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to Henry Knox
February 9, 1783
Fleming, George, 1748-1822
Informs Knox that he has "[e]xamined the Ordnance, which I found in the usual order. Mounted the 6 pounders in the Block House according to order."
GLC02437.01908
[Receipt for the payment of two West Point men to pursue army deserters]
9 April 1788
An unknown recipient received from Captain Henry Burbeck "ten shillings york currency for the purpose of defreying my expences for two men from W. Point into the country in pursuit of Livi Hunter and Joseph Griffin deserters from the Federal...
GLC02437.03834
26 March 1786
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Writes to Knox as Secretary of the War Office to discuss the accusations against Major [John Plasgrave] Wyllys, Colonel Wadsworth's former assistant. Reports that Wyllys's friends received the news from Wyllys's brother-in-law, and are in great...
GLC02437.03253
30 December 1786
Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820
Delivered to the governor a note that Knox wrote in his favor. Would like very much to be in the army, but if there is no possibility of that, will "in good Earnest set about making my arrangements for evacuating altogether this Country in Favor of...
GLC02437.03394
August 14, 1788
Knox, William, 1756-1795
William Knox discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly John] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The...
GLC02437.03961
12 August 1788
Reports on military matters regarding troop movements in Pennsylvania and at West Point. Describes an incident regarding a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's troops, and payment of a reward for capturing and imprisoning the deserter. Relates that...
GLC02437.03960
4 September 1791
St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818
Collection of eight letters. Letters dated 4 September, 14 September, 16 September, 23 September, 10 October, 17 October, 21 October, 1 November. Discusses the transportation of goods, supplies and horses. Mentions problems with raising troops and...
GLC02437.10237
19 June 1783
Popkin, John, fl. 1771-1783
Popkin defends himself against complaints waged against him by men from Colonel Crane's regiment. Knox had ordered Popkin to go to camp to address the complaints. Popkin writes, "The substance of the complaint is not true: Notes for Pay I never...
GLC02437.10112
to Robert Treat Paine
22 August 1783
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Paine, Attorney General of Massachusetts. Informs Paine that he instructed General [Robert] Howe, in Philadelphia, to send two men to Boston (Paine requested their presence in Boston to serve as [witnesses]...
GLC02437.10129
[Opinion]
circa 1784
Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807
Discusses his opinions and views on court martials and compares it to the general justice system.
GLC02437.10442
[Congressional inquiry]
circa 1792
Discusses the [Congressional] inquiry into the failure of the expedition under Major General Arthur St. Clair - this was St. Clair's Defeat, also known as the "Columbia Massacre," or the "Battle of the Wabash" in 1791 where the Indians were fighting...
GLC02437.10449
to George Washington
27 March 1783
Details the report of the general officers respecting court martials. Discusses rules, procedures, and duties respecting court martials, trials, the Judge Advocate's role, etc. Lists as members Brigadier Generals Ward, Huntington, Dayton and Putnam...
GLC02437.10517
[Testimony related to Lieutenant Joseph Wheaton]
16 September 1783
Sherburne, Benjamin, fl. 1777-1783
Testimony of Lieutenant Sherburne of the Rhode Island troops in the trial of Lieutenant Joseph Wheaton. Wheaton, while in command of the garrison at Saratoga, sold sundry items and rum to the soldiers for profit. John Thompson, Justice of the Peace...
GLC02437.10521
February 14, 1792
Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825
Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Marked "Private, Personal & Confidential." Tells Knox that "a most lawless outrage was committed by a party of the soldiers on the person of a civil magistrate in the village of Cincinnati...
GLC02437.05321
to James Wilkinson
11 March 1792
Zeigler, David, 1748-1811
Marked copy; titled "Copy of Major Zeigler's letter to Lt. Col. Commandant. Wilkinson." Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Refers him to earlier letters Zeigler wrote to Wilkinson and to Henry Knox, which outline his...
GLC02437.05346
[Notes on a conversation with John Morgan]
February 27, 1792
Recounts a conversation he had with Morgan that day, about a letter Morgan wrote regarding an incident in the Northwest Territories. Writes that he informed Morgan he must take action and have the matter investigated, due to his office. The...
GLC02437.05327
to Samuel Hodgdon
12 May 1792
Discusses an upcoming trial or court martial in a matter involving Hodgdon's. Believes the Committee's finding were prejudiced. Provides Hodgdon with instructions on how to defend himself.
GLC02437.05460
to John S. Thrasher
December 31, 1863
Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891
Accepts Thrasher's offer to telegraph him relevant news items and send him a Richmond newspaper daily. Expresses his desire that the state authorities would help find army deserters and "get them back." Also discusses military movements.
GLC03745
[to "My Cousin Mrs. Sau"]
December 11, 1867
Woodward, York A., fl. 1866-1868
GLC09327.15
2 January 1783
Bushnell, David, 1740-1826
Bushnell signs as Captain, Sappers and Miners. Gives his account of a situation involving Captain Lieutenant Taulman and Kirkpatrick. The two soldiers disobeyed his orders concerning their baggage and he had to arrest them. Refer to GLC02437.01788...
GLC02437.10514
[House Report on St. Clair's Expedition]
8 May 1792
United States. Congress
House inquiry, led, by Mr. [Thomas] FitzSimons concerning the failure of an expedition under General Arthur St. Clair. Gives a report on what happened that day and all of the circumstances that led to the failure of the expedition. Noted as an...
GLC02437.10590
Mahony, John, fl. 1783
Testimony/disposition of soldiers in the Rhode Island troops in the trial of Lieutenant Wheaton, who sold rum to the soldiers at the garrison of Saratoga for profit. All three men signed with an "X" on "His Mark" at end of their testimonies. John...
GLC02437.10522
3 November 1790
William tells Secretary of War Henry Knox that since his last letter to Henry of October 29 (GLC02437.04759) he has discussed with Hannah Harwood the money she owed Mr. Longman and has "delivered her the care of Watch furniture and seeds from Mrs...
GLC02437.04768
January 16, 1791
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Writes Knox's business with Mr. [Sylvanus] Bourne has been settled. Says they celebrated "the 11th of February as the Presidents birthday but we have been told, that is not the proper day, as we intend to Feast this year on the same occasion, I wish...
GLC02437.04831
25 September 1791
Since St. Clair last wrote on 23 September, Colonel Oldham arrived with the Kentucky militia. Oldham brought a letter from General Charles Scott, which is enclosed (not included). Scott has doubts about the militia, but Oldham has been reassuring. As...
GLC02437.05166
15 April 1790
Edwards, Richard, fl. 1790
Asks Knox for help in obtaining an appointment in the army. Says during the year of 1787 he had the honor of serving under Colonel [Henry] Jackson and heard that troops were once again being raised.
GLC02437.04584
January 19, 1783
Marked as a duplicate. Colonel Popkin defends himself against charges of fraud posed by men in Colonel Crane's regiment. Their accusations pertain to repayment of the soldiers and depreciation of currency. Popkin regrets that he cannot follow Knox...
GLC02437.10082
January 14, 1782
Heath, William, 1737-1814
General Heath relates that Doctor Woodward, who presented this note to Knox, left for furlough in November 1781 and was supposed to have returned to service 7 January 1782. Heath explains that the death of Woodward's father, Reverend Woodward, and...
GLC02437.10033
Extra issues
August 1783
Hand drawn chart, apparently listing issues distributed to prisoners, engineers department, police officer garrison, Indians, discharged person, artillery artificers, and General [Jedediah] Huntington. Verso contains the single word "Cast."
GLC02437.10131
[Deposition of Samuel Tenney]
circa 1783
Tenney, Samuel, 1748-1816
Deposition by doctor Tenney, signed as "Sam. Tenny", describing the duties of an officer in relation to Mr. Pratt's arrest. Writes, "[A] commanding officer of a company having the temporary command of a battalion or garrison had no right or pretence...
GLC02437.10197
[Testimony of Ephraim Kirby]
Kirby, Ephraim, ?-1804
Testifies concerning the accusation against Lieutenant Wheaton for illegally turning over his command to Sergeant Pratt, a subordinate officer. States that Mr. Pratt, in "compliance with the Baron's [Steuben] wishes he would acknowledge that he...
GLC02437.10198
At a garrison court martial held at West Point 30th August 82 by order of General Patterson for the tryal of Phillip Francis and Peggy Martin
30 August 1782
Moodie, Andrew, ?-1787
Includes testimony of several witnesses regarding money, supposedly stolen by Peggy Martin. In her defense, Martin said she was invited to Peter Hubbard's for a beer, and while there a man asked her to sell him calico. For the calico, he paid her...
GLC02437.10041
1 July 1783
Popkin informs Knox, Commander of West Point, "...it was, and is, my full intention to comply strictly with orders, and... no other circumstance whatever but the want of Money, has prevented me being at the Quarters..." For related documents, see...
GLC02437.10117
to [Robert] Howe
21 August 1783
Possibly written to General Robert Howe. Asks Howe, commanding detachments of the Continental Army at Philadelphia, to inform him of any political news. Writes: "We have nothing here but the same dull round of the rise & setting sun. No objects to...
GLC02437.10128
Measures in the War Department which it may be expedient to adopt
circa December 1794
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Hamilton outlines suggestions for improving the military. The first point describes organizing the militia into five classes divided up by age and marital status, beginning with unmarried men age 18-25, excepting certain apprentices and students...
GLC02437.09952
to William Hull
February 28, 1784
Writes to Hull about a dispute with Major [Sebastian] Bauman regarding officers of the infantry and artillery appearing in the same roster. Knox says he consulted with Washington and other general officers before making the decision. States that "[m...
GLC02437.10202
January 30, 1783
Fenno, Ephraim, fl. 1776-1784
Captain Lieutenant Fenno reports the results of his investigation, ordered by Knox, into stolen items at two garrisons. Relates that stores at Verplanck, New York, were deficient. Asserts that it is impossible to indicate who took the powder, which...
GLC02437.10088
Provision return for one Captain Lieutenant and one police officer for the garrison of West Point
22 May 1783
Lillie, John, 1755-1801
Also signed by John Miles, police officer. Covers 16- 31 May. Contains a note on page two written by Charles Fryer, who confirms receipt of the rations.
GLC02437.09738
3 March 1784
Doughty, John, 1754-1826
Major Doughty encloses the last return (possibly GLC02437.10578) of the corps of artillery (Doughty took command of the artillery at West Point after the suspension of Sebastian Bauman which resulted from a disagreement with William Hull, commandant...
GLC02437.02970
[Notes regarding claims of officers]
circa February 27, 1793
States the two commissioned officers should produce evidence that a claimant was wounded in the service of the United States. Says the evidence needs to include the time and object of the expedition the officer was on as well as the name of the...
GLC02437.05837
15 November 1793
Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796
Marked "Private." Makes reference to the "baneful leaven," the radical democratic principles of the French Revolution, influencing troops in his army. Mentions that Thomas Paine's "The rights of man, has been held up as a Criterion, even of...
GLC02437.05975
22 March 1793
Marked "Private Personal & Confidential." References Knox's letters of 5 and 9 March. Claims some of the officers are drunks who lack military skills. Expresses sarcastic anger over orders given by Knox about ensigns in the army. Wayne does not...
GLC02437.05856
12 July 1794
Informs Wilkinson his letters will be kept private, however, he will show them to the President of the United States. Discusses the conflict between Wilkinson and General [Anthony] Wayne. Comments he regrets the "disagreement which exists between...
GLC02437.06142
GLC02437.06143
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