1863

Manville, C.M., fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: Deserters.

Broadside listing delinquent drafted men who failed to report at the proper time in the 13th District of Pennsylvania. Lists their ages, occupation, and residence. Seems to contain about 200 names, in 3 columns. Eight of the names are highlighted in red ink drawn through them, but the text is still readable. Splotch of ink is toward the upper left corner of broadside. Below the delinquents is a shorter list of deserters from the draft, with the same listing of ages, occupations, and residence. Offers a $30 reward for their arrest and delivery to the Provost Marshall, Captain C.M. Manville, "…

GLC05646

circa 3 March 1863

Lane, D.M., fl. 1863

Broadside

Title: Deserters!

Broadside created by Provost Marshal Captain Lane. Lists men who failed to report at headquarters for duty from the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. They are therefore "subject to Arrest as Deserters from the United States Army." Lists men from the 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st and 24th wards, as well as substitutes who deserted. Men are listed by name, with age, country or state of origin (many are immigrants from Ireland or Germany, but not overwhelmingly), occupation, and street address. Other men are listed under each table giving physical description. Some names are marked in…

GLC05647

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

27 December 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript document signed

Title: Resolution in Congress 27th Dec. 1776 investing Genl Washington with certain powers [fragment]

Final page of document conferring extraordinary power on Washington. For six months he is granted the power "to fill up all Vacancies in every other Department in the American Armies; to take wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the Use of the Army...to arrest and confine Persons who refuse to take the Continental Currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American Cause." The lost portion of the document confers on Washington other powers as well. It is possible this document was being sent to Washington himself, then intercepted by the British. Title from docket. Transcript…

GLC05611

February 11, 1784

Gibbs, Caleb, fl. 1748-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Court martial of soldiers from Constitution Island]

Major Gibbs serves as president. Contains the detailed proceedings of the trial of a group of soldiers from Constitution Island who broke into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. According to GLC02437.02948, they "abused his Wife, and plundered his Store," stealing goods and money. The Court rules that two of the soldiers must suffer death (Samuel E. Andrews and Samuel Sanders), three other participants are to receive "one hundred lashes on their naked backs at four different times," and the other participant should receive "one hundred lashes on his naked back."

GLC02437.02949

11 March 1792

Zeigler, David, 1748-1811

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Marked copy; titled "Copy of Major Zeigler's letter to Lt. Col. Commandant. Wilkinson." Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Refers him to earlier letters Zeigler wrote to Wilkinson and to Henry Knox, which outline his reasons for quitting and for not obeying Wilkinson's orders. Writes, "when I found I could not serve with that Respect a Commanding Officer is entitled to, I then determined to Resign." Delivers his commission to Wilkinson and believes Wilkinson will be able to "Adopt the most spirited Measures for Advancing the Dignity & Welfare of the Troops…

GLC02437.05346

14 August 1781

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Crane to Brigadier General Knox. Writes in response to officers who have accused him of withholding money from soldiers under his command. Asks for a court of inquiry to investigate the matter. Hopes everyone "who have made free with my Character behind my back will appear at this Court."

GLC02437.01133

30 August 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Crane

Written and initialed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes that he has been informed that regiments encamped on the point have taken boards and other items from the tents and intend to take them away or sell them. Asks that he work with Colonel [Benjamin] Tupper to try to prohibit this from happening by placing sentries at the places of embarkation and issuing a garrison order which forbids any resident of the point [possibly West Point] from purchasing boards or any other public property "on the penalty of severe punishment." Also writes that he has been unable…

GLC02437.01550

16 June 1782

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I mentioned to his Excellency General Washington, that it might be well to send some persons to the State of Vermont after [desertion], and he is pleased to approve of it. I have not the least doubt but the persons who deserted from your guard are gone to that place, as one of them owns a small farm there which he purchased last summer, previous to his being apprehended as a deserter, with an intention, that this [step] might prevent his being at all apprehended. If you should approve the sending some persons, I will do it immediately."

GLC02437.01454

7 January 1783

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Crane of the Continental Artillery to Major General Knox. Says the dispute between Captain Lieutenant Kemper and Lieutenant Crawley has been presented to a board of officers and their opinion presented to him. Says he does not know how to proceed and would like Knox's advice.

GLC02437.01808

20 December 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Lamb to Major General Knox. Is angry about complications with his leave of absence. Says he thought his friends would help him procure the proper documentation to prove his rank, but they disappointed him. Says he has since looked into the matter and believes in the justice of his "pretentions." Says that a recent report by the Board of General Officers was wrong in its interpretation of General Washington's general order allowing state commissioned officers into the Continental Army on the same date as their state commissions. Claims it is a "mistake." As he previously…

GLC02437.01753

14 August 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Lamb to Brigadier General Knox. Accuses Colonel John Crane of defrauding solders under his command of their pay. Says many of the Crane's officers have accused him of these crimes. Says Lieutenant Colonel Stevens has publicly accused him and informed Crane of the names of other officers. Refuses to do duty with Crane until he exonerates himself from the charge. Says Crane needs to "appear before the world" and deny the charges.

GLC02437.01132

20 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that has noted Knox's previous letter, which indicates that artificers are working hard on wagons and tumbrils. However, "At the same time, I am sorry to inform you, that, they will fall far short of your expectations, in this particular owing to the great portion of time which has been taken up, in making the necessary repairs of the carriages, of those Pieces, that were brought from Philadelphia, to this place, many of which were in a wretched state." Writes that he is "chagrined" to find that a Lieutenant Fisk has resigned to avoid a Court Martial. Adds that the bearer of the…

GLC02437.01495

February 11, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Authorizes William, his brother, to conduct business on his behalf if he dies. Reports that he has been at Boston with his family for about three weeks. Relates details of the discharge of most of the Continental Army, noting that roughly five hundred soldiers plus artillery remain as a temporary measure to serve until Congress makes further regulation. Discusses business affairs extensively. Mentions the metal "argent," or silver, and asks William to procure articles such as "dining and tea table equipage... coffee teapots, sugar pots & horns & casters..." if he finds argent to…

GLC02437.02950

3 November 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William tells Secretary of War Henry Knox that since his last letter to Henry of October 29 (GLC02437.04759) he has discussed with Hannah Harwood the money she owed Mr. Longman and has "delivered her the care of Watch furniture and seeds from Mrs. Knox." William explains the reason that Harwood is holding back payment to Mr. Longman. She hopes "that the other creditors would agree to her paying him the full sum of 1300 pounds." The agent for the creditors, Mr. Frazer, believes she has a case, and the prospect of a lawsuit would prevent the creditors from pursuing one. Nevertheless, "she is…

GLC02437.04768

August 14, 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox discusses a financial matter involving [William] Duer, [possibly John] Peirce, [Richard] Platt, and Henry Jackson. Encloses a letter (not present) from the Marquis de Lafayette to St. John (possibly Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur). The letter was passed to St. John by George Washington and was accompanied by other papers discussing affairs of the Society of the Cincinnati (William does not include the other papers mentioned). Discusses financial transactions he apparently conducted on Knox's behalf, including payment of a reward for capturing a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's…

GLC02437.03961

12 August 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on military matters regarding troop movements in Pennsylvania and at West Point. Describes an incident regarding a deserter from Lieutenant Kersey's troops, and payment of a reward for capturing and imprisoning the deserter. Relates that shoes and shirts were sent to West Point. Also mentions the formation of a congressional committee.

GLC02437.03960

15 May 1865

Childs, George William, 1829-1894

Newspaper

Title: Public ledger. [Vol. 59, no. 44 (May 15, 1865)]

One newspaper issue of Public ledger, dated May 15, 1865. Reports the capture of Jefferson Davis on 10 May 1865 in Georgia. Also contains an article on the Abraham Lincoln assassination trial, local news, financial news, and stories from New York and Europe, as well as many advertisements and announcements.

GLC08831

29 October 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph manuscript

Title: In the Court of Appeals... The Case of the Prisoners [Caton v. Commonwealth]

Important manuscript, entirely in the hand of Edmund Pendleton, entitled "In the Court of Appeals, October 29, 1782 The Case of the Prisoners." Composed of 3 leaves (A1, A2, B1) completely covered with writing (r+v), and a fourth leaf (B2), with recto blank and verso with Madison's title: "In the court of Appeals | October 29. 1782 | Case of the Prisoners" (Pencil note there with arrow: "James Madison's hand".) Pendleton's lengthy summation of the case later entitled Caton v. Commonwealth. This case, brought by prisoners convicted of treason attempting to overturn the death sentence…

GLC00099.101

December 9, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses the pardon of the convicted prisoners in Caton v. Commonwealth treason case, war news from Europe, and Rhode Island's refusal to agree that privateer prizes and war booty should be held for the benefit of the United Colonies.

GLC00099.104

February 12, 1813

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of marines Thomas Potts and George Allen for desertion].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Potts had been convicted of desertion in June 1812. Allen had been convicted of desertion in August 1812. Both had been sentenced to be shot. Pardoned by Madison for "divers good causes and considerations."

GLC00049

July 24, 1862

Pearce, William, fl. 1861-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Priscilla

William Pearce writes about oaths of allegiance in Memphis. He explains that non-jurors would be forced out without their possessions. He also mentions a storm blowing down soldiers' tents.

GLC00066.100

May 2, 1864

Pearce, Eben, fl. 1861-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He writes from the Provost Marshal's Office in Memphis, Tennessee. He discusses his plans for after the war, and also describes how one oath-taker was hanged for treason.

GLC00066.048

June 2, 1861

Pearce, Edgar, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

In his letter, he discusses the arrival of more troops and spies. He reports that there is martial law in Parkersburgh. Possibly written from Marietta, Ohio.

GLC00066.070

May 2, 1864

Pearce, Edgar, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Written on stationery of the Provost Marshal General. Edgar Pearce discusses marching and battles.

GLC00066.084