29 May 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Provision return for Captain Thomas Patten's Company of Artificers belonging to the Ordnance Department]

Also signed by John Lillie of the A. W. Camp. Signed by Captain Patten on both pages. Covers 29-31 May for 323 rations for 69 people. Contains a note on page two written by Dudley Mercer, who confirms receipt of rations.

GLC02437.09749

6 June 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written from military Headquarters in New York. Washington, Commander in Chief of Continental forces, writes to Lincoln, Secretary at War. Discusses extra allowances requested by General Henry Knox, declaring the allowances "perfectly reasonable and well founded." Attests that Knox's position as commander at West Point (1782-1783) required extra expenses (in 1782, Knox entertained many French officers in the area). Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide. Docket indicates this letter is a copy.

GLC02437.09310

January 10, 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Written by Major General Knox as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (he succeeded Washington on 23 December 1783) to Colonel Pickering. Discusses the difficulties in obtaining sleighs and horses to collect firewood for the post at West Point. Wants Pickering to engage ten or twelve teams for the job. Requests that the actions taken be forwarded to General Henry Jackson. Includes seller's clipping.

GLC02485

3 December 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return for a German deserter]

Order to issue four rations over four days to a German deserter. Verso states rations were received, and is signed by the deserter, whose signature is illegible. Signed by Jackson as Commandant of West Point.

GLC02497.09

18 March 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Platt

Discusses the preliminary drawings of an artillery building at West Point which will include an ordnance store and a crane projecting from the building's pediment. Knox requests another building to serve as a laboratory.

GLC02531

October 3, 1780

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Kitty Hand

Writes to his wife that he hopes he can alleviate her distressing situation soon. Informs her of the treason of Benedict Arnold and the hanging of the British spy, John Andre. "A few days ago Gen Arnold detected in his views of Betraying the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies into the hands of the Enemy, deserted to them leaving Major Andre Adjt. Genl. to the British Army to pay the forfeiture that should have falen on the traitor--Andre was yesterday Hanged as a Spy." Mentions the weather being warm in July and August and states that the army is still remarkably healthy. Talks…

GLC00189

August 5, 1780

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

David Humphreys encloses a paper (not included) that explains the reasons for the recent movements of both the British and Continental armies during the Revolutionary War. He also encloses a sketch of the order of battle (not included) for the Continental troops. He mentions that Major General Benedict Arnold has been appointed to the command of West Point. Lord Stirling succeeds to the left wing. He has heard that the militia of North Carolina has taken down 60 of the enemy's horses but he does not know if this is true or not. He mentions his personal financial affairs and asks Wadsworth to…

GLC00250

16 July 1779

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: General orders after action at Battle of Stony Point

This document is written in the third person and is signed in text. A hastily written draft conveying General Anthony Wayne's general orders lauding his troops directly after the Battle of Stony Point. Cites Colonel [Christian] Febiger as the field officer of the day. Says their perfect execution of orders reflects the highest honor on the troops engaged. Wants all captured military stores to collected, reported, and placed in charge of proper guards. Commends soldiers for confidence and bravery during battle. Instructs troops and generals on guard duty and moving supplies. The Battle of…

GLC00496.108

December 22, 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph document signed

Title: [Contract with Robert P. Parrott for rifles, projectiles & lead]

Semmes's retained copy. Contract with Parrott of the Cold Springs Foundry in West Point, New York for 16 rifle cannons, 3500 "Dyer" solid shot, 4000 "Dyer" case or shrapnel shot, 500 canister shot, and 100,000 pounds of lead. Lists the specifications for each of these items and the price. Instructs that the advice of Captain A.B. Dyer (of the U.S. Ordnance Dept.) should be followed when manufacturing the ammunitions. Should be noted that a U.S. government official's advice was taken on manufacturing arms that would ultimately be used by the Confederacy against the United States. The…

GLC00508.04

January 28, 1844

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James T. Armstrong

Advice to West Point Cadet James Trooper Armstrong concerning studies and subordination. He hopes that Armstrong will follow after his father General Robert Armstrong, and his grandfather, John Armstrong Jr.

GLC00520

10 June 1862

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Photograph

Title: Lieut. Gen. Winfield Scott [Chas. Fredericks & Co.] [carte de visite]

As noted on back by Fredericks, the picture was taken "at West Point, N.Y., June 10, 1862," after Scott had retired.

GLC00559.12

September 12, 1860

Nichols, William Augustus, 1818-1869

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Joseph Hardee

Letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General William A. Nichols, addressed to William Joseph Hardee at West Point. He informs Hardee that General Paul J. Semmes's request for a Sergeant to be appointed to assist with the instruction of his command has been endorsed by the Secretary of War. Nichols was brevetted Union brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1865.

GLC00715.07

January 23, 1861

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Henry Chase

Retained copy. Semmes writes to Major Chase about some telegrams sent and received. He regrets that he cannot go to Pensacola right now because of business. Informs that 20 years ago he was a brigadier general in the militia in eastern Georgia but was removed to the western part of the state, and he is now only commissioned as a captain. He is happy they have renewed their friendship, which began at West Point in 1857.

GLC00715.01

June 13, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a circular letter with a general disposition for the army (not included), "which is to be varied according to circumstances and the particular movements of the enemy," should the British attack West Point. Henry Clinton's forces had seized Stony Point and Verplank's Point on June 1, 1779 on their way up the Hudson River towards West Point.

GLC00780

18 March 1859

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment of Thomas Ward as cadet at West Point with instructions

Signed on front by John Floyd as Secretary of War. Blue paper. With instructions for qualification for admissions, exercises and extract of regulations.

GLC00778.01

January 21, 1860

United States War Department

Document signed

Title: Appointment no. 47 of Thomas Ward Cadet

Blue sheet folded, signed by Floyd as Secretary of War.

GLC00778.02

1859-1917

Various

Header Record

Title: Commissions of Thomas and Philip Ward, including Lincoln [decimalized]

With corrections and additions in Harrison's hand.

GLC00778

11 June 1863

Mahan, D.H., fl. 1863

Document signed

Title: [Diploma of Thomas Ward from West Point]

Signed, amongst others, by D.H. Mahan.

GLC00778.03

December 13, 1823

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

Andrew Jackson requests to the Secretary of War that he make sure that Rufus Bowyer be allowed to enter the military academy as a cadet. He recommends him based on his own merits, and those of his father, Colonel Bowyer. Docket labeled "Va. [77]."

GLC00655.04

August 3, 1857

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Nathan G. Evans

A humorous letter to his friend from West Point. Also concerns fighting Indians and paying for a gun. Lee remained in Texas by order of General Twiggs. The letter also mentions A.S. Sydney going to Utah to fight Mormons, army news, debt settlement, and a keg of water.

GLC01031

December 16, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Letter in hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker, and written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter from December 12, 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that. At this point, after the American victory at Yorktown, Dobbs Ferry was…

GLC00949

27 August 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks that he deliver the damaged shells at West Point to Mr. Daniel Carthy, Quarter Master at West Point.

GLC02437.01541

30 August 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I sent to Mr. [Daniel] Carthy a note this morning directing him to apply to you for a crew for a boat which Carthy was to have ready for me. The movement of the army to-morrow, which I must attend, will require that I be able to move with expedition whenever duty may call me. I should therefore be furnished with good oarsmen. If they are taken from the garrison intended to remain at the Point, I will return them as soon as their movement is finished. I beg you to give directions accordingly." Also discusses obtaining horses for moving the artillery.

GLC02437.01549

14 September 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written at Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Mentions that the Brigade of Light Infantry and the Corps of Light Dragoons need traveling forges and that it is not in his power to supply them. Writes, "The park being arrived I imagine that two may be spared from thence without inconvenience, seeing it will remain at West Point. I must therefore request you to furnish Mr. [Daniel] Carthy with two travelling forges with the necessary tools: he can send them down in the large scow [a type of boat], which he expected to have ready by to-night." Asks him to furnish Mr.…

GLC02437.01609

16 September 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Thinks "it will be practicable to support the number of horses you mention as requisite for the duty at West Point. At present the number of horses actually there is twenty two, some of them clearly not necessary at the post." Asks Knox to remove the unnecessary horses from the post. Also discusses the difficulty in procuring forage in the area of West Point, especially for the coming winter, and has made arrangements to obtain some. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01614