25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Knox

Later copy of original letter (see GLC02437.00203).

GLC02437.00204

April 17, 1861

Osborn & Durbec

Photograph

Title: "[No.] 14."

View of a group of Confederate dignitaries in front of the shot furnace on the parade ground at Fort Sumter. The group is gathered beside a large mounted cannon, and is purported to contain both Wade Hampton and Gov. Francis Pickens.

GLC03919.05

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

2 April 1863

MacDiarmid, John, fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes from aboard the U.S.S. Ceres, having just traveled from New Bern "last evening at 11 PM." Discusses his plans "of passing the batteries and proceeding to Washington," and sends ammunition "by the Boats of the Ceres, Lockwood, and Granite." Lt. MacDiarmid was the Acting Master of the U.S.S. Ceres.

GLC02254.09

9 April 1863

McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to say he is sending "to night three (3) Schooners, with ammunition for the Army and the Gunboats." Mentions that "Davenport thinks it is imprudent to send more boats past the batteries without silencing them." Assures Renshaw that "the force from Newberne [sic] is rapidly advancing to meet you" and briefly mentions that he will be ready for an attack on the Hill's Point Batteries. Letter written aboard the U.S.S. Hunchback. McCann, commander of the Hunchback eventually rose to the rank of Commadore.

GLC02254.10

11 April 1863

McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to Renshaw about the plan to "attack Hills Point Battery at 5 Oclock tomorrow morning, and cover the 'Escort' as she passes through the obstructions." Notes that the Escort will be carrying ammunition. The attack McCann references is the start of the Battle of Suffolk at Hill's Point (sometimes known as the Battle of Fort Huger), which spanned from 11 April to 4 May 1863. The Union Army captured Fort Huger, creating a safe river route for Union ships and trade.

GLC02254.11

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

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

A highly detailed letter in which Knox reports on his efforts to obtain ordnance in New York City for the Continental Army in Cambridge. Discusses similar, unsuccessful activities in regard to the activities of a man named Colonel Read, and his problems with the committee sitting during the recess of the Second Continental Congress, possibly the Second Provincial Congress, which met in New York in late 1775 or the Committee of Safety. Reports Colonel Alexander McDougall's promise to exert his influence on the committee and have them send munitions to Cambridge immediately. Seeks permission…

GLC02437.00212

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Docket is written in Knox's hand. Asks Colonel McDougall to use his influence to have the listed shells sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, immediately. In a post script, asks that McDougall inform George Washington if he cannot obtain the listed items. When Knox was in New York City a month earlier (en route to Ticonderoga to retrieve ordnance for American forces in Massachusetts), McDougall had promised to assist him in obtaining artillery by exerting influence on a committee representing the Second Provincial Congress (see GLC02437.00212). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00220

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Philip Schuyler

Gives General Schuyler an update on the progress of preparations to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that he has gotten the mortars and cannon over Lake George and arranged with Captain George Palmer to obtain sleds and oxen or horses to pull them (see GLC02437.00218). Discusses plans for moving forward. Asks that Schuyler increase the length of the amount of rope he requested from Mr. [Walter] Livingston and that it be sent expeditiously. Also asks him to forward enclosed letters (not included). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New…

GLC02437.00221

9 May 1776 and 11 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Invoice for soldier payment and artillery and supply purchases in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Records pay for members of the regiment and money spent on some supplies and ordnance associated with several officers.

GLC02437.00288

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of the harbor face of Fort Moultrie.

Osborn imprint on verso. View of the harbor face of Fort Moultrie. The shot furnace is visible in the foreground, and Fort Sumter is visible in the distance to the right.

GLC04509.13

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of the shot furnace at Fort Moultrie with the officers' quarters visible behind it.

Osborn imprint on verso. View of the shot furnace at Fort Moultrie with the officers' quarters visible behind it.

GLC04509.15

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of the powder magazine at Fort Sumter.

Osborn stamp on verso. View of the powder magazine at Fort Sumter.

GLC04509.23

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of a group of Confederate dignitaries

Osborn stamp on verso. View of a group of Confederate dignitaries in front of the shot furnace on the parade ground at Fort Sumter. The group is gathered beside a large mounted cannon, and is purported to contain both Wade Hampton and Gov. Francis Pickens.

GLC04509.27

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of the southeast side of the parade at Fort Sumter

Osborn stamp on verso. View of the southeast side of the parade at Fort Sumter, including the shot furnace and the soldiers' east barracks.

GLC04509.28

April 1861

Osborn's Gallery

Photograph

Title: View of the shot furnace inside Fort Sumter, which sits below the flagstaff.

Oval pastoral scene of three girls pasted on verso. View of the shot furnace inside Fort Sumter, which sits below the flagstaff. The top of the flagstaff, where the Confederate flag now flies, has been cut off in this photograph.

GLC04509.37

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult. Describes recent experiments on howitzers of French and of English origin, and explains that they require different shell sizes (see GLC02437.01411), and…

GLC02437.01426

10 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." Informs Knox that Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch has begun casting shells for them, and that Captain [William] Stevens "must immediately go there to prove the shells." Tells Knox to provide Stevens with instructions for how many shells to order cast for the French howitzers. Suggests that if, after a conference with "the General" [perhaps General George Washington], they feel they might not need the French shells right away, they should wait to make them in case they are able to recast the French howitzers and make them "of the English caliber." Also asks what…

GLC02437.01481

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to ask his opinion on various subjects surrounding artillery stores for future campaigns. Various topics include shells being cast for French howitzers by Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, preparation of shot and shells by Mr. Byers, transportation of cartridge boxes from Philadelphia to the New York state posts. Also mentions directions from General George Washington to have stores from the post in Burlington, New Jersey moved to New Windsor, New York, and the amount of repairable arms in Albany, Fishkill and West Point. Discusses the urgent need for hiring…

GLC02437.01510

12 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional…

GLC02437.01604

8 October 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives recommendations for arranging the artillery for the siege of Yorktown. Discusses the establishment of the first parallel for the investment and fears a delay in operations. Speculates that one in four shots from the Continental Army will hit the British works. Explains how operations in the field can differ from academic assessments because of the great variety in ordnance quality. Argues that the Continental Army should not expect anything from the current batteries except cover while they build the second parallel, and urges Knox to establish them with that purpose in mind.…

GLC02437.01213

23 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Duplicate of GLC02437.01309. Writes to respond to General Benjamin Lincoln's request of his opinon on where to store 4,000 barrels of public powder now in Boston. Declares that West Point is so important that they should do everything possible to provide ample supplies. Thinks 1,000 barrels should be sent to West Point as soon as the snow allows transportation. Also thinks that 1,000 barrels should be deposited at Springfield, and that the remaining 2,000 should be split between Reading, Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this arrangement "if either of the two…

GLC02437.01308

December 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Mentions that among the stores taken from the enemy at the battle of Yorktown are "a number of copper hoops that had been attached to the casks of powder consumed during the siege, which according to the customs of War invariably appertain to the officer commanding the artillery of the conquerors." They have been delivered to the Company General of Military Stores. Asks that if it is consistent with general practices, he would like to have them delivered to his company.

GLC02437.01312

January 22, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the deficiency of supplies in the ordnance. Comments on the amount of horses necessary for the wagons in the field. Also discusses the supplies necessary for the ordnance, including cannon, howitzers, and ammunition, and the amount of artificers at Springfield who could help build and repair these supplies.

GLC02437.01337