1 January 1865-13 Mayt 1865

Whipple, Milton, fl. 1865

Diary

Title: Diary of Milton Whipple

Early entries are brief and mostly record staff changes, troop movements, drills, and the weather but the entries lengthen as Whipple details the Appomattox campaign and the last few weeks leading up to General Robert E. Lee's surrender. On 24 January he writes that his regiment prepared for attack because the Confederate troops were near. States that he heard Fort Brady on the James River in Virginia was destroyed or captured by the Confederates. He reports word of the fall of Charleston, Columbia, Branchville, and Wilmington on 20 and 24 February. On 26 March he notes marching to meet…

GLC04561

21 July 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Minutes of field council held during attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse]

Co-signed by six field officers, including Brigadier General William Irvine of the 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Line. The minutes of a council of war held during an attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse. It appears that Knox wrote this on the verso of a letter he received from Captain Zebulon Pike while in the field. Says ammunition was nearly expended and even though artillery had made it within 60 or 70 yards of the blockhouse, it could not be captured and a withdraw was ordered. The attack at Bull's Ferry was a lopsided defeat, as Wayne's force of 2000 troops could not dislodge the 70…

GLC04898

28 May 1776

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ludwell Lee

Written by Richard Henry Lee as Continental Congressman from Virginia to his brother Thomas Lee. Says he is busy because he has a committee meeting with Generals Washington, Gates, and Mifflin on "the operations of their Campaign." Says he cannot write to many of his friends at this time and asks to be remembered to Colonel Mason. Mentions that Colonel Nelson has not arrived yet. Says he will leave for home in a day or two, rest up, and then attend the Convention at Williamsburg. Says "the sensible and spirited resolve of my Countrymen on the 15th has gladdened the heart of every friend to…

GLC04809

24 June 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation lifting restrictions on trade west of the Mississippi River]

Printed signature of President Johnson and Acting Secretary of State William Hunter. Proclamation will "restore unrestricted commercial intercourse between and in the several States ... and Territories west of the Mississippi river." Opens all trade except that in arms, ammunition, all articles from which ammunition is made, gray cloth, and property purchased by agents of the former Confederate forces. Says customs agents will supervise trade and that they shall receive any captured or abandoned property that should be confiscated by law.

GLC04973

20 May 1861

Blanchard, Albert Gallatin, 1810-1891

Document signed

Title: [Order No. 2 containing instructions for Colonel Blanchard's command]

Colonel Blanchard assumes command of troops in the district south and west of the Elizabeth River. Includes appointment of Blanchard's quartermaster, instructions for submitting morning reports, and other rules pertaining to his command. Instructs commanders to make sure no ammunition is wasted.

GLC05005

2 April 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple to Langdon. Both were members of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. Whipple would sign the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, while Langdon would leave Congress in June 1776. References Langdon's letter of 19 March 1776. Rejoices over arrival of two powder vessels. Asks "what think you of the Retreat of the Barbarians from Boston, it will be a pretty story to tell their Master"? Says Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence, North Carolina where he found 200 cannons and many cannonballs, but no powder. Says the people of North Carolina took 1800 stands of…

GLC04866

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: New [Ammuntion] Magazine. [1861-1865 ca.]

Soldiers sit in front of the two entrances to the bomb-proof underground magazine. Several men stand off to the left in a group. Inscription on verso: "Gestnes. Ft. Velion."

GLC05111.01.0518

circa 1866

Photograph

Title: [Mortar and light artillery]

Mortar gun with two small bore canons on either side. A stack of cannonballs is on the right. A man leans on the mortar. Two oddly shaped column-like structures in the background. Postwar display of guns.

GLC05111.01.0465

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Ruins of Harpers Ferry Arsenal

The burned out ruins of the Harpers Ferry Arsenal and Armory, with two men surveying the remains. Inscription on verso: "Ruins of Harpers Ferry Arsenal." Numeric notation on verso: "10."

GLC05111.01.0796

circa 1861-1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: Artillery and earthworks with wooden buildings

The image shows three buildings behind earthworks with pyramids of cannonballs. Inscription on verso: "Gardner." Numeric notation on verso: "57."

GLC05111.01.1061

January 1865

O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882

Photograph

Title: Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Dismounted gun

A print of a photograph of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Image looks out from the fort over the beach and water. A heavy artillery piece has been destroyed on the right hand side of the image. To the left of the carriage, against the parapet are stands of unfired grape shot. The Y shaped lines in the middle of the image were probably caused by a cracked negative. Fort Fisher was held by the Confederates until two battles with the Union, one in December of 1864 and the next the following January, when it was captured.

GLC05111.01.0257

circa 1861-1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Wreckage of heavy artillery piece including gun, carriage, and unused shells]

A print of a photograph showing the remains of a heavy artillery piece. The unused spherical shells scattered across the image include wooden sabots attached to the shells by tin straps. The top of the shell in the center of the image displays where the fuze would be attached. This type of smoothbore munition was commonly used by Confederate artillery.

GLC05111.01.0143

August 1865

Smith, William Morris, fl. 1865

Photograph

Title: [District of Columbia. Detachment of Company K, 3d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, by guns of Fort Stevens]

A print of a photograph showing a company of artillerymen posed behind fortifications next to [heavy] artillery guns. There are two guns, one on either side of the photograph. Three officers stand on top of the rampart between the guns. Another group of men lounge on the ground just below the rampart, next to a stand of munition [spherical shells or solid shots]. erso notations: "XXIII" "692" Pencil note on back of mat attributes this image to Gardner and suggests a Century Co. provenance, however William M. Smith is credited for this photograph by the Library of Congress.

GLC05111.01.0172

August 1865

Smith, William Morris, fl. 1865

Photograph

Title: [Arlington, Va. Interior view of Fort C.F. Smith, with gun crew of Company L, 2d New York Artillery]

A print of a photograph of the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery Regiment at Fort C. F. Smith. Approximately 28 men posed near an artillery pieces. The crew poses around their gun as the Number 1 man spongues the gun, and the Number 2 man holds a solid shot or shell. The Number 3 man holds his thumb over the vent. One man poses beneath a caisson [as though wounded] with his head and arms sticking out through the spokes. Other seige guns [including a mortar in the right foreground], caissons, and muntion stands can be seen throughout the image. On the far left horizon, other fortifications are…

GLC05111.01.0192

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Fortifications and munitions, Morris Island, SC [split stereocard]

The image shows large fortifications with stocks of munitions. Inscription on image: "The War For the Union." Inscription on verso: "Ft. Johnson Morris Island SC" and "Wa[r Views.] Interior view of Ft. J[ohnson, Morris Island, S.C.] Published by F. [& H. T. Anthony & Co., American and Foreign Steroscopi[c Emporium . . . ]" (The words in brackets are from a matching stereocard.) Numeric notations on verso: "44" and "363."

GLC05111.01.1257

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Fortifications and munitions, Morris Island, SC [split stereocard]

The image shows large fortifications with stocks of munitions and a cannon in the background. Inscription on image: "Photographic History." Numeric notations on verso: "339" and "297." Inscription on verso: "[Wa]r Views. [Interior view of Ft. J]ohnson, Morris Island, S.C. No. 3488 [Published by F.] & H. T. Anthony & Co., [American and Foreign Stereoscopi]c Emporium, 501 Broadway, New York. Negative by M. B. Brady, New York." and "Interior Ft. Johnson."

GLC05111.01.1258

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Ordnance yard, Morris Island, SC [split stereocard]

Image shows extensive amount of ordnance lying in the sand. Inscription on recto: "591 Broadway, New York." Numeric notations on verso: "1" and "367." Inscription on verso: "Ordnance Yard Morris Island, S.C."

GLC05111.01.1264

circa 1861-1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: Cannon destroyed by shells with single soldier

The image shows a single soldier with his musket resting on his right shoulder, in the middle of earthworks, and in front of a destroyed cannon. Inscription on verso: "Gardner." Numeric notations on verso: "XXII" and "1242."

GLC05111.01.1081

4 September 1775

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett and John Langdon

General Sullivan writes to Bartlett and Langdon, Continental Congressmen from New Hampshire. Discusses a lack of gunpowder, stating "the State of our powder is Shocking we dare not use our Cannon Lest we Should Loose the advantage of our Small Arm before the Last powder arrived... believe me Gentlemen The victory is ours as Soon as we are furnished with ammunition..." Requests that Alexander Scammell is approved by Congress as his Brigade Major and that Quartermasters are appointed to each brigade to serve under Major Mifflin. Requests regulation and improved conditions within military…

GLC06337

1864

Confederate States of America. Navy

Book

Title: Ordnance instructions for the Confederate States Navy

Title continues: "relating to the preparation of vessels of the war for battle, to the duties of officers and others when at quarters, to ordnance and ordnance stores, and to gunnery." Published by order of the Navy Department in London by Saunders, Otley, & Co. at 66 Brook Street, West. Third edition. Book contains 171 pages of text and an appendix of 109 pages (paginated in roman numerals and ending in cix). Index at front provides an alphabetical listing of subjects in the book, ranging from Accoutrements to Exercise to Yeoman. Text contains 14 diagrams of naval guns marked diagram A-N…

GLC06159.02

22 November 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Brigadier General Hazen to Major General Knox. Reports that Washington ordered him to send a return to Knox at West Point for ammunition, & etc. Asks to have it forwarded to Stony Point. Says "It was not in my Power to procure for you, amongst the German Prisoners, the Servants you wanted." Second page includes a copy of a note from Hazen, in the hand of Samuel Shaw, reading "to 29 rounds per man - 1404 dozen Cartridges / 150 priming wires."

GLC02437.01723

8 September 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a sheet listing ordnance sent for the southern operation, referring to the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Colonel John Lamb will deliver the enclosed spirit levels. Explains some of the munitions information. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. Account of Ordance stores accompanied the letter (GLC02437.01172).

GLC02437.01173

20 October 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage. This ordnance transport was possibly one that Knox asked the Board of War…

GLC02437.01249

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Responds to Hodgdon's letter about sending ordnance from Baltimore for the siege of Yorktown (see GLC02437.01249) and hopes news of Lord Cornwallis' surrender reached him before the ships set sail. Asks that the shell and shot be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland instead. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01263

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Guion

Titled, "Instructions for Capt. Lt. Guion of the 2d regt. of Artillery." Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "You are with the detatchment under your command to proceed to Albany and relieve Capt. [Thomas] Seward's company in the Northern department. On your arrival there you will report yourself to [William Alexander] Lord Stirling, or the officer commanding, and take his further orders. On taking charge of the works and stores, you must send me an exact return of the men under your command and their respective stations. Also of the…

GLC02437.01627