14 December 1775

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that the boat with letters and provisions sent by Henry arrived yesterday. Explains how a boat William was riding to Sabbath Day Point in sank close to the shore, making the artillery on board and the vessel salvageable. Captain Johnson also arrived, and together with William sent a boat toward Lake George, but the ice will make it slow. William will ride a different scow up to Lake George. Asks Henry to pay Captain Johnson. Henry was then engaged in an operation to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00219

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Gives General Schuyler an update on the progress of preparations to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that he has gotten the mortars and cannon over Lake George and arranged with Captain George Palmer to obtain sleds and oxen or horses to pull them (see GLC02437.00218). Discusses plans for moving forward. Asks that Schuyler increase the length of the amount of rope he requested from Mr. [Walter] Livingston and that it be sent expeditiously. Also asks him to forward enclosed letters (not included). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00221

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular.…

GLC02437.00223

18 December 1775

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is happy to hear Knox was able to get the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Fort George on the other side of Lake George. Schuyler has already made arrangements to transport the artillery to Cambridge and consequently orders Knox to countermand his directions to Captain George Palmer to obtain carriages and pack animals for the journey (see GLC02437.00218).

GLC02437.00224

25 December 1775

Palmer, George, 1719-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's cancellation of an arrangement for Captain Palmer to obtain sleds and pack animals to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that the patriotic people Palmer contracted with are insulted by the cancellation and cryptically comments that Knox's "Penetration will Easily Discern the Consequences that will follow Disappointing Such A Number of People So Resolutely Determined." General Philip Schuyler ordered Knox to cancel the arrangements (see GLC02437.00224).

GLC02437.00225

November 1893

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Typed document

Title: A Southern Soldier's Experiences in a Northern Prison

Originally written for the students of a "lady cousin" who was concerned her pupils were being misinformed about the "kind treatment of Southern Soldiers in Northern prisons." Flinn later presented the address at "S. C. College Nov. 1893." He begins by providing a brief history of his military service and then launches into an in-depth description of his sufferings as a prisoner at Point Lookout, Maryland from July 1864 to March 1865. The manuscript contains a two-page description of the camp's physical layout. Flinn emphasizes the inadequate clothing, foul water, bitter cold, and ravenous…

GLC04573.13

1863 ca.

McPherson, & Oliver, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: [Scene of the 'Negro Charge' on the Reb Works]

Carte de visite. Penciled caption on verso, with additional pencil inscriptions "307" and "7793." View of a fortification on the edge of a valley. White mount with tan border. McPherson & Oliver imprint on verso.

GLC04596.01

[n.d.]

McPherson, & Oliver, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: Carte de visite of "A Rebel dismounted Columbiad."

Penciled caption on verso, with additional inscriptions "306" and #7793." Image of a damaged cannon with the rear portion broken off and lying near several cannonballs and a ramrod.

GLC04596.02

[n.d.]

McPherson, & Oliver, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: Carte de visite of "Trench[e]s at Port Hudson."

Penciled caption on verso, with additional inscriptions "310" and "7793." Image of several tents and a pavilion in a wooded valley.

GLC04596.03

17 June 1867

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Misdated, possibly 17 June 1868. Explains to his wife that he does not write often because the post office is very far away. He believes the mountain air is good for him and feels better than he has in ten years. Says that the food seems to taste better and describes camp life and his natural surroundings. Reports having found gold, though he is not sure if it is a sign of more to come. Adds that he is in Trinity County, California, on the Trinity River.

GLC04672.01

25 April to 8 May 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Conger

Writes to his wife detailing his journey from the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. Writes aboard the Aspenwall and the Oregonian, from the coasts of Nicaragua, Mexico, and California. Describes the Panamanian natives and an old town that had been a Spanish settlement. Other observations include descriptions of the coastlines, native villages visible from the ship, a detailed description of a small child's burial at sea, and his complaint about the ship's services since they left Panama. The pages in the letter are numbered by Conger in an upper corner of each page. Imprint on upper…

GLC04672.02

15 May 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Conger

Writes to his wife that he has stopped in Sacramento due to illness. Writes about his plans to continue to Plumas County by steamboat, stage, and sleigh. Due to the difficulty in transportation, he may not be able to write often. The included envelope possibly held this letter.

GLC04672.03

1 June 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife that he has walked 120 miles in four days and still has another 130 miles to go into the mountains. His feet are sore but he feels great. Describes sleeping on the ground and the arduous journey ahead of him. The included envelope possibly held this letter.

GLC04672.04

24 June 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife that he is working hard for his mining company. Reports that the weather is cold and that the nearest post office is forty miles away. Describes the food and says that the men in the company take turns cooking and baking. The salutation reads "Mrs. R.A. Conger," for Ruth Ann.

GLC04672.05

6 July 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife about how mountain life agrees with him. Describes the local mountain men as uncivilized and sickly. Reports that he is in Indian country where the natives are killing the new settlers and plans on leaving for Red Bluff in the morning.

GLC04672.06

23 August 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife about the lack of correspondence he has received, and desperately wishes to hear from her. Explains that Gurkes Ranch is a 150-acre vineyard and describes all the fruit he has been eating. He wishes he was able to send Ann a basket of fruit. Written at Gurke's Ranch.

GLC04672.07

10 September 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

The regiment's journey from Elmira to Baltimore by rail. Their march through the city, his wish for "the shoulder straps of a captain instead of a Lieut[ant's]."

GLC04703.01

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

22 January 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Says that he is disturbed by the news that the family has not received any of his letters. Expresses joy at the arrest of one deserter from his unit and wonders why another has not been arrested as well. Scolds his family for publishing his letters in the Chenango American. Asks about friends at home and describes members of the regiment who are sick.

GLC04703.03

30 January 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

20 February 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 21 February. Receives photographs of his family and comments on their "over sanctimonious countenances." Lists some of his duties including distributing clothing to contrabands, and attending to the complaint of a Negro who was shot by an overseer. Says that Blacks were brought in to repair the levee which burst during the night. "The great annoying question now is how to dispose of these Negroes. The authorities are trying to induce them to return to their former masters and work for small wages..."

GLC04703.05

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His leg and ankle are swollen. The regiments receives orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with a blanket, change of clothes and a few days rations. Held together by two contemporary postage stamps.

GLC04703.07

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

13 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is in the hospital with jaundice. He had been sick for a week, but put off getting medical attention because he felt an engagement was immanent.

GLC04703.09