22 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Crane

Written by Brigadier General Knox to Colonel Crane. Signed twice by Knox, once on page 9 and once on page 10. Handing over command of the artillery on the Hudson River to Crane as he is about to leave the theatre (for Yorktown.) Gives Crane a sense of his duties in the region, explains the importance of West Point, and provides information on the state of repair of artillery pieces and stores in the area. Says the sick soldiers of Colonel Lamb's regiment are to join him at West Point until further orders. Tells him to make sure General Heath is kept abreast of events. Samuel Shaw has added…

GLC02437.01151

January 10 1782

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of artillery & ordnance stores

Estimate of artillery and ordnance stores for "the ensuing campaign," written from Fort Pitt. Campaign is not named.

GLC02437.01332

22 June 1782

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a return of firearm stores Knox asked for (see GLC02437.01461). Specifies the amount without bayonets, but says they can be fitted with them if necessary, and likewise mentions that the damaged ones can be fixed.

GLC02437.01463

3 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Congress

Written by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Knox gives a report on the state of West Point soon before his intended departure for Boston. Notes the dissolution of several companies/corps. Gives status of hospital, cannon, ammunition and supplies, and ordnance. Writes, "I hope it may not be thought presumptuous or impertinent to indulge the rapture which fills my mind upon so interesting a contrast, so honorable and so highly flattering to my country- especially when so great a part of the cannon are trophies, wrested by the hand of virtue from the arm outstretched to oppress it."…

GLC02437.02903

12 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders regarding the Act of Congress to reduce the infantry]

Discusses arrangements made in light of the Congressional resolve to discharge most of the Continental troops. Writes, "General Knox cannot take leave of this remnant of the Continental Army without expressing his ardent wishes for their future prosperity, and his firm confidence that their conduct as citizens, will be as good and amiable as their characters as soldiers have been illustrious and honorable." Location inferred.

GLC02437.03016

25 July 1786

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox if he will help him request a settlement of his accounts. So far he has been unsuccessful, and the Paymaster General's office, headed by Mr. [John] Pierce, has not been authorized by Congress to perform the necessary actions.

GLC02437.03284

18 June 1780

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses General Washington's need for reinforcements in case British general Henry Clinton returns to New York before the arrival of the French fleet. Under these circumstances, Reed believes that Washington would be pushed to the Delaware River or beyond. Mentions the creation of a subscription bank for the supply of the army and the need to recruit more troops.

GLC05547

26 August 1777

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Gates as newly installed commander of the Northern Department to Major General Lincoln, who was sent to New York in July 1777 by George Washington to reinforce Gates's army. Says he received enclosed letters from General Benedict Arnold, who was also sent northward by Washington, and Colonel Peter Gansevoort (letters not included). Mentions a British deserter who provided intelligence on the size of Burgoyne's army. Expects Arnold and a group of Indians to join General Enoch Poor in a few days. Says that Livingston and Cortlandt's regiments will join Poor today. Compliments…

GLC05563

18 June 1780

André, John, 1751-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Chew

Reports that Benedict Arnold, "the Rebel General," is to take command in Connecticut and that he is expected to leave from West Point to go to New Haven daily. Asks Chew to send spies to watch his travels. On verso is a note dated 19 June by Chew stating that he has sent two men in the direction given by Major Andre and details what they will be paid for the service.

GLC05533.01

18 December 1780

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Sim Lee

Written by Major General Greene as commander of the Southern District to Maryland Governor Lee. Congratulates Lee on his reappointment to the governorship. Says Major General William Smallwood will be delivering this letter. Requests aid for his weak army from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Says the aid "can save it from ruin." Says he is willing to acknowledge the mistake if reinforcements are not needed, but would like to have them. Written at Camp Charlotte

GLC05539

June 3, 1782

Kościuszko, Tadeusz, 1746-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Kościuszko, a colonel and engineer in the Continental Army, discusses military preparations for the Yorktown campaign. Comments on his earthworks and the need for more troops to protect them. Letter written "at Colo. Mayens."

GLC05545

26 November 1779

Stark, John, 1728-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

General Stark requests as much flour and corn meal for his brigade as can be collected, provisions needed for the upcoming winter. Mentions that General Enoch Poor's brigade would be stationed there for the winter also.

GLC05548

1776

Book

Title: Journal of... Congress...1775 [with 4 other works on British view of Revolution]

London printing of the journals of Congress, bound with four more political works on the Revolution. Pagination: 200, 8, 256, 143, 71, 2 pp. (1) Journal of the proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. Published by order of the Congress. Philadelphia, Printed; London: Re-printed for J. Almon..., 1776. [2], 200 pp. plus 8pp. ads. Lacks half-title. Contemporary half calf and marbled boards, leather label. Armorial bookplate. This journal records the transactions of Congress for the period from May 10 to August 1, 1775. Includes draft of the address of the Congress to…

GLC05704

8 May 1779

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to S. Smith

Written by McHenry as a secretary to General George Washington to Colonel Smith. References Smith's previous letter. It appears that Smith is trying to decide if he should leave the army to deal with business affairs. McHenry says he is sure Smith wouldn't leave the army except reluctantly. McHenry then claims he is desirous to stay in the army because he doesn't hold riches to as high a regard as others do. Says "For my own part I shall be prouder in poverty should the war terminate in the happiness of the people, than in any wealth, which I might accumulate from the civil exercise of any…

GLC05715

1780

Wilkie, John, ?-1785

Book

Title: [Volume of five loyalist tracts relating to the American Revolution, titled Galloways Tracts]

The five works, in order: "The Examination of Joseph Galloway, Esq; Late Speaker of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, before the House of Commons, in a Committee on the American Papers" second edition; "Plain Truth: Or, A Letter to the Author of Dispassionate Thoughts on the American War. In Which the Principles and Arguments of That Author are Refuted, and the Necessity of Carrying On that War Clearly Demonstrated" ; "Historical and Political Reflections on the Rise and Progress of the American Rebellion. In Which the Causes of that Rebellion are Pointed Out" ; "Letters to a Nobleman,…

GLC05705

5 July 1777

Clift, Samuel, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Gallup

Reports "The enemy have all mov'd on Staten Island." Also "John Murry was executed here last Tuesday for deserting and Inlisting several times," and others are sentenced to die for the same crime. Hopes to be "making our fortunes, this year, as our living is so very cheap," and lists prices of certain items. Men in high spirits and good health, "I hear very little complaints among the soldiers." Signs himself "Upon the Highest Hill in America."

GLC05729

27 December 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: Resolution in Congress 27th Dec. 1776 investing Genl Washington with certain powers [fragment]

Final page of document conferring extraordinary power on Washington. For six months he is granted the power "to fill up all Vacancies in every other Department in the American Armies; to take wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the Use of the Army...to arrest and confine Persons who refuse to take the Continental Currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American Cause." The lost portion of the document confers on Washington other powers as well. It is possible this document was being sent to Washington himself, then intercepted by the British. Title from docket. Transcript…

GLC05611

19 March 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Page

He is happy to hear the mutinous spirits of the soldiers have been subdued and hopes it can be prevented in the future. Remarks, "the putrid fever rages so much in the Norfolk fleet . . ." Discusses officers' commissions and appointments. Hopes some arrangements will be made for procuring salt. Remarks that the men are governed by their present feelings and will riot when the need for salt arises. Expresses concern that not all the Continental troops are under Colonial direction.

GLC05587

29 September 1780

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Bingham

Sends a bill of exchange (not included) drawn by Messrs. Otis & Henley on Charles Pettit for $43,480.

GLC05588.05

1779

Muller, John, 1699-1784

Book

Title: A treatise of artillery.

First American edition of this work, based on the second London edition. This copy was owned by Paul Revere, but not marked as such. Dedication reads: "To his Excellency George Washington...General Henry Knox...and the Officers of the Continental Artillery." Printed in Philadelphia by Styner and Cist, in Second-Street, for John Norman, engraver. Evans 16378.

GLC05306.02

8 October 1781

Clift, Samuel, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sally Clift

Clift, a captain in the Continental Army from Connecticut, writes to his wife describing preparations for siege of Yorktown: "till night before last we erected our first parallel within 600 Yards of the Enemies Lines, we shall continue to approach nearer & nearer till the Enemy fall into our hands." Also mentions casualties, his good health, and missing her.

GLC05307

19 July 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Sends copies of "the act for establishing the...permanent seat of the government of the United States" in Washington, D.C. and an act providing for the payment of invalid pensioners (the actual copies are not included). The text of this letter is exactly the same as GLC04886, which is addressed to the President of New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett.

GLC07668

4 June 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington informs General Knox of the British army's progress (possibly in the Hudson Highlands, New York). States "It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the highlands ... The militia are calling out for amunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is, far from being sufficient. I would therefore wish you to send on careful and active conductors to hasten forward to the army, a competent supply, from the nearest Magazines."

GLC07674

2 January 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Informs Greene of the size of a British expeditionary force of 1600 men under the command of traitor Benedict Arnold. Also mentions conflicting reports of the battle at Blackstock Plantation in South Carolina between Continental General Thomas Sumter and British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, 20 November 1780. He states, "The printers on both sides make it a victory." Wishes him a happy New Year. Postscript in Washington's hand comments that he heard word that Mrs. Greene and the children were well.

GLC07675

14 August 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Brodhead

General Washington discusses Colonel Bowman's apprehension regarding British progress with General Brodhead, stationed at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. States "what men can be spared from the Garrison of the upper Country- St. Johns- Montreal and Quebec are now acting in conjunction with the Indians upon the Mowhawk River, where they have lately done considerable mischief." Discusses the strain on supplies, stating "you will be very happy if you can adopt any expedient to supply yourself without depending wholly upon the Commissary in a regular way." Mentions the praiseworthy conduct of…

GLC07702