0703: Rosanna Blake Collection, 1818-2000

This collection consists of manuscript and other paper items collected by Rosanna A. Blake. Included are letters, diaries, correspondence, unit rosters, Confederate imprint forms and currency, 1860-1865. Also included are 3D items including firearms, edged weapons, tin soldiers, original Civil War art work, the Volck shield, and Southern periodicals relating to the Civil War. Notably, the collection includes 3 original Robert E. Lee letters, 1 Jefferson Davis letter, and 2 general orders dictated by Lee. The O'Brien sub-collection contains Civil War pamphlets and booklets, over 300 monographs and books, photos, CDV's, original Civil War art work, the Volck shield, ambrotypes and tintypes, one original Robert E. Lee letter, original Civil War sketches and etchings, and other 3D items. Most materials are Confederate related.

The digitized items here do not represent the entirety of the Rosanna Blake Collection, 1818-2000. To view what other materials are in this collection but not yet digitized and available online, search the guide to the Rosanna Blake Collection, 1818-2000.

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Printed letter from Charles P. Daly, LLd, to Ira Harris, US Senator titled "Are the Southern Privateersmen Pirates," 1862.

Printed letter from Charles P. Daly, LLd, to Ira Harris, US Senator titled "Are the Southern Privateersmen Pirates," 1862. Daly was the first judge of the court of common pleas of the city of New York. it is dated Dec. 21, 1861. It was printed in New York by James B. Kirker, 599 Broadway, in 1862.
Printed speech of Charles S. Morehead at the Southern Club, Liverpool, England, 1862. (photocopy) Title: "Southern Confederacy, an Historical Summary"

Printed speech of Charles S. Morehead at the Southern Club, Liverpool, England, 1862. (photocopy) Title: "Southern Confederacy, an Historical Summary" The Southern Club was the forerunner to the Southern Independence Association, which was the Confederate support group in England. Charles S. Morehead (1802-1868) Charles Slaughter Morehead, governor of Kentucky from 1855 to 1859, was arrested and imprisoned by Union authorities during the Civil War. Although a Southern sympathizer supportive of Kentucky’s neutrality, he worked for a peaceful resolution, hoping to avert war. He was critical of the Lincoln administration, and, in September 1861, Union authorities arrested Morehead. Charged with treason and “stirring up and promoting rebellion,” he was imprisoned in Fort Lafayette in New York Harbor and Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. Several influential Kentuckians asked for Morehead’s freedom. President Lincoln said that if two of his key Kentucky advisors, James Speed and James Guthrie, agreed, Morehead would be released. Guthrie and others concurred, and Morehead left prison in January 1862. He spent most of the remainder of the war in England, Europe, Canada and Mexico.
Roger W. Hanson Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Roger W. Hanson. In his Mexican War uniform. No backplate. Killed in action three weeks after being promoted to brig. gen. He died Jan. 4, 1863 at the Battle of Stone's River.
Thomas H. Taylor Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Thomas Hart Taylor. From an original made after 1862.
Thomas L. Clingman Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Thomas L. Clingman. No backplate. This image is pre-Civil War and is the same one in the Dept. of Archives, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge.
Two General Orders from the Brigadier General's Office, 3rd Texas Brigade, Texas State Troops, 1862, signed by F. B. [Franklin Bolivar] Sublett, Brig Gen.

Two General Orders from the Brigadier General's Office, 3rd Texas Brigade, Texas State Troops, 1862, signed by F. B. [Franklin Bolivar] Sublett, Brig Gen. General order No. 1, dated Mar. 19, 1862 gives location of the camps of instruction. 2nd order is "in compliance with General orders, No. 1" gives instructions on organizing companies and election of officers. Later in the war, Sublett became Lt. Col. of the 2nd Texas Infantry, State Troops (CSA) He was a large plantation owner before the war.
William Lowndes Yancey Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate Congressman William Lowndes Yancey. Yancey was a Confederate Congressman and diplomat to England.
The First Battle Between Iron Ships of War

Henry Britt

Print of "The First Battle Between Iron Ships of War," Monitor and Merrimac, Col. Entered Act of Congress 1862 by Henry Bitt
$100 bond issued by State of South Carolina, 1861. 6 percent bond No. 3607. One interest coupon on bottom.

$100 bond issued by State of South Carolina, 1861. 6 percent bond No. 3607. One interest coupon on bottom. Signed by T. J. Pickens, Comptroller General. Printed by Evans & Cogswell, printers. Printed on coupon states it was issued under the Act of 1860, "for arming the state"
Carte de visite of Gen. Albert S. Johnston, CSA

Carte de visite of Confederate General Albert S. Johnston, CSA, b&w Name misspelled on front as Johnson. (Johnston is correct) A similiar pose is 2001.0703.104 which was colorized.
Carte de visite of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's

Carte de visite of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's, b&w note on back reads: 290 or CSS Alabama (290 was the ship number of the Alabama when it was being built) No backprint
Foot Artillery Sword, 1861-1865

Short artillery sword similar to Roman Gladius by L. Harman & Bros.
Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's

Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's, b&w note on back reads: Capt. Semmes (290 was the ship number of the Alabama when it was being built) No backprint
Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's

Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's, col.green trim (290 was the ship number of the Alabama when it was being built) No backprint similiar to 2006.0703.237, but with green trim
Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's

Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama, ca. 1860's, col. red trim caption on front reads: Semmes of the 290 (290 was the ship number of the Alabama when it was being built) No backprint
Small Confederate flag, modified 1st National pattern, ca. 1861-62. Sewn cotton.

Small Confederate flag, modified 1st National pattern, ca. 1861-62. Sewn cotton. Appraiser Rafael Eledge sttated it was made in late 1861 or early 1862, due to type of blue cloth. Rosanna Blake stated it was found in New Orleans when Union Army occupied city. Also called the "11-star pattern"
Smoothbore Musket, circa 1861-1865

This is a .69 caliber, percussion from the Virginia Manufactory. Converted from flintlock.
Unidentified girl, Civil War period

Unidentified girl, Civil War period, hand colorized Backprint of Vannerson & Jones, Photographer, Richmond US Proprietary stamp
Fiddle style powder flask, Circa 1860

Black powder flask, produced possibly in or by Sheffield, England.

Sheffield, England
Fitzhugh Lee Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee. Pre-Civil War image of him in his U.S. Cavalry uniform, ca. 1859-1860. No backplate Rare, pre-civil war image of Fitzhugh Lee, when an officer int he U.S. Cavalry.
Gabriel James Rains Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Gabriel James Rains. From a pre-Civil War image. This image was confused with the other Confederate General Rains. ( James Edward)
Jefferson Davis, from the Matthew Brady image, pre-war

Jefferson Davis, from the Matthew Brady image, pre-war, b&w It is believed to be a copy from the Matthew Brady pre-Civil War image.
President James Buchanan's Cabinet, ca. 1860 Lithograph of Battle Near Mill Springs, Ky., and Death of Gen. Zollicoffer, 1862

President James Buchanan's Cabinet, ca. 1860, b&w. Cabinet members were: John B. Floyd Aaron Brown Isaac Toucey Jermiah Black Jacob Thompson Lewis Cass John C. Breckenridge (probably made 1859-1860)
Robert A. Toombs Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Robert Augustus Toombs. From a pre-war image.
Robert E. Lee Carte de visite

Carte de visite of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Rare pre-Civil War image. From a daguerreotype by Mathew Brady made in 1850. Known as the "West Point photo."