October 1781

Map

Title: [Map of Yorktown, Virginia]

Drawn map of Yorktown, Virginia. Shows roads, rivers, and other land markings, but not fortifications. With Cornwallis autograph note written across the front: "you will deliver the town immediately." Likely created by the British right before the October 1781 siege by the Americans.

GLC02437.10669

2 November 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Washington instructs Pickering, Quartermaster General, to extract 150 lbs. from the "British Military Chest" to pay General Henry Knox for use in his artillery department. Docket, in the hand of William Knox, indicates this order is a copy. A clerical note states that the amount was received in full from Pickering. Clerically written, and docketed as a copy. Verso contains several mathematical equations, possibly related to accounts.

GLC02437.09308

30 April 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox and Gouvenor Morris

Discusses Morris and Knox's progress regarding "the commission you were charged with by me" (possibly a commission to negotiate prisoner exchange with the British in Elizabethtown, New Jersey). Has received Morris and Knox's dispatches, as well as those of Henry Clinton. Transmitted a copy of Morris and Knox's report to Congress, allowing them to decide upon the terms of future exchanges. Laments the unreasonableness of the British and "the miseries of War which may be augmented and protracted by such unreasonable conduct." Praises the conduct of Knox and Morris during their "odious and…

GLC02437.09309

6 June 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from military Headquarters in New York. Washington, Commander in Chief of Continental forces, writes to Lincoln, Secretary at War. Discusses extra allowances requested by General Henry Knox, declaring the allowances "perfectly reasonable and well founded." Attests that Knox's position as commander at West Point (1782-1783) required extra expenses (in 1782, Knox entertained many French officers in the area). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide. Docket indicates this letter is a copy.

GLC02437.09310

9 May 1778

Maxwell, William, 1733-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lacey

Discusses scouting parties and plans for upcoming action. "His Excellency Gen. Washington has ordered that you should be under my direction. I want much to see you." Letters is addressed to Leacy, but was almost certainly sent to John Lacey.

GLC02497.11

2 November 1776

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Written by Colonel Reed as Adjutant General of the Continental Army to General Lee. Says in consequence of his note, General Washington has ordered General Putnam to send a party to Tarrytown. If the party feels Washington should, he'll detach a body of troops to deal with the enemy. A regiment is being sent to reinforce General Beall. Says to let Washington know if anything else occurs. This was written around the time Reed and Lee were exchanging letters criticizing Washington for his performance during the previous campaign in New York. Washington discovered the correspondence when he…

GLC02497.15

22 June 1775

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Thomas

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln to Brigadier General Thomas. Says he is sending one load of tent poles and that he should "order them droped" where he wants. If all can't be used at Roxbury, asks they be sent to Cambridge. Written five days after the Battle of Bunker Hill and on the same day Congress prepared a list of Continental Brigadier Generals that overlooked Thomas. At the time, Thomas was an officer in the state militia. Washington hinted that Congress should fix the mistake, and when another officer declined his appointment, Thomas was selected. Thomas died of smallpox on 2…

GLC02498.07

28 October 1779

Laurens, John, 1754-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses troubles in bringing Washington's dispatches to Congress. Since the Iphigenie will not be sailing, he will take a pilot boat to the fleet. Assures him that "Nothing on my part shall be wanting to deliver your dispatches to Congress." Written "On board of the Iphigenie."

GLC02499.12

9 September 1776

Moylan, Stephen, 1737-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Hughes

Written by Colonel Moylan as Quartermaster General to Hughes. Trying to procure boards. Says Washington has called upon them to exert themselves in the creation of barracks and to procure bricks, lime, stones, shingles, and whatever else is needed. Wants enough housing for 20,000 soldiers. Washington wants the engineers and commanding officers to work together to select the spots for building and where to collect materials. Wants him to send all the shingles he can get from "town" and send them to "Kingsbridge." Wants to know where bricks and lime can be found. Believes they can comply with…

GLC02499.14

19 April 1776

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Letter signed

Title: to Chairman of the Committee of Botetourt

Written by Major General Lee as commander of the Southern Department. Says the spirit of desertion is on the rise and endangers the safety of the colonies. Requests the committee to exert themselves to secure deserters.

GLC02486

January 21, 1781

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Lieutenant Colonel "Light-Horse Harry" Lee to Major General Greene, the commander of the Southern Department. Written during Greene's retreat across North Carolina. Marked "express." Letter describing the stalling tactics he wishes to take against the British as he led the American rearguard. Claims the British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton left Hillsborough, North Carolina the previous night. Says militia are collecting and will advance on the enemy's right flank. Thinks it best that he joins North Carolina Governor Abner Nash once the enemy moves again and…

GLC02487

5 January 1780

Marion, Francis, 1732-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Informs that he is sending two men as prisoners of war, Thomas Page and Joseph Dawson. States that the men say they deserted from the British but Marion suspects they may be spies. " ... I suspect from their Characters they are sent as Spies, and thought best to have them conducted to you." Advises that they have run out of rum and do not have wagons to go for more. Also states that they are in need of cartridges. Written as Lieutenant Colonel to Major General Benjamin Lincoln. With small clipping from a past sale describing the letter.

GLC02491

23 August 1844

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Laughlin

Mentions some proofs Edwin Polk obtained to be added to a publication about Ezekial Polk (James K. Polk's grandfather) and his service in the Revolutionary War. Advises that this be done soon. Asks when the full report of the proceedings of the convention will appear in the paper. Discusses the amount of space being devoted to political news in a certain newspaper. Offers advice and encouragement to Laughlin as a political supporter, "Defend briefly when necessary, but keep up the attack ... " Marked private at top of first page. Addressed to Laughlin in Tennessee. Two black and white…

GLC02496

1770-1821

Header Record

Title: Revolutionary War officers: 18 letters and documents [decimalized]

[decimalized 02497.01-02497.18]

GLC02497

18 October 1777

Clinton, James, 1736-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton

General Clinton replies to a letter from his brother George, who served as Governor of New York 1777-1795. Expresses regret regarding the 16 October British capture of Kingston, New York, then the capital. Referring to the Hudson River, states that British vessels had passed through the cheval de frise erected to block their advance. Encloses letters (not included) from Generals Dickinson and Wayne (possibly John Dickinson and Anthony Wayne). Reports that he requested Wayne's assistance in New York, as George had earlier ordered. Relates that he requested reinforcement from General…

GLC02497.03

28 July 1784

Elbert, Samuel, 1740-1788

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate for Sargent William Wash]

Written by Brigadier General Elbert to certify that Sargent William Wash served his term of three years in the Continental line of the state of Georgia. Says he served as quartermaster for one year and that he is entitled to the Continental and state bounty of land.

GLC02497.04

1 July 1776

Gansevoort, Peter, 1749-1812

Autograph document signed

Title: [Furlough pass]. Fort George.

Grants John Gravenbergh a fourteen day furlough. Written at Fort George as the commanding officer.

GLC02497.06

3 December 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return for a German deserter]

Order to issue four rations over four days to a German deserter. Verso states rations were received, and is signed by the deserter, whose signature is illegible. Signed by Jackson as Commandant of West Point.

GLC02497.09

31 August 1775

Macpherson, John, ?-1775

Autograph document signed

Title: [Discharge for James Arden]

There is "no further employ" for James Arden, a mason sent up from New York by Peter T. Curtenius "by Order of the Provincial Congress of New York." Therefore he is discharged, by order of General Montgomery. Written at "Head Quarters" Signed by Macpherson as Aide de Camp.

GLC02497.10

2 January 1782

Van Cortlandt, Philip, 1749-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Hand

Created at a military site formerly known as Pimpton, New York. General Cortlandt comments that a letter Brigadier General Hand directed to General George Clinton was not received until 1 January. Encloses a return of men (not included) belonging to two unspecified regiments of infantry for Hand, Adjutant General.

GLC02497.18

1765-1813

Header Record

Title: Revolutionary War military officers: 19 letters and documents [decimalized]

[decimalized 02498.01-02498.19]

GLC02498

2 November 1780

Butler, Richard, 1743-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Reed

Written by Colonel Butler as commander of the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment to Reed as President of Pennsylvania. Says he is writing on behalf of Ensign Nathaniel Smith of his regiment, who has served "with great propriety." Says that Smith has been entitled to a lieutenancy since 21 July 1780 and hopes Reed can move the process along. Claims that it might result in Smith leaving the army, which he doesn't want to happen. Written at Camp Totowa.

GLC02498.03

1775-1783

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Nevill

Discusses the loss of a flat bottom boat hired to transport Continental troops across the Allegany River and asks for an inquiry to determine who should pay for it.

GLC02498.05

2 August 1781

Mercer, John F., 1759-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Nelson

Relays information about and an analysis of Lord Cornwallis's maneuvers to Virginia's Governor Nelson. Written shortly before the defeat of Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Mercer (who later became the governor of Maryland) was then an officer in the Continental Army.

GLC02498.08

23 July 1782

Pickens, Andrew, 1739-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Written by Brigadier General Pickens, the well-known partisan fighter of South Carolina, to Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department. Due to orders from Governor John Mathews, he is now occupying ground previously occupied by General Francis Marion. Apologizes that fewer men are in the brigade than expected. Says the harvest wasn't finished and troops wanted to stay behind because a group of Tories recently marched through the area. Expects these men to filter into the camp in a few days. Written from Bacon's Bridge, in Summerville, South Carolina.

GLC02498.09