circa December 1789

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed in text as "Genl. Hazen." Discusses difficulties in reaching a final settlement for his military affairs and gives detailed information related to his struggle to reach a settlement. Mentions others involved, including [William] Duer and General [Jedediah] Huntington. Declares, "Is there an Executor in this nation or any one that represents it in the recess of the Legislater. If not what have we been fiting [sic] for these seven years." Related to GLC02437.04430; date and location inferred from content and from a note written on the document at a later date.

GLC02437.04431

January 1790

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph note signed

Title: Request for information [incomplete]

Asks if the recipient would "be so obliging as to inform me what time Genl Green superceeded [sic] Genl. Gates - it seems necessity to accertain [sic] it in order to the settleg of my deceased brothers affair - " Date written in previously inferred and written in pencil.

GLC02437.04488

14 November 1864

Maitland, Ann, 1813-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes she is recovering from a cold and still has a cough. Gives updates on various neighbors and relatives. Says they sent him new boots last week. Comments on the [1864 Presidential] Election results and hopes the war will soon end. Reports the corn is being husked, but the winter wood is not cut yet. Thanks him for the money he sent for the new wagon they need. Prays for his safe return.

GLC03523.10.144

18 November 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Informs him he has been husking corn. Says he is hurt John Petty did not stop by to see him while on his furlough. Mentions he intends to go to school for two or three years after the war is over and asks his opinion. Thanks him for the money for a new wagon. Remarks he received two pamphlets, "Copperhead Conspiracy" and "A Scathing Review of General McClellan's Military Career." Claims he read one and was unable to finish the other "but whether I profited any by them remains to be seen." Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC03523.10.145

16 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of a receipt related to pay warrants]

Knox, Secretary of War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops.

GLC02437.03840

16 April 1788- 9 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Copy of a receipt related to army warrants]

Knox's signature is struck. Knox, Secretary at War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops. Verso contains the signature of Philip Audebert, who signs for John Pierce. Audebert notes receipt of five warrants. Contains a note written by Jonathan Burrall, executor of the will of John Pierce. Burrall signs 9 May 1789 noting the receipt of ten warrants. Docket notes, "Finally settled on the 9th May 1789."

GLC02437.03842

11 July 1864

Maitland, Ann, 1813-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "My Dear Son." Place not listed, but based on prior letters likely written from Kingston, Ohio. Discusses the harvesting going on and compliments Grier on his hard work. Expects the grain to be cut by the end of the week. Comments on the shortage of hands available for the harvest. Remarks the corn, potatoes, and oats are all in good shape. Expresses relief that he will send money home, as the interest is due; but cautions if he needs it they will make do. Refers to a family friend coming home from the war who says, "I have seen so much of this cruel war that I feel…

GLC03523.10.129

5 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that he has just returned from performing the funeral services and burial of George H. Gould. Gould, who shared a tent with Wheeler, had been sick since June from diahrrea, and was transferred to the regimental hospital in August where he died. He also writes that Gould's discharge papers were made out while he was sick in hospital but have not been returned. Furthermore, he explains that if a soldier dies or is discharged before serving two years, the seventy-five dollar bounty is lost. Discusses news about various soldiers from the regiment including a twenty-year old whose legs…

GLC07460.059

circa 11 March 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Manuscript letter

Title: [Rufus Putnam's examination "of certain anonymous letters" leading to officers' discontent]

Pertains to the Newburgh Petition and Conspiracy. General Putnam writes an open letter "to the Officers in the Army" expressing reservations about officers' plan to obtain back pay and other concessions from Congress. Urges them not to threaten or wage "War against the community" or Congress. Instructs the officers not to persuade Congress by negative means, noting "...having once made a Separation between the Civil and Military power, between Congress & her Army, you have then passed the Rubicon." Argues that the men will have to remain in the field until all debts are discharged, if…

GLC02437.10105

December 1782

Manuscript document

Title: [Meeting of the General Committee of the Army regarding an address and petition to Congress]

Instructions to the committee chosen to present grievances of the Massachusetts Line to Congress: "we have nominated you to represent us at Congress, in matters of the most interesting Nature We wish you to inforce our address in the most modest terms, yet in that firm and steady manner that is expressive of the Character of Officers; and the Justice our requisitions demand."

GLC02437.10072

circa December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: To the United States in Congress Assembled

Appears to be Knox's draft of his presentation of officers' grievances to Congress: "At this period of the War it is with peculiar pain, that we find ourselves constrained to address your august body in matters of a pecuniary nature." Agrees to half pay "upon condition that each State shall become responsible to its officers for the payment of a certain number of years of full pay which may be specified."

GLC02437.10074

February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Discusses affairs concerning the military and Congress with General McDougall. Declares, "We are in an unhappy predicament indeed not to know who are responsible [to us] for a settlement of accounts posterity will hardly belive that an army shall continue incessantly for eight years [struck: to establish themselves] under a constant pressure of misery to establish the liberty of their country, without knowing who are to compensate them, or whether they were ever to receive any reward for their services." Calls for a more efficient system of government, and wishes to know who will address the…

GLC02437.10097

3 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Copied 15 December 1853, in Boston, Massachusetts. Marked as "private." Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Lincoln, Secretary of War, apparently regarding the settlement of the Newburgh Conspiracy. Knox remarks, "I most earnestly conjure you to urge, that every thing respecting the Army be decided upon before peace takes place. That events must be certain, therefore no time ought to be lost. The Army are anxiously waiting the result of General [Alexander] McDougalls mission... if they should be disbanded previous to a settlement, without knowing who to look to, for an…

GLC02437.10101

17 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox, Commander at West Point, encloses a weekly return of troops (see GLC02437.10140). Reports that he appointed a board to inspect the "decrepit and infirm," to determine those who were unfit for service. Sixty-one soldiers were deemed unfit for service, and Knox asks for Washington's approval to discharge these men with a pension. Comments on cannons and military stores. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.10139

30 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes, "A Report has been brought by the Garrison, that you have passed the river at Dobb's [Dobbs Ferry]- It would be unnecessary to say how much this mortifies me, but the urgency of your affairs, has undoubtedly been so great as to oblige you to pass as unnoticed." Relates that he was unaware that the salary given to previous commanders at West Point was withdrawn when he took command. Requests from Lincoln, Secretary at War, the same compensation as his predecessors, noting "Certainly I have expended as much as any of them, and I only ask the same…

GLC02437.10151

27 August-14 November 1792

Howell, Joseph, 1750-1798

Manuscript document

Title: [Four unrelated military documents from 1791-1792]

Four separate documents combined. First document lists month pay due to officers, listed by rank as of 4 November 1791. Dated 14 November 1791. Noted as B. No. 12 in the upper left corner. Second document discusses "Money received from W. Howell in my capacity of Pay Master to the troops and the state of the account on the fifth day of November 1792." Dated 5 November 1791. Lists amounts due by date and the balance. Noted as "a true copy of the orginial on file in the War-Office of the United States." Noted as No. 13 at the top of the page. Third document discusses "Recruiting…

GLC02437.10240

22 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Mentions his regiment has been paid. Notes he paid back the money he borrowed from a gentleman since the man never went home to collect the money from Mary. Says he will keep $15 for himself.

GLC02715.017

25 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is glad she received the 30 dollars he sent. He is sorry for her hardships and "would do anything for you if I could."

GLC02739.044

23 July 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He encourages her to go to Indiana with the children and Phebe Jane Walker. He is sending her 21 dollars inside a book of his writings with Lieutenant Williams.

GLC02739.062

31 July 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He has the opportunity to change his terms of service by being mustered out and then sworn in again but awaits her opinion. The new terms would offer him a furlough and a change in pay and length of service.

GLC02739.063

30 July 1781

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

McDougall signs as "Brutus," a pseudonym often attributed to him related to his involvement in the Newburgh Conspiracy. Writes a cryptic and critical letter, questioning plans made for the Continental army and the authority of Congress. Expresses eagerness to "reduce New York," but admits that the Continental force is too weak to undertake such a venture. Complains that his garrison is "every sixth day without meat." Refers to the "Duke of Roxbury" (McDougall's nickname for William Heath) and "Ignatius Loyola," (evidently, from context, a reference to Benjamin Lincoln). Mentions the new…

GLC02437.01101

31 July 1781

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Patten, Captain of Artillery Artificers, reports details of work completed at New Windsor, including the building of wagon carriages, wooden bottoms (for artillery) and mortar carriages. Writes, "My Men are Very unease for want of Money, and more Unease about the men are absent and never been sent for, they think if they go that they never will be sent for, and say they Have as good write [sic] to be absent as others- whitch makes me thinks they will desert soon if something is Not done, about the Matter of geting the Deserters in that Belongs to the Company..."

GLC02437.01103

2 November 1864-6 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Two letters. First letter apologizes for delay in communication as a result of the Battle of Cedar Creek. In his second letter he mentions that he received orders from General Ulysses S.Grant to be ready for an attack from "Mr. [Jubal] Early." Is working on muster and pay rolls every night until 11:00, and reports that he sent rolls to Washington, D.C. Mentions picket duty near a grist mill and his relationship with the mill's owners. References poor treatment of Union soldiers in Southern camps, and tells story of a Seargeant Freelove who was captured and taken prisoner by the Confederates…

GLC03523.18.30

2 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Discusses uncertainty of where his troops will go next: the West, the coast, or Petersburg. Comments on financial matters with his father. Reports that he will not be paid until next January; he is out of money and it is costing him a dollar a day to live. Written from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia.

GLC03523.18.34

6 March 1865

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Describes completion of the muster rolls. Reports acknowledgment from his mother of his hard work. Discusses the business of camp, such as raising funds to erect a monument in honor of the 6th corps late and "lamented commander Major General John Sedgwick which is to be erected at West Point," at a cost of $10,000. Also mentions raising money for Honorable Portus Baxter and wife for services to the sick and wounded. Reports that they have spent no less than $8,000 of their own money. Sends a check for $100 and requests his father to cash it and send credit back.

GLC03523.18.52