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A plan for the establishment of a Corps of Continental Artillery, Magazines, Laboratories &c

Argues that "a well regulated...well disciplined" and well supplied artillery is the most important factor in modern war, and has recently proved decisive in Europe. The British rely on artillery, and feels America should copy them. States the most...

GLC02437.00505

to: Tilley Wilson.

There was a "sharp" fight two days ago during which his regiment and Hooker's distracted the enemy so that Porter could cross the Chickahominy and position his men on a hill above the Confederate capital from which he "can shell the city from where...

GLC06451.031

to: Wife.

Reports that he is now at the front, describes conditions at front & shells bursting in air around him, spreads news of capture of Wilmington.

GLC06734.003

to: "Much Esteemed Friend."

Wilmor reports that "Niggerdom is a question that is talked over in camp verry much." The men think Congress had better find a way to pay the soldiers at the appointed times. He describes their line of defense, which is within a mile of the...

GLC06451.047

to Mary Mayberry

Writing to tell her he is alright, even though it is not his turn. Says he is about 10 miles from Washington, North Carolina under batteries which have caused them a great deal of trouble for the past 3-4 weeks. It was the cause of them not going to...

GLC02829.08

to his sister

Written directly after the engagement with the "Alabama." Says one week ago while in Flushing, Holland, Captain Winslow received information of the arrival of the CSS "Alabama" at Cherbourg. Says they left immediately and remained sitting outside...

GLC02828.17

to Mary Mayberry

Written by Allen aboard the USS "Delaware." Says he has written to "all hands" and has not received any response. Says he will not write again if he does not get a response from her. Reports that "We had an engagement on a small scale which gave us...

GLC02829.05

to Mary Mayberry

Written to his sister Mary. Aboard the USS "Delaware" about 60 miles from Richmond on the James River. Says they are with the USS "Monitor." Says they have left the company of the "Mosquitoe fleet" and are now with the "ironclads." Says they are...

GLC02829.06

to George B. McClellan

Discusses gun boats being used by Grant in attack on Fort Henry. Informs McClellan "Gun boats supplied with temporary crews and in the the field. Mortar boats of no use at present. Enlistments for regular crews going on rapidly. Bombardment of...

GLC02832

Bombardment of Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island, Geo 10th & 11th of April 1862

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Caption under the title reads: "After a bombardment of 30 hours, the Fort surrendered unconditionally to the U.S. Forces, under the immediate...

GLC02881.08

[Committee of Defence authorization for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to lead a Corps of Field Engineers]

The committee, empowered by the General Committee of Philadelphia, made Patterson the chief engineer and organizer of the corps and charged them with "the Defence of the City and its Environs."

GLC02978.01

to Robert M. Patterson

Requests that Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, report whether or not a man named Dr. Paschall consented to having his grounds entered and upon what terms. Also asks him to report on others who had consented to have...

GLC02978.09

Battle of Chattanooga, Tenn. Novr. 24th & 25th 1863

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Subtitle is: "Between the Union forces under Genl. Grant, and the Rebel Army under Genl. Bragg." Caption under title says: "This great conflict began on Monday Novr...

GLC02881.29

[Provision of Fortifications indispensable to the defense of Philadelphia] [French]

Fonciu, a French officer who had lived in Philadelphia, was Jonathan Williams' chief assistant in the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence.

GLC02978.05

[Request for John Biddle to report to Dr. Robert M. Patterson and join the Corps of Field Engineers]

Biddle is identified as a member of the topographical engineers. Patterson had been appointed the chief engineer and organizer of the corps (see GLC02978.01) by the Philadelphia Committee of Defence. Williams signed this letter as "Chief Engineer."

GLC02978.06

Bombardment & capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863.

Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Print is mounted. Full title: "The Bombardment and Capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, Ark. Jany. 11th 1863. By the Gun-boats, commanded by Rear Admiral D. D...

GLC02881.12

[Return]

Return of ordnance and ordnance stores at Stoney [Stony] Point and Verplancks [Verplanck's] Point. Items listed by weight, ammunition and location.

GLC02437.10707

[Sketches of curled banners on small scrap of paper]

One undated scrap paper of drawings of curled banners.

GLC07713.02.02

to Parents

Writes that he is well and that the weather is pleasant, sometimes it rains and sometimes it is warm. They were on picket duty yesterday. The day before yesterday, a man from their Company was wounded; he was shot in the calf. He is the third man...

GLC02749.002

to Mother

Many men have caught Dysentery from the bad water. States that they "lost 500 men from this brigade while across the river and the Corps lost 6000." Writes that the army was put into "the shape of a horseshoe with the heel resting on the river."...

GLC02749.004

to Mother

They have not arrived at Richmond yet, but must be ready for a start at a moment's notice. Only allowed to take their haversacks, no knapsacks or blankets. Have to bring 40 rounds of cartridges in boxes and 20 rounds in their pockets when they...

GLC02749.005

to Parents

Writes that nothing important has happened since he "last wrote except the battle of Sunday. Our division was not in it, there was not much artillery firing that day but the muskets was heavy and it was kept up without easing till near two hours...

GLC02749.006

to Sister

Writes that they can only send letters every four days now, and soon he will not be able to send any letters for two or three weeks. They are in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia within 25 miles of Staunton, Virginia and nearly 100 miles from Harpers...

GLC02749.010

to Sister

Just received her letter dated 10 October. They had as desperate a battle as they have ever had yesterday (Battle of Cedar Creek or Battle of Belle Grove, 19 October 1864). The rebels came in from the rear, attacked them at early light, and killed...

GLC02749.011

to George Washington

Discusses the appointment of officers in the artillery, complaining that there are no established principles for governing such appointments. "That the greatest caution should be observed in making the appointments I would humbly propose that they...

GLC02437.00929

to Henry Knox

Written from "Camp." Writes that agreeable to the wishes of the Committee, he has been trying to get "Capt. Pemberton to transcribe our address." Captain Pemberton has been too busy with his own work, so he has asked Colonel Cortlandt, and though...

GLC02437.01734

[Receipt for various items]

Receipt of General Knox for various items for his men, including nine brass quadrants.

GLC02437.02868

Return of a detachment of artillery under the command of Lieutenant Samuel Jefferds

Lieutenant Jefferds signs 29 December 1783 from Fort Rensselaer, Canajoharie, New York. Henry Knox signs 7 March 1784 at Dorchester, Massachusetts. Knox asserts that this return is a copy from the original forwarded to Charles Knowles, paymaster of...

GLC02437.02974

to Henry Knox

Hull, commandant of West Point, thanks Knox for resolving the disagreement between Hull and artillery officer Sebastian Bauman. Reports on the case of two soldiers arrested for breaking into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. Complains...

GLC02437.02985

to John Doughty

Informs Doughty that he will help with procuring subsistence for the troops. Does not believe recruiting service will begin in New York as its quota numbers are deficient. The contracts of Morris and Wadsworth are ending as Congress is not happy...

GLC02437.03502

[Ordnance report for the artillery park and other posts at West Point]

Lists numbers of brass and iron artillery at the West Point posts. Signed by Andrew Moodie, Captain of Artillery.

GLC02437.10070

to my dear mother

GLC03137.02

to Henry Knox

Arranges to have the bearer of the letter retrieve artillery from Framingham, Massachusetts. Tracy was a merchant who turned privateer during the Revolution.

GLC02437.00261

[Abstract of pay covering February 1776 for Captains Stephen Badlam and Ebenezer Steven's companies of artillery]

Abstract of pay due to Stephen Badlam and Ebenezer Steven's companies of artillery for the month of February 1776. Lists men by rank with pay amounts.

GLC02437.09507

"Interior, Fort Brady."

Numbered 10786 in pencil on verso. Image of two men beside a cannon near the camp wall.

GLC03029.02

"Fort Brady."

Image shows two cannons in a fortified trench, each manned by four soldiers.

GLC03029.19

to Edward Manigault

Lists guns and heavy shells sent to Charleston intended for the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Written on Proprietor stationery of the Palmetto Iron Works.

GLC03034

to Father and Mother

They were transported in train cars to another camp ground. They began their pursuit of the rebels. They planted theri artillery but the Rebels wouldn't answer so they couldn't tell where their force was.

GLC03049.01

to Ann

Last night the firing at Port Hudson started up again and lasted three hours. He has not had much time to write and complains he has not seen any liqour in Baton Rouge.

GLC03047.02

[Call for applications to join a Corps of Field Engineers for the defense of Philadelphia]

Calls for 100 men to serve as artillerists. Indicates pay will be the same as artificers in the United States Army. The committee was authorized to raise the corps by the General Committee of Philadelphia.

GLC02978.03

[Announces that the Corps of Field Engineers will fortify the defenses of Philadelphia]

Indicates that a company of artillery will be devoted to building a defense of ports and obstructing the British army's approach during the War of 1812. The company would be outfitted with tools. They would come from the Corps of Field Engineers...

GLC02978.04

to Jonathan Williams

Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, reponds to Williams' request (see GLC02978.09). Indicates that Dr. Paschall refused to allow works to be built upon his land, but may consent if the works are not near his buildings...

GLC02978.10

to Robert M. Patterson

Tells Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, that a man named Jonathan Jones, who knows the local terrain, can provide assistance to the topographical engineers. Also notes a man named Spencer Sargeant will be retained for...

GLC02978.08

to Eliakim P. Scammon

Hayes writes as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. Reports that he believes the Confederate force at Pack's Ferry is not large enough to cross the river. Advises, "I...

GLC02995

Albumen Print of Battery A, 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery Reg

Dramatic oval photograph showing seven black soldiers attending a cannon.

GLC03028

"13th N.Y. artillery at Ft. Burpee."

Companion with image #13 (left half of stereo).

GLC03029.14

"13th N.Y. artillery at [F]ort Burpee."

Shows several groups of soldiers gathered behind the breastworks. Companion with image #14 (right half of stereo).

GLC03029.13

[Request for Dr. Robert M. Patterson to continue building a fortification]

Asks Patterson, the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers, to "direct & continue the operations on the heights next of Schuylkill [River] without delay.

GLC02978.07

to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: plea for shelter during dangerous times

Robert, Jr.'s sister begs him to grant her some shelter and safety during such dangerous times, and also adds: "The Almightly God is omnipresent here & there his Goodness was great when greap shott went hissing thro the Air like the sound of sky...

GLC03107.03327

to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: examining rivers and forts

The letter is signed by both Gilbert Livingston and William Paulding. Gilbert writes that he has just returned from "the Forts" where he examined the rivers at Montgomery and Constitution, and has found that the site at Constitution is preferable...

GLC03107.03348