7 June 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Caesar Rodney

Informs Delaware Governor Rodney to send enlisted troops to Virginia. "One battalion of Infantry and a Corps of Horses... are required of the State of Delaware to serve for three Months" due to the "alarming progress which the Enemy are making in Virginia."

GLC06490

24 November 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee in the Continental Congress, discusses a former request for money submitted by Langdon, naval agent for Continental prizes and supervisor of the construction of several ships. Regarding the money, mentions Langdon's acquaintances Wharton (possibly Samuel Wharton) and Donaldson. Relates that Congress has agreed to increase the Navy by one ship, and requests that Langdon assist in formulating a plan to procure materials such as iron. Discusses obtaining material from France and Spain. Discusses Langdon's financial situation, prize money procured for…

GLC06518

4 June 1781

Weedon, George, 1734-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

An original draft copy, regarding the status of troops and provisions in Virginia. Discusses calling out the militia, civilians fleeing, and removing stores from Fredericksburg before the onslaught of the British invasion. Written from "Camp Hunters Heights." Later that year, Weedon commanded the Virginia militia at the siege of Yorktown.

GLC06495

20 February 1790

Donnison, William, fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the "arrangement that might take place in the Militia, under the Federal Government -" Asks for Knox's help in being continued as the head of the Orderly department of Massachusetts saying "I am at a loss to determine by whom it is intended that the Adjutant Generals for the respective States shall be appointed; whether by the president of the United States; by the Great Adjutant General; or by the individual States according to their own Lawes [sic]- " Also asks Knox to "mention my name for that appointment-" Encloses a copy of the General Return of the Militia of Massachusetts…

GLC02437.04514

16 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Williams

Wrote last to Major Williams while at Springfield regarding the protection of military stores. Has heard that in the absence of General Sheppard [probably William Shepard], a Colonel Chapin will be in command. Asks Williams to talk to Colonel Chapin about rounding up the Connecticut Militia. Has made arrangements with the Governor of this state [perhaps Samuel Huntington, Governor of Connecticut], and with General [possibly Roger] Newberry, who will be traveling to Springfield.

GLC02437.03313

February 22, 1787

Willcox, Joseph, fl. 1775-1787

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for weapons and ammunition]

Receipt for muskets, flint, cartridges, etc. for David Humphreys' regiment.

GLC02437.03464

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

1828

Broadside

Title: An account of the bloody deeds of General Jackson

Broadside with four woodcuts. The first shows an officer, likely Jackson, ordering an execution squad to "Fire!!" on six militiamen. In the second two Jacksonian officers, one ordering "F-F-Fire!" against a kneeling man in front of his coffin, saying "O God!! My poor mother," while another, probably Jackson, exclaims "Blow ten balls thro' the d-d rascal." The third depicts Jackson dueling with Charles Dickinson, saying as he shoots, "I'll have your heart's blood." The fourth is a simple coffin illustrating "The Case of Neil Cameron." The text summarizes the events depicted, and a number…

GLC05566

17 October 1782

Wheeler, Paul, fl. 1782

Document signed

Title: [Record of money due to an African American for service in the Connecticut militia]

States that eight pounds, nine shillings, and three pence is the balance due to Cato Cuff from the State Treasurer for his military service. Signed by Wheeler on behalf of Cuff. Partially printed.

GLC05333

9 April 1781

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement refusing to honor a bill of exchange for supplies to militia at Fort Clark]

Refuses payment on account the bill's author not having the authority to draw bills of exchange. The bill, written and signed by John Montgomery and George Clark on 7 August 1780, requests $235.60 for "Sundries furnished the Troops Belonging to the State of Virginia. A detailed bill, signed by Montgomery, appears on the verso. Jefferson signed as the Governor of Virginia. Collateral stamp indicating this was in the "Collection of Roy G. Fitzgerald" included. 1 black and white bust engraving of George Rogers Clark included.

GLC05602

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

January 31, 1787

Cook, P., fl. 1787

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from Granby, likely in southern Massachusetts, near Springfield. Writes on behalf of the town of Granby that the prospect of war is causing severe anxiety among the townspeople, despite the fact that they have a lot of faith and confidence in the ability of General Lincoln. They held a large public meeting and voted to ask that the "Commander will use every possible way & means in his power as a man & as an Officer consistent with ye dignity of government and his own honour to prevent ye awful destruction of mankind- and shedding ye blood of our own Countrymen- and conquer…

GLC02437.03435

February 13, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Provides an account of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Claims the "discontents in Massachusetts" were "speedily and effectually suppressed." Says these discontents were immersed in "Opinions which perhaps were necessarily diseminated previous to and during the revolution [which] seem to produce effects materially different from which they were intended." Discusses the debts, factions, and "the recourse to arms" of the farmers of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Worcester counties. Discusses the government's reluctance to resort to bloodshed in suppressing the rebellion, which consisted of 2,000…

GLC02437.03451

21 November 1781

Jones, Thomas, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cannot yet send the stores left in his charge because he has so far been unable to obtain fatigue men to help haul them. He will not be able to take a survey of the stores until he gets to Richmond. Fears he will not be able to remove them this winter, though he is on his way to Richmond to get help from Capt. Singleton. Writes, "Rest assured Sir as soon as I can get an exact acct of the stores that it shall be forwarded by the first Conveyance." Refers to a Mr. Parvin (possibly Matthew Parvin) who has also been trying to acquire men. Reports that after Knox left, Col. Harrison passed…

GLC02437.01294

9 June 1794

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the meeting they had last night regarding appointing a brigade general to command the troops in Georgia. Notes it is his opinion to keep the position open until they decide to raise additional troops in Georgia. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.06115

December 4, 1780

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses the British fleet, state of Virginia militia and possible outbreak of Pleurisy, attempts of the House of Delegates at fundraising using taxes and old and new money circulation.

GLC00099.056

December 11, 1780

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses Virginia militia and recruiting, a possible of Pleurisy outbreak in the Virginia militia, and Major McGill.

GLC00099.057

November 20, 1816

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of a group of Quakers for refusing to bear arms in militia].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Intended for Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., and Seneca Parry, who were arrested in Maryland. Partially filled out.

GLC00043.02

1755-1766

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter

Title: to James Madison re: acquisition of military commissions

Unsigned and undated but probably late 1750s or early 1760s. Concerning the acquisition of military commissions in Williamsburg. Possibly incomplete at bottom.

GLC00099.003

circa 1760

Madison, James, 1723-1801

Autograph note

Title: Questions for Edmund Pendleton

Series of questions, in the hand of James Madison, Sr., "Your answers to the following will oblige your affect't servant James Madison," with answers in the hand of Edmund Pendleton. No date, probably early 1760's. Letters is about concerning land deeds or militia questions. Each answer signed "EP," and signed in full at the bottom.

GLC00099.005

May 6,1809

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Michael Bright and eight others for obstructing justice].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Robert Smith. Pardoned by Madison because their crimes arose from a sense of duty, not disobediance. The recipients of the pardon were Michael Bright, James Atkinson, William Cole, Charles Westfall, Samuel Wilkins, Abraham Ogden, Daniel Phyle, Charles Horey and John Knife. They were convicted in Philadelphia.

GLC00045.01

13 March 1865

Fenton, Reuben Eaton, 1819-1885

Document signed

Title: [New York State militia commission for John B. Stonehouse]

Commision appointing John B. Stonehouse a colonel in the one hundred eighty-seventh New York State militia. Also signed by Bentley as Act. Asst. Adjutant General.

GLC00368.02

April 12, 1778

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

Letter signed

Title: to County Lieutenant of Berkeley

Printed circular letter signed by Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley telling him to keep his militia prepared for duty. Says the Continental Army may be forced to retreat and that Virginia might be called on for help. Says "As the volunteer scheme does not promise to succeed, the militia will be our only resource, and from that must we draw so many men as the exigency of things may require." Claims Virginia might be invaded from all sides and that they must be prepared to resist. Says one third of his men need to be ready to march at a "moment's warning…

GLC00370

circa 1763-1783

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Wayne, a general in the Continental Army who fought in many of the major battles with Washington and was later sent to the Southern Theatre when activity shifted to there. This document is undated and could be a retained draft or a copy of a letter. Says the situation of the enemy could not discovered. Says they appear to be planning for a bold strike because the last scouting parties were driven in from Gillalands Creek (this waterway could not be found in any reference guide) by a superior force. Says he laid the recipients letter of "20th Instant" before a general council of…

GLC00307.02

April 19, 1775

Merrill, Isaac, 1708-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Currier

Written by Merrill, a Colonel of militia, sending an account of the American militia's opposition to British troops at Lexington and Concord to Captain Currier. He mentions that Gage marched last evening out of Boston "Destroying our men and interest." Tells Currier to muster and mobilize as many of his officers and soldiers as possible. Tells him to spread the word and have other militia companies join them. Says he should appoint an officer to take charge in case he has to leave. Merrill still saw himself as a British citizen when he signed the date of the letter "in the Fifteenth Year of…

GLC00303