21 May 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says they were supposed to leave earlier, but had to wait for the paymaster. They might leave tomorrow. Says the "secessionists" got some batteries up on both sides of the river and fired on the "Monticello" (West says she was also called the "Star") and goes on to describe the firefight. Six shots hit the ship, but no one was hurt. Says an English ship tried to pass through the blockade, but the USS "Minnesota" stopped her. Says his ship is a "contemptible little brig" in comparison to the "Minnesota" and the "Star." Reports that the "officers of the larger vessels kindly assure us we will…

GLC03836.06

29 July 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says the scattered troops have been reorganized. Reports on conditions in town saying "I took a party of seamen on Saturday night as a reinforcement for those already in the trenches, and was painfully struck by the appearance of things in general. Not a soul was to be seen in the streets except soldiers, some of them off duty, lounging about, or drunk, and ready for any outrage." Says their naval brigade has done good work. Says they are led by a Lieutenant Parker, "who is true blue, although he has a brother on the secession side. How do you get on with all our secessionist connections, I…

GLC03836.13

19 November 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Written aboard the USS "Alabama." Encloses a one-page hand-drawn chart of the 7 November 1861 naval battle at Port Royal Harbor, which he had copied by "placing a sheet of thin paper" over the original. Reports that the original chart had been made by one of the officers of the 'Susquehanna' and was "said to be very accurate." Says he is at Charleston and that they are still blockading "this nest of secession." Duty has been dull; since "the stunning blow inflicted on them [Confederates in the area] by Dupont's splendid victory. We have seen no sign of the small steamers which were in the…

GLC03836.27

6 September 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he is still waiting for his ship to arrive. Describes the people he has met at the fort. References General John Wool -- "Old Wool" -- who works the troops in reviews and drills. Says "I never saw a more beautiful sight than a review of the 4th artillery (regulars) that we had the other day. I only wish that we had a hundred thousand such troops." Tells the story of a captain who took his ship oystering and was fired upon by Union pickets when he tried to return. The captain was so angry that he declared "Nothing would satisfy him but that an equal number of them should get into the…

GLC03836.21

22 October 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says they are going at least as far south as Charleston, as they will be dropping off officers there. Has heard they might attack Charleston and claims 18 transport ships will be joining them down to South Carolina, enough to hold 25,000 troops. Heard rumors of a Confederate attack at Newport News. Says a man fell over 100 feet while working on the sails during a recent gale. Says he is in command of a "fine rifled twelve pounder." Written was aboard the USS "Wabash"

GLC03836.24

5 November 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Sent this letter by a prize they took that morning. The prize was being sent back to Hampton Roads. Several hours after reporting for duty on the USS "Alabama," he was sent to Charleston to relieve the USS "Susquehanna," which was having engine troubles. Thinks the fleet that amassed in Hampton Roads is heading to Port Royal. Says Charleston is greatly effected by the presence of Union ships. Reports that "Some fugitive slaves who came off in the night, report that they had been employed throwing up entrenchments at Port Royal but had been obliged to leave as they were discovered by the…

GLC03836.26

January 17, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Rumors abound of a Confederate attack on Newport News by Longstreet's Corps and riverboats. Says the "Galena," "Patapsco," "Minnesota," "Pawnee," "Ladona," "Commodore Morris," and "Commodore Perry," are present. Says things are in order, but he has been critical of some of the younger officers. Reports that they "Neither like me very well and I think they will like me still less as they get better acquainted." Says his ship will soon leave Newport News for Port Royal to join DuPont's fleet. Says the ship is "wretchedly out of stern," which has been slowing her down. Says it occurred when the…

GLC03836.40

22 March 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says nothing has occurred since his last letter. Reports that the Confederates are improving their defenses to the harbor. Says "By the time they have completed their last battery, I presume there will be no longer any reasonable excuse for delaying the attack." Says they captured a small ship that had lost its way and drifted out to sea. Says he was able to speak to the captured sergeant and 8 privates. Written while aboard the USS "Ladona"

GLC03836.45

3 June 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan [King]

Reports that the enemy has been cut off while on the Tombigbee River. Cannonading has been heard every day as well as prisoners taken in. Writes that rebel paper is pretty and that there is plenty available in the area. Also writes that the corn is about two feet high and the wheat is ripe. The letter includes a note from King to Weeks' father.

GLC06728.018

22 June 1782

Frothingham, Richard, 1748-1819

Manuscript document

Title: Return of Arms & Accoutrements at West Point

List of arms and accoutrements including scabbards and muskets with and without bayonets.

GLC02437.01464

30 June 1782

Craig, Isaac, 1742-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of the detachment for the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery & a detachment of artillery artificers, commanded by Major Isaac Craig

Written from Fort Pitt, present day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chart of numbers of soldiers in a detachment from the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery, sorted by rank as well as health and fitness for duty. See GLC02437.01470 for accompanying letter.

GLC02437.01471

1 July 1782

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Writes, "General Knox desires me to inform you, that a Conductor, or Some person in your department who was lately at the Magazine near Head Quarters broke open the lock, & left the door tied with a string. He wishes you to have it secured without a moments delay, as the Stores are much exposed and bring the person with you to his quarters on Wednesday Morning at ten oclock."

GLC02437.01472

15 July 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: Ordnance of stores received during the year

Authorship inferred from handwriting. Date added later in pencil. Ordnance items listed in two columns, with dates written at the top of each. Paragraph below columns reads, "The return to be continued in the aforegoing manner for the whole year - then the total of each particular article inserted under its own proper head in the general return."

GLC02437.01486

17 July 1782

Peirce, John, 1750-1798

Manuscript document

Title: Return of sundry articles which are much wanted for the different posts on the Mohawk River

In the handwriting of Captain Peirce of the artillery, most likely John Peirce, son of Isaac Peirce and younger brother of Joseph. Chart for supplies wanted at different posts on the Mohawk River in New York. Divided into five columns: for 12 pounder, for 7 pdr, for 6 pounds, for 3 pounder, and sundry articles. The cannons need flannel and paper cartridges as well as caps, cylinders, grape shot, and round shot. The sundry articles include lead aprons, twine, thread, yard, paper, and matches. Note on bottom says a quantity of oakum for the corking magazine is desired, as well as a quantity of…

GLC02437.01488

circa 1782

Manuscript document

Title: Articles issued in the year 1782

Possibly in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Year in title added later in pencil. A blank form describing military stores in two columns, organized by date, including flints and powder. A note below the chart reads, "The return to be continued in the aforegoing manner for the whole year, then the total of each particular article inserted under its own proper head in the general return." See GLC02437.01486 for a related document.

GLC02437.01515

19 October 1861

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister reporting that brother John is well. Complains about the continuous rain and states that one of their men was shot. Writes about the rebels destroying a bridge over Green River. Comments that they are waiting for artillery: "...we have only 16 or 20 big guns here..." Asks her to use pen in future letters because pencil is hard to read. Complains that postage stamps are scarcer than money. Envelope has image of William G. Brownlow.

GLC03523.03.01

28 May 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Alexandria, Virginia that he is frustrated by the delay of being mustered out. Anticipates he will be home no later than 1 July 1865. Informs that the last of the Rebel forces in Texas surrendered and his old commander, General Winfield S. Hancock, now commands the Veteran's Corps. Comments what a terrible fighter General Hancock was. Reports that a photograph of their regiment will go to New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton.

GLC03523.06.12

10 August 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife Sephronia from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. Reports he is ill with fever and dizziness and has little appetite. Says he will be home by 1 October 1865. Comments that his regiment is the last to muster out and they don't know yet where it will occur. He hopes for Albany. The letterhead reads "United States Sanitary Commission."

GLC03523.06.14

6 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that the colonel has ordered new 10x12 foot loghouses be built on the sight to accomodate eight men per building. He is fond of the area and wishes to stay there longer. Explains to his family why he is at Signal Hill and gives specific details about the telegraphing activites that go on there. Reports that there was fighting at Franklin two to three days ago and canonading could be heard throughout the whole battle. He also reports that Union forces have taken five hundred prisoners. Discusses the hanging of an old negro man who was aiding rebels in catching Union…

GLC07460.034

25 October 1782

Seward, Thomas, 1740-1800

Manuscript document signed

Title: A report of Captain Thomas Sewards Company 3rd regiment of artillery return'd from the Northern Department

Contains a chart of personnel from the 3rd Regiment of Artillery, broken down by position, such as bombardiers, gunmen, and drum & fifes.

GLC02437.01680

29 October 1782

Miller, Joseph, 1751-1814

Autograph document signed

Title: Report of the state of amunition in the 6th Mass. regt. commanded by Lieut. Col. Commandant Calvin Smith agreeable to the Gel. Orders of the 30th Inst. Oct. 1782

Lists supply loss ("casualties") and cartridges in possession of; and "set for action" by, the regiment. Countersigned by Calvin Smith.

GLC02437.01686

2 November 1782

Vose, Joseph, 1738-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: Present state of ammunition in the first regiment Massachusetts commanded by Colonel Joseph Vose

Return describing number and kind of ammunition. Created and also signed by Lt. Nathaniel Nason. Countersigned by Colonel Joseph Vose.

GLC02437.01694

2 November 1782

Darby, Samuel, 1737-1807

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of the number, and state of the cartridges in the 7th regiment Massachusetts, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Comdt John Brooks

Return of the cartridges in the 7th Massachusetts. Created and signed by Lieutenant Luther Trowbridge; countersigned by Major Sam Darby.

GLC02437.01695

2 November 1782

Cogswell, Amos, 1752-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of the state of the cartridges in the 8th M. Regt.

A return of cartridges, broken down by functionality and location. Created and signed by J. Clark, quartermaster; countersigned by Amos Cogswell, Captain Commanding of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment.

GLC02437.01696

2 November 1782

Newhall, Ezra, 1733-1798

Manuscript document signed

Title: Report of the ammunition on hand in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment

Return of ammunition, sorted by type.

GLC02437.01697