3 June 1778

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, apologizes for the delay in sending a box owned by William. Reports that the army plans to leave Valley Forge, and Henry Knox is unwilling "to leave any thing of his in this d-n'd State." Refers to military and political matters, noting that England ("John Bull") would leave America if it could do so decently. Comments that "La Francois" intends to speculate pretty deeply in American politics." Remarks that British papers emphasize the advantage America could gain by constitutionally uniting with England, yet the British also highlight the difference…

GLC02437.00707

1814/09/24

Jeffery, Richard, fl. 1748-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Jeffery

Apprehension of not hearing from Ann, assuming she has fallen ill, British fleet going to sea, inhabitants partaking in military duties or evacuated, death of neighbor, boredom.

GLC01896.007

1817/10/22

Berry, Thomas, fl. 1817

Document signed

Title: [Master Mason Certificate]

Certifies that William Jeffery is a regular registered Master Mason of Lodge 34. Signed by Master Thomas Berry, Senior Warden, Peter Gaskell, Junior Warden Henry [Lucas], and Secretary, Lewis Hughes.

GLC01896.008

1837/06/14

Eustis, Abraham, fl. 1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Doctor Robert Archer

Requesting the doctor's observations on the "effects produced on the channel, the bar, and the more western wharves, by the repeated extension of the eastern, or steamboat wharf, and your opinion of the probable effects to be produced by its further extension." Also includes a two page response from Dr. Archer on the verso. Eustis (1786-1843) was the first commander of Fort Monroe and the founder of its Artillery school. He rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC01896.009

1838/01/28

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Mr. Gates & Mr. Leater

After an Indian named Ocula Powell accosted General Thompson and accused him of intruding in his country, Thompson arrested Powell, confined him to the guard house, and demanded an apology and assurances of his future good conduct. After he initially responded with rage, Powell eventually promises friendship toward whites but the General doesn't believe him and asks for his words to be backed by a more trusted Chief. Powell agrees to sign but Thompson believes him insincere since he had been coerced into doing so, and so lets him go back to his people to return in 10 days when he is more…

GLC01896.010

1861-1865

Archer, Robert, fl. 1842-1875

Autograph document signed

Title: to the governor & council of the state of Virginia

Regarding the present Quarantine establishment located on Tanners Creek 7 miles from Norfolk, acquisition and decrepit condition of the property and structures thereon, inability to bring boats up creek due to low-level of water, possible better sites, example of situation where new site could have been put to good use. Archer petitions the Virginia government for a quarantine area, with the example of "a vessel arrives, freighted if I may use the expression yellow fever; her crew lingering off a miserable existence, insulated by a cargo of animal and vegetable putrefaction." Dr. Archer had…

GLC01896.011

21 April 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Location from docket. Asks his brother William, in Boston, why he has not recently written. Declares, "My God this War will go near to ruin me, they are making their Fortunes & I am losing one, however a good intention and a good Conclusion will I hope support & comfort me." Wishes he had a chaise instead of a phaeton (Knox had previously corresponded with his brother regarding the sale of his wife Lucy's phaeton). Reports that Great Britain intends to offer terms of conciliation "to place us where we were in the Year 1763." Mentions a speech by Lord North, Prime Minister of…

GLC02437.00697

29 April 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes to his brother, asking why William has not recently written. Mentions a recovered debt and an unspecified petition to be presented to Continental Congress. Inquires as to the fitting out of The General Arnold, a ship, and mentions the loss of The Hero. Expresses disappointment that his friend Harry, possibly Colonel Henry Jackson, has not arrived at Valley Forge. Regarding Jackson, remarks, "...I suppose his fat sides are so sore that he is unable to travel with any rapidity." Writes, "Our army is improving discipline and increasing in numbers every day, but this ought by no means…

GLC02437.00698

28 April 1778

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt for four hundred dollars received from Samuel Shaw]

Receipt to Charles Knowles, and signed by him. Pertains to General Henry Knox's account.

GLC02437.00699

30 April 1778

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Nicola writes, "I lately took the liberty to trouble you with some remedies for the imperfections of shells, presuming you would rather be at the trouble to read ten useless schemes than run the hazard of loosing one good one I again trespass on your time with the inclosed & shall be happy if I can in any shape contribute a mite to the benefit of the American cause."

GLC02437.00700

1777

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph manuscript

Title: Some remarks on Mr. Ressons observations on the uncertainty in throwing shells & attempts to remedy the defects that occasion this uncertainty

Technical treatise on various aspects of shells, including the casting of shells using the mold of an iron pot, fuse cases, defects in mortars, the size of powder grains, and other details. A separate page, number nine, is a drawing illustrating shell molds with an explanation for the figures on page eight. Measurements for page nine: 21.1 x 16.4 cm. Docket in Samuel Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.00701

circa 1777-1778

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Discussion of small cannon]

Discusses the observations of Maurice de Saxe on small cannon in his book Mes Réveries. Page two offers descriptions of figures sketched on page five, which are accomplished drawings of rifles and cannon mounts. On pages three and four, Nicola argues the advantages of the weapon he describes.

GLC02437.00703

circa 1777-1778

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Observations regarding the firing of artillery] [in French]

"Observations sur les causes qui derangement les portees des bombes, & sur les attentions qu'il faut avoir pour les tirer avec succes."

GLC02437.00705

27 May 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Knox informs his brother that his wife and daughter, both named Lucy, arrived recently at Valley Forge. Notes that General [Benedict] Arnold accompanied Lucy from New Haven, Connecticut. Notes that his guests may not be able to enjoy their accommodations at camp for very much longer, "the Enemy being on the eve of evacuating Philadelphia." Asserts the British are expected to travel to New York before sailing to the West Indies. Questions why William has not written to him sooner, and discusses a debt handled by William in Boston. In closing, writes, "I shall write you a History of the…

GLC02437.00706

3 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses matters of business William is tending to in Boston, including a debt and a petition. Writes, "The Enemy have not yet evacuated Philadelphia but we are in hourly expectation of that event. The whole army is under marching orders as soon as they leave the City." Expects the British to assemble their force at New York City. Reports that Lucy "and the baby" are both well, referring to his wife, and possibly to their two-year-old daughter, also named Lucy. Relates that he has seen "Harry," possibly Colonel Henry Jackson.

GLC02437.00708

10 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that British Commissioners William Eden, First Baron Auckland, Frederick Howard, Earl of Carlisle, and Governor George Johnstone are meeting in Philadelphia to discuss conciliation with America. Declares, "Any offers they may make but of Independence, or a total withdraw of their Armies & Navies will be fruitless- I believe they will not make these offers ... " Asks where the soldiers from Massachusetts are, noting that Massachusetts' quotas of men have not arrived at Valley Forge.

GLC02437.00709

June 16, 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Knox writes his brother a brief message: "The Enemy are expected to evacuate Philadelphia tonight- the Two Lucy's are well" (referring to his wife and daughter, both named Lucy).

GLC02437.00710

1862/12/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Details how he will attempt one last shot at a discharge, claiming that if he fails then he will desert. He also describes the "bitter cold" which he is experiencing in the field. Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC07164.39

1863/01/01

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes his need of a proper wash, along with his lack of money which causes him to request that she send some more. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.40

1863/01/23

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Describes conditions which led to the delay of his regiment's move from their present position, along with its contempt of General Burnside. He mentions the prevalence of desertions, along with news of a possible upcoming battle with the rebels. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.41

1863/01/28

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

He sends thanks for his sister forwarding the four dollars to him, and requests news from home. He mentions how he is contemptuous of Captain Crist, along with his dislike of the bad rations. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.42

1863/02/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: Carrie.

Sends his beliefs of a possible defeat at Falmouth, and that the war will end in a Union victory. However, he believes that all the politicians involved are making bad decisions which have prolonged the war, which explains how he can write "Lincoln is of about the intellectual capacity of a 6 year old . . . his mind is not able to comprehend the simple game of checkers." Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.43

1863/04/11

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Discussing furloughs, he asserts that he wants his pay before he decides to return home of any length of time. Refers to times of guard duty when the union and rebel picket lines exchange papers across a creek. Discusses training for a regimental move, along with a request for news from home. Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC07164.44

1863/05/05

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Letter signed

Title: to: sister.

Discusses the possibility of a regimental move, which has been mentioned at several times and yet has not occurred. He mentions the sighting of a balloonist as a scout, and the new regimental commander. Written in a camp near Falmouth

GLC07164.45

1863/05/24

Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: sister Carrie.

Forwards his hopes for a victory based on cavalry strength, along with further prediction on the war. He requests news from home, and mentions that he no longer has any hope of a furlough. Written in a camp near Falmouth

GLC07164.46