August 4, 1791

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnston

Letter written by Laurens, former Continental Congressman and diplomat, in retirement attempting to restore his properties ravaged by the Revolution. He replies to Johnston, a U.S. Senator from North Carolina, about a request for papers. States that he asked a friend to search through the remains of his papers from the Revolutionary War to find what Johnston requested. The papers in question concerned a letter of administration of Johnston, the King's Warrant, and payment transactions with Peter Elmsely. He writes that most of his papers were destroyed by the British in 1780 during the…

GLC00892

5 June 1781

Livingston, William, 1723-1790

Document signed

Title: An Act to preserve buildings in this State belonging to the United States from being destroyed and for the Punishment of those that shall seize on or injure the same.

Signed by William Livingston as Governor of New Jersey. Countersigned by Josiah Hornblower, Speaker of the New Jersey House of Representatives. Endorsed on verso near docket by Bowes Reed and Maskell Ewing, clerks of the Assembly, stating the document was read three times and has passed the House. Resolution written because of Congressional recommendations of 3 July 1779 asked the various states to preserve buildings owned by the United States. Says any person convicted of damaging or destroying a building or fortress owned by the United States will pay no more than a 20 pound fine and…

GLC00904

November 20, 1863

McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marcellus Monroe Crocker

General McPherson (Union) discusses Confederate troop movements with General Crocker. He writes "Have you heard anything more definite in relation to the movement of Troops to the Vicinity of 'Tunica Bend' and the concentration of Cavalry in the lower part of the State? The information I have here, is that the Rebel forces occupy about the same relative position between the Big Black and Pearl Rivers, that they have done for the last six weeks." Relates that General Hawkins (possibly John Parker Hawkins) falsely predicted that 16,000 Confederate troops were marching to attack him. He hopes…

GLC00930.01

30 June 1863

Swords, J. M., fl. 1863

Newspaper

Title: The daily citizen. [June 30, 1863]

Updates on the siege of Vicksburg, the Copperheads' Peace Meeting at Springfield, "Glorious Intelligence" from Port Hudson, Lee moving into Pennsylvania. With notices of battle deaths, wounding of citizens (men and women) by shells, and an obituary for Col. Eugene Erwin. Printed on blue, green, and dark red wallpaper. Stamp of Tennessee Historical Society on recto and verso. Printed during the siege, while Vicksburg was under bombardment.

GLC00845

15 June 1775

Document

Title: [Docket: Proportion of stores destroyed]

Only the docket.

GLC01450.141

circa 1783

Lodge, John, fl. 1783

Print

Title: View of the Attack on Bunker's Hill with the Burning of Charles Town, June 17, 1775

Marked that it is engraved by Lodge, but drawn by a Mr. Millar. Engraved for Edward Barnard's book "New Complete & Authentic History of England," which was published in 1783. Shows the bombardment, from both land and sea, of Charles Town. The town was bombarded after house-to-house fighting failed to dislodge the American militia. Officers asked that hot shot be fired at the town, which was done from ships and from Copp's Hill in Boston. The engraving shows the subsequent conflagration. Also shows British troops marching up Breed's Hill, where they were soon to be slaughtered. Condition…

GLC01450.169.05

August 24, 1703

Dudley, Joseph, 1647-1720

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Governor of Massachusetts Dudley states that he has complaints from Captain Thomas Coram against John Crosman for demolishing a house owned by Coram and taking the boards from it for military use. Dudley authorizes the apprehension of Crosman.

GLC01450.171

July 8, 1775

Saben, Thomas, 1739-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Preserved Pierce

In the letter, Saben describes a July 8, 1775 skirmish between American and British troops in Roxbury, Massachusetts during the American Revolution. A member of the "Providence Company of Artiliary," Saben describes firing at "browns house" from "Georges Tavern," setting Brown's house and barn on fire. He reports he has a "great Reason to think we killed Some of the [British] Regulars." He alos asks for his stockings.

GLC01450.182

October 8, 1775

Paine, Samuel Royall, 1744-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Atlin

Hopes Atlin can get twelve or fourteen dollars by selling his sword, but would settle for ten. Says he has sent ink, paper, and powder, but has more. Says on Saturday evening "Wallis" fired "and put ten shot in the Hows on which is the chief damage he did."

GLC01450.185.02

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

June 16, 1776

Freeman, Samuel, 1743-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

On Gerry's advice, Freeman and his regiment "have applied to Court to consider our losses at Falmouth," in the hopes the court would petition Congress. The court refuses, and feels it might seem "selfish" to do such a thing. Discusses trouble obtaining copies of records of Congress.

GLC01450.235

October 22, 1813

Addams, Charity, fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John P. Addams

Charity Addams wishes her brother success in his determined effort to "preach the Gospel to the poor" and relays family news. Comments on the soldiers quartering on their farm during the War of 1812, and the damage they caused and paid for. Discusses celebrations surrounding the election of the governor and secretary of state, remarking that "it seemed as if peace began to dawn." Reports alarm in Plattsburgh, New York. Comments on a boating accident. Notes that their brother Charles Addams came home and went to a camp meeting in Plattsburgh. Relates other news, much of it pertaining to…

GLC01450.719.02

20 October 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sargent, Secretary of the Northwest Territory, discusses progress of the settlers and negotiations with Native Americans in the Territory including Joseph Brant. Writes, "We can not as yet, tis true, boast of very much Cultivation or Improvement, for our Numbers are not large, but the few present have not been idle- they have [built] themselves comfortable Log Houses..." Comments on the delay of an unspecified treaty with Native Americans. Writes "...As the Governour corresponds with you, you will undoubtedly be informed of the particular Disposition of the different Tribes- Should they…

GLC02437.04007

5 September 1794

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses information he gathered from an officer regarding the army. Reports on the distances of forts and other landmarks located near Fort Recovery along with General [Anthony] Wayne's recent actions. Also reports General Wayne was attacked by "Indians commanded by [Alexander] Mckee" on the 20th. Describes the battle that followed. Reports the Indians were forced to flee and on the number of men who were killed and wounded in the battle. Mentions the British involvement and appears to hint at the possibility that the Indians were suppose to meet at the British camp. Notes the number…

GLC02437.06193

December 21, 1794

Smith, William, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the "total destruction" of his father's property that took place during the war (possibly the Revolutionary War). Notes the entire family looks to him for support. Comments he is "determined to bear the pressure & the flight like a man." Mentions his brother, Colonel John Smith, will be leaving for Europe on Wednesday. Asks Knox to send his brother's commission, which he was entitled to before his resignation from the service, to them. Notes the commission will be used as a passport and voucher of his brother's citizenship. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06279

4 November 1781

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. communicates a request from George Washington asking Knox to send a copy of the information Washington is to incorporate into a letter to Governor of Virginia Thomas Nelson. Washington also wants a list of the cannons Knox proposed be sold to reimburse William Ross. Possibly concerns indemnification for impressed supplies needed for the siege of Yorktown. Washington recently wrote a letter to the Governor of Maryland under similar circumstances (see GLC02437.01273). Trumbull was Washington's military secretary. Knox's reply appears in GLC02437.01286.

GLC02437.01282

1 November 1782

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by J. Sumner, Capt.; author may be Captain Job Sumner of the 3rd Massachusetts. Written from "Camp." Writes, "There is one Bound a soldier in the 3 Massachusetts, now confined in the provost, under your direction by Complaint of Mr. Nait an Inhabitant, "for injuring his property" - he has been long confined & if you think it will not injure Service, I should be glad he might be sent to his Regiment, when he may receive trial agreably to the nature of his crime before a general or regimental Court Martial, I shall take care to advertise Mr. Nait of his removal, should you assent."

GLC02437.01692

14 December 1781

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for forwarding a letter from Robert Morris to David Rhea; he forwarded it on, but as Mr. Rhea was traveling, had not yet received a reply. Promises to send a reply to Knox when he gets one. Relates that his troops only have three days of rations left so he sent someone to Philadelphia to get more. Comments that the people in Burlington (most likely Burlington, New Jersey) are so dispirited that he cannot get supplies from them "without the warrant of a Magistrate & the bayonet to enforce it." Relates that the Artificers need timber and he was asked by Col. Nelson, the…

GLC02437.01305

May 15, 1877

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Beverly Tucker

The letter discusses Reconstruction and end of military occupation of Louisiana: "Louisiana is oncemore free!...we have now to repair the damage of 4 1/2 years war and 11 1/2 years of robbery & oppression such as no civilized people have ever yet had to bear."

GLC08013.01

27 May 1864

Maury, William Lewis, 1813-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nan [Maury]

Expresses concern over reports that someone (presumably an officer) has been wounded. Discusses the possibility of the Union taking Richmond: "We have...been very anxious about Richmond but there is a general feeling the enemy will not succeed in taking it." Worries about friends and family at the old mansion "as Grants Army passed along there."

GLC04572.17

10 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written three miles from Nashville on the Franklin Pike. Writes that the regiment is on its way to Franklin. Describes the vast destruction of local property: "There are the ruins of several magnificent places between here and Nashville. The soldiers have stripped down the fences, cut down beautiful shade trees, and in some places commenced on the houses for fuel. Residences worth two years ago $100,000 are not now worth $2,000."

GLC05241.11

February 25, 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No. 3." Writes of the basic itinerary he follows on his trips Nashville. Besides picking up the mail, he buys newspapers and for a fee runs errands for other soldiers. Laments the destruction of fences and houses for firewood.

GLC05241.15

26 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 2." Encourages Charley to return to the army, because after the first of April all deserters will be shot or will suffer severe punishment. Gives instructions so that Charley will reach the camp without getting in trouble. Describes skirmishing with Confederates who destroyed the telegraph lines and a railroad bridge.

GLC05241.25

19 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 12." He was happy to learn that his box arrived home safely. Describes the burning of a house that blocked the line of view from the fort and visiting wounded in the hospital. One of his articles was printed in the Journal (see GLC05241.50). He sends more money home to pay off his debts.

GLC05241.36

3 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Notes that he received William's account of stock resulting from the plunder of British troops. Discusses notes that must be paid that pertain to personal business. Asks William to send him money to buy a carriage, so that Lucy Knox can leave New York quickly if there is danger. Also asks him to send uniform buttons he previously wrote about (see GLC02437.00275). Wants William to keep him informed on what is done with the confiscated Tory estates. Requests a copy of Edes and Gill's monday newspaper. The British had left many supplies in Boston when they evacuated in March, 1776.

GLC02437.00328