27 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Docket is written in another hand. Attempts to facilitate the sale of a stallion. Briefly mentions that two deserters will have to face the lash.

GLC02437.00205

11 March 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Reports that his regiment is on Provost Guard. Three days worth of rations only lasts for two days, after which the soldiers must provide for themselves or do without. It is illegal to sell whiskey in town, and his regiment usually catches those who try to smuggle it in. Mentions trading papers with the Federal troops across the river.

GLC04573.02

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

January 22, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Says that he is disturbed by the news that the family has not received any of his letters. Expresses joy at the arrest of one deserter from his unit and wonders why another has not been arrested as well. Scolds his family for publishing his letters in the Chenango American. Asks about friends at home and describes members of the regiment who are sick.

GLC04703.03

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

February 1, 1776

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Concerns a complaint by the quartermaster in the regiment of Colonel Prescott, possibly William Prescott, against a member of the regiment of artillery. Discusses a potential garrison court martial and its legality. Gates was then George Washington's adjutant general.

GLC02437.00246

1861

Wortham, George, fl. 1823-1883

Autograph document signed

Title: Charges and specifications preferred against 1st lieutenant A Landis Jr of the 2d Regt. North Carolina Volunteers

Charges Landis with violating the sixth and forty-fourth articles of war and with "conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline." Charges resulted from Landis's failure to report for "guard mounting" and subsequent "violent, insulting and insubordinate language" directed towards Wortham, his superior officer. Excerpt: "…On Capt. Wortham replying 'I will be treated with respect in my office' the said Lieut A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteer did say 'Damn you' or 'damn it' 'I treat you with as much respect as you deserve' or words to that effect…

GLC02233.12

24 October 1862

Whitaker, Cary, 1831-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to George Wortham

Requesting Wortham make sure "Janus McFarland of Co. G of your command...attend as witness on the Court Martial on Monday." Cary Whitaker, captain and acting colonel CSA as well as judge advocate (1864-1865), died 20 April 1865 from battle wounds.

GLC02233.14

2 December 1862

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Letter

Title: [Blockading instructions for the senior naval officer in the Sounds of North Carolina]

Outlines plans for a blockade "to interdict all trade whatever with the country blockaded by the N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron." Details the boundaries of the blockade within North and South Carolina. Explains that vessels must have "clearances from the Custom House at the Port which they left" in order to pass through the Sounds. Writes that all vessels must contain stores and merchandise or hold "a permit from the Treasury, War or Navy Department." Notes that, "care must be taken not to allow vessels, taking refuge in Hatteras or Ocracoke Inlet in foul weather, to enter the Sounds."…

GLC02254.07

January 17, 1865

Clark, George W., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Relays tale of his difficulty obtaining a pass for entry into town to replace his boots and the fact that he is under arrest and will "stand a Court Martial" for the offense of being absent without leave. Sends this news as a warning of the possible ramifications this event will have on him.

GLC06167.15

January 29, 1865

Clark, George W., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Informs his mother of the regiment's return to Alabama, tells of life in Winter Quarters where there is no food, and notes that he is still under arrest, but expects to be released in a few days.

GLC06167.16

14 October 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request for Knox to deliver "for the use of the Indian tribes, five hundred pounds of powder - one thousand pound, of lead and one thousand flints - " Noted as written at the War Office.

GLC02437.02649

January 27, 1782

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's letters and apologizes for not responding more quickly. Writes, "But as I am now in arrest you and all the Army will hear from me through the channel of Mr Loudons partner. I shall not enter into a detail of the merits or demerits of the arrest, because probably you may be of the court martial, nor shall I enter on other subjects, as this is not the best conveyance I could wish." Adds that Mrs. McDougall is with him and that they send their regards to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.01341

25 July 1783

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General McDougall to General Knox. Writes from Highlands, New York. Says that the latest news from Massachusetts is that they will not support a "speedy relief to the Army from Continental Funds." Says the state senate supports Congress's resolution, but has put the issue aside until next session. Says he has fears that the funds will not be provided. Believes the most important thing now is to let the country know of the justice of their claims. Reports that other states might also hesitate in giving funds to officers. Wants him to consider starting "a train of correspondence…

GLC02437.02326

13 October 1782

McKnight, Charles, 1750-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Would like to discuss with Knox the status of the sick soldiers in the garrison, but apparently has been prevented from doing his job fully due to the illness and indisposition of his own family in New Jersey. Declares he has received a letter from his sister "informing me that my Fathers Estate is unsettled. I will suffer a material Loss, unless I immediately attend to that business." General [William] Heath had given him some time to take care of the problem, but he was "deprived [...] by Court Martial" of the time. With Knox's permission, would like to return when his family business…

GLC02437.01662

28 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some…

GLC02437.01546

26 March 1786

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox as Secretary of the War Office to discuss the accusations against Major [John Plasgrave] Wyllys, Colonel Wadsworth's former assistant. Reports that Wyllys's friends received the news from Wyllys's brother-in-law, and are in great distress. Writes, "I hope the circumstances will prove more favorable than they did at first." Is surprised that Wyllys behaved this way, as it is out of character. Knows that Knox, when he begins an inquiry, will do so out of the noblest principles.

GLC02437.03253

22 March 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private Personal & Confidential." References Knox's letters of 5 and 9 March. Claims some of the officers are drunks who lack military skills. Expresses sarcastic anger over orders given by Knox about ensigns in the army. Wayne does not have enough ensigns to follow Knox's orders from the letter of 5 March and is frustrated that he cannot use the provisional ensigns as ordered in the 9 March letter. The provisional ensigns need to be confirmed by the Senate. Says he does not want to put the men or his own personal honor on the line with some of these officers. Suggests the…

GLC02437.05856

15 November 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Makes reference to the "baneful leaven," the radical democratic principles of the French Revolution, influencing troops in his army. Mentions that Thomas Paine's "The rights of man, has been held up as a Criterion, even of Military Government. Attempts have frequently been made to evade & disobey Orders, under various & unworthy pretexts & idle quibles [sic], unknown at any period before that time, in the Legion." Reports that the most visible actor is Major Cushing "who is a very artful & seditious man." Also mentions a Captain Gunn. Goes into some of…

GLC02437.05975

January 23, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

"The Commander in Chief has directed me to inclose you Lt. Campbells return, and to request you would cause some enquiry to be made into the loss of stores mentioned therein." Noted as written at Head Quarters. See GLC02437.01853 for Knox's follow-up.

GLC02437.01852

February 16, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses salary of the Artillery artificers. States that they "should receive their ... pay with the rest of the army ... " Noted as written at Head Quarters. Appears to be a reply to GLC02437.01924.

GLC02437.01931

16 September 1777-16 October 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document

Title: Knox's army diary [incomplete]

Mostly deals with movements of the army around Philadelphia in September and October 1777, around the time of the Battle of Germantown. On September 19 says "Intelligence recd. of the enemys pushing for Philadelphia the army cross'd the Schylkill." On 20 September, makes reference to General Anthony Wayne being attacked at night and states that General William Smallwood joined Wayne. Makes reference to George Washington riding reconnaissance with a group of officers on 30 September. Makes reference to moving toward Germantown on 3 and 4 October and describes the battle there. Makes…

GLC02437.08417

4 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Thoughts on court martial and the duty of judge advocate]

Written in the hand of, and signed for Knox, by Samuel Shaw. Docketed by Knox. Major General Knox's guidelines and procedures on how a court martial ought to be conducted. Wants to allow challenges to members of the court without any given reason; is against general charges when they should be particular; those on trial can put their own testimony in writing subject to cross examination; no written testimony taken outside of court should be admitted against a person in a trial of life or death; ex parte evidence taken out of court not to be admitted; suggestive interrogations ought not to…

GLC02437.01979

12 - 16 May 1783

Howes, Lott, fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to Henry Knox]

Petition signed by four non-commissioned officers, and what appears to be ten privates (several of the privates used an "X" as their mark). This petition asks Knox for help in getting money due to them that they feel Lt. Col. Popkin did not handle as instructed. Popkin had been sent to Boston to collect the group's pay notes. When he was returning to West Point, he sold one at a discount of one third, and left the other three in Boston. These men claim he was not given authority to do that. A copy of this can be found at GLC02437.02219. Also see .02220, .02226, and .02236 for other…

GLC02437.02235

February 14, 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Marked "Private, Personal & Confidential." Tells Knox that "a most lawless outrage was committed by a party of the soldiers on the person of a civil magistrate in the village of Cincinnati on the 12th." Believes that the incident might have been fatal to 40 or 50 people, but for the intercession of Captain Haskill, who happened to be nearby. Explains what is apparently a struggle for jurisdiction between the civil authorities (represented by himself) and the military authorities (represented by a Major Leyton).

GLC02437.05321