A set of annual reports of the the Fire Department from 1859-1872. Reports missing for years 1862-1865. The annual reports open with a statement from the Fire Chief and include multiple lists of department expenses, financial cost of fires, the cause of the fires, and locations of city property pertaining to the fire department.
Letter from John Ashe to Benjamin Lincoln regarding the impending invasion of troops from the other side of the Savannah river and an insistence that there needed to be a strong opposition to meet them in Augusta. Ashe also states that he has enclosed a letter from General Williamson.
Letter from William Heath to The Staff of the Army [and] Hospital, Eastern Department thanking them for the opportunity to serve and command in the army.
Letter from James Mitchell Varnum to Nathanael Greene regarding general politics and how he believes the country should be organized after the war. Varnum goes on to criticize Congress and discuss the lack of men and funds to continue much longer in the war.
Letter from Otho Holland Williams to Nathanael Greene detailing his trip to Bath, the purchase of a tract of land in Maryland, and his wish to receive orders from General Greene.
Letter from Stephen Drayton to Benjamin Lincoln mentioning the misconduct of the North Carolina’s commissary and continue to discuss ideas on better transportation of troops and supplies. Drayton goes on to detail some of the supplies which he has sent to various units and camps; tents, knapsacks, kettles, canteens, hoes, axes, and carpenters tools. He laments the lack of spades or shovels and states that he has enclosed a list of items.
Letter from Henry Laurens to Benjamin Lincoln regarding his travel plans to board a ship for Cadiz. He also reports that the horses are in deplorable condition and paper is running out.
Letter from John Laurens to Benjamin Lincoln discussing battle strategy and reporting the number of enemy troops opposite them on the Wappataw River. Laurens also reports that the enemy have ransacked ‘Mrs. Pinckneys’ plantation.
Letter from Mann Page, Jr. to John Page relating recent news including the locations of Howe's fleet and a foiled assassination attempt on General Washington.
Letter from Charles Petit to Nathanael Greene regarding the success of General Greene’s military campaign, the raising of funds and supplies, and the state of trade.
Letter from John Mathews to Nathanael Greene regarding the possible battle strategies of the English as the end of the war draws near and how the Continental army should go about trapping the British troops.
Letter from William Bryan to [Governor Richard Caswell] regarding the British attacks in the north, the movement of their fleet, his suspicion that they intend to attack South Carolina, and the lack of preparation for said attack.
Letter from William Duer to Nathanael Greene expressing his joy over his new marriage, concern over the political climate of the states, and request to forward a few letters.
Letter from William Pierce, Jr. to Nathanael Greene regarding the transfer of the British fleet to Halifax, the lack of confidence the Tories have in Lord Cornwallis, and the general state of the British military holdings in the Americas.
Letter from John Hancock to the Governor and Council of the State of Virginia regarding the movement of the British fleet from New York. Hancock reports that the fleet is suspected to be bound for South Carolina.
Letter from Mann Page, Jr. to John Page regarding the location of various commanders of the Continental Army, including General Washington and General Gates, and their troops.
Letter from Charles Petit to Nathanael Greene regarding the war in America and Europe’s dependence on the United States asserting their dominance over England.
Letter from John Laurens to Francis Kinloch regarding foreign travel in Europe and the state of American political affairs. Laurens proceeds to outline the South Carolinian officials who are to attend the General Congress gathering that will soon take place in Philadelphia or New York.
Letter from William Pierce to William Davies regarding the general status of the American troops; in Charleston and Virginia in particular. In the last paragraph Pierce expresses the imminence of an attack.
These images are from the Signal Book kept by Union Officer Ensign LaRue P Adams during the Siege of Charleston between August and September of 1863. Note: Some pages were not scanned because they were blank and contained no content or were ripped out and were therefore unavailable for digitization.
These images are from the daybook of James Poyas, a Charleston merchant. Entries begin in February 1760 and end in April of 1765. James Poyas was born in 1736 to Jean Louis (anglicized to John Lewis) Poyas and Marie Jourdan. He married Elizabeth Portall in 1755, and they had one child, a daughter, Elizabeth. In 1767, James moved his family to London. They never returned to America to live. His daughter married an Englishman, Joseph Higginson; and James died in Bath in 1799. Beyond these few facts, very little is known about James and his family. Research is, of course, on-going. The daybook itself is one of a set. The South Carolina Historical Society holds the companion book, which covers from 1764-1766, so there is some overlap. The description of the entries list the names and, in the parentheses behind them, their account numbers. This will serve as a differentiation between people (fathers and sons, cousins, etc.) with the same or similar names. Due to slight variations in spelling (for which we have attempted a reconciliation), it will also serve as a confirmation that one is in fact looking at the same person throughout the ledger. Some of the miscellaneous account numbers, not associated with people, are: account 3 -- the store itself; account 31 -- cash; account 87 -- Indico [Indigo?] and account 81 -- Bonds and Notes. Occassionally there are entries with no account numbers next to them. These seem to be have been entered into another ledger (petty cash?) but no account number has been listed in our corresponding description, even if that person had (or would have) an account.
Letter from Royal Flint to Nathanael Greene. Includes a discussion of the discrepancies in the mail and missed communications. Flint goes on to discuss the political nature of the country as was told to him by General Greene. Flint continues to discuss the general nature of the politics and questioning the decisions made by the government; saying the people have developed a habit of complaining, the need to regulate the currency, and refrain from continuing to alter the constitution.He also addresses the issue of pay, advocating the compensation of the army. He then discusses the lack of supplies for General Greene's troops. Flint goes on to state that Colonel Wadsworth is tiring of his role in the legislature.
Caption: 'Negroes escaping from Beaufort, S.C., with plunder from the abandoned residences of their masters, stopped by U.S. Gunboat Seneca.--from a sketch by our Special Artist with the Great Naval Expedition.--see page 70.'
Caption: 'Shipping the recaptured Africans on board the U.S. steam frigate Niagara, at Charleston, S.C.--from a sketch by our own correspondent.' [full date Oct. 9, 1858]
Caption: 'Folley's (sic) Battery, near the lighthouse, at Charleston, South Carolina.--from a sketch by A.P. Palmer, 21st South Carolina Volunteers.--[see page 79.]' [full date January 31, 1863.]
Caption: 'Military Prisons at Charleston, South Carolina.--Sketched by Lieutenant F. Milward--[See Page 110]' the Jail and Work-House are both identified. [full date February 18, 1865.]
Caption (in German): 'Die im Ban [Bau] begriffene schwimmende Batterie in Charleston, S.C.' [The nascent Floating Battery in Charleston, S.C.] [full date February 16, 1861.]
Charleston Earthquake scene. Possibly from Cook's Earthquake Views, no.63. William Ravenel, East Battery, rear. Written on front, at bottom: 'Wm Ravenel's, East Battery.'
Caption: 'Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity. Taken after the 31st of August, 1886. No.129, College as torn down.' Handwritten at bottom, front: 'Charleston Earthquake views - Charleston College. Both wings gone.'
Letter from William Davies to Nathanael Greene discussing the shortage of various supplies and troops. Colonel Davies debates the movements of several regiments of men in regards to military strategy and what movement would provide the most strength in the desired areas. Davies also reports the instability of the government in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and [New] Hampshire.
Letter from Christian Febiger to Nathanael Greene regarding the transfer of equipment, such as tents, camp equipment, colors, and fifes, to Virginia. Febiger also details the activities of the Committee of Congress and transfer of additional personnel.
Letter from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer to Unknown reporting the loss of a battle in Camden, South Carolina, Britain's efforts to attain allies in Europe, shortage of funds, and the arrival of an enemy fleet containing 2000 soldiers.
Letter from Mann Page Jr. to John Page praising the news of Mr. George Wythe’s promotion to Speaker of the House of Delegates and in turn, lamenting the decision to dismiss Colonel R. H. Lee from Congress.
Letter from Francis Barber to William Alexander [Lord Stirling] regarding his reluctance to be kept from the fray by an injury and to express upon Lord Stirling the necessity of additional troops to safeguard the stores near Elizabethtown.
Caption: 'Scene on the arrival of Lieutenant Hall, U.S.A., with despatches (sic) from Major Anderson for Governor Pickens, at the Executive Mansion, Charleston, S.C., immediately after the firing on the Star of the West.--from a sketch by our Special Artist.--see page 151.' [full date January 26, 1861.]
Caption: 'Departure of the Great Southern Expedition from Beaufort, North Carolina.--sketched by an amateur.--[see page 119.]' [full date February 21, 1863.]
Caption: 'Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, Commanding the fleet off Charleston--photographed by Gutekurst, of Philadelphia.--see page 270.' [Full date April 25, 1863]
Caption: 'Bombardment of Fort Sumter, as sketched from Morris Island, Charleston Harbor, S.C.' Identified in image: Mortar Battery, Fort Johnson; James Island; City; Castle Pinckney; Fort Sumter; Mount Pleasant; Floating Battery; Mortar Battery; Fort Moultrie; Enfilading Battery; Iron Battery; Sand-bag cover for reserve; Traverse behind Trapier Battery and Magazine covered with sand bags.
Caption: 'Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, 1861--Grand "Skedaddle" of the Federal troops under General McDowell, and of the citizens of Washington who came down to witness the battle.'
Caption: 'The Old Flag again on Sumter--raised (on a temporary staff formed of an oar and boathook) by Captain H.M. Bragg, of General Gillmore's staff, February 18th, 1865.'
[Color image.] Caption: 'The Avery Institute, Charleston, South Carolina.--[see page 867.]' Also identified in image: Rev. Charles Avery and Teachers' Home.
Caption: 'The night guard of boats on Charleston Bar during the first of the bombardment of Fort Sumpter (sic), to prevent reinforcements being sent to Major Anderson, April 12th, 1861.--from a sketch by our artist on Morris Island.'
Caption: 'View of Darlington Court-House and the Sycamore-Tree where Amy Spain, the Negro slave, was hung by the citizens of Darlington, South Carolina.--[Sketched by N.N. Edwards.]' [full date September 30, 1865.]
Caption: 'The advance upon Charleston--pioneer movement--landing of the 100th N.Y. Vols. upon Cole's Island, March 28.--from a sketch by our Special Artist.--see page 6.' Also identified with labels: Camp of 100th N.Y. Vols., Pawnee, Com. McDonough, Expounder and Belvidere. [full date April 25, 1863.]
Caption: 'The city of Charleston, South Carolina.--[see page 62.]' Also identified in image: Broad Street, "Mercury" office, Custom-house, Castle Pinckney, Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter and Morris Island. [full date January 26, 1861.]
Caption: 'The Siege of Charleston--attack on Battery Gregg, September 5, 1863.--from a sketch by Mr. Theodore R. Davis. [See page 629.]' [full date October 3, 1863.]
Caption: 'The Siege of Charleston--the boats for the attack of Gregg on their way. From a sketch by Mr. Theodore R. Davis.--[see page 629.]' [full date October 3, 1863.]
Caption: 'First and last review of the First Regiment, South Carolina Negro Volunteers, on Hilton Head, S.C., under Colonel Fessenden, U.S.A., June 25th, 1862.'
Caption: 'Siege of Charleston--the magazine of Fort Moultrie exploded by a shell from the grounded monitor Weehawken, Sept. 8.--from a sketch by our own Special Artist, W.T. Crane.' [full date October 3, 1863.]
[Color image.] Caption: 'Unloading a transport with ambulances for the Army, at Wilmington, N.C.--View looking up Water Street.--sketched by our Special Artist.' [full date April 15, 1865.]
Caption: 'The Hon. Robert Brown Elliott, of South Carolina. From a photograph by Gardner, Washington, D.C.--see page 150.' [full date February 14,1874.]
Letter from Abraham Lott to Nathanael Greene regarding his poor health, family, and the current state of military affairs, including the enemy retreat from Charlestown, where their current strong holds are, and movements of companies of men.
Caption: 'Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity. Taken after the 31st of August, 1886. No.70, E.B. Hume, Legare Street.' Charleston city directory for 1886 shows Errington B. Hume at 17 Legare Street.
![Letter from William Heath to The Staff of the Army [and] Hospital, Eastern Department](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/35917/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Letter from William Heath to Colonel Gallop [Gallup?]](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/35918/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Letter from Thomas Burke to [Nathanael Greene]](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/36219/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Letter from William Bryan to [Governor Richard Caswell]](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/35544/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Letter from Francis Barber to William Alexander [Lord Stirling]](https://iiif.library.cofc.edu/iiif/2/40644/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
