15 July 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Writes about his and Eliza's wedding day, 11years ago. Reminds her of God's blessings regardless of all the illness and death that has been bestowed upon them. Wishes he had kept and journal and "let our children see the joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, disappointments and successes through which we have passed." Apologizes for his indiscretions and selfishness throughout the years. He writes, "I have so often annoyed you by attentions to others which though harmless in themselves I should have known were troublesome to you. I have often thought to give you a full true account of all…

GLC02570.60

16 September 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Shares his distress over being one of the few people left in his family. With his brother Girard paralyzed, Gustave feels he must take his place as the beloved warrior in the family but feels like he would be usurping that position. Tells Eliza she must be a pillar of strength for the family. Wishes to change to a more cheerful subject but goes on to discuss the awful circumstances of the local people and writes, "The sight I see daily, almost hourly, would sicken your tender heart and fill you with compassion for our brave women and old men. Even the children [illegible] to the loss of…

GLC02570.61

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

24 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he curses "the man who first brought on this war only because it separates me from my Love." Mentions that he has received instructions from George Washington to inspect and fortify the local harbor in order to make it safe for Continental troops and the American navy (see GLC02437.00274). Comments on his meeting with Admiral Esek Hopkins and his son, John B. Hopkins, who was recently injured in a naval engagement with the British ship Glasgow. Gives a favorable impression of both, comparing Esek to the Dutch Admiral Van Tromp and proclaiming that John will become a "formidable…

GLC02437.00276

18 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he has remained in Newport, Rhode Island, where a recent British naval attack had been fended off, to fulfill orders to help protect the town from additional attacks. He will depart for Norwich later in the day, where he hopes to stay with Lucy's cousin Fayerweather on a stop before arriving there. Closes affectionately, affirming his love for his wife and their new daughter Lucy. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the British navy for Rhode Island and Connecticut in the process.

GLC02437.00273

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

9 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her and expects to the following week. Expresses esteem for generals George Washington and Charles Lee. Of Washington, he writes: "General Washington fills his place with vast ease and dignity & dispenses happiness all around him." Of Lee: "Genl Lee will become very popular soon." Reports that he is going to visit Washington this evening.

GLC02437.00198

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in…

GLC02437.00199

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

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for the transport. Describes his travels. Comments…

GLC02437.00237

16 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes lovingly to his wife. Discusses his journey to visit her, getting caught in a violent storm, and expecting to see her tomorrow night. Explains that George Washington has ordered him to go to Fort Ticonderoga. Knox, having recently been appointed head of the artillery, was sent to Ticonderoga to inspect and bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there by a force led by Ethan Allen on 15 May 1775.

GLC02437.00209

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes affectionately, asking about Lucy's journey from Worcester. Discusses his own journey to New York City on his way to Fort Ticonderoga, where George Washington had ordered him to travel to in order to bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there in the Spring of 1775. He met his brother on the road, a meeting he describes and dubs "truly farcical." Comments on business opportunities. Reports the easy victory by which American forces captured Montreal on 13 November 1775. mentioning the British retreat, the construction of an American battery, and the interception of…

GLC02437.00211

February 1, 1863

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written at Camp Dennison to his wife. Anticipates being paid soon, and will send the money home, saving a few dollars to live himself. Talks of hiding tears when reading his wife's letters as the other soldiers find it feminine. Expresses sentiment to his wife that he loves her and wishes he could be with her, looking forward to being with her again. Stationery contains image of a victorious Union soldier in battle reading "The Captured Battery." Written at Camp Dennison .

GLC02176.03

19 February 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He mentions that he was too tired the previous night and too busy the next morning (as at nine o'clock he had to report for duty) to be able to write her a letter. However he later writes that he has received her letter and that it serves as evidence of the "pure and noble love" which he considers "cherishable" and is proud to possess. He is glad to hear of her improving health and that he hopes her health will be entirely restored. He mentions buying a rattle for the baby. Additionally, he writes that he has begun to wear spectacles and that he believes the reason for this may be that…

GLC06582.05

1773 and 7 March 1774

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Later copy of two love letters from Henry Knox to Lucy Flucker (Knox) written during their courtship. In the first, Knox complains of not receiving a message from Lucy, expresses his affection, and attempts to solidify plans for a meeting at a coffee house the following day. The second is an even more impassioned love letter in which he longs to see Lucy, asks if she has spoken with her father about their relationship, expresses anxiety over the unknown, and urges Lucy to…

GLC02437.00125

6 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her and his sadness at being forced to part again. Mentions his travel plans as well. After months apart the couple was finally able to see each other when Washington sent Knox to Boston to recruit men and examine artillery production. But Knox could only stay a few days before he had to rush on to the next stop on his trip.

GLC02437.00544

4 March 1777

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Manuscript letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Later copy. Has enclosed a letter for "the heavenly Miss DeBlois," a friend of Lucy's, which he wishes Lucy to pass on to her. Has also sent a trunk of gowns to Lucy's house via Mr. Colburn, intended for Miss DeBlois. Also asks Lucy to report to him about Miss DeBlois when she next sees her. A newspaper clipping, the obituary of one of Arnold's sons, is attached to the document. The copy was made around 1855.

GLC02437.00543

12 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Arrived last evening after a long trip. The roads past Hartford were so bad that "the Slay" and much of the baggage had to be abandoned. Has heard a report that at Spanktown, modern day Rahway, "our people" killed and wounded five hundred of the British during a foraging raid. Expresses his anguish over parting with her. Warns her that smallpox is spreading near her, and suggests "you and your little image" get inoculated. Warns her not to drink or stay too near fire afterward. Asks her to take care of some business affairs, saying "this is making you quite a woman of business." Also…

GLC02437.00549

18 March 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Badly misses Henry and hopes to hear from him, her only comfort being her young baby, Lucy Flucker Knox. Hopes that he cries when thinking of her hardships. Reports that William Knox, who she calls Billy, has set out for Newburg, in order to purchase stationery which he hopes to sell. Lucy and William Knox reopened the Boston bookstore that Knox had operated before the war began. They tried to sell other stationery items, but were not very successful. Notes that a shipping embargo may begin soon, but feels that it is "privateering" to take the goods of those "innocent people" who are not…

GLC02437.00553

23 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

The first page or pages of the letter are missing. Feels it is wrong that other officers were promoted over the more senior Benedict Arnold. Worries this action will push Arnold out of the service, and hopes it is remedied. The lack of a promotion would offend Arnold, and was one of the many slights that contributed to his defection years later to the British side. Requests various articles of clothing and expresses his love for her. Asks her to number her letters, as he has begun doing, so they can easily be referenced in the future.

GLC02437.00557

February 7, 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Written at 1:30 AM. Sylvia thanks him for his Valentine's poem. She is tired and has to stay late again tomorrow night at the Selective Service Board. Mad (sister) and Ben (her Sister's boyfriend) are going to the country and she will miss coming home to a warm, lighted house.

GLC09414.0152

4 June 1943

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Moe went to the movies, and reminds Sylvia to write Benoit again. He also acknowledges that they are both missing each other more with each passing day. This letter is missing pages.

GLC09414.0721

10 August 1943

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Sylvia has recently left, and Moe imagines that she is in Montana. While she was there he got into the routine of meeting her for dinner after work. He imagines that he will still be doing that tonight.

GLC09414.0742

11 August 1943

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Moe wistfully refers to Sylvia's recent visit. He tells her he received his T-4 ship today and wished it could have happened while she was in town.

GLC09414.0743

15 September 1943

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Moe tells the story of a man called into the army whose wife was pregnant. He wanted to keep his first baby a secret so he had the hospital authorities inform him in code. He also realizes that he and Sylvia were playing the same game at the same time and sees this as proof of their affinity.

GLC09414.0781