10 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy. Knox writes to Adams, the Massachusetts representative to Continental Congress. Mentions obtaining cannon cast from the furnace at Salisbury, Massachusetts. Discusses a failed attempt by Colonel Stewart, aide-de-camp to General [Horatio] Gates, to obtain cannon for Ticonderoga, New York. Notes that Congress disapproved of the cannon price, thus Ticonderoga remains without the cannon. Writes, "I sincerely wish that the spirit of enterprise may animate our army; but you well know, my Dear Sir, during the winter past and the most part of the spring, we have had no army to be…

GLC02437.00590

2 July 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Instructs Captain Bryant to have the furnace and boring mill prepared for casting cannons, which were ordered from Mr. Byers. Also lists the weights of some cannons and mortars to be given to Byers along with some old metal. Written from the War Department. Clerically signed for Knox. Free frank signed by Henry Knox on address leaf.

GLC03432.027

24 July 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Indicates that he is sending monies for the incidental expenses of the ordnance department and Captain Bryant's pay. Asks Bryant to send him a voucher for disbursement estimates and advises him to "expedite the mounting of the Artillery, and transmit me monthly, an account of your proceedings." Also indicates that he will visit the armory in Springfield, Massachusetts soon and hopes "to see everything in the utmost state of progression." Written from the War Department.

GLC03432.028

28 July 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Marked as a duplicate. Asks Captain Bryant to send Samuel Hodgdon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty five cannons with carriages. Instructs him to send them to Chauncy Whittlesey in Middletown, Connecticut, who would forward them to New York. Written from the War Department.

GLC03432.029

6 June 1798

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Requests Captain Bryant send additional cannons [for Melancton Smith] to Philadelphia and discusses possible transportation routes. Stamped "free" on address leaf. Free frank signature of James McHenry (Secretary of War).

GLC03432.072

June 2, 1798

Simmons, William, fl. 1791-1798

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Writes to Captain Bryant about administrative matters related to Bryant's salary and the settling of accounts for "the equipment of Eight field pieces." Written from the War Department's "Accountants Office." Free frank signed by William Simmons and stamped "Free" on address leaf.

GLC03432.102

circa 1776

Document signed

Title: [List of expenses for carriages for guns, a Fort at Salisbury, and the town barge of Newburyport]

Date inferred from other items in the collection. Includes three separate lists of expenses. The first lists the names of persons involved in the cost of carriages for the guns. The second lists persons and costs pertaining to a fort at Salisbury. The third cites individuals and costs pertaining to the town barge.

GLC01450.459.08

September 7, 1776

Marsh, Jonathan, ?-1825

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Price

Marsh orders Price to inform all eligible voters to meet and vote on whether to allow the state to use the town's cannons. Letter signed by Greenleaf, Marsh and Little as the selectmen of Newburyport. Verso signed by Price, and states he has informed the townspeople.

GLC01450.460.03

February 7, 1777

Dalton, Tristram, 1738-1817

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Price

Dalton orders Price to inform all eligible voters to attend a meeting about fulfilling the town's enlistment quota and about cannons given to the state. Letter signed by Greenleaf, Marsh and Dalton as the selectmen of Newburyport. Verso signed by Price, and states he has informed the townspeople.

GLC01450.460.04

27 October 1777 circa

Manuscript document

Title: Prisoners

List of prisoners and ordnance taken by the Northern army in the course of the campaign up to and including Burgoyne's surrender. Counts 5,740 prisoners plus General Burgoyne and 12 members of his staff, including six members of parliament. Lists killed, wounded and deserters too. General John Burgoyne's expedition from Canada was defeated on 17 October 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne's surrender was the greatest victory for the Americans so far in the war, and an important turning point. Most likely written at or near Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered.

GLC07115.02

February 5, 1778

Erskine, Robert, fl. 1778

Manuscript document signed

Title: A demand for a supply of gunners store for the use of his majesty's ship Canterbury

Lists the quantity needed of various artillery related items. Also signed by Charles Knowles.

GLC01450.556.05

April 11, 1783

Keppel, Augustus, Viscount, 1725-1786

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond

Keppel informs Lennox that "His Majesty's ships the Cambridge, Panther, and Medway to be paid off and laid up at Plymouth." Plans to store the guns ordinances in "His Majesty's Magazine." While the order was given on April 10, 1783 the letter was written on April 11, 1783. Letter signed by Augustus Keppel, Frederick Ponsonby, and John Lindsay. Ponsonby signs as Duncannon, as Viscount Duncannon was one of his titles. All three men were Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Letter written from the Admiralty office.

GLC01450.556.06

9 October 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Extends wishes for their mother's recovery, comments on his wife's improving health from sea bathing, and provides other family news. Reports hearing that Lord North received a message about Lord Cornwallis being attacked by General Horatio Gates. Explains news that Cornwallis repelled the attack, killed many, took 1,000 prisoners, and captured American artillery equipment. Suggests that "Gates thinking to circumvent him as he had done to Genl Burgoign [Burgoyne] had detached 1500 to attack him in the rear, they were received by Col Tarleton...who totally defeated them." The battle…

GLC02549.14

3 November 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

The Army of the Potomac has been crossing Harper's Ferry. He describes an engagement with Rebels, as well as the surrounding land and supplies, including local horses. He has suffered from jaundice. "There was a gap in the Blue Ridge here which was necessary to seize…Our troops had not been there more than an hour or two before ten or fifteen thousand Rebs were seen marching up to take possession. They were allowed to approach within easy cannon range, when our batteries pitched in and scattered them...In the mean time the army is advancing towards the country south-east of Winchester, where…

GLC04195.05

5 July 1863

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They took possession of Vicksburg the previous day. All 27,000 prisoners will be paraded then released to spare expense. States that they took possession of "228 pieces of artillery between 30 and 40000 small arms and 27000 prisoners, including 16 generals. This is the biggest thing of the war. All prisoners will be paroled here and turned loose. This is done for two reasons: 1st is believed that the men will go home and will be difficult to get into the service again; 2nd it will save a vast expense in transportation and some 6 or 8000 of our own men as a guard. Those eight thousand…

GLC04195.14

December 24, 1864

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

They arrived in Savannah ready for an assault but found the rebels had run away, leaving their artillery of a large number of guns. "The number of guns left is larger than we have ever found in any one place before; - it has not yet been ascertained, but is probably from 150 to 200. About 1000 prisoners were taken, but the Army left is so demoralized as to be but little reliable." With news of the victory near Nashville, the Confederacy may be close to ending. He mentions staying in furnished homes compared with usual outdoor lodging, but writes that "I find I can still sleep in a house,…

GLC04195.28

15 June 1776

Anspach, Peter, fl. 1775-1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account between Henry Knox and Thomas Mifflin, Quartermaster General]

Lists account information, possibly for artillery regiments, from 1775 and 1776, including "sundries" payments made to about 150 named soldiers. Lieutenant Freeman is listed a few times. Signed by P. [Peter] Anspach, Paymaster to the Quartermaster General's Department .

GLC02437.10004

1 September 1777

Woodruff, Lewis, 1754-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: Muster roll of the late Captain Samuel Hugg's Company of Artillery under the command of Brigadier Genral Henry Knox taken from the time of inlistment to the first of September 1777.

Marked as "an Exact Copy." Signed by Woodruff 1 September 1777. Lists sergeants, corporals, matrosses, gunners, bombardiers, and drum and fifes. Includes comments, time of enlistment, and place of appointment. On verso, contains "Proof of Effectives" chart, noting officers present and absent. Lieutenants Eli Elmor and David Moore sign, certifying the authenticity of the chart. Colonel Richard Humpton, commander of the Second Brigade of General Benjamin Lincoln's Division, signs 3 September 1777.

GLC02437.10465

26 April 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Printed document signed

Title: Monthly return of the 2nd regt of artillery commanded by Colonel John Lamb with the alterations since last return

Lists captains from companies in Lamb's regiment. Notes numbers of those present and fit for duty, indicates numbers of commissioned, staff, and non-commissioned officers, and cites total strength of each company. Verso notes absentees and persons on duty, command, and extra duty.

GLC02437.10500

20 August 1793

Anderson, John, 1726-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Same as GLC02437.10273. Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is distroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage." Believes that these inventions will be very useful and writes that "because they were brought to the test of experiment by French Armies under the Generals [Marquis de] La Fayette, [Comte de] Rochambeau, [Charles François Du…

GLC02437.10274

20 August 1793

Anderson, John, 1726-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: A short account of the Field Pieces presented by Mr Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy, to Mr La Fayette, and the first National Assembly of France; together with two Extracts referred to in the Memorial to General Washington dated August 20th 1793

Originally included as an insert for a memorial to George Washington (GLC02437.10273 & .10274) advertising Anderson's inventions to improve field artillery. Writes he separated the French artillery into three classes, heavy, light, and the Volantes, "or those without wheels ... " States that "none of them [were] above Eight Pounders, and none under Four; because, in the opinion of the inventor, One, Two, and Three Pounders are unfit for throwing Grape Shot, and for wining field defence." Details Anderson's presentation of his Volantes. Describes military tactics in advancing troops,…

GLC02437.10275

10 May 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses money and materials in constructing the house and states that he is "extremely anxious that it should be completed in the course of the year, although my heart fears that I shall not be able to go there this summer." Mentions the new corps of artillery. Ink very blurry due to water damage on subsequent pages. Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold by J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10299

28 December 1783

Price, William, ?-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return]

Return for ordnance and military stores at West Point, New York. Items listed by type, weight and ammunition.

GLC02437.10712

circa 10 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

Knox's draft, written in the president's voice, for a portion of Washington's December 3, 1793 annual message (State of the Union address) to Congress. Discusses negotiations for peace between the U.S. and hostile Indians in the Ohio Territory. Says if the negotiations falter, "it appears to be incumbent upon the United States to use decisively such degrees of their force as shall be competent, as well to the immediate protection of their exposed citizens, as to the exemplary punishment of those tribes, which, obstinately persevere in their cruel depredations upon our frontiers." Says…

GLC02437.05984

30 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Estimate of troops & oxen necessary to remove the Park of Artillery and its appendages from Burlington.

Directed to General George Washington. Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.10038