17 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Suggestions to George Washington regarding maintenance and expansion of the United States military]

Knox offers his opinions regarding military matters and national security following the anticipated peace between the United States and Great Britain. Suggests maintaining a strong militia, noting "Every method should be devised to make the profession of arms honorable..." Recommends annual exhibitions of war to be attended by "first men of the community," stating that, "To an enlightened people arguments are unnecessary to enforce a truth so obvious. This is the moment to form habits which shall give a lustre to the American character." Advocates universal distribution of arms in America…

GLC02437.10107

12 September 1781

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Tells Knox that this letter will be delivered by a Lieutenant Ford, who will also deliver ordnance and information about available ships. Describes his activities fulfilling Knox's orders to obtain ordnance and shipping vessels. Mentions using shot and shells as ballast for a ship with French troops. Indicates that General Mordecai Gist was angry that the gun powder, possibly from Frederick, Maryland, had not arrived yet. Citing financial troubles, Bauman reports that "the people here seem Exceedingly slow in forwarding the Services." Discusses problems with and plans for embarking with…

GLC02437.01183

11 March 1788

Grasse, Alexandre-Francois Auguste, Marquis de, 1765-1845

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington [in French]

Extract from a letter (in French) from Augustus de Grasse to George Washington to be presented before the Society of the Cincinnati, regarding Augustus's father, Admiral Francois De Grasse. The younger de Grasse asks Washington's permission to wear his late father's Society of the Cincinnati eagle medallion.

GLC02437.03820

29 November 1785

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use…

GLC02437.03221

6 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates to send out on the sea. Also discusses the places at which provisions will be issued on the Ohio [likely the Ohio River]. Hopes Biddle will attempt to win the contract to issue the rations, and will contact him again when he has more information.

GLC02437.03223

8 January 1786

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "My present engagements prevented my going to the westward to direct the business of supplies therefore I could not interest myself in the late proposals for victualing the troops as I wanted the means to [carry?] it on. I shall be much obliged by your orders to furnish the troops here when the recruiting service is again enter'd on." Also, in reference to an earlier letter, mentions that his friend Colonel [Eyres?] along with Charles Biddle remain very interested in donating ships to Congress for use in the conflict against pirates (see GLC02437.03221 and GLC02437.03223). Writes…

GLC02437.03234

4 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from General Washington to Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General, dated Rocky Hill, Sepr 4th 1783

Written in Timothy Pickering's hand. Signed in text by Pickering in the body of the document. Docket on verso is in Knox's hand. The extract says: "If it is well ascertained that the Chain can be preserved in perfect order for future use, I should advise it to be housed in the manner you mentioned, but if the fact is otherwise or even very doubtful, of which I wish General Knox to be consulted, I would recommend that it should be sold without delay."

GLC02437.02467

12 November 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of his proposed schedule to evacuate New York, starting from King's Bridge as far as McGowan's Pass, continuing eastward on Long Island. Mentions evacuating Brooklyn the day following, then Paulus Hook, Denys's (Denyse's Ferry in Brooklyn), and Staten Island soon after. His plan also includes reserving the rights to the New York City shipyards for boat repairs for as long as he needs them.

GLC02437.02770

10 November 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox about a delay in the evacuation of his British troops, as they are still waiting for the ships and supplies. States that he will let Knox know their departure date as soon as he, himself, finds out.

GLC02437.02767

23 November 1783

Affleck, Edmund, 1723-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text. Sends his compliments to Henry Knox and his wife, and expresses his regret that "the great hurry of Business alone prevents him from waiting on them before he leaves this Country to return his thanks for their polite attention to him at West Point." Noted as written "From His Brittanic Majesty's Ship Assurance in Hudson's River." (See GLC02437.02793 for Knox's reply)

GLC02437.02794

25 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund Affleck

Signed in text. Replies to Affleck's letter (see GLC02437.02794). Writes that he and Mrs. Lucy Knox "sincerely wish him [Affleck] a prosperous voyage and every felicity."

GLC02437.02795

February 3, 1862

Huger, Benjamin, 1805-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Alexander Wise

General Huger, in command at Norfolk, writes to General Wise, commander at Roanoke Island. Transmits a copy of a 22 July 1861 letter from Comme Lynch (possibly William Francis Lynch) to the Confederate Secretary of the Navy (Stephen Russell Mallory). Also sends a copy of a 31 July 1861 letter from the Confederate Secretary of War (Leroy Pope Walker) to Huger (neither letter is included). Writes "I am sure you will with pleasure aid the Naval officers as far as may be in your power. Without adopting the pleas of Comme Lynch for the defences of Roanoke Isd: I count upon your promptness…

GLC02459.15

30 August 1855

Thompson, Jacob, 1810-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James C. Dobbin

Informs Dobbin, United States Secretary of the Navy, that J. P. Milton, presently the Secretary of the Commandant of the Navy Yard at Memphis, desires appointment as a Naval purser. Writes, "By the discontinuance of the Navy Yard at this place, he will be thrown out of employment. I hope you may be able to confer this appointment... the Government could not do better than to avail itself of his services- Let me insist upon a favorable consideration of his application..." Docket indicates that the appointment is desired by John P. Milton.

GLC02459.31

14 August 1860

Barksdale, William, 1821-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Barksdale, a United States Representative from Mississippi, writes to Toucey, Secretary of the Navy. On behalf of his congressional district, nominates James G. Baldwin for the position of midshipman at Annapolis. Includes several dockets, dated 22 August 1860 and 29 September 1860.

GLC02460.02

18 August 1836

Tattnall, Josiah, 1795-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Commanding Officer of the Boston recruiting station

Discusses Benjamin Harris' appointment as a "Seaman for the South Sea Surveying and exploring expedition." Requests that Harris be paid for "three months ... when he appears on board the receiving ship." States that he received orders regarding Harris from Captain Catesby Jones.

GLC02460.15

17 December 1864

Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Endorsement signed

Title: [Naval defense of Mobile, Alabama]

Reports that if Mobile, Alabama is to be successfully defended, one officer, either naval or military, must have command of all the defenses. Mentions vessels and a torpedo boat in the harbor. This note is on the verso of a secretarial letter in the name of Major General Dabney H. Maury, dated 15 December 1864 from Mobile, to Lieutenant Colonel W. M. Levy in Meridian, Mississippi. Maury's letter informs that the torpedo boat has not yet gone out to attack the enemy and that he has applied repeatedly to Commodore Ebenezer Farrand to have an officer from the navy take command of the boat.…

GLC02460.16

22 June 1862

Van Dorn, Earl, 1820-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the senior officer in command of the troops in the vicinity of Grenada

Written by Confederate Major General Van Dorn at the Headquarters of the Department of Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. Says before he left Tupelo he was authorized to order any portion of his command, including the corps of General Breckenridge, to his department should circumstances render it necessary. Reports that a fleet with transports and about 10,000 men are now under sail for Vicksburg. Wants 6,000 men with 10 days rations under a suitable officer sent to him. Presumes that the enemy will reach Vicksburg on Tuesday next. Wants him to take measures to have the detachment…

GLC02460.17

January 27, 1862

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

Major General Halleck transmits orders to Brigadier General Grant permitting the discharge of volunteers who desire to be recruited by the Navy for work on gun boats. The discharges must be distributed so they do not disrupt the efficiency of any single company. Asks Grant to have Commodore Andrew H. Foote send a recruiting officer to St. Louis. Written on stationery marked "Head Quarters, Department of the Missouri."

GLC02455.05

5 July 1862

Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred F. Sears

Informs Sears that his "company and effects will be embarked on the Holmes." Two weeks after the Union defeat at the battle of Seccesionville they began evacuating James Island, just off the coast from Charleston. Sears company was sent out on the ship Holmes. Sears is addressed as a colonel, when in fact he was a captain.

GLC02455.11

15 August 1846

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Conner

States the amount of time served in the Navy and positions held. Complains that as first lieutenant of the vessel John Adams, he is "constantly on duty." Requests relief by a junior officer and transfer to a larger vessel. Requests an exchange with "Humphreys," who "has applied to be detached." Written aboard the U.S. Brig Porpoise. One bust engraving of Semmes included as collateral.

GLC02456.26

May 11, 1781

Nash, Abner, 1716-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

The Governor of North Carolina relays military intelligence and discusses military preparations. Mentions that Lord Cornwallis reached Halifax. Expresses his fear that the Marquis de Lafayette "is in some danger as the Enemy force when joined will undoubtedly be supr. to his." He inquires about General Greene's successes in South Carolina.

GLC02450.14

March 1864

Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Lines on the death of a young officer of the United States Navy, fallen in battle for his country

Sentimental poem lamenting the death of a soldier in battle. 12 lines written in one stanza. Poem ends: "He lived as Mother's wish their Sons to live, / He died as fathers wish their Sons to die." Halleck was a poet from Guildford, Connecticut. He wrote, with Joseph Rodman Drake, "The Croaker Papers," a series of satirical and humorous verses. "Fanny," his longest poem, was a satire on the literature, fashions, and politics of the time. It was published anonymously in December, 1819. Halleck was also the private secretary to John Jacob Astor.

GLC02453.01

10 February 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington writes a letter marked "private" to Knox, Chief of Artillery for the Continental Army. Recently consulted the Count de Rochambeau, a French General, and through France's aid, the Continental Army may be able to gain naval superiority in the war. Notes that the Continental Army should begin preparing for the siege of New York. Though applications have been made to the Court of France, it is not possible to ascertain if the French will agree to furnish the arms requested. Estimates the Continental force to be at 20,000 men. Requests that Knox plan for two attacks:…

GLC02437.09372

28 October 1776

Stringer, Samuel, 1725-?

Autograph document

Title: [Listing of American and British vessels engaged in the Battle of Valcour]

A list of the "Fleet of the United States that were engaged…" followed by a list of "The Enemies Fleet engaged…." The lists include number and type of vessels, and their number and type of guns. The American list includes the names of the two schooners: "Royal Savage" and "Liberty, taken from Skene" [a reference to Philip Skene, a Tory from whom the Liberty had earlier been taken]. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.00477.

GLC02437.09538

19 July 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Abner Read

Relays details of death of Lieutenant Commander Abner Read, who died while patrolling the Mississippi River in command of the USS New London. Blue stamp: "Exchanged by order Secretary Navy."

GLC02490.19