18 June 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walbridge

Writes to his mother that he returned last night from a two day excursion across the Appomattox River to bring supplies to the troops since their supply trains had not yet arrived. Discusses the fighting at Petersburg, 15-18 June 1864. States he rode along the front of Union Generals Winfield S. Hancock and William Farrar Smith's corps yesterday and says everything appears to be going well. Comments that Petersburg is only two and a half miles from their line. Reports that Hancock took 700 prisoners and two guns, while Union General Ambrose E. Burnside took 500 prisoners and seven guns.…

GLC04662.069

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Notes that Lucy Knox and others have gone to Fairfield, Connecticut, away from potential fighting in New York. Indicates that he gave Colonel David Mason a draft for fifty dollars to be paid by William (see GLC02437.00358). Asks William to write "fully & frequently." Alluding to the impending battle in New York comments that "You may expect something great before long."

GLC02437.00360

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments that Lucy had to abruptly leave New York, although it was for her safety. They believed the British would attack but they landed on Staten Island instead, where they were "received with a hearty welcome by its rascally Tory inhabitants." Mentions that the people in New Jersey were assembling their militia (see GLC02437.00357). Favorably assesses their artillery preparations for battle. Asks Lucy to send his trunk back, which has his papers and money in it, and asks where to send her clothes. Pressing business prevents him from writing more. Gives love to their baby.

GLC02437.00361

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for his recent letter. Discusses Lucy Knox's hasty evacuation from New York when British ships were spotted in the Hudson and the unhappiness it caused both Lucy and himself (also see GLC024327.00364). Lucy is distressed but Henry feels he is "not at liberty to attend her as my country calls." Explains that his apprehension was disguised by scolding Lucy for not leaving sooner. Comments that Mrs. Nathanael Greene and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard went with Lucy, and describes Mrs. Pollard as an unfit companion because of "her Melancholy dumpish disposition." If Lucy is unhappy in…

GLC02437.00367

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to Lucy's most recent letter (see GLC02437.00364), discussing her hasty departure from New York. Henry is upset by her distress. He reiterates that he did not want her in New York before something decisive occurred in the war. In response to her complaint that Nathanael Greene's wife returned to New York, he explains that General Greene did not want her there for the same reasons and had just sent her to Newark and she will later go to either Fairfield or Providence. Comments that if Mrs. Pollard comes to New York, she will distract her husband Jonathan Pollard…

GLC02437.00369

13 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Henry is upset that Lucy is taking others advice over his and reiterates his recommendation for her to go to Fairfield or New Haven immediately. Mentions various people going to New Haven who Lucy could meet up with. Discusses the British attack of New York the previous day. Knox lost six men in an accident, which he casts as a learning experience for the others, who will learn "to moderate their fiery courage." After the attack the British ships sailed north to Tappan Bay, near Tarrytown New York. Knox will send…

GLC02437.00372

22 November 1781

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Had wanted to write earlier but was afraid a letter might not reach him. Informs Knox that his brother William left for France on the 20th. Before he left, Knox's brother William left Peirce various papers and "empower'd me to transact his affairs in his absence, at the same time wished me to inform you thereof." Promises to forward letters he has since received from William. Discusses the surrender of Cornwallis: "The taking of Lord Cornwallis's Army is an event of prodigious magnitude, such as may produce a peace at a much earlier period than the most sanguine could expect." Discusses…

GLC02437.01295

29 April - 20 May 1783

Peirce, Isaac, 1722-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce notes that his son, Hardy Peirce, "Lost his Life at Fort Lee while you Sir was Colo. of the Regiment viz Novr 5th 1776." Requests Knox for help in obtaining his late son's pay and rations. Knox's reply on verso, dated 20 May 1783, is written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw. States he will take care of it and that "[i]t will not be long before a complete settlement of all accounts relating to the Army is to take place ... " and that Stewart will get "full satisfaction."

GLC02437.02117

24 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Gen Knox presents his compliments to the Marquis de Rostaing].

Indicates that he is sending one of the pieces of ordnance seized from a British redoubt at the Battle of Yorktown to the regiment of Gattenois, which stormed that redoubt on 14 October 1781. The transfer was made in accordance with George Washington's orders (see GLC02437.01259). A third person letter in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01260

24 October 1782

Rostaing, Juste-Antoine-Henri-Marie-Germaine, marquis de, 1740-1826

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Docket, in English, notes "From the Marquis Rostaing acknowledging the receipt of two mortars taken in the enemy redoubts at York Town in Virginia... "

GLC02437.09556

24 October 1781

Laurens, John, 1754-1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Laurens communicates George Washington's request that Knox send "one of the pieces taken in the Redout [sic] by the french troops...to the regiment of Gattenois." This was in accordance with general orders issued 20 October 1781. The ordnance was seized in the Battle of Yorktown. Laurens had marched to Yorktown as an aide to General George Washington.

GLC02437.01259

18 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Sim Lee

Declares he intended to return to Annapolis but was unable due to circumstances outside of his control. Delivered to Colonel Carrington the horses Governor Lee provided, for use in the Southern States, but one died before they reached Alexandria. The cannon Governor Lee furnished the army with were initially to be used against Lord Cornwallis, but had to be left with Rochambeau to defend York and Gloucester. Suggests that if the state of Maryland needs cannon for its own use, it can take those captured from the enemy, although doing so would stop the cannon from being part of a "battery…

GLC02437.01290

13 May 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Lee

Discusses the action of March 18 [the Battle of Neerwinden] and French politics and military. Comments that "[u]pon viewing the affairs of France according to the present reforms the most whole cause ever embraced by men, seems to be verging fast to ruin by the indescretion and villany of its leaders." Continues writing about views on the French Revolution. Watermarked. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10266

17 July 1792

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes about an earthquake that hit Quebec "By a letter from Quebec of the 5th Instant - I find they had a most violent Earthquake on the 6th Decr - a vulcano [sic] broke out about 70 miles north - the light so great as to be seem at Quebec in the night." Mentions that the shakes continued for a day and a town 40 miles from the volcano received damage. Comments on an Indian raid, "The Indian Acct (very untrue) 1000 Indians engaged - Killed & wounded of our people, left on the field upwards of 1000!" Noted as written at "D Works," which is most likely Delaware Works, located in what is…

GLC02437.05543

1856-1857

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East Indian station. A. H. Foote Esq. commander book I.

Calf cover. As part of the East Indian Squadron, the U.S.S. Portsmouth, under the command of Andrew Hull Foote, was ordered to observe British operations against Canton, China during the Second Opium War (1856-60) and to protect American interests there. On 16 November, 1856, Foote and a landing party were returning to the ship when they were fired on by Chinese shore batteries, despite prior promises of safe passage. The shots fell short, but Foote determined to retaliate. On 20-21 November, he led a landing party that quickly seized the Cantonese barrier forts. The action was both a…

GLC05911.02.01

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

September 17, 1894-January 19,1896

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Lieutenant Edward Simpson, Jr.'s personal journal of a voyage on the U.S.S. Concord and the U.S.F.S. Baltimore in the South Pacific].

Written aboard the U.S.S. Concord and the U.S.F.S. Baltimore. Particularly focused around Port Arthur, Japan. U.S.F.S. Baltimore containing 1) 9 October 1894 Nippon, Japan, "S. Ito, Commander-in-chief of H. I. Japanese M.'s United Squadron" "Official Report of the Naval Engagement which took place in the sea off Taikoshan . . . (Extract [and translation] from the report made by our commander-in-chief of the Fleet" and 2) 2 October 1894 Jiji Shimpo "The Real Condition of the Great Naval Battle in the Yellow Sea." Collateral material removed from volume: envelope addressed to Lieutenant…

GLC05911.20

22 September 1863

McCook, John J., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: The Battle of Chickamauga

11 page letters

GLC08042

September 28, 1862

Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tom Bira

With postscript to Frank M. Myers. Inquiring whether Myers was seen before or after Bull Run.

GLC02166.077

April 28, 1863

Winegar, Daniel G., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elvira Winegar

The blockade was run last night. There were 400 of them. They are 20 miles from Vicksburg. Includes map of their camping grounds. The date is possibly April 28, 1863.

GLC01014.069

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

circa 1940-1945

Scrapbook

Title: Scrapbook, Vol. I.

1 Woodward, Warren B. TLS: to Hilldring re: roster of Company K, 38th U.S. Infantry. 19 Jan 1940 2 Roster of Company K, 38th U.S. Infantry, 3rd Division, U.S.A. 1 Jan 1918 3 a. Clipping from [?]: "Army Transfers Major Hilldring…": [n.d.] b. Circular patch with red background and white flower. [n.d.] c. Patch with insignia of the Rail Splitters, the 84th Division. [n.d.] 4 Clipping from Arizona Republic: "Chamber Asks $32,500 As Advertising Fund." [n.d.] 5 a. Bull, H.R. Memo to Hilldring re: duty with WDGS in G-I. 1 Jul 1939 b. Clipping from Army and Navy Journal re: Hilldring…

GLC06196.105

September 16, 1862

Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Hughes

Requesting newspapers; teaching the catechism to his children; arrival of prisoners taken at Martinsburg, Virginia.

GLC02166.067

28 May 1864

Smith, Melancton, 1810-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Responds to news of broken boilers in Renshaw's vessels and asks if Renshaw can "not make the repairs on one with your own workmen." Desires to send the U.S.S. Miami, currently under Renshaw's command, to Hatteras Inlet. Inquires about the readiness of the Seymour for travel and suggests that Renshaw "let her tow up one of the coal vessels. Better send her at once as we want coal." The last portion of the letter is marked "Confidential" and discusses Smith's expedition to blow up "the Ram" the previous night. He reports the loss of two men. Smith was serving as senior officer in…

GLC02254.19