John Buchanan Floyd Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

John Buchanan Floyd Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1831-1863, of John B. Floyd, governor of Virginia, United States Secretary of War and Confederate general. The papers, chiefly 1850-1862, concern the three positions he held. Correspondents include James Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, Samuel Houston, Benjamin Huger, Alexander von Humboldt, R. M. T. Hunter, Charles James Faulkner, Jenny Lind, James Murray Mason, William Ballard Preston, Winfield Scott, John Tyler, Daniel Webster and the Duke of Wellington.

Concerning "your" Pattonsburg's [?] suit; how are things in Richmond? the Tariff issue; the proposed re-chartering of the Bank of the United States; and the concenrs of the South and its representatives, particularly Virginia.

Notation concerning the presentation of a medal to Major General Winfield Scott for services in the Mexican war, crediting the text to Floyd's "daughter" Eliza M. Johnston. Signed by John B. Floyd.

Regrets he cannot be present at the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in Richmond. Is sending fireworks in care of Capt. Charles Dimmock.

Regrets he cannot be present at the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in Richmond.

Regrets he cannot be present at the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington monument in Richmond.

Is prevented by sickness from attending the ceremony unveiling the Washington Monument at Richmond on 22 February..

Declines to be present at the laying of the corner stone of the Washington Monument in Richmond.

Concerning an enclosed document that needs the attentions of the authorities of the state of Virginia.

Thanks him [Floyd] for kindnesses shown during her stay in Richmond and for the presents bestowed upon her.

Concerns medal voted by State of Virginia to Gen. Winfield Scott.

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of previous letter and replies that a packet will be sent by the first mail from the State Department to Mexico. Including an autograph, undated, of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney.

Offers Floyd appointment as a member of his cabinet --"almost certainly that of Secretary of War."

Concerning the new President and administration, the Secretary of War, and whether the "Head Quarters of the army" shall remain in New York.

Congratulates Floyd on his appointment as Secretary of War.

Congratulates Floyd on his recent appointment as Secretary of War.

Concerning the gift of a saddle cloth for JBF which was originally designed as a testimnoial of the late President Taylor; statement concerning woman's happiness; and possession of a George Washington letter.

Describes Longwood, the prison, tomb of Napoleon, the cruise of the Dale down the coast of Africa, and his plan to return home before the close of the last session of the Congress, now sitting.

Scope and Contents Regrets a dinner invitation. Including a letter from Samuel Houston, Independence, Texas, to William Lloyd, 14 September 1854, declining to pay for the Richmond Examiner because he never subscribed to it.

Thanks von Humboldt for his portrait; will continue to send surveys of far western territories; praises Humboldt's work. In French.

Thanks Floyd for accepting his portrait, and speaks of his admiration of the United States; requests that a certain friend be allowed to return to his family to finish the sketches from the Colorado expedition.

Concerning a trip to the St. Lawrence and on to Quebec; and requesting to prolong the leave of a Lt. Major of the 2d calvalry for four months and reasons supporting the request.

Card of invitation to dinner from Lord Edmund Lyons, addressed to the Secretary of War, John B. Floyd.

Scope and Contents Signatures, dated 4 October 1860, are: Albert Edward P.; Lyons; Newcastle; Sc. Germans; Robert Bruce; [?]sdale; G.N. Grey; Gardiner D. Engleheart.

Appoints Floyd as Brigadier General of the Provisional Forces of the CSA.

Concerning Floyd's invitation to Richardson to join Floyd's Brigade and Richardson's decline because of dissatisfaction in the ranks.

Concerns the difficulty of raising and supplying companies for the Confederate Army in his section of Tennessee.

Concerning arms that are pledged to the Georgia volunteers. Brown does not have enough to give to Floyd even though he's sure they would be used "for the promotion of a ... cause."

Concerning commissions, medical supplies, and Col. Reynolds and the "Carbine affair."

Concerning volunteers and their subsequent refusal to enter the service.

Concerning Coleman's promotion from private in the "Nelson Rangers." Written on Confederate States of America stationery.

General Loring assumes command of the Army of the North West.

Scope and Contents Pass to permit his return to his home near Sewell [sic] Mountain. Including an answer from J.L.D. [?], concerning Hargman's report (to Confederates) of Federal strength.

Discusses some differences between them as related to their respective commands, and some misapplication of the miltary propriety. Including a copy from General John B. Floyd, White Sulphur Va. [?], to General Henry A. Wise, 14 August 1861. General Order No. 82, ordering obedience and repect for General Wise, who assumed comand of the Department of the Kanawha Valley.

Requests transfer by Floyd of two companies to Beckly's newly formed regiment. Also refers to military situation below Gauley Bridge.

Scope and Contents Recommends Thompson Tyler as messenger or Confederate agent. Including an answer signed by Jno. P. Brock, Capt. Valley Rangers, also recommending Tyler.

Concerning the settlement of bills, the purchase of bacon, and congratulations on a successful campaign.

Concerning prisoners.

Concerning mail facilities fro the Army of Kanawha.

Authorization for Stephen Clark to proceed to Grayson County and vicinity to purchase bacon for the use of the army, approved by order of Brig. General John B. Floyd.

Scope and Contents Concerns purchase of cattle by speculators which prevents the army from getting a sufficiency. Including letter from R. E. Lee, Head Quarters Camp Sewell Mt., to General John B. Floyd, 4 October 1861, referring matter to Floyd.

Concerning two prisoners and a "pass" found.

Scope and Contents Concerning the feeding and location of cattle. Including letter from Lucius Bellinger Northrop, Confederate States of America, Subsistence Department, to Captain W. E. Peters, Floyd's Brigade, 14 October 1861, supporting Ruffin's orders concerning the cattle.

Asks for instructions with regard to the route to be taken to move his troops to meet General Floyd's troops, after they have received their winter supplies.

Scope and Contents Concerns the mortal wound of Col. St. George [sic] John Groghan of the Confederate Army, in a calvalry skirmish, 14 November 1860, and the disposition of his effects. Including an answer from H.W. Benham, Hawkins farm Raleigh Road, Va., to Governor John B. Floyd, n.p., 15 November 1861, stating that the bearer of the letter is John Hawkins, son of Pleasant Hawkins, a prisoner of Floyd's. Desires that John Hawkins be permitted to return.

Special orders assigning Surgeon James A. Forbes to the Army in the North West.

Concerning the selection and establishment of Winter Headquarters.

Concerning enemy forces on the Tennessee River and Pillow's position and strategy.

Is sending special messenger.

Transmitting of letter from the Secretary of War.

Requests Floyd to prepare a report of his activities from the time he was left in command at Nashville until he arrived at Murfreesboro. This letter published in War of the Rebellion. (Note: The date is written as 1863, but is in fact 1862.)

Concerns the war in the Valley of Virginia and the desire of Capt. Joel W. Flood of Appomattox County to raise a company.

Scope and Contents Recommends Jacob Osborne of Monroe County, lately a lieutenant in a volunteer company, to Floyd's consideration. Including an answer from A. A. Chapman, undated, concurring with the above reommendation.

Recommendation of superior nature of Col. John M. Rowan; gossip about the failures of Henry Heth's command following the battle of Lewisburg, Va. in 1862.

Concerning an introduction of Captain Davis.

Describes looting in Nashville.

Hopes to arrange his exchange as a prisoner from "Lincoln's shackles," and will then be able to enter service again. Since he has been wounded, desires position in John B. Floyd's army. Including answer from John Letcher, 17 Aug. 1862, referring Curry's request to Maj. General John B. Floyd, and recommending Curry as an "excellent officer... cool and energetic."

Recommends Lieut. Henry D. Yancey of Lynchburg for an appointment in the army under Floyd.

Card of invitation of Sir William Gore and Lady Ouseley to Governor and Mrs. John B. Floyd for dinner.

Concerning the Presbyterian Synod, the house, and family.

Listing residents of Washington D.C. by street, with notation on (dates called on), and with separate lists for diplomats and "Bachelors"

Biographical / historical:

John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), was a Virginia politician (legislator and governor), U.S. Secretary of War, and the Confederate general in the American Civil War who lost the crucial Battle of Fort Donelson.

Acquisition information:
Gift; 1 item, October. 1924, by R. M. Hughes. Gift, 71 items, May 1940, by Estate of Robert M. Hughes.