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

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

1862/11/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles

He describes non-stop guard duty to his son Charles. Smith also tells the story of a young drummer boy his son's age, who snuck out of camp in a flour barrel in order to visit town. He advises his son not to become a soldier.

GLC04189.15

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

1862/11/18

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses guard duty, the value of the equipment in his blacksmith shop, and an increase in desertions from some regiments who have not received furloughs.

GLC04189.18

1862/11/31

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and Charles C. Smith

The regiment was excused from guard duty on Thanksgiving to attend church and a dress parade. Smith urges Charles to learn to write and to study geography. "I now see the need of understanding the geography and the map and then I could tell when I Read the papers where the different branches of our army is and how far they are from one another." He also describes the whipping of a black man. "I saw a Negro whiped the other day they tied him to the flag pole and foot and gave him 20 lashes each lash made him cry (O Lord) it looked hard but I believe it was Right for he had been stealing…

GLC04189.19

1862/12/25

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Carroll Smith

Discusses visiting friends in another regiment. He received his pay but his money and overcoat were stolen. He discusses thievery in camp and loading the wounded on to boats at Acquia Creek.

GLC04189.21

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

10 October 1864

L.B.F., fl. 1864

Autograph note signed

Title: [Report of the death of Samuel Watson Van Nuys]

Testament reporting the death of Samuel Watson Van Nuys. Date is from post mark. Written on "Head Quarters 3d Brigade 3d Division 18th Army Corps" letterhead (half sheet).

GLC07687.154