23 April 1864

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Letter signed

Title: to John A.J. Brooks

Writes to Brooks with orders to keep all transports of provisions "from passing the 'valley City' except by the Local Treasury Agents permit."

GLC02254.17

8 January 1865

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Decides to write a lighthearted and witty letter since he cannot sleep. Describes the routine morning activities and talks about the bad food. Writes a bit later in the day and includes "…I only need the love of one being and that one you can guess. The others I can give up." A postscript reads, "You are authorized to act in all things as you desire except marry again." Discusses letters he has received from family and friends, but never from his wounded brother Girard and sister-in-law Jennie. Mentions that some friends have stopped writing altogether and writes, "It looks like I was…

GLC02570.65

April 28, 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill explains that he is sick with "disinterry," as are most of the soldiers in his camp, and twice asks his mother to do what she can to bring him home. He divulges that "the boys don't find it as they expected," and that rations are only about half of what is necessary.

GLC03859.01

21 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Drazilla Churchill

Reassures his mother of his safety by confirming that his division has been successful in the area of Corinth, Mississippi. Discussing Confederate General Sterling Price, writes "Wee have give Genrel Prise Hell in Mississippi and tenn He was advancing on Corinth with 40,000 strong and Genrel Grant send out troops to Repulse him we drove them into a corner whare thare lay Now with a large swamp on too sides of them and our Forses ar belting the led." Reports that his brigade is guarding a railroad, thus have not yet taken part in combat. States that his captain is very ill in a Corinth…

GLC03859.08

15 December 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

A train with 900 prisoners passed through Grand Junction, and another 1500 are waiting to be transported from Holey [Holly] Springs. The 900 passengers cheered Jefferson Davis and the Southern Confederacy upon pulling out of the station. Churchill hears news that "the rebels is About Destitute of Close [clothes] And not much to Eat."

GLC03859.13

21 November 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's foot was run over by a wagon on the march to Bridgeport, so he is now driving the ambulance with the doctor. He observes a great rush to the front, but is not certain whether his regiment will be advancing there as well. Churchill notes that there is little to eat, as many troops have been passing through the countryside taking everything they can.

GLC03859.19

14 June 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill has still received no word from his mother, nor has he received any money from her. Mrs. Robins argues that the money is unnecessary, as he gets plenty to eat at the hospital. He is recovering rapidly and should be able to walk by the time he returns home.

GLC03859.32

10 August 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of cattle on Fishers Island, off Connecticut. Thinks he will see her Monday. The American Army got into a skirmish with British forces nearby at Plumb Island the day after this letter was written, the first reported clash between regulars in the Continental Army and the redcoats. Letter is dated Thursday morning 9 August 1775 but Thursday was actually…

GLC02437.00200

13 August 1775

Howland, Joseph, 1749-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he sent Knox some hosiery. Describes Norwich as confused. Discusses current preparations to defend against the British, who would like to seize their provisions. Calls the uncontested British seizure of provisions on Fishers Island the previous week shameful for the Americans. Interprets a letter from George Washington to the Rhode Island Committee of Correspondence in regard to transports as a reprimand. Asks Knox his rank and requests that he show the works at Roxbury and Cambridge to two of Howland's friends. Discusses forming a light infantry in Rhode Island and asks…

GLC02437.00201

11 March 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Reports that his regiment is on Provost Guard. Three days worth of rations only lasts for two days, after which the soldiers must provide for themselves or do without. It is illegal to sell whiskey in town, and his regiment usually catches those who try to smuggle it in. Mentions trading papers with the Federal troops across the river.

GLC04573.02

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His leg and ankle are swollen. The regiments receives orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with a blanket, change of clothes and a few days rations. Held together by two contemporary postage stamps.

GLC04703.07

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

27 November 1775

Quincy, Josiah, 1710-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the need for and benefits that would come from establishing an American naval force. Has changed his mind and now believes Row Gallies could be effectively used in the Boston Harbor. In support of establishing a navy, cites successful transportation of provisions in whaleboats, "excursions to the Lighthouse and other Islands, by Detachments from the Companies posted to guard the Shores, and especially, the numerous Captures by our armed Cruisers." Discusses financial applications of taking up Major Benjamin Tupper on an offer to command a flotilla of whaleboats. Enumerates…

GLC02437.00213

January 29, 1865

Clark, George W., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Informs his mother of the regiment's return to Alabama, tells of life in Winter Quarters where there is no food, and notes that he is still under arrest, but expects to be released in a few days.

GLC06167.16

1 January 1776

Newell, Eliphalet, 1735-?

Document

Title: [A Return of Goods drawn out of the Continental Store for Capt. Eliphalet Newell's Company in Col. Henry Knox's Regiment]

Invoice of goods, listing only when goods were drawn by Colonel William Burbeck's orders in December 1774 ("1774" likely written in error for "1775").

GLC02437.00227

1 January 1776

Newell, Eliphalet, 1735-?

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Return of Goods drawn out of the Continental Store for Capt. Eliphalet Newell's Company in Col. Henry Knox's Regiment]

Invoice of goods, listing quantities drawn by various officers in December 1775.

GLC02437.00235

18 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Discusses a potential problem in providing rations for the men remaining in service after the end of the year. Writes that "no calculation was made for the Canadian refugees who are in the vicinity of West Point - They draw upwards of one hundred rations per day and their numbers are increasing from Albany which post have been ordered to be broken up - There will be also some invalids who ordered from Philadelphia to be stationed at West Point, I do not know the exact numbers but they will be some where about thirty. I have understood that the Canadian refugees and the invalids are to be…

GLC02437.02843

3 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Knox writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Reports that no contract has been made to continue the supply of provisions to West Point. Discusses steps he has taken to obtain supplies to last for a short period. Hopes Morris will "find it convenient to continue the supplies of provisions by Contract." After signing, Knox adds in his hand a lengthy postscript.

GLC02437.02902

24 March 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Knox writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Discusses the contract between Congress and Daniel Parker & Co., a firm that provided troops with supplies. Expresses hope that Morris (and Congress) will extend the contract after May.

GLC02437.02983

January 16, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked "copy" on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not "choose to oppose him in his parties," he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: "I ardently wish for many reasons that the…

GLC02437.03417

29 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Arrived in Newburgh three days earlier. Was at West Point "with the officers of the Army and find them generally much discontented." Says the problems revolve around the issuing of provisions. Says "Tomorrow it is proposed to celebrate with a good deal of taste & some pomp, the birth of the dauphin. I am sorry we shall have such a bad sauce to the feast, as the late unfortunate event in the West Indies" (the French fleet under de Grasse was defeated by British Admiral Rodney on 12 April off the coast of Dominica).

GLC02437.01432

12 December 1782

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to ask for Knox's permission to obtain two barrels of salt pork. Explains that due to the approaching cold weather, the river will soon be impassble, so he decided to undertake some navigation while it was still possible. Approached Mr. [possibly John] Elderkin [a Quartermaster] to obtain some pork, but was told that Mr. Elderkin was not authorized to deliver pork or any salted provisions without permission from the Commandant. If McDougall had known this, he would have asked Knox himself, but he did not know this regulation until he was on his way to the boat to undertake his…

GLC02437.01737

8 December 1783

Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports to Knox that the men at West Point are restless, unhappy and having a difficult time. They are having trouble obtaining subsistence since "the Contractors will not trust them," and are "badly cloathed, many without blankets, they have not [been] shewn what they are intitled to ... " Also asks Knox for advice on how to dispense duties for the brevet officers.

GLC02437.02823

12 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Michael Jackson

Replies to a previous letter from Jackson concerning issues at West Point, such as trouble with the contractors and clothing shortages.

GLC02437.02827