February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: to unknown

Circular letter in which President Jefferson urges the state governments to "carry into effect the militia system adopted by the national legislature." Explains that "None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. to keep ours armed and disciplined, is therefore at all times important," which is particularly important since there had been "an infraction of treaty committed without colour or pretext." Asks for a report on Maryland's military supplies and readiness. The broken treaty Jefferson referred to was the Spanish closing of the port of New Orleans to U.S. shipping in…

GLC08925

7 June 1756

Hardy, Charles, fl. 1716-1780

Letter signed

Title: to John Van Rensselaer

Discusses recruiting a militia unit for an expedition against the French at Crown Point, New York during the Seven Years War. Tells Lieutenant Colonel that "You will find by the enclosed Estimate made by the Assembly, that the Quota of your County is 211 Men, exclusive of 150 which the House supposed to be at Forts Edward and William Henry, and would reengage in the Service against Crown Point." Written in Fort George neighborhood of New York, New York

GLC08922

June 11, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to hold his company armed and ready to march at a moment's notice and to appoint a meeting place in case of alarm. Should there be an alarm they should meet in the designated area then march to the regimental rendezvous point at Washington Square. Notes that the Major General has expressed confidence in the local forces. The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812.

GLC01450.720.06

September 11, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to appear with his company fully armed and with knapsacks and blankets at Washington Square at 8:00 AM on September 12, 1814. The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812.

GLC01450.720.09

September 15, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to appear with his company fully armed and with knapsacks and blankets at Washington Square at 8:00 AM on the following Monday. They will meet "for inspection which will be as particular as this crisis demands." The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812. Appears to be a successive draft of GLC01450.720.11.

GLC01450.720.10

September 15, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to appear with his company fully armed and with knapsacks and blankets at Washington Square at 8:00 AM on the following Monday. They will meet "for inspection which will be as particular as this crisis demands." The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812. Appears to be a draft of GLC01450.720.10.

GLC01450.720.11

1807/02/04

Lang, Nathaniel Jr., fl. 1807-1808

Printed document

Title: [Order for light infantry member John Howard to appear at the Concert Hall in Salem, Massachusetts]

Howard was a member of the Salem Light Infantry Company and ordered to appear on 5 February 1807. Order made under the authority of the commandant.

GLC01450.720.01

1808/04/26

Lang, Nathaniel Jr., fl. 1807-1808

Printed document signed

Title: [Order for light infantry member John Howard to attend a meeting at General Derby's building]

Howard was a member of the Salem Light Infantry Company and ordered to appear in uniform on 3 May 1808. Also informs him that all the company members must pay an assessment fee of $1.50. Order made under the authority of Samuel G. Derby, captain of the company.

GLC01450.720.02

March 14, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to assemble the legal voters in his company and have them elect an ensign to replace the recently discharged J.M. Peek. The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812.

GLC01450.720.05

June 26, 1814

Derby, Samuel Gardner, 1767-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Derby orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to "visit the Guard of Sentinels at Hospital point & elsewhere to night as Guard Rounds." The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812. Derby was a brigadier general.

GLC01450.720.07

June 30, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Treadwell orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to organize a guard unit from his company and have them report for duty at 6:30 at the Court House to receive orders. The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812.

GLC01450.720.08

circa 1815

Gault, Andrew, fl. 1815

Printed document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment for army service]

Partially printed document. Gault receives payment for his service as a musician in Captain Edward Fuller's Company of the New Hampshire Militia.

GLC03436.08

circa 1815

Chase, Calvin, fl. 1815

Printed document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment for army service]

Partially printed document. Chase receives payment for his service as a private in Captain Oliver Warren's Company of the New Hampshire Detached Militia.

GLC03436.09

June 1786

Stebbins, Gideon, 1739-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pay roll for Captain Stebbins militia company for service suppressing Shay's Rebellion]

Lists the men and indicates that they helped suppress "the Mob at Northampton."

GLC01412.10.02

September 1786

Stebbins, Gideon, 1739-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pay roll for Captain Stebbins militia company for service suppressing Shay's Rebellion]

Lists the men and indicates that they served under General William Shepard "in defense of the Supreem Judicial Coart at Springfield."

GLC01412.10.03

1814/09/10

Goodman, John, fl. 1814

Broadside

Title: General Committee of Defence For the City and Liberties of Philadelphia

Applauds the formation of the Volunteer Associations for the Defence of the City and County of Philadelphia and outlines the authority vested in the Committee of Defence. Indicates that the rules governing its formation are prescribed by law, that voluntary service does not replace military obligations, and only those not currently in the military can come under the direction of the committee, volunteering imposes no additional duty and will not require any services that would not be required by the militia, and if volunteers exempt from the militia wish to remain exempt then they…

GLC02978.11

1814/09/16

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson

Reports that the General Committee of Defence had an interview with the Pennsylvania governor about the formation of a corps of engineers and pioneers. Governor Simon Snyder agreed to commission them as volunteers that could be called into service under General Bloomfield. Lists names of men to be appointed and at what rank. Patterson is marked first, as a captain. Williams asks if Patterson will serve and select men to fill other ranks. Hopes Patterson, who was a professor, will not refuse on account of his lectures. Also notes that there will be no difficulty getting enough men.

GLC02978.12

1814/09/18

Fonciu, John, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson [French]

Fonciu, a French officer who had lived in Philadelphia, was Jonathan Williams' chief assistant in the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence.

GLC02978.14

19 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports that the draft will begin in Kingston the following week. Discusses Morgan's Raid, noting "At last accounts Morgan and his men were still pursuing his course without much interruption." Complains that [Lieutenant Colonel] Benjamin P. Runkle was appointed by the Ohio Governor, David Tod, to stop Morgan with a militia force of three or four thousand, but so far Runkle has failed. Writes, "I cannot understand it why some men are permitted to enjoy ease and emolument while others have to suffer and endure so much hardship." Mentions the "3 days fighting at Gettysburg." Continues on about…

GLC03523.10.082

21 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Mast, that he received a letter from his son, Joseph. Joseph was not at Vicksburg when the surrender took place because he moved with Sherman's corps to a location near Black River to monitor the movements of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Reports that Colonel Benjamin P. Runkle is in pursuit of Confederate General John H. Morgan through Ohio. Writes, "Our community on last monday week was thrown into great commotion on the receipt of the news of the entry of Morgan into the State of Ohio. The Independent Companies of Militia were…

GLC03523.10.083

28 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Tells his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Mast, that he recently received letters from his son, Joseph Maitland, dated 6 and 12 July. Joseph reported that he was near Jackson, Mississippi, where there were ongoing skirmishes (as part of Sherman's corps, he had followed Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's from Black River to Jackson). Describes Joseph's experience at Jackson, including a lack of water and standing for hours in the heat. Of news closer to home, writes, "John Morgan has been captured at last he was captured on Sunday near New Lisbon, Columbiana County, with all his staff…

GLC03523.10.086

5 August 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Reports to his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Mast, that he received word from his son Joseph near in Jackson, Mississippi. Joseph informed him that Confederate General Joseph Johnston evacuated Jackson 17 July. Writes, "I see it stated in the papers that Grant was a going to grant [struck: parole] [inserted: furlough] to one fifth of his army, if such be the case, perhaps Joseph will have a chance to come home awhile." Notes that Benjamin P. Runkle purchased a home in Urbana, commenting that Runkle did not "gain many Laurels" in the pursuit of Confederate General John Morgan during…

GLC03523.10.089

1786-1787

Manuscript document

Title: [Supplies given to Colonel David Humphreys's regiment]

Date added later in pencil. Lists supplies provided to Colonel David Humphreys, such as hospital stores, rations, wood and clothing. Addressed to General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.03401

January 30, 1787-February 1, 1787

Haskell, Elnathan, 1755-1825

Manuscript document

Title: to Lieutenant Colonel Platt

Body of the letter and signatures in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Document titled, "Extract of a letter from a gentleman of character in General Lincoln's army, to his friend at New York." Addressee may be Richard Platt; identified only as "Lieutenant Colonel Platt." Document contains extracts from Colonel Haskell's letter, as well as portions of two letters from Daniel Shays, and the reply of General Benjamin Lincoln. Haskell's portions contain information as to the strength of Pelham as a position to station the government troops. Shays's letters offer terms of surrender,…

GLC02437.03433

January 31, 1787

Shays, Daniel, 1747-1825

Manuscript document

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Contains two letters. The first, written from Pelham, Massachusetts on 31 January 1787 to General Benjamin Lincoln, is signed by (though not in the hand of) Daniel Shays, along with Francis Stone and Adam Wheeler. The second is Lincoln's reply, written on the same date, from Hadley, Massachusetts. The Shays letter mentions that he and his men have sent a petition with terms of surrender to the General Court, and he feels that all hostilities should cease until they receive a reply. Lincoln responds that the "request is totally inadmissible, as no powers are deligated [sic] to me which…

GLC02437.03434