1862-1864

Bunnell, Jonathan, fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Jonathan Bunnell, 121st regiment, New York, cavalry]

GLC05195

12 April 1862

Gordon, George Washington, 1836-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his daughter

Written in pencil as P.O.W. at prison no. 3, Camp Chase, Ohio. Gordon writes about conditions living as a P.O.W and the liberty he enjoys through Christ. He mentions sickness in the camp, both deceased and surviving members of his company, and some of his neighbors.

GLC05508.004

30 December 1776

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Patrick Henry?]

Gerry, a Continental Congressman, discusses an unspecified request and an appeal brought before Congress. Informs Henry, Governor of Virginia, that he will ask Congressional President John Hancock why the appeal has not been presented to Congress and will attempt to "move it as early as possible." States "We have just heard from General Washington, that he cross'd Delaware just above Trentown, ye Evening after Christmas with 2500 men, attacked ye Enemy who were posted with about 1500 men in ye Town about 8 oclock ye next Morning, routed them & took 750 prisoners that are brot over ye…

GLC05346

11 May 1865

Halleck, H.W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marsena R. Patrick

Halleck writes as Union Major General Commanding to Brigadier General Patrick. "The Secty of War wishes proof of the fact ... that Libby Prison was mined at about the time of [General Hugh J.] Kilpatrick's raid for the purpose of blowing up our prisoners." 1 full length seated black and white engraving of Halleck included.

GLC05457

3 May 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John P. Usher

Discussing the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, President Lincoln informs Usher, Secretary of the Interior, "it is now quite certain that a large number of our colored soldiers, with their white officers, were, by the rebel force, massacred after they had surrendered ... " Requests Usher's counsel regarding the government's course of action following the Fort Pillow events. The letter was also sent to the rest of the cabinet, including Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (see GLC07698). Signed by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion stationery.

GLC05620

January 18, 1864

Dana, Charles Anderson, 1819-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to B. H. Peterson

Dana, the Assistant Secretary of War, officially informs Major Peterson of the current policy regarding prisoner of war exchanges. States that no rebel prisoners will be given parole, as per the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. On War Department letterhead.

GLC05670

January 15, 1866

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Johnson

Letter draft written in prison by the former commander the CSS "Alabama" to the President defending himself against all charges. Discusses the surrender agreement at Greensboro, the definition of treason, the United States Constitution, and his unlawful imprisonment. "The commerce of half a world was at my mercy, and the passions of men North and South, were tossed into a whirl wind by the current events of the most bloody and terrific war the human race had ever seen." Extensive corrections throughout. President Johnson in May 1866 directed that Semmes, while unpardoned, could not hold…

GLC05590

28 December 1874

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Raphael Semmes

Writes to Semmes about "my recollection of the capture of the Whaling Ship Levi Starbuck." Gives a detailed description of the events leading up to the ship's capture and the situation of the Levi Starbuck's prisoners on board -- "I most solemnly hold that no prisoners on board of the Alabama were treated with severity" but "greater restrictions were necessary...perhaps confinement in irons." Mentions that a man named Whitney claims that "the loss of the use of his hands" occurred while he was imprisoned on the Alabama and calls the accusation "simply absurd." Writes that Whitney…

GLC05591

1808

Broadside

Title: 5000 American Seamen detained on board British vessels!

Alerts citizens to British impressment, American prisoners in France, "Algerine Piracy and Barbarity," and the relocation of American families to Canada, and blames it all on the Embargo Act of 1807. Urges "a hearty vote for the ANTI-EMBARGO and FEDERAL REPUBLICAN TICKET" in the election of 1808.

GLC07703

14 November 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Anticipates a prisoner exchange. Worries the British will try to exchange men who are not really continental soldiers, therefore requests Lee to order all officers to make lists of those in their units who are missing or dead. Encloses "a recommendation of the officers for the State of Rhode Island." Postscript states British forces suspected to be moving to South Carolina. Saw small number of British troops near Mount Washington, and speculates as to their possible movements. Written from "General Green's Quarters." Two days later the British would drive Washington and his forces from…

GLC07491

1864-1865 ca.

Foote, Henry S. (Henry Stuart), 1804-1880

Letter signed

Title: to John H. Winder re: requesting list of Confederate prisoners

Requesting list of prisoners held at Andersonville and their offenses.

GLC07624

[20 July 1781]

Harrison, Charles, 1740-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Chain of posts in South Carolina captured from British]

Signed with initials. Lists several posts established by Lord Cornwallis in South Carolina which had been reduced and evacuated by American forces. Notes that there are about 1200 prisoners in the reduced works. Adds that these posts secured Britain to South Carolina and the destruction of these forts would break Britain's tie to South and North Carolina. Originally enclosed with GLC02437.01063.

GLC02437.01319

3 September 1782

Corne, Peter, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Writes, "I am much oblig'd to you for the agreeable lines you sent communicating the good intentions of the Commander in Chief I thank him & shall [bean?] respect I shall strictly obey the order of staying in my quarters & joyfully wait the happy Period of Liberation."

GLC02437.01567

19 October 1781

Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805

Manuscript document

Title: [Articles of capitulation settled at Yorktown]

List of articles dictating the surrender of Cornwallis (Lieutenant General of Britain) to George Washington, the Count de Rochambeau (Lieutenant General of the French army), and the Comte de Grasse (Lieutenant General of the naval armies of France). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide de camp. Shaw has penned the signature "Thomas Symonds." Shaw apparently also attempted to create with the same pen a look-alike signature of Cornwallis. Symonds was the commander of British naval forces in the York River. Article one indicates that the garrisons of York and Gloucester,…

GLC02437.09555

19 October 1781

Manuscript document

Title: [Return of prisoners taken at the surrender of the British garrisons of Yorktown and Gloucester, Virginia]

Lists numbers of prisoners taken 19 October 1781 in the British surrender of Yorktown (excluding marine prisoners). Docketed by Knox's aide-de-camp, Samuel Shaw: "Prisoners of War under [Earl] Cornwallis."

GLC02437.10665

31 March 1782-21 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Minutes of the proceedings of the commissioners

Copy written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, at Elizabethtown, present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey. Appoints Knox and Gouverneur Morris to meet with British commissioners to discuss prisoners of war and civilians in custody. Empowers them to negotiate release, exchange and better treatment of prisoners of war, and to take measures to liberate citizens not captured under arms (emphasized in original). Also authorizes them to settle accounts for prisoner maintenance; mentions Convention of Saratoga, an agreement about handling of British prisoners after the Battle of…

GLC02437.01377

8 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Dalrymple

Written by Major General Knox to Major General Dalrymple, the quartermaster general of the British Army. References Dalrymple's letter of 17 July. Tells him that Washington has consented to the immediate exchange of Captain Snow. Wishes Dalrymple happiness if he ends up leaving for Europe. Wants him to send his compliments to Mr. Elliot and Captain Churchill. Would send compliments to Captain Bushell, but he presumes he is in Maryland by now.

GLC02437.01520

17 July 1782

Dalrymple, William, 1736-1807

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Dalrymple, Quartermaster General of the British Army, to Major General Knox. Sends this letter by Mr. Loring, who was going to Dobbs Ferry. Thanks him for his help in the case of Captain Snow. Sends along the latest newspaper (not included here). Says his departure for Europe may be soon at hand. Gives regards to Mrs. Knox, Colonel Smith and Major Greene.

GLC02437.01491

25 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Winslow

Draft in Samuel Shaw's hand. Writes, "I am sorry to acquaint you, that the endeavors of your friends to obtain permission for your return to Boston have proved ineffectual. Some late acts of Congress and of the Legislature of Massachusetts, render it impossible for you to come out from New-York, either by the way of Jersey or any of the neighbouring places. The only possible one in which you can return to your friends, will be by going in a flag to Rhode Island, and thence applying to the authority of Massachusetts for leave to proceed to Boston. Or, on your arrival at Rhode Island, you…

GLC02437.01681

22 August 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 8 August 1781. Updates Henry on news he has heard. Says the French fleet was to have left Newport the day before to connect up with the Compte De Grasse, who is supposed to be nearing the continent with more French ships. Says a ship was captured going from Charleston for England with letters from Colonel Balfour, which gives information relating to British plans for operations in the South. Balfour supposedly said "General Greene has exhibited such talents, as to take advantage of any opening given him by the King's Army." Balfour also supposedly said South…

GLC02437.01153

30 August 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Disappointed that his brother did not write him an "authentic account of Lord Cornwallis' situation in Virginia." Believes Cornwallis will surrender soon. Is planning a business trip to Europe and discusses fundraising. His last remittance to merchants in Amsterdam was forwarded through Captain Edward Davis, but the $450 sterling was lost when Davis was captured and carried to Halifax. Discusses the state of exchange, the slim chances for profit, and various aspects of his business. Comments on the arrival of John Laurens in Boston, who had returned from France with supplies and money.

GLC02437.01159

5 May 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William Knox to his brother Major General Knox. Mentions this is the fifth letter he has sent to Henry since arriving in France. Says he has received two from Henry. Says he is in Nantes on business, purchasing goods for his friends. Says "allmost all american orders are made out for this Country with English Ideas and the articles differ so widely that there is the greatest hazard of sending things which will not be acceptable." Says he has been settling his business accounts, which were confused. Says his reputation would have soured if he had not gone to Europe to settle his…

GLC02437.01409

31 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written from Elizabeth Town, present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey. Mentions that they have only just begun their meeting with the British commissioners. General [William] Dalrymple and Andrew Eliot, Esq. (likely Andrew Elliot) had arrived, as had Mr. Loring (probably Joshua Loring, an American Loyalist and British Commissioner of Prisoners). Comments that deliberations might keep him there until 10 April. Describes how he misses her and their children. Relates that Mr. Loring had received a letter from Mr. Simpson (possibly Jonathan Simpson, another Loyalist) which mentioned several of Lucy…

GLC02437.01376

11 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written from Elizabethtown, present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey. Had expected to leave for Philadelphia today but the commissioners for the enemy have not agreed on their propositions yet. Is unsure whether they will and hopes to find out today; finds the business tedious. Hopes to be able to leave in four days, and explains that because of the delay, he may only be able to stay in Philadelphia with her and their children for a week.

GLC02437.01384

22 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that due to miscommunication with General Sir Henry Clinton, he is being detained in New Jersey. Had set out from Philadelphia toward Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a meeting of commissioners, but Clinton sent word to Philadelphia which arrived after he left. Clinton's letter postponed the meeting to 20 April, and when Knox finally received word, he wrote to Clinton to ask that due to "the exceeding inconveniences inflicted," he move the appointment up. Relates that they will now meet in Elizabeth on 28 April, but says this will detain them a week at least. Writes that he…

GLC02437.01372