5 September 1776

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to visit the wife of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson of Knox's artillery and tell her that her husband was wounded and taken prisoner, but is being taken care of. Also wants the wife of John Callender told that he was taken prisoner as well. Notes that the Continental Army is in high spirits and there has been no new developments since the retreat at the Battle of Long Island. Shaw was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00440

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reaffirms his love for Lucy and apologizes for not being able to write a much as he would like. Writes angrily about the enemy who is forcing them apart but expresses optimism for a victory. The postmaster had moved twenty five miles north, making correspondence more difficult. Comments that Major John Crane lost a toe.

GLC02437.00450

7 August 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Relays rumors of Confederates in Maryland and the death of Kearny: "he was brave as a lion. The city is in mourning over the death tolls in recent battles. He used in battle to take his reins in his mouth, and with his sword in his right hand (he had no left) ride straight into the fight, cheering on his men."

GLC04663.06

13 June 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Advises his sister not to teach any longer, managing the property and defends his brigade from attacks resulting from their performance at Fair Oaks. He also tells of wounded men who lay on the battlefield for three days and who claimed to have been treated well by the confederates. He has been detailed as Quartermaster.

GLC04663.03

19 July 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

Describes the attack on Fort Wagner. A page dated 7/20, lists missing and wounded officers. "Shortly after dark our troops advanced to the assault. The 54th Mass. (colored regiment) in the lead... [T]his regiment which went into the charge with over nine hundred in the ranks, cannot muster five hundred, with all their field officers killed, besides many of their line killed & wounded."

GLC04663.22

17 May 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Confederate attack near Fort Darling. Lists officers wounded and killed.

GLC04663.39

4 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Osgood

Discusses a situation of a fellow officer, Colonel Michael Jackson, who intends to petition Congress regarding compensation for a wound he received in 1776 which is still causing him trouble. This letter is likely Knox's response to Jackson's 29 November 1783 request (GLC02437.02809).

GLC02437.02818

23 March 1785

Pollard, Jonathan, fl. 1749-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that his broken knee will prevent him from pursuing the trucking business. Requests an appointment to work under Knox, newly appointed Secretary at War.

GLC02437.03116

1 September 1790

Maunsell, John, fl. 1724-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he wrote his last letter to Knox on 4 August 1790. Says he has been holed up at home due to a sprained leg. Describes the military buildup of both the British and the Spanish navies. Is not sure what will happen when these ships meet, but speculates they will, "like ladies, courtesy to each other, turn tail to tail, and go home again." Relates that some people think this standoff is meant "to have some influence on the French Revolution, or the disturbed politicks of Europe." Comments on and laments the decision to move the government to Philadelphia for ten years. Asks Knox…

GLC02437.04710

15 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Nicola

Apologizes for the difficulty Colonel Nicola is having at Fishkill, and declares that he would help instantly were it in his power. However, the teams and equipment Colonel Nicola needs can only be gotten from the Quartermaster General, so he asks Colonel Nicola to apply to the Quartermaster General directly. Comments that His Excellency [General George Washington] has not yet decided where to station the Invalids for the winter, but will know when "he makes the general arrangement of the army which will be very soon. But he appears to think constitution island a proper place for them and…

GLC02437.01666

28 August 1782

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that he went to "the Point" [possibly West Point] the day before to pay his respects and inform Knox about the movement of the Invalids between Fishkill and West Point. Also writes, "My further intention was to request your permission to remain here a short time with my family 'till I can have a place prepared for its reception, subject to attend when ever my presence is necessary, which I flatter myself you will be so kind as to grant." Comments that he was unable to find any building in West Point that would be large enough to accommodate his large family, so he is hoping the…

GLC02437.01544

6 September 1782

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Lieut [probably William] Honeyman, late Quartermaster to the Invalid regt resigned yesterday that employment & as he belongs to the company quartered in Philadelphia, in which he is mustered, he begs your permission to return to his proper post." "Granted" is written at the bottom of the letter in Samuel Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01582

18 November 1783

Nicolas, Lewis, 1717-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the choice for "the officers & men of the Invalid regt. to go to West Point or retire, the former on the commutation, the latter on pensions or discharges, agrable [agreeable] to their disabilities ... " Mentions the number of those who decided to go to West Point and writes about the line of command for those men.

GLC02437.02786

31 May 1790

Olney, Jeremiah, 1749-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the Rhode Island state convention in Newport has ratified the United States Constitution and that he encloses a copy (not present). Congratulates Knox on "this happy & important event ... again compleats [sic] the Band of Union & must therefore Relieve Congress from many Serious Embaresments [sic]." Reports that he would have left for New York immediately after the vote but had to remain in Rhode Island to pay out the invalid pensions. Hopes to arrive in New York before the revenue officers are appointed. However, if he cannot arrive before the President begins…

GLC02437.04620

22 May 1790

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that "little Morris" (presumably his son) suffered no ill effects from a recent fall. States that everyone is glad to hear that President Washington has recovered from his illness. Paraphrases Don Quixote: "As Sancho told the Don, He must not, He shall not Die, at least for Ten Years." Discusses the popular unrest he fears would have occurred if Washington had not survived. Sends best wishes to the Knoxes.

GLC02437.04614

28 June 1791

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Ogden says "some person, a Country man of yours," stopped by to give their compliments to him, but he was absent. Adds that "old Thomas" took the message but forgot the name of the visitor. The acquaintance is on his way to Philadelphia. Ogden asks Knox to "let me know his name, & tell him I wish to see him." Says their little girl is mending fast.

GLC02437.05037

22 August 1800

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Peirce talks of the issue of Knox's surveyors and Mr. Bowdoin's plans to "prevent Surveyors running any Lines." Peirce tells Knox Francis Flucker is in town and has requested $75 in funds.

GLC02437.07452

1856-1857

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East Indian station. A. H. Foote Esq. commander book I.

Calf cover. As part of the East Indian Squadron, the U.S.S. Portsmouth, under the command of Andrew Hull Foote, was ordered to observe British operations against Canton, China during the Second Opium War (1856-60) and to protect American interests there. On 16 November, 1856, Foote and a landing party were returning to the ship when they were fired on by Chinese shore batteries, despite prior promises of safe passage. The shots fell short, but Foote determined to retaliate. On 20-21 November, he led a landing party that quickly seized the Cantonese barrier forts. The action was both a…

GLC05911.02.01

20 July 1863-15 May 1864

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Diary

Title: Diary of Lt. Commander Edward Simpson

Diary of captaincy of the "Submarine Battery 'Passaic'". Details attacks upon Charleston, Fort Moultrie and Battery Gregg; inner workings of a Monitor and intraservice rivalries. Quarter calf, marbled boards, pencil loops. The USS Passaic, one of a series of single-turret ironclad gunships designed by John Ericsson, was commissioned in November of 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She saw action at Fort McAllister in March of 1863 and at Fort Sumter in April of that year. Following the latter engagement, she was sent to New York for repairs and command was…

GLC05911.04

1861

Gottshall, Samuel G., 1841-1902

Diary

Title: [Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

An unbound manuscript signed. Entries run from 11 July to 31 December. Throughout the diary, Gottshall describes his march through Baltimore, Maryland, his arrival in Washington D.C. following the Second Bull Run, soldiering, camp life, and describes the battle at Drainsville, Virginia. Gottshall tells of several accidental shootings including a discharge of a soldier's gun that was thought to be from a rebel soldier, and of another Union soldier accidently blowing his arm off. Writes on 1 September 1864 of General Benjamin Butler taking two forts near North Carolina. States, General…

GLC04564.01

November 2, 1862

Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Hughes

Details of Judge Foster's release; shooting of a fellow prisoner after a fight broke out.

GLC02166.105

30 July 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Includes camp news. Cook promises to write friends and family once he has the chance. Wants Eliza to visit a good dentist "to plug any decayed teeth you have and file apart the two front ones…Pretty teeth you know are a great attraction and by having yours worked on a little they will be beautiful. Do it for my sake now darling and I expect to hear soon that you have done as I desire. Be sure to have the two front ones separated for they are decaying and need to be plugged badly. I shall send you plenty of money…" Is concerned about his two brothers. He writes, "I have not…

GLC02570.26

13 August 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook went to visit family and "I found the whole country in mourning for relations and friends killed at the battles of Seven Pines and Richmond." Includes news about Girard and adds that Walter has been very sick but is improving slowly. He includes a story about Cornelius Sadler who was wounded at Shiloh, began recovering, and fell ill again with a pain in his side. "Dr. Burney of Montgomery examined the locality of the wound and opened a place from which he took a fragment of a shell weighing three and a half ounces. It was under the ribs." He includes new directions for sending him…

GLC02570.27

January 13, 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Gustave has been wounded and his letter is written by the chaplain. His horse was shot and subsequently fell probably during the Battle of Stone's River. Says the fall "caused the blood to gush from my mouth and nose and made me a little [more foolish] than common for a few minutes but I was on my feet again directly." Campaign and camp news.

GLC02570.37

6 August 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Rejoices that his wife's health has improved. Tells her to keep in mind her health for everyone's sake so she will be healthy when he returns. Reports that his brother Girard was shot through the thigh at the Battle of Gettysburg. He writes, "Were he to die I should feel as one lost forever. He is my only and darling brother and beside myself, our dear mother's only child living." Promises Eliza she will be repaid for all her suffering and sacrifice when the war is over. Writes that his horses and uniforms take up much of his wages. He states, "The expenses of my position will more…

GLC02570.48