1863/10/22

Smith, John M., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He found her husband's body and has sent it home by express. He warns her not to open the coffin because the body is "in an advanced state of decomposition."

GLC04189.58

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he wrote her at Fairfield, Connecticut to check on her well being and tell her how much he values her, to tell her that the British had landed at Staten Island but had not attacked New York yet, and that he believes when they do, the Americans will be able to beat them back. He also asked her to send money after taking what she needed and to ask where to send her trunks. Reports that General Nathanael Greene, Jonathan Pollard, and Mrs. [Herey] are all "well an in good spirits," information that Lucy could pass on to spouses and loved ones in Connecticut. Asks if Lucy took the…

GLC02437.00359

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Notes that Lucy Knox and others have gone to Fairfield, Connecticut, away from potential fighting in New York. Indicates that he gave Colonel David Mason a draft for fifty dollars to be paid by William (see GLC02437.00358). Asks William to write "fully & frequently." Alluding to the impending battle in New York comments that "You may expect something great before long."

GLC02437.00360

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments that Lucy had to abruptly leave New York, although it was for her safety. They believed the British would attack but they landed on Staten Island instead, where they were "received with a hearty welcome by its rascally Tory inhabitants." Mentions that the people in New Jersey were assembling their militia (see GLC02437.00357). Favorably assesses their artillery preparations for battle. Asks Lucy to send his trunk back, which has his papers and money in it, and asks where to send her clothes. Pressing business prevents him from writing more. Gives love to their baby.

GLC02437.00361

8 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new baby and the road conditions would be unknown.…

GLC02437.00363

July 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Distressed, Lucy discusses the circumstances under which she left New York and argues she was undeserving of Henry's censure. She stayed in New York longer than expected in order to have "a more affectionate parting." When she desired to go to Fairfield, Connecticut, she received a message from Mr. Burr (possibly Aaron Burr), indicating that he could not obtain a house or furniture for her there, as Henry had requested. Is dissatisfied that Henry writes "frequently in your letters to remind me of my incapacity of judging for myself." Also writes that Henry ignored, or never read, her…

GLC02437.00364

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for his recent letter. Discusses Lucy Knox's hasty evacuation from New York when British ships were spotted in the Hudson and the unhappiness it caused both Lucy and himself (also see GLC024327.00364). Lucy is distressed but Henry feels he is "not at liberty to attend her as my country calls." Explains that his apprehension was disguised by scolding Lucy for not leaving sooner. Comments that Mrs. Nathanael Greene and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard went with Lucy, and describes Mrs. Pollard as an unfit companion because of "her Melancholy dumpish disposition." If Lucy is unhappy in…

GLC02437.00367

1862/9/24

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The Confederates camped twenty miles away in Frederick, Maryland. He has "Inflamatory Rheumatism" in his legs. The regiment's officers think that they will all be discharged by Christmas. Smith begs his wife to write him more frequently and adds "I hopes if there is a spark of love left for a sick souldier [sic] in a strange land that you will send it to me in a letter..."

GLC04189.02

1862/9/26

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

His legs feel much better. He asks his wife to write him several times a week and he hopes to do the same. Written from Camp Johnson.

GLC04189.03

1862/9/31

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Smith hopes he will soon be fit for duty. He has not received some letters his wife sent and is dismayed that she will not rewrite the news that was in them. He mentions trains full of soldiers passing by and, responding to her questions about whiskey in the camp, asserts that he does not drink. He forlornly speaks of recent family troubles: "you state in your letter that all our misfortunes was brought on by myself which I think is not the case but if it is so it is much better to forgive the past if it cannot be forgot [sic] . . . ." Written from Camp Johnson.

GLC04189.04

1862/10/2

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He received the letter she mailed yesterday (10/1/1862). He has only received one of four letters she sent. He gives her instructions concerning the "Post Office Matter" and how to file returns for stamps. In response to her complaint that he does not write enough, he states that he sent an number of letters, "[B]ut I see you are just like you used to be that is you must have something to find fault off [sic] but I take it all in good part . . . ." He hopes she will eventually receive the letters.

GLC04189.05

1862/10

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the capture of a hearse that carried arms for the Confederacy. He found two newspapers lying on the road and mailed them to Anna [his daughter]. He asks Elizabeth to send him a letter detailing all the "impossibilities" she must deal with. Such a letter may help him get a longer furlough. Turning to family matters, Smith beseeches his wife to forget the "Rum Business." He writes "You need not lay it all to Rum for the very morning that I enlisted you know what was done and you also know that I did not want to enlist . . . ."

GLC04189.07

1862/10/5

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Smith gives his wife instructions for renting out his blacksmith shop. [see also #2, 13] He is dismayed that she rented out part of the house against his wishes. His legs are giving him trouble again. Discusses types of punishments in camp including wearing a barrel and a sign while parading through camp to the Rogue's March.

GLC04189.08

1861-1865

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Letter

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He expects to be in the army for quite some time but hopes to come home to visit. He will say no more about the "shop affair" since he can do nothing about it. Undated letter fragment.

GLC04189.09

1862/10/21

Sutton, George S., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Sithen or Thomas Sharp

Gives permission for D. V. M. Smith's wife to have a cord of wood.

GLC04189.12

1862/10/28

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The blacksmith shop has been rented out. Mentions rumor that the army will move soon and General Wool has stopped issuing furloughs. Smith begs his wife not to mention his liquor consumption. He assures her that he is now a sober man and it hurts him to have her constantly mention his past drinking. Smith believes his wife does not want him to come home and hopefully suggests that they forget the past and work on their future.

GLC04189.13

1862/11/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith & children

Describes an offer in which ten men from each company would have the "privilege" of being allowed to join the regular army for five years. They have captured quite a few rebels and spies including: "A big nigger that has been watching us and telling the Rebel part of the Community what we was doing . . . ." He expects to be paid soon and will send her most of his money. He will need to keep some cash to purchase boots and winter clothes.

GLC04189.14

1862/11/11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He is still on guard duty. Discloses accounts that he would like his wife to collect. He also wants her to find out whether soldiers have to pay tax and, if so, how much. Briefly mentions the removal of McClellan and his renewed hope for a furlough.

GLC04189.16

1862/11/25

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith & children

The army is building a General Hospital in town and his regiment has been assigned to guard it. He again asks his wife not to mention the "Rum question," claiming it makes him "feel a little dry until I forget it again." Continues on 11/26 to mention twenty-five hour period of guard duty in the rain.

GLC04189.17

1863/9/14

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He has turned in his gun and reported to the doctor. He rode in an ambulance to Culpeper. He mentions the capture of two guerrillas and adds that "woman & children & negroes packed up & left for parts unknown."

GLC04189.55

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses why he did not introduce two of Lucy's acquaintances, Mr. Livingston and Mr. King, to the ladies Lucy mentioned. Indicates that any enemy ship in the bay is seizing every ship that comes near.

GLC02437.00426

26 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Captain William Perkins thirty dollars. A note on the same page, signed by Perkins, instructs that the payment be made to Naby Perkins.

GLC02437.00427

11 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Robert Cook twenty dollars. A note signed with the mark of [Anne Cook] (spelled "Cooke"), on verso, dated 2 September 1776, directs that the payment be made to Isaiah Doane.

GLC02437.00433

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks her for her letter. Discusses Lucy's dislike of Mrs. Nathanael Greene. Longs to see his wife.

GLC02437.00401

07 November 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard W. Hutson

Apologizes for not writing. They had an unexpected move. General Lee put together a party to scour the Blue Ridge Mountains for military deserters. Reports that Lee chose A. P. Hill's 1st South Carolina and Richard S. Ewell's 12th of Georgia regiments for the mission and that it was kept secret from the men until the last minute. They have already captured 30 deserters or conscripts and he is enjoying the time away from the main army. Remarks that the mountains are full of good food provisions. States that they have captured some men with horses, which are in great demand. Comments on…

GLC08165.63