13 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Comments on Benjamin Harrod's unchristian demand to be paid for taking care of Knox's bookstore merchandise while Knox was out of Boston. Explains the arrangements he made with Harrod and how they were being violated. Mentions that his books will sell in the country, but there is no way of replenishing the stock. Discusses fortifying New York and the lukewarm support of New Yorkers. Derisively comments that New York has two regiments, one made up of foreigners and the other unarmed. Reports that Lucy is ill, asks William to keep him updated on affairs in Boston, reiterates a request for…

GLC02437.00341

20 October 1865

Walbridge, Louise, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Walbridge

Family news and weather. A rash of break-ins has made the family uneasy. "I heard a commotion down stairs and Mother opening the front door, a very little thing alarms us in these days of murders and robberies so I ran down stairs as fast as I could. Harry, half dressed, proceeded me revolver stuck into his pocket. Our danger, melted away when we saw Mother, Bille, and Annie reading a telegraph saying that Minnie started[home] tonight..."

GLC04663.73

1 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds the detection of a German traitor named Ledwitz, who had been appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Discusses various orders for payment Henry made. Discusses the last two letters he received from Lucy Knox. Has heard that Halifax was burned down by 500 Indians led by Frank Shaw. Discusses need for guns for privateers in Boston and for Continental frigates. Discusses the comparative advantages of large versus small ships, because Henry Jackson is going to arrange for a vessel that Henry "shall be concern'd in." Notes that new regiments have been raised but are…

GLC02437.00431

25 April 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Posted to a "battery" of one brass gun and two palmetto guns, rumors of a renewed attack on Charleston, exchanging newspapers with the Confederates, who "beat us in getting possession of the New York Papers." He then discusses the dangers of such exchanges.

GLC04663.17

12 August 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Instructions for Lieutenant Price, Captain Patten, John Ruddock, and Thomas Frothingham]

Shaw, aide for Henry Knox, transmits orders for Knox. All orders are issued 12 August. Orders Lieutenant [William] Price, at the New Windsor laboratory, to deliver tin to Captain Bushnell; orders Captain [Thomas] Patten, at New Windsor, to obtain tin for Bushnell through the "tinman"; orders Ruddock, deputy commissary of military stores at Fishkill, and Thomas Frothingham, deputy commissary of military stores at West Point, to obtain gun locks for Bushnell.

GLC02437.01128

25 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock and John Crane

Top of the document features a list of items needed to repair or supply military stores, such as paper for cartridges. Below that is a short note to Colonel John Crane, asking that he provide or procure the above articles for Captain Thomas Seward. Underneath that is a letter to John Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, asking him to provide Seward with a variety of supplies, including musket balls and powder papers. Also asks Ruddock to prepare a return of all the stores in the northern department. See GLC02437.01502 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01503

12 September 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to accept the offer proposed by General [Henry] Knox in his last letter. Declares that he is under great "obligation to the Genl for his favourable opinion of my integrity, I shall ever do my Best Endeavors for the public good and the Genl's approbation." (See GLC02437.01594, in which Knox offers Ruddock the position of deputy commissary of West Point.) Adds in a note that he has enclosed the return of musket cartridges that Knox asked for in his letter, and writes that "with Respect to the powder the Coopers are at work upon it will be ready in a day or two."

GLC02437.01601

6 November 1786

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Middletown, likely in Connecticut, as the postal stamp near the address reads "New Haven." Encloses a copy of Shays' circular letter (not present). Has heard from a friend that several towns have met to discuss the letter, and some have voted to send their arms and military stores to the insurgents. The town of Westfield opposed the vote, but only by two or three men. Has also heard that the insurgents are practicing military maneuvers, and that they are being paid daily. Was told that there has been some agitation in Vermont as well. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no…

GLC02437.03328

5 November 1788

Olney, Jeremiah, 1749-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly mentions military business related to arms and powder, then discusses the progress of ratification of the Constitution in Rhode Island. Writes that Rhode Island "again Refused to appoint a Convention for Considering the New Constitution in the Legal mode- the Question was put on Saturday last in the House of Deputies for a Convention, when after much debate it was Negativ'd by a Majority of three to one- after which (Mr. Hazzard an Implacable & potent Enemy to the New System & the Leading Character in all the Vile Politicks Carrying on in this Devoted State) brought forward a…

GLC02437.04027

1857

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East India station, A. H. Foote Esqre commander, book II.

Calf cover. Excerpts: [11 April 1857] "Got underway at 8 A.M. Dipped colors to Commodore - Cleared down royals to English Admiral, he dipped his colors, we lowered ours. Got to sea by 'Lentoo Channel' [4 May 1857] "…Heard of the case of the Henrietta Maria. She was found at sea by the 'Coeur de Lion,' she had no captain, register, or navigator; no satisfactory account could be given since she had left Macao …It is thought that there must have been a mutiny on board … [5 May 1857] "…Captain Foote called on the Governor (Blundell) familiarly called Blundering Blundell from his…

GLC05911.02.02

20 July 1863-15 May 1864

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Diary

Title: Diary of Lt. Commander Edward Simpson

Diary of captaincy of the "Submarine Battery 'Passaic'". Details attacks upon Charleston, Fort Moultrie and Battery Gregg; inner workings of a Monitor and intraservice rivalries. Quarter calf, marbled boards, pencil loops. The USS Passaic, one of a series of single-turret ironclad gunships designed by John Ericsson, was commissioned in November of 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She saw action at Fort McAllister in March of 1863 and at Fort Sumter in April of that year. Following the latter engagement, she was sent to New York for repairs and command was…

GLC05911.04

20 July 1863-17 August 1864

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Letters U.S.S. Passaic S. Atlantic squadron from July 20, 1863 to May 13, 1864 and U.S.S. Isonomia N. Atlantic and Gulf squadron from Augt 17th 1864 to October 11th 1864

Majority of letters written and signed by Simpson, though several are clerically written and signed. Battle action of the Passaic off Charleston and battle reports of the steamer frigate U.S.S. Isonomia off Alabama and Western Florida. Also includes a typed letter from Charles W. Stewart to Lt. Commander Edward Simpson. The letter, dated 5 February 1906, is in regards to the return of Simpson's father's Civil War Journal. Enclosed with the letter are two circulars discussing the collection of US naval officers' papers and the desire to obtain them from families for public availability.…

GLC05911.05

12 October 1864-1 June 1867

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Letterbook of U.S.S. Isonomia East Gulf squadron from Oct 12th 1864 to Dec. 24th 1864 and U.S.S. Mohican N. Pacific squadron from Augt 14th 1866 to June 1st 1867

Majority of letters written and signed by Simpson, though several are clerically written and signed. Attacks on Fort Sumter, engagements with blockade runners and attacks on various gun batteries. Includes two letters regarding deserters of the U.S.S Mohican (stored in separate folder). Quarter morocco, marbled boards. Commissioned in 1859, the steam sloop USS Mohican served in the African Squadron in 1860-1861, before joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In October of 1862, the Mohican was sent on a fruitless search for Confederate raiders, the Florida and the Alabama; she…

GLC05911.07

circa 1940-1945

Scrapbook

Title: Scrapbook, Vol. III.

1 Adjutant General's Office. Official announcement of the establishment of the Civil Affairs Division 4 May 1943 2 Beta Theta Pi Magazine. Clippings: "The Second Military List of Beta Theta Pi (World War II);" Columbia University; and "Civil Affairs Division, USA." Oct 1943 3 a. Clipping from [?]: "News & Comments." [n.d.] b. Clipping from [?]: "Gen. Hilldring to Head Civil Affairs Division." [n.d.] c. Clipping from [?]: "Army and Navy Legion of Valor." [n.d.] d. American Relief for Italy, Inc. List of the Board of Directors and members. [n.d.] 3 e. Washington Post.…

GLC06196.107

1940-1945

Object

Title: Bullet.

Brass bullet with chain.

GLC06196.184

1861

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

An unbound manuscript signed. Entries run from 11 July to 31 December. Throughout the diary, Gottshall describes his march through Baltimore, Maryland, his arrival in Washington D.C. following the Second Bull Run, soldiering, camp life, and describes the battle at Drainsville, Virginia. Gottshall tells of several accidental shootings including a discharge of a soldier's gun that was thought to be from a rebel soldier, and of another Union soldier accidently blowing his arm off. Writes on 1 September 1864 of General Benjamin Butler taking two forts near North Carolina. States, General…

GLC04564.01

18 October 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook has kept up his correspondence with the "Houston Telegraph" regarding the daily camp lives of the soldiers. He reports that he didn't have any time to write Eliza and asked his friend John to address her in his letter to Lou (wife or sister?). He did so because, "We feared that some of the boys would write flaming war letters back and alarm you unnecessarily and John wrote Lou to that effect." Instructs Eliza to tell the children "…all about the wars, the big guns and [illegible] and everything." Was written near Bowling Green, Kentucky.

GLC02570.08

16 March 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that the men are supplied with small arms and requests carbines for the officers. Stevens had recently been appointed a captain in Knox's regiment of artillery. The British evacuated Boston the day after this letter was written.

GLC02437.00259

6 March 1775

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Entreats Knox to procure a gun for him so that he can answer a demand issued in the newspaper for every man above the age of 16 to congregate on the next Thursday "with every necessary Warlike accouterment." All who do not join "will be deemed Enemies to the Glorious Cause of Liberty and america." Waldo asserts that he will appear without a doubt. Waldo had earlier asked Knox to obtain arms for him (see GLC02437.00190).

GLC02437.00194

8 November 1862

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Letter signed

Title: to Henry K. Davenport

Reports "a most successful trial of one of the Machines for blowing up vessels constructed by Second Assistant Engineer John L. Lay." Describes the trial, during which a "Sch'r of sixty tons floated over catching the wires and blowing her to atoms." Mentions that three other explosives are being built and promises to send drawings to Davenport. Lay invented the spar torpedo, which was used by the United States Navy to sink the C.S.S. Albemarle in 1864. He later invented the Lay dirigible submarine torpedo. Davenport was senior officer of the Union Navy in North Carolina Sounds.

GLC02254.05

16 November 1862

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Letter

Title: to Henry K. Davenport

Titled "Extracts from a Letter of Instructions." The first extract gives information about the positioning of gunboats for "assisting in the defence of posts." The second extract is a reminder to "keep a bright look out for, and use every precaution to guard against, torpedoes!" The third extract reminds sailors to stay in their ships at night. Lee was the commanding officer, with the rank of acting rear admiral, of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from 1862 to 1864. He was then transferred to the command of the Mississippi River Squadron. Lee was promoted to rear admiral in 1870.

GLC02254.06

January 11,1863

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Autograph note signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Lee annotates a clerical transcription of various dispatches and newspaper clippings concerning activities of the United States Navy in Texas during the Battle of Galveston. On recto, is a transcription of an article from the "Richmond Va Examiner" titled "Brilliant Naval Exploit: The "Harriet Lane" Captured, Another Steamer blown up with all on board." The article details the capture of the U.S.S. Harriet Lane at "two o'clock on New Year's morning" in Galveston Bay. The article also includes a short paragraph about the fate of another vessel: "The Westervelt [sic] under Commander Renshaw…

GLC02254.08

14 April 1863

McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Mentions a change of plans in the attack on Hill's Point Battery. Reports location, activities and condition of several Union ships, including the Collier, Phoenix, Hunchback, Southfield, Valley City, Whitehead and Granite. Complains that "there is not a boat here in which we can mount a Howitzer to clear the channel of the rebel picket boats."

GLC02254.12

1775

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks Knox for so often obliging him. Reports that Mr. Oliver, possibly Andrew Oliver, will pay Knox for the gun he got for Waldo (see GLC02437.00190 and GLC02437.00194). Assures him that Knox's requests are foremost on his mind. Expresses his desire to get married, placed in the context of a discussion on human nature. Reports that tories in Salem are "scar'd to Death" and leaving the area. Has heard that British soldiers will soon come to attempt to "intercept our Grand muster" but doubts that General Gage could ever "hinder their mutiny." Expresses that he would not like to see…

GLC02437.00230

circa 1775-1776

Document

Title: [Description of an impregnable floating engine]

Provides both a drawn and written explanation of the design of a vessel "constructed to destroy Barges, Tenders, Ships, Towns, Castles, & Magazines." Made of iron and wood, the vessel has an octangular design "in order to annoy the Enemy upon all Quarters." Notes that the size and artillery can be adjusted. The word "Taliacotius" appears at the end.

GLC02437.00233