circa June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: A List of Cannon necessary to be transported from this Camp to New York

Lists cannons and mortars.

GLC02437.00354

1 July 1776

Morton, Dimond, 1743-1792

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Captain Dimond Morton's account for January, including December and April]

Invoice concerns pay, blanket money, and mentions recruitment. Morton was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00355

2 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Colonel David Mason fifty dollars. A note on the verso indicates that the money can be given to Captain Andrew Symmes.

GLC02437.00358

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

5 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: The United Colonies to Henry Knox Commander of the Regiment of Artillery Dr

Lists travelling and billeting expenses connected to the men who enlisted in December, 1775. Groups them by captains in Knox's artillery regiment they served under.

GLC02437.00362

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

24 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Treat Paine

A detailed answer to a request for artillery information concerning the weight and bore of howitzers on hand in New York. Reports that they have none, although Colonel Richard Gridley ordered some cast. Also provides other artillery information. Discusses uses for different bore sizes, their range, and gives editorial comment on artillery matters. Explains the possibility of having brass cannons cast. Comments on artillery operations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the recipient of this letter was. Knox's retained working draft.

GLC02437.00365

9 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Paper calling for "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery"]

Explains that the war is in its infancy and its success will require "a well regulated and numerous body of artillery." Argues that the present force is insufficient and that the current system of temporarily drafting men into the artillery leaves the Continental Army vulnerable. Outlines a plan for creating new companies.

GLC02437.00366

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

11 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Gives his sister-in-law news of her friends in Halifax. Also gives news of Lucy's mother and father, who were separated from each other at the time. Indicates that Lucy's mother is well, although she is in a smaller house than she desires. Reports that many Tories in Halifax have not gone to England because they are confident that General William Howe will suppress the Continental Army. Reports that some Scotsman have gone to Quebec with their possessions. Discusses smallpox inoculation and local laws passed to prevent further outbreaks. Notes that two British ships have been captured by…

GLC02437.00368

1862/9/13

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He has been sick since he joined the Army and now believes that his illness is due to bad food which "the devil can not eat." He describes how the regiment left New Jersey and traveled via railroad to Maryland. His regiment captured three of Stonewall Jackson's men, whom several Union cavalry men tried to kill while they were under guard.

GLC04189.01

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

1862/10/4

Moore, W. Henry, fl. 1862

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of David V. M. Smith]

Certifying that David V. M. Smith is a member of Company D, 12th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers and entitled to the state bounty.

GLC04189.06

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

1862/10/11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He expects to leave for home in a few days. Page 3 and 4 are addressed to Charles.

GLC04189.10

1862/10/13

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Letter

Title: to unknown [fragment]

The rebels have torn up the road between camp and Frederick, Maryland and are now within 5 miles of the federal camp.

GLC04189.11

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