Subject: Military Service

Application for active membership in the Washington Light Infantry Corps submitted by George H. De Leon on March 31, 1879, in Washington, D.C. The application was approved on April 14, 1879. De Leon later served in the Spanish-American War.

Bookplate depicting a lion on each side and a palm tree in the center. The bookplate is inscribed with the name 'MORDECAI, J. RANDOLPH'. Additional text on the item indicates that Mordecai J. Randolph entered the Confederate States Army (CSA) in 1860 as a private and rose to the rank of Assistant Adjunct General, first in General White's Brigade Light Artillery and then in General Taliaferro's Division. The bookplate is undated.

Broadside calling for the Pennsylvania militia to quell the Whiskey Rebellion. Hand-addressed to Lt. Col. Isaac Franks. The reverse side contains his handwritten expense account. Dated September 13, 1794. The broadside details the circumstances of the Whiskey Rebellion, a tax revolt against the newly imposed federal tax on whiskey distillers. This tax, part of Alexander Hamilton's economic program, caused hardships for farmers in western Pennsylvania who relied heavily on whiskey production. The broadside provides context of the historical events leading to the rebellion and the need for militia intervention. Lt. Col. Isaac Franks' biographical information is also included, detailing his service in the American Revolutionary War, subsequent appointments, and his role in the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion.

A hand-done calligraphic memorial broadside created by the Harvard Lodge No. 9, United Sons of Israel, on July 23, 1918. The broadside features the American and Israeli flags, an eagle, and a photograph of uniformed members. It describes a battle and is signed by lodge officers. The broadside includes a seal of Harvard. It was displayed at the Library of Congress Exhibit in Cincinnati (AJA) in 2005.

Certificate of service issued to Jules Leopold, a Captain in the 55th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, New York State Militia (Lafayette Guards), a French-speaking regiment. Dated January 8, 1860, in New York, New York. Signed by Jules Leopold and other officers.

This archival material consists of a Congressional Record document concerning an Act of Congress for the relief of Jonas P. Levy. Dated March 31, 1855, the document details a decision regarding Levy's war claims against Mexico, which had been previously rejected. The collection also includes related Congressional appeals from 1882. Additional materials referenced, but not included in this collection, are a Senate document from May 4, 1858, detailing a Court of Claims report on the case of Jonas P. Levy vs. the United States (35th Cong., 1st Sess. SMD251).

This archival item pertains to materials provided by the Jewish Welfare Board to Jewish soldiers during 1919. The exact nature of the materials is unspecified.

Letter from Abraham Cohn to Col. L. D. Mason, military agent of New Hampshire, dated February 20, 1865, in Washington, D.C. Cohn informs Mason of his return to active duty on February 12, 1865. The letter also mentions Cohn's actions at the Battles of the Wilderness and Petersburg during the American Civil War.

This archival collection contains a three-page letter written by Alfred Cromelien to Col. Alexander Biddle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 1, 1894. Cromelien, a Jewish Civil War veteran, details his financial hardship and requests a $100 loan. A notation on the letter's back suggests the loan should be given with repayment contingent on improved circumstances. The collection also includes an envelope addressed to L. Guggenheim in Virginia City, Nevada, postmarked November 5, 1897. Cromelien served in the Civil War and was a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Single-page handwritten letter from William Lovenstein in Richmond, Virginia, dated September 5, 1866, to J. Burgauer. Lovenstein requests Burgauer to procure several books and an almanac, mentioning a previous visit to Philadelphia and a meeting with Mr. Leeser. Accompanied by photostats from Berman's "Richmond Jewry 1769-1976" detailing Lovenstein's military service and political career.

A letter of recommendation for Dr. Philip Minis for an Assistant Surgeon's commission in the U.S. Army. Dated July 1824, Savannah, Georgia. Signed by the President and Vice President of the Georgia Medical Society, an MD, and a retired Post Surgeon of the U.S. Army. This is considered the earliest extant letter of recommendation for a Jew to be an officer in the U.S. Army.

Autograph letter signed by Philip L. Cohen to Lt. John W. Clark, dated November 13, 1876, from Augusta, Georgia. Cohen resigns his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Richmond Hussars militia unit. The letter is written on Banker/Broker Letterhead of John J. Cohen & Sons. The verso includes annotations regarding the approval and forwarding of the resignation.

A reprint of a letter from General Beauregard's Assistant Adjutant-General, Thomas Jordan, to Rabbi M.I. Mechelbacker, dated September 1, 1861, declining a request for furloughs for Jewish soldiers during the High Holidays. This letter, published in the Charleston Mercury on January 27, 1863, explains the military's inability to grant leave due to the ongoing conflict. The newspaper also contains an advertisement for Isaac Eger Hertz.

A promotion certificate for Abraham Rosenthal to the rank of corporal in Company A, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry Volunteers. Issued in Manassas, Virginia, on June 23, 1862, and signed by Regimental Commander L.B. Pierce.

A color graphic recruitment poster for Canadian Jewish immigrants. The poster's theme is: "We have given you your freedom and now it is time to fight for it." This is one of a set of two posters; the other is in Yiddish (see 2006.12.26.00574). Published in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; undated. Possibly only three sets exist.

Report #223 to the New York State Assembly, dated March 17, 1832, by Major Mordecai Myers, Chairman of the Committee on the Militia and Public Defense. This printed document addresses the issue of states' ability to discontinue military parades, asserting that they are not free to do so. The report consists of two pages, printed front and back. The document is part of a larger collection related to Mordecai Myers, an early Jewish resident of Western New York.

Printed report #222 to the New York State Assembly, dated March 17, 1832, by Major Mordecai Myers, Chairman of the Committee on the Militia and Public Defense. The report, printed on one page front and back, expresses opposition to military parades more than once annually.

Roll sheet documenting Company "C" of the 67th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It details the service of Marcus M. Spiegel, who commanded the company and was promoted to Colonel of the 120th Regiment for bravery. Spiegel was killed at Snaggy Point, Louisiana, while in the process of being promoted to Brigadier General. Dated October 31, 1862.

Roll sheet detailing the status of officers and men of Company "C", 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as of December 31, 1864. The record includes information on discharges, transfers, deaths, desertions, and wounded personnel. The document lists numerous names, including that of Marcus M. Spiegel, whose name is misspelled as Speigel on the sheet. The roll sheet is from Richmond, Virginia.

Pamphlet titled "THE AMERICAN JEW AS PATRIOT, SOLIDER AND CITIZEN", published by the Levytype Company. Simon Wolf (1836-1923), born in Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1848 and settled in Ohio. He was an alternate delegate to the 1860 Democratic National Convention before becoming a Republican. He opened a law practice in Washington in 1862, defended Ulysses S. Grant against charges of anti-Semitism, and held various government posts until 1882 when he resumed his legal practice. Wolf claimed acquaintance with every US president from Lincoln to Wilson. A Reform Jew, he also served Jewish organizations, including as president of B'nai B'rith in 1904 and permanent chairman of the Committee on Civil and Religious Rights of the Union of Hebrew Congregations. Published circa 1895.

Single-sheet newspaper, published in Columbus, Georgia on June 9, 1862. Features a prominent recruitment advertisement for Moise's Rangers.

Pamphlet titled "The War Record of American Jews," published by the American Jewish Committee on January 1, 1919, in New York City. This is the first report detailing the contributions of American Jews during World War I.