October 21, 1861

Ripley, James Wolfe, 1794-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Woodruff

States that Woodruff's proposal to furnish a light three pounder cannon is not advisable and will not be accepted because they already have a lighter field artillery piece in use, the bronze mountain and the prairie howitzer. Written from the Ordnance Office and signed by Ripley as Brigadier General. With endorsement by Abraham Lincoln and Winfield Scott (see GLC00337.02).

GLC00337.01

22 October 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement by Abraham Lincoln and Winfield Scott]

Lincoln requests that Lieutenant General Scott see James Woodruff of the Ordnance Office to consider whether to purchase the guns proposed in the letter from Woodruff to J. W. Ripley in GLC 337.01. Scott signs that he agrees with Brigadier General Ripley's decision on the subject, namely, that the guns should not be acquired.

GLC00337.02

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Lyttelton (marked "copy")

Georgia Governor Ellis responds to South Carolina Governor Lyttelton's letter about illicit trade with the Cherokee Indians occurring in Georgia. Expresses his desire to discipline those involved with selling arms and ammunition to the Cherokee. Mentions John Williams as one of the people who they have information on; Ellis indicates that he is "determined to treat him with Severity." Also notes that he has sent a circular letter to the merchants supplying the traders (see GLC05228.02) which he hopes will deter them. Discusses the possibility of enlisting the aid of the Creeks in…

GLC05228.01

7 December 1759

Ellis, Henry, 1721-1806

Letter signed

Title: to John Rae, Lachlan McGillivray, Francis McCartan, and others

Circular letter from Georgia Governor Ellis to the merchants and storekeepers in Augusta, Georgia. Informs the merchants that he has learned from South Carolina Governor William H. Lyttelton of their involvement in "a clandestine and most pernicious traffick with the Indians especially the Cherokees." Forbids them from supplying traders with arms, ammunition, and other goods for the Cherokee, "who must be considered in a state of actual War with us." Threatens prosecution and the loss of future Indian trade licenses. Copy sent with a letter to Governor Lyttelton (see GLC05228.01)

GLC05228.02

September 7, 1777

Fraser, Simon, 1729-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Fraser, a Brigadier General and commander of Burgoyne's's elite Advance Corps in the Saratoga Campaign. Recipient is unknown, but might be Robert Kingston, a staff officer of General John Burgoyne. Says a few days previously, the General (probably Burgoyne) told him there were a dozen firelocks at headquarters he could have to arm the provincials. Wants recipient to deliver them to the bearer of this letter, a sergeant in Captain Macalpin's Corps. Note at bottom by recipient says he received 16 firelocks brought in by inhabitants and that they were given to Macalpin's Corps.…

GLC04764.35

9 January 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army is situated to General Burgoyne, commander of the Convention Army. Complains that British troops are guilty of abusive behavior toward the sentries and guards at Prospect Hill. Says they are repeatedly insulted and at times beat and disarmed. Claims soldiers are "disorderly in the extreme" and that there was singular incident last night, which has forced him to send a number of rioters to a prison ship. Says Burgoyne promised to uphold order among his troops when they arrived, and he wants him to…

GLC04764.49

January 24, 1778

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Letter

Title: to William Heath

Written by General Burgoyne as commander of the captured British Convention Army to General Heath as American commander of the district where the Convention Army is situated. This is a clerical copy created by someone on Heath's staff. Marked at the top "No. 4 Copy of a Letter from Lt. G. B." Docket says it was copied for Congress. References letter from Heath received 22 January 1778. Apologizes for the tardy reply, but says business of the court martial of Colonel David Henley has taken up all his time. Says the officers's fusees (sidearms) are being held by him and will not be returned…

GLC04764.59

January 30, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as American commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's letter of 24 January 1778. Apologizes for tardy reply. Heath references his own letter of 22 January where he claims no apprehension of an ill use of the officers's fusees (sidearms). Says he wanted to satisfy the minds of the public who said it might be a good idea to collect them. Says while Burgoyne's word that the fusees would not be given to the officers would be enough for him, it is not…

GLC04764.60

1862

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Pamphlet

Title: Expulsion of Mr. Bright. Speech of Hon. Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, in the Senate of the United States, Jan. 31, 1862

Published Scammell & Co. Printers. Explains his reasons for voting to expel Senator Bright of Indiana from the Senate. Senator Bright was charged with writing a letter to Jefferson Davis ( president of the Confederacy) on March 1, 1861. Accuses Senator Bright of aiding a rebel (Thomas B. Lincoln) in the selling of a fire-arm to Jefferson Davis.

GLC05255.01

3 January 1848

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Document

Title: General orders: No. 3

Signed by H.L. Scott. Proceedings from six trials before a military commission on charges of murder, theft, and purchasing arms from an American soldier (Mexican citizen). Major H. Bainbridge presiding

GLC00911.50

24 April 1861

Trimble, Isaac Ridgeway, 1802-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Proctor Kane

Trimble, colonel of engineers in Virginia's forces (Confederate), discusses the delivery of arms and ammunition to George Proctor Kane, Marshal of Police in Baltimore, Maryland. Authorizes H. F. Alberte and Company to make the delivery. Claims he delivers the arms to Kane for safe-keeping "to deposit with the city, properly packed up- with Inventory of the same- to be taken to the City, if [the?] state determine to do so." Docketed in pencil. Contains two pieces of mounting tape.

GLC08883.01

25 December 1785

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [Appraisal of arms imported for William Knox]

Document has two parts. Top part features an evaluation by a John Goeld[?], which reads, "Having viewed twenty four fire arms imported in a case address'd to William Knox Esqr. I hereby certify that upon an average I suppose them to be valued at Forty shillings sterling each and also a cross bow which I suppose to be worth about four shillings sterling." The bottom part features calculations and figures, and a certification that 44 shillings total were received for duty. This portion is signed by John Lamb in his capacity as Collector [of Customs for New York].

GLC02437.03228

18 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from his gun…the other shot his thumb off." The colonel suspects the second man of wanting a discharge, since he has already been ill. Damuth mentions an older man suffering from rheumatism who hopes to get a discharge and opines, "I dot [sic] think the army is any place for such old men I have taken noticed that all the old men in the Regt are sick…

GLC03523.14.05

5 November 1863

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Ticknor writes to his family from Chattanooga. Reports the rebels are on three sides of them, and the Tennessee River is at their rear. Complains of hard times, living on one quarter rations with very little clothing. Reports very little shelling from the rebels. Says he "...wants no compromise with the rebels..." Mentions he has warm blankets and a gun that never misfires. Expresses longing for a little cider and buckwheat pancakes. States he is still confident the Union will win the war. Letter is faded and smudged.

GLC03523.30.11

27 May 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Expresses gratitude for her letter and says when the mail arrives, the soldiers "...flock to the office like sheep." Says once the letters are read the band plays "the girl I left behind." Reports his regiment is waiting to be received into the service of the general government, and if refused, they will return home next month. Mentions they have received their uniforms and muskets from Harper's Ferry. Discusses a large fight that took place in camp resulting in a lot of structural damage. Explains some of the troops were unhappy with the…

GLC03523.31.03

24 June 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Describes the daily routine of the soldiers, who "sharp shoot day times and stand picket and dig rifle pits nights." Some men are about to attempt to infiltrate a nearby Rebel fort. The life of the soldiers laying siege to Vicksburg is filled with constant strain, and Damuth describes being woken in the middle of the night to stand guard in the pouring rain. Complains of the alarm, "I wish we could get out of this place for a little while so we could pul our pants off at night I have not had mine off in almost three months." Sends home a half-filled canteen he took off a Rebel soldier at…

GLC03523.14.29

24 July 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Tremont outside St. Louis. Mentions cooking for the soldiers when he has nothing else to do even though there are five cooks for each company. Says they just received their uniforms and bayonets. Explains in great detail several expeditions and marches. Remarks the rebels were hiding in swamps and fleeing. Comments the local women visit their camp and many had never seen the "stars and stripes." States the local women are very pretty, but doesn't know if "...it goes more than skin deep or not." Discusses the friendliness of the "darkies" and their…

GLC03523.31.08

6 September 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Jackson, Tennessee. Says things look gloomy for the Union, especially in the East. Reports on the victorious battle of Britton's Lane led by Union Colonel Elias S. Dennis. Informs the intense heat caused soldiers to fall exhausted before the battle began. Comments their guns were so warm from excessive use they could barely manage them. States they buried their dead at night. Says upon their return to Jackson, Union Generals John A. Logan and Leonard F. Ross praised their victory as "...the greatest achievement in the history of the world." Compliments her…

GLC03523.31.17

6 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler reminds his family that mail isn't always regular and asks them not to panic if they don't hear from him regularly. Feels that his company would have won the barrel of beer for best drilling had Captain Fields not mixed up his orders. Describes a 4th of July gun salute gone awry. Reports that the company has just received orders to move.

GLC07460.038

2 March 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of arms, accoutrements & ammunition for 30000 foot

Lists muskets, gun slings, cartridge boxes, worms, and other items.

GLC02437.00802

5 January 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Lists ordnance and military stores necessary for the campaign of 1781 according to type and number needed. Also includes a list of artillery necessary for a siege and a note concerning the making and cost of gun carriages. Written in a Park of Artillery. Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.00871

9 June 1781

Grayson, William, 1736-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Grayson signs as a Commissioner of the Board of War. Docket appears to be Samuel Shaw's hand, thus it is likely this document was directed to Henry Knox. "The Board have directed the estimates to be made out immediately of the articles necessary to be purchased also of the transportation..." Assures Knox the Board will do everything in their power to facilitate the measures of George Washington.

GLC02437.00968

circa 1863

Mayall, John Jabez Edwin, 1810-1901

Photograph

Title: [Carte de visite of Edward R. Archer]

Edward R. Archer in Confederate States [Virginia] Volunteer Navy uniform, holding sword and cap. Full length portrait. Albumen print (London: Mayall Photo). Inscribed: on front "C. S. Navy" and on verso "Edward Richard Archer 'Uncle Ned' in Confederate Navy Uniform".

GLC01896.179

9 June 1781

Frothingham, Richard, 1748-1819

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of arms and cartridge boxes at New Windsor West Point & Fishkill

Possibly created at New Windsor. Lists good and damaged muskets and cartridge boxes. Frothingham signs as Field Commissary of Military Stores.

GLC02437.00967

July 1781

Frothingham, Richard, 1748-1819

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of military stores received, delivered, and on hand in the months of June & July 81

Lists amounts of damaged muskets, bayonets, etc. Directed to Brigadier General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.00999