1864

Confederate States of America. Navy

Book

Title: Ordnance instructions for the Confederate States Navy

Title continues: "relating to the preparation of vessels of the war for battle, to the duties of officers and others when at quarters, to ordnance and ordnance stores, and to gunnery." Published by order of the Navy Department in London by Saunders, Otley, & Co. at 66 Brook Street, West. Third edition. Book contains 171 pages of text and an appendix of 109 pages (paginated in roman numerals and ending in cix). Index at front provides an alphabetical listing of subjects in the book, ranging from Accoutrements to Exercise to Yeoman. Text contains 14 diagrams of naval guns marked diagram A-N…

GLC06159.02

circa 1863

Seuss, John L., fl. 1863

Header Record

Title: Journal and drawings of bombproofs, with collateral

Collection incudes 6 documents: 4 drawings, notes (2 documents), and a journal. Drawings include bomb proof fortifications and cannon emplacements for South Carolina, by Capt of the 50th NY Vols [engineers]. Also contains notes and instructions for building fortifications, bridges, etc.

GLC06166

May 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes a very detailed letter to her husband in Morristown, New Jersey during the American Revolution. Discusses the arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson du Coudray, a French military engineer "who stiles himself Commander in Chief of the Continental Artillery" (Knox's current position) and claimed the appointment was from Silas Deane. Discusses the illness of Henry's brother William ("Billy") and her "fear we shall lose him, or at least that the humour in the blood has taken such deep root, as to embitter his future days." Also comments on various items she sent to Knox.…

GLC05895

22 November 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Brigadier General Hazen to Major General Knox. Reports that Washington ordered him to send a return to Knox at West Point for ammunition, & etc. Asks to have it forwarded to Stony Point. Says "It was not in my Power to procure for you, amongst the German Prisoners, the Servants you wanted." Second page includes a copy of a note from Hazen, in the hand of Samuel Shaw, reading "to 29 rounds per man - 1404 dozen Cartridges / 150 priming wires."

GLC02437.01723

12 August 1794

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received a message from Major [Isaac] Craig regarding the situation. Notes the messenger had to travel by foot to avoid being searched. Reports on the activities at Fort [Fayette?] and the progress of the generals involved in the campaign including Major Craig, General [John] Gibson, Colonel [John] Nevill, and Major [Thomas] Butler. Mentions a group of 3000 to 4000 armed men in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who sent a flag to Butler notifying him of their intentions. Butler warned the group of men to keep out of reach of the cannon in his fort, he will fire at anyone who is not…

GLC02437.06164

3 December 1800

Henley, Samuel, fl. 1788-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Noted as a copy. Speaks of his past services to Knox. Appears to be seeking employment from Knox either in training "young" men in the military or receiving a captain's commission in the Artillery. Requests Knox gives his letter to the current Secretary of War. Henley also included a letter from Knox written on 7 February 1799 which recommends Henley for a Majority or Captain's position. Docket notes, "David Henley."

GLC02437.07492

8 September 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a sheet listing ordnance sent for the southern operation, referring to the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Colonel John Lamb will deliver the enclosed spirit levels. Explains some of the munitions information. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. Account of Ordance stores accompanied the letter (GLC02437.01172).

GLC02437.01173

20 October 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage. This ordnance transport was possibly one that Knox asked the Board of War…

GLC02437.01249

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Responds to Hodgdon's letter about sending ordnance from Baltimore for the siege of Yorktown (see GLC02437.01249) and hopes news of Lord Cornwallis' surrender reached him before the ships set sail. Asks that the shell and shot be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland instead. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01263

January 27, 1782

Hiwell, John, fl. 1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Hiwell as Inspector and Superintendant of Music to ask for more drums and fifes for the musicians. Reminds Knox that the previous summer there were not enough fifes for the musicians to perform their duty, and that the winter season is the best time for the musicians to practice. Wishes also for a small store of articles to serve as replacements in case any instruments are damaged. John Ruddock, the Commissary for West Point, was ordered by General William Heath into New England to procure supplies, but was not able to acquire them, Hiwell supposes, because of want of money.

GLC02437.01340

February 23, 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, discusses a letter received from Knox (GLC02437.02946). In the letter, Knox asked Hodgdon to obtain cannon to be inscribed in honor of General Nathanael Greene. Assures Knox he will proceed with the selection, engraving, and delivery of the cannon immediately.

GLC02437.02964

23 September 1781

Gaskins, Thomas, 1747-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Informs Weedon that there is a ship with 20 soldiers and artillery stores caught on a shoal in the Wicomico River. Discusses how to get the stores off the ship and suggests he may want to "continue this" with Genl Washington. The Continental Army was then preparing for the siege of Yorktown. Lieutenant Colonel Gaskins commanded a Virginia line in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01189

February 1776

Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

At the request of General Horatio Gates, Gridley asks Knox to inform General Israel Putnam of the need for repairs on a bridge at Lechmere Point, Massachusetts. Gridley was the army's chief engineer, he was succeeded by Knox in 1775 but retained the title.

GLC02437.00251

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Guion

Titled, "Instructions for Capt. Lt. Guion of the 2d regt. of Artillery." Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "You are with the detatchment under your command to proceed to Albany and relieve Capt. [Thomas] Seward's company in the Northern department. On your arrival there you will report yourself to [William Alexander] Lord Stirling, or the officer commanding, and take his further orders. On taking charge of the works and stores, you must send me an exact return of the men under your command and their respective stations. Also of the…

GLC02437.01627

12 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Since arriving in Philadelphia, has tried to gather a party of about 30 artificers to give to Greene. Discusses Mrs. Greene's trip with their son George Washington Greene to visit Greene at the "high hills of Santee" (the Santee River in South Carolina, where Greene was stationed). Also mentions the recent birth of a son to him and Mrs. Knox, "whom I should name after you were not for the confounded name given by your [illegible] father - as it is I shall call him after some roman whose character I think you may like" (possibly referring to his son Marcus). Sends love to Colonel Williams…

GLC02437.01303

7 August 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department to Brigadier General Knox. Says if reports of New York's investment are true then "you must be the hero of the day. Me thinks I hear the cannon roar while I am writing..." Hopes Knox will comes to the South after finishing the job around New York. Makes reference to a story involving General William Howe at the Battle of Morristown, which took place in 1777. Says "Where is How[e] with his nose, has he left off his part, or forgiven the levy that insulted it so grossly at Morristown?" Makes reference to General Lee…

GLC02437.01124

10 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mordecai Gist

Informs General Gist that he is sending an artificer officer named Mr. Thorp to him in Baltimore to obtain supplies. The items are urgently needed, and Knox has already been disappointed in obtaining them from Philadelphia. He hopes Major Sebastian Bauman has "proceeded in his matters." Knox was preparing for the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01179

11 September 1781

Gist, Mordecai, 1742-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Response to Knox's letter (GLC02437.01179). Reports that Mr. Thorp has arrived and describes the ordnance he will receive. Also comments on how Major Sebastian Bauman is responding to Knox's recent directives (see GLC02437.01178). The Continental Army was preparing for the upcoming siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01181

10 December 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Brigadier General Knox. Marked "private" on address leaf. References Knox's letter of 1 November 1781. Praises Knox and passes along the accolades of Colonel "Light-Horse" Henry Lee "who lately returned from the Northern Army [who] says you are the genius of it and that everything is said of you that you can wish." Calls Knox's operations in Virginia, "brilliant, glorious, great and important." Reports that the spirits of the Southern Army are congenial. Hopes to be able to see him soon when there is an official peace. Says the success in Virginia "…

GLC02437.01302

20 May 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. Is happy to hear about Knox's promotion. Thought that he might be able to work with Knox on the coming campaign, but says the circumstances have been changed by British Admiral George Brydges Rodney's victory over Comte de Grasse's French fleet near Dominica at the Battle of Saintes on 12 April 1782. Says Sir Henry Clinton will undoubtedly push operations in the South. Says he heard that Knox thinks there will be a British evacuation and has delayed sending supplies as a result. Had to use some harsh discipline, including hanging a…

GLC02437.01424

24 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Nathaniel Gorham

Responds to a previous letter by Gorham. Writes a long letter discussing the proposal to use the arms and stores in Springfield, Massachusetts against the Shays' rebels. Declares that he has not received word from the Governor [probably James Bowdoin, of Massachusetts], but if he does, he will submit it immediately to Congress. Asks that Gorham contact the Governor and relate Knox's opinions on the subject to him, and suggests that Knox himself might write a letter to the Governor about it. Adds that Gorham's daughter is conducting herself beautifully, and is beloved by all her…

GLC02437.03391

August 31, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Discusses Mrs. Greene's financial situation and her children. Mentions the quality of the schools in France as being one of the best, where "the system is admirably adapted to impress the best habits - both of body and mind - Dancing fencing... " Also writes that the Marquis de Lafayette is willing to help her, as he was friends with her husband, the late General Nathanael Greene. Knox writes that if she chooses to send her son to school in France, the Marquis "will be the friend of your son... " Mentions the cannons with the inscription to Greene's late husband are now complete. Also notes…

GLC02437.03649

30 August 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Orderly Office." Writes, "Major Mannand of the Corps of Engineers has this minute applied to me for five men to go to wappings creek for a Batteau, which is to transport the Baggage of the Engineers from the Neighborhood of Fishkill Landing to West Point the application comes too late to be complied with from the Troops ordered to March tomorrow. I have therefore taken the Liberty to refer him to you not doubting but you will as soon as convenient order him a party from the garrison under your Command."

GLC02437.01551

5 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Hand

Inquires about several corps, guards and fatigue parties to be used in the movement of powder from Fishkill to a temporary magazine at Constitution Island. Includes guards under Major Villefranche and Captain Buchanan.

GLC02437.01577

26 September 1782

Hawes, William, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William Hawes, a Captain of Artificers. Mentions that he called on Knox while in Philadelphia, but Knox had already proceeded on to West Point. Reports that the Minister of War [Benjamin Lincoln] has ordered thirty artificers to continue working at Springfield, and has given Hawes directions for them. As part of his instructions, he is to bring Knox any articles he needs. Reports on the progress of the construction of the magazine, as well as the use of leather for harnesses and pouches.

GLC02437.01628