonwealth, that they set apart Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of November next, As a day of solemn Thanksgiving to God for having prepared our Corn and watered our Furrows... And for having looked favorably on this Commonwealth... Beseeching Him also, on behalf of these United States, that our beloved Country may have deliverance from those great and apparent dangers wherewith she is compassed, and that He will mercifully still the outrage of perverse, violent, unruly and rebellious People..."
This copy of the proclamation is addressed to Connecticut Governor William A. Buckingham.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-BeachW-1986-9
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: I-BeachW-1986-9.pdf
1861-1866
James Sellers writes seven letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, regarding recommendations for the promotion of several individuals, politics of the local county convention, and recruiting volunteers for the Union army. Sellers also includes a newspaper clipping regarding a Republication party meeting held in Union county. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B9, F21
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from James Sellers to Eli Slifer
December 21, 1861
Former President James Buchanan writes to Charles N. Pine and explains why he will not contact President Abraham Lincoln on Pine's behalf. "I have reason to believe that my request [to the Lincoln administration] would be but little regarded," as Buchanan notes. Instead, Buchanan advises Pine to "appeal directly to [Lincoln] yourself through some Republican friend." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F5
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1860-1879
December 28, 1861
Members of Company E, 1st Artillery of the Pennsylvania Reserves send a petition to Governor Andrew G. Curtin to request that Lieutenant Thomas Orwig be promoted to Captain. The petition contains a list of names of the enlisted soldiers and officers who endorse Orwig. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B8, F19
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Petition from Company E to Andrew Curtin
January 1862
John Taylor Cuddy writes a series of four letters to his friends and family, describing life as a solider for the Union Army along with his experience in military campaigns during the Civil War. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.9, B1, F4
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from John Cuddy (Jan. 1862)
1862
The Dickinson College catalog for the 1861-1862 academic year. Through the years, the annual catalog was variously titled "The Bulletin," "Catalogue and Register," "Course Catalog," and similar variants. The catalog typically includes the list of courses offered, requirements for enrollment, requirements for graduation, tuition and other fees, and campus facilities, college policies, and lists of teaching faculty, college trustees, and various administrators.
Format: Books and Pamphlets
Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Catalogue of Dickinson College for the Academical Year, 1861-62