19 December 1755-1 July 1756

Header Record

Title: Papers of British Secretary of War Henry Fox relating to Braddock's defeat near Fort Duquesne and the recall of William Shirley due to the "Intercepted Letters Scandal" [Decimalized .01-.22]

Official papers relating to the conduct of Major-General William Shirley (1694-1771), who served briefly as Commander-in-Chief until he was dismissed and nearly court-martialled. The most serious charge against him was that he was the source of secret information which a spy had attempted to send to the French government in letters intercepted in England and gathered by the Secretary of War, Henry Fox. As the autography letters in the present collection were sent to Fox, and many of the fair copies are of letters sent by Fox, it seems reasonable to suppose that the archive was formed by him…

GLC09054

3 May 1865

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Awaits orders of transfer, most likely to Washington, although they had been told that they would be discharged. Written from Camp Parole.

GLC03523.23.39

12 November 1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

They move towards Richmond. Describes a battle and the capture of 4 artillery, 2000 small arms, 2 brigade commanders, and 1600 privates with 120 officers prisoners, including the "Louisiana Tigers, the men who carried long knives for the purpose of butchering our wounded." The Rebels left supplies and excellent quarters. "We make ourselves comfortable, these cold evenings, over large fires, discussing the various agitated questions of the day."

GLC03523.23.26

21 April 1865

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Written from Camp Parole, where Union prisoners of war were held until they were exchanged with Confederate prisoners of war, then returned to their regiments. Expresses fear that every officer would apprehend him after he had been taken into custody. So few men have reported back that the camp appears deserted. Describes the recent day of mourning for Lincoln. While exploring camp, discovered a library of castaway volumes with a few interesting books.

GLC03523.23.37

27 April 1865

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Describes how marching to the front now is somewhat different now than a year ago because their army is much more victorious. Reacts to presidential communication with Britain; wonders about Canada. Written from Camp Parole, where Union prisoners of war were held until they were exchanged with Confederate prisoners of war, until being returned to their regiments.

GLC03523.23.38

19 May 1865

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Was a prisoner of war a year ago here; has visited his old prison. Local attitudes towards the Union have changed due to Grant. "The conduct of the soldiers has been remarkable, when we consider the bitterness, the cruelty, the fiendishness with which the Southrons waged war upon us. I ascribe it to influence which intelligence and Christianity has upon the Northern people." Confederate money is worthless and the people are destitute. Freedmen act in "mutinous conduct," and the soldiers must settle disputes.

GLC03523.23.40

30 December 1864

Blair, D.F., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written on board the U.S.S. Mohican, possibly near Wilmington, North Carolina. Discusses the Mohican's participation with Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at the close of the Battle of Fort Fisher (24 and 25 December). Recalls being the closest wooden vessel to the Fort, and exclaims that survival of the vessel and crew is a miracle. Writes "I fell quite thankfull to the Rebs for not taking better aim..." Possibly referring to General Benjamin Franklin Butler, writes "if Old Butler had had the Spark of a Louse I think he would have got the Fort his…

GLC08470.02

31 October 1780

Reed, Governor Joseph, fl. 1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Anthony Wayne

"The raising a Sum of hard Money is ... indespensably necessary not only for the recruiting Service but the Pay of the Army & Support of our Prisoners on Long Island." Describes the bickerings of the assembly, and an empty treasury amidst abundance.

GLC09031

1 November 1777

Boardman, Andrew, fl. 1777

Autograph document signed

Title: [Call to assemble]

Requires Constable Richard Hunnewell, of Cambridge, Mass., to "warn all the Inhabitants ... qualified to vote in Town affairs to assemble at the Court house ... to consider & determine what measures are proper to be taken in order to prevent the British officers, lately taken by General Gates, from having the Range of this Town, as it has been represented to the selectmen ... that such a Plan is in Contemplation ..." With Autograph document signed by Hunnewell noting he completed the above order.

GLC09032

July 19, 1863

Swain, Julius Marshall, 1835-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joel

Written from Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. He describes his efforts to follow orders even in adverse conditions. He includes a copy of an order from Captain Nicodemus. He has been transferred several times, and complies in hopes for promotion. He remarks on the calvary's "reputation for courage and determination." Took three rebels captive, and found a stray valuable horse.

GLC00653.10.08

7 March1863

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stockton Bates

Complains about the slow news to arrive from Philadelphia or New York. Describes the visits of local citizens to their camp out of curiosity. The Regiment has several POWs under charge of desertion. Mentions black soldiers, one of whom escaped from his master during a battle. Describes alcohol use.

GLC03523.23.10

20 November 1864

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Woolston

Addressed from "Camp Near Gen. Mead/ Headquarters in Front of Platersburg." Writes to his father in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Reports that it took 30 hours to get to City Point from Alexandria. States he is happy, "we set up on the top & feel as happy as a lord and am as well content as if were at home it is raining now but it dont faise us" Says he is not yet armed but their arms will be a saber carbine and a revolver. Comments, "...this squad will soon be mounted soon the cannon keep a constant cannonade the rebels and our pickets and ours goes pop pop all night at one…

GLC03523.26.03

8 March 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin A. Woolston

Written from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Writes to his father in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that he is well and that the weather has been very rainy. Heard some musket firing last night but is not sure if it was Confederates coming near the picket line, or men trying to desert. Asks him to send postage stamps as they are hard to get and expensive. Reports that there is a rumor that Union General Philip Sheridan has captured 18,000 "johnies," [Confederate troops].

GLC03523.26.07

11 May 1865

Woolston, Charles, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Woolston

Reports to his mother that they have marching for miles and miles to Essex County, Virginia in order to get to the house of Virginia Senator Robert Mercer T. Hunter, whom they captured. He called Hunter, "a big dark complected man and said to been the been the best speaker in the Rebel senate." Does not know when they will be discharged but is looking forward to coming home. Feels it will take a least three weeks of "good grub" to get his strength back. States that their rations of sugar are less than ever but blames it on the quatermaster, not the goverment, which allows much more.…

GLC03523.26.09

August 24, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: [Later copy of a letter August 24, 1782 letter to Lord Stirling]

"My Lord: I thank you for naming a gentleman for the officer of Commissary of Prisoners...I thank you, also for the loan of the History of Jno. Sobeiski...If your Lordship is done with the map of Staten Island, I should be glad to have it returned as I am about packing up my papers..."

GLC09069

1862

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Describes activity at Fort Donelson (the Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from 11 February to 16 February 1862), Yorktown (Siege of Yorktown took place from 5 April to 4 May 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign), the Peninsula Campaign withdrawal (March through July 1862), Second Bull Run (28-30 August 1862), and South Mountain (Battle of South Mountain was fought on 14 September 1862), and being wounded by a cannonball. This cannonball is found in GLC04564.02. Writes of his recuperation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of…

GLC04564.03

1863

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Gottshall returns to the Army after being wounded in the arm by a cannonball. Throughout the early months Gottshall sees little action and he discusses his recovery and soldiering in the winter. In [13-15] February he reports an insurrection taking place in which a regiment refused to do picket duty due to the location of their camp and the cold weather. Writes of another incidence that took place on 1 July where he was defending the baggage and supply train from Confederates, 2 miles from Hanover, Pennsylvania. Also discusses [Confederate…

GLC04564.04

circa 17 November 1777

Davis, Amasa, 1744-1825

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Convention Army]

Also signed by Col. Joshua Davis, Thomas Crane, Will Harris, and Fitch Pool. "Amasa Davis is appointed one of the Commissary's for Supplying the Troops under Genl. Burgoyne (now Prisoners in this State), with the Various sorts of Provisions brought to Boston Market, the produce of the United States, that the said Prisoners shall need, over and above their rations..."

GLC09066

7 May 1776

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania Evening Post

Relaying news from a Dublin paper of a British fleet set to sail in April: "there will be five debarkations...one at Quebec, one at New-York, one in New-England, and two to the southward." Letter from Cork, describing Col. Ethan Allen and his fellow prisoners' generous treatment by the Irish. Letter from Gen. Arnold: "we labor under almost as many difficulties as the Israelites did of old, obliged to make brick without straw...we have near five feet snow on the ground...four hundred sick and wounded in hospitals." Skirmish and privateer news from up and down the Atlantic. (GLC 3235 was…

GLC09080

24 December 1755

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter

Title: Additional Instructions to Major Genl. William Johnson, relative to the Indians of the Six Nations under his Command.

Copy of a letter instructing General William Johnson to ask the Six Nations to help fight against the French and their Indian allies. He requests that they "be engaged by private applications, and the offer of Rewards to take up the Hatchet against the French & their Indians, who have fallen upon the Provinces of Virginia, Maryland and Pensylvania." Wants them to muster in Pennsylvania by way of the Susquehanna river to join the others and bring as many people as possible. Instructs that the Indians should know they will be well supplied and rewarded for taking prisoners. Would like…

GLC09054.01

13 August 1736

Bane, Joseph, fl. 1691-1736

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Report]

Discusses an Indian raid in 1691 where he and other settlers were taken captive. Also signed by Joshua Moody and John Minot, Justices of the Peace.

GLC02437.08875

circa 24 July 1736

Longley, John, fl. 1736

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Report]

States that he was taken captive by Indians in 1694, lived with them for four years, serving for two as the chief's servant.

GLC02437.08874

23 August 1864

Note

Title: to George Wortham

A list of fourteen prisoners to be sent to Goldsboro, with their ranks and names listed. One is listed as a "Yankee deserter."

GLC02233.53

29 August 1864

Note

Title: to George Wortham

A list of sixteen prisoners to be sent to Goldsboro, with their names, ranks and charges against them listed. Includes "Prisoners confined in jail & charges against them…."

GLC02233.54

September 18, 1864

Williams, W.F., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: Letter regarding arrest of traders, and list of confiscated goods [Decimalized .01-.02]

Williams informs George Wortham that he has captured men who were trading across the lines and encloses a list of the articles seized and men captured.

GLC02233.55