28 November 1863

Dix, John Adams, 1798-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Wager Halleck

General Dix, Commander of the Department of the East, encloses a confidential report (not included) by a detective from Buffalo, New York. Informs Halleck, General in Chief of the Union army, that the detective "has seen, as you will observe, a large number of prominent rebel refugees, and, having been with them at the South, had free communications with them." Writes "I shall... send a small body of troops to Fort Montgomery at Rouses Point. [Bumont?] has been provided for by the Governor. There is, however, need of guns for a Company of artillery just recruited, and I will endeavor to…

GLC02455.04

24 November 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rawlins

Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, writes to General Rawlins. Recently received intelligence from an officer of Confederate Nathaniel Harrison Harris's Brigade, William Mahone's Division. Reports that the officer was in Petersburg the previous day, and heard nothing of a Confederate Brigade being moved, or of troops being detached from Robert E. Lee's army. Relates that this information is supported by others. Mentions a newspaper report regarding William T. Sherman's operations in Georgia (Sherman's March to the Sea commenced mid-November 1864). Written on Headquarters, Army of…

GLC02455.09

1 September 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Henry Alexander Wise

General Smith writes to Wise, commander of forces at Chaffin's Bluff. Reports that George W. Randolph, Confederate Secretary of War, informed him "that a flag of truce steamer was signaled yesterday coming up the James river supposed to be bound for Aiken's landing." Instructs Smith to prepare the guard at Aiken's landing. Remarks, "The landing of irresponsible or unauthorized persons should be strictly guarded against, and precautions taken to prevent the enemy from obtaining information." One bust engraving of Smith included as collateral.

GLC02456.28

5 November 1862

Winder, John H., 1800-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Captain J. H. Pearce

General Winder, commander of the Department of Henrico, Richmond, Virginia, writes to Captain Pearce (possibly James H. Pearce). Discusses a pass "signed by McCuffins chief of Police in the possession of a man named McMullin." Reports that McCuffin's name was misspelled, and that after investigation, "the pass turned to be a yank forgery." One bust engraving of Winder included as collateral.

GLC02456.33

5 April 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses General Israel Chapin's negotiations with the Six Nations (possibly referring to the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794). Notes that the Treaty should take place apart from British agents and spies.

GLC02437.09428

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Washington discusses a "character" (possibly Loyalist Henry Van Schaack) present with Knox in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Instructs Knox to guard his colleague (possibly Gouverneur Morris) against freely discussing matters with this person, believing him to be a traitor to America, in pay of the British. Written from "York Hutts," which constituted the headquarters of a New York Regiment near Pompton (now Pompton Lakes, New Jersey). Docketed in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.09400

5 January 1780

Marion, Francis, 1732-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Informs that he is sending two men as prisoners of war, Thomas Page and Joseph Dawson. States that the men say they deserted from the British but Marion suspects they may be spies. " ... I suspect from their Characters they are sent as Spies, and thought best to have them conducted to you." Advises that they have run out of rum and do not have wagons to go for more. Also states that they are in need of cartridges. Written as Lieutenant Colonel to Major General Benjamin Lincoln. With small clipping from a past sale describing the letter.

GLC02491

June 20, 1861

Smith, William, 1797-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Smith relates that Nicolas King, a topographical engineer under General Milledge Luke Bonham, desires permanent employment as a military engineer. He admits that he does not personally know King, nor has knowledge of his ability as a draughtsman. He praises King's loyalty to the South, declaring him above suspicion. He writes, "Should Mr. Kings services be needed I have no doubt he will fully meet the public wants, while his modest, quiet deportment, gives the assurance that he would prove an agreeable companion." Possibly written to General P.G.T. Beauregard, Commander of the Alexandria Line…

GLC02469.24

18 September 1823

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [An account of the execution of Major John Andre]

Details the execution of Major John Andre, accused of being a spy, and expresses his sympathetic feelings toward Andre's unfortunate fate. Describes how Baron Von Steuben could not comply with Andre's wish to suffer a soldier's death by being shot since the only suitable death for a spy is hanging.

GLC02541.02

1837-1908

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Header Record

Title: Robert H. Stafford Collection [Decimalized .01- .98]

Stafford enlisted as a sergeant in the 12th Alabama infantry. Contains letters and newsclippings about the Peninsula Campaign, advance into Maryland, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Preliminary inventory included.

GLC02618

1866

Dawson, Henry Barton, 1821-1889

Header Record

Title: The Gazette Series.

Edited, signed, and privately printed by historian Henry B. Dawson. Inscribed four times (before each volume) by Dawson 11 May 1866 to Edward De Witt "as a memento of the days of auld lang syne." Consists of four volumes bound as two books. Volumes one and two (bound together) contain articles and information related to the arrest of British Major John Andre, who was captured by Americans and hanged for treason in 1780. These volumes also contain articles pertaining to the history of Yonkers. Volume three is entitled "Papers concerning the boundary between the states of New York and New…

GLC08733

14 December 1775

Towne, Benjamin, ?-1793

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania evening post. [Vol. 1, no. 14 (December 14, 1775)]

Includes several letters from mid-October 1775 by Brook Watson in Montreal. As a British officer who owned land in Nova Scotia, Watson pretended to support the American cause in 1774. Intercepted letters to General Thomas Gage proved he was a spy. The letters in this issue were published at the request of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. The letters contain several embarrassing comments, including his prediction that Gage will have to leave Boston soon and that "the kingdom of Great-Britain cannot much longer be governed by such weak councils and feeble efforts." Watson…

GLC08748.06

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

September 20, 1779

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sydney Lee

Marked No. 31 in a different hand. Written by the discredited Continental General in retirement on his farm in Virginia to "my dear Sister." Recipient inferred as Sydney Lee, his only sister. Mentions his experiences during the Revolution and defends his honor. Says "I feel for the horrid ravages & desolation I have been witness of, on this Continent" and expressing Tory sympathies claims "I feel for the Empire of G. Britain, for its glory[,] We[l]fare & existence; I feel for the fortunes of my Friends and relations." Claims he cannot talk about politics because the letter will be…

GLC00251

December 20, 1785

Wedgwood, Josiah, 1730-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Eden

Recipient inferred from seller's note at top of page 1. Thanks recipient for support regarding business concerns. Applauds progress of commerce treaty with France. Wedgwood was Queen's Potter and a Royal Society Fellow. William Eden, Baron Auckland, was a British spymaster during the American Revolution whose surveillance revealed an alliance between France and the patriots.

GLC00496.110

May 13, 1812

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Discusses his isolation and the lack of fresh news, his criticisms the writings of a man named Walsh (probably Robert Walsh), his opposition to War of 1812, and his inability to write openly because his letters are opened and read in transit. Adams was then minister to St. Petersburg. Plumer was then Governor of New Hampshire. Document paginated 285-88 at top center.

GLC00529.03

August 26, 1777

Mumford, Giles, 1759-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Written by Giles Mumford as a soldier under Lieutenant Colonel Meigs to his father Thomas Mumford, a Groton, Connecticut merchant. References his father's letters from August 11, 1777 and August 13, 1777. Says he has not received his powder puff, nor his cups, but that if they are returned he does not need them since there is a barber where he is. Says Colonel Samuel Webb has given him the liberty to keep a horse, as long as it is outside of camp. Says that in his last letter he informed his father that General Parsons and Colonel Webb went on a secret expedition to Long Island with 600 men…

GLC00496.075.02

1865

Butler, George H., fl. 1865

Diary

Title: [George H. Butler's Diary for 1865]

Autograph manuscript signed of George H. Butler, who served in G Company, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Signed and dated 28 January 1865 on free front endpaper. Discusses the march through the Carolinas and the destruction it caused. Describes Negroes helping Union POWs (February 8); innocent Rebel prisoner shot in retaliation for Union death (March 2); mention of enemy in Union uniform (March 5); 300-500 "hombly" women in a cotton factory (March 11); Battle of Bentonville (March 20); rumors of Johnston's surrender (April 12, 15, 16); news of Lincoln's…

GLC00794

circa August 1776

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Manuscript document

Title: A Journal of a Scout from Crown Point to St. John's Chamblee by Lieut Benjamin Whitcomb and four men

Clerical copy of a report of Whitcomb's spying mission in Canada 14-27 July 1776. Details their progress, the weather, attempts to get prisoners, and sightings of British troops moving supplies, etc. Notes that Whitcomb fired on a British officer [Brigadier General Patrick Gordon], whom he ended up killing though he was not aware of Gordon's identity at the time. Includes a three-line autograph note signed by Continental Major General Horatio Gates to Richard Varick, who was serving as military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, advising that the report be forwarded to Schuyler.

GLC01072

June 9, 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Written less than a week after the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 1-3, 1864, where Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederates. Lee attempts to anticipate Grant's next move and warns of another major engagement. Lee notifies Davis of his plans to check Grant's advances by sending General Jubal Early to deal with Union General David Hunter, and General Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee to handle Union General Philip Sheridan. These moves forced the Union generals to abandon the valley. Lee seeks information through captured prisoners and newspaper reports about union troop strength and…

GLC01026

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

December 10, 1778

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Arthur Lee

Francis Lightfoot Lee warns his brother, then on a diplomatic mission with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to obtain aid from France during the American Revolution, about the intrigue surrounding the recently recalled Deane. Indicates that Deane has formed a faction within Congress determined to "remove all the old friends of Liberty & Independence." Comments that he does not know Deane's specific intentions but suggests that he arm himself with "the means necessary, both for attack & defence."

GLC00975

February 29, 1780

Bullard, John, 1756-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Man

Letter written by preacher John Bullard to Rufus Man. Asks Man to join him at the schoolhouse that evening at 1 a.m. precisely. Tells him to say nothing to anyone.

GLC01450.160

August 29, 1777

Murray, Joseph, fl. 1777

Letter signed

Title: to Colonel Waite

Informs that a British Naval Officer, Sir George Collier arrived in Booth Bay, Maine, last Tuesday on board his ship, the Rainbow. Refers to Collier's capture of the Hancock commanded by Captain John Manly and destruction of thirty other vessels at Machias, Maine, on July 8, 1777. States that Collier and his forces took one sloop and tried to take another but the American troops attacked them. States that Collier promised that the militia have gone home but he still remains and Murray believes he might attempt to strike again. States that three Continental frigates are at Portsmouth, New…

GLC01450.206

1709-1874

Header Record

Title: Collection, mostly pertaining to Jacobite resistance in France [Decimalized .01-.16]

Contains various letters documenting the attempts of Edward Bourke, (sometimes spelled 'Burke') an officer in the Regiment Irelandois of Berwick, to unearth a Jacobite plot in Cambray, France. Bourke possibly worked for, or in connection with General Dominick Sheldon, a known ally of James Stuart (the "Old Pretender"). Bourke corresponded with William Cadogan, a Britih ambassador at the Hague, regarding the Jacobite plot. Also contains several items related to the Hopkins family of Scituate, Rhode Island.

GLC01450.446