29 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Parker

Knox, commander of West Point, reports that "about [ninety] men will be stationed in New York probably the greatest part of the Winter." Asks whether Parker, a contractor who furnished supplies for troops, will provide supplies for these men.

GLC02437.02871

November 1893

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Typed document

Title: A Southern Soldier's Experiences in a Northern Prison

Originally written for the students of a "lady cousin" who was concerned her pupils were being misinformed about the "kind treatment of Southern Soldiers in Northern prisons." Flinn later presented the address at "S. C. College Nov. 1893." He begins by providing a brief history of his military service and then launches into an in-depth description of his sufferings as a prisoner at Point Lookout, Maryland from July 1864 to March 1865. The manuscript contains a two-page description of the camp's physical layout. Flinn emphasizes the inadequate clothing, foul water, bitter cold, and ravenous…

GLC04573.13

1 July 1783

Malcom, William, fl. 1776-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Malcom to Major General Knox. Says a Mr. Peacock will be presenting this letter and that he was formerly a subaltern in his regiment, who acquitted himself with courage. He is a refugee from New York, although he was one of the first to declare for independence. Says he served while his property could support himself and his family and that he is now reduced in circumstances. Wants to enter into a partnership with a Mr. Dunlap at the garrison (West Point?). As he will be a stranger there, he has requested a written recommendation to assist him in his new home. Would like…

GLC02437.02217

circa January 1783

Forsyth, James, fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: Provisions delivered for the use of Major General Knox's family in the month of January 1783

Chart of provisions used by the "family" of Henry Knox in January 1783. At the bottom is a note which reads, "Received from Major Shaw a receipt for the above" and is signed "James Forsyth." Trimmed at top.

GLC02437.01769

5 January 1783

Smith, Melancton, 1744-1798

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt for Henry Knox]

Lists items (cloth, rum, and sugar) by date and the amount owed. Signed for Smith by William Thompson.

GLC02437.01801

4 January 1784

Manuscript document

Title: [Bill for Henry Knox to pay Daniel Parker]

Knox is to pay $22.87 to Daniel Parker & Co., who furnished supplies for troops at West Point. Possibly created by Parker, fl. 1781-1790.

GLC02437.02912

February 6, 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions he has joined a society in college. also speaks of wanting to improve his letter writing.

GLC02618.001

18 March 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions a cousin who was recently wounded and may lose his hand

GLC02618.002

18 September 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

Stafford describes a prayer meeting.

GLC02618.003

8 October 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

talks about sophomore year and roommate troubles

GLC02618.004

17 November 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

complains that he receives hardly any letters, talks about war in general

GLC02618.005

8 June 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

talks about the war spirit and the company that they started at school "Ogletree Guards."

GLC02618.006

12 July 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sisters

describes initial days as a soldier, camping grounds, food, the company

GLC02618.007

20 September 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

describes the life of a soldier: sleeping in the rain, changing landscapes, the food, etc.

GLC02618.008

15 October 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He writes that he received the blanket and requests his shoes and suspenders. He will send his pistol along with some money home. Written at Camp Masked Battery

GLC02618.009

1862

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul informs his wife that he is near Sharpsburg and has been ordered to be ready at any moment. He describes a pair of knee-high boots that he bought for $7.50 from a sutler at camp, and then asks here to pay part of his debt to Mr. Russel back in Muncy. Also, he tells her he is glad Thode was not drafted because he does not have anyone to look after his property. No month on document, word processor inventory indicates month as September.

GLC03058.02

January 10, 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

In this letter Paul responds to accusations made by Celicia that he does not write enough, and tells her that he writes whenever he can, and thanks her for what she sends. He asks her to write when she receives the money he sent to her, and he complains that he has "not receved any leter for too weaks." Paul recounts in detail what the sutlers do at the camp, the foods they make and for how much they sell them, criticizing "the way these Sutlers make thare mony of tho Poor souldiers". Paul then mentions that he read about a smallpox outbreak in Williamsport, though he assures her that…

GLC03058.06

18 April 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul describes a visit by President Lincoln to his camp, and is amazed by the amount of men that gathered to see him. Paul also tells Celicia that on Easter they had a big parade that brought them in front of the Rebels in Fredricksburg, and Paul was not sure why his officers put their men on display. He also talks of the weather, the price of goods sold by the sutlers and the items that are scarce in camp. He tells Celicia he wishes he could be home with her, and he tells her not to worry about town gossip. Paul then mentions Thode, writing that he better pay $300 for a substitute if he…

GLC03058.11

14 October 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] His life at camp is "quiet," and the troops are making their own fun by stealing beer from the sutler's tent. He was surprised when he saw in a paper that Corporal Asa Smith from Indiana was injured, but "was pleased to know that it wasn't me." Sends news back of other soldiers presumably from his hometown. Numbered in pencil "16." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.01

12 December 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] Life in camp is dull. The regiment has a new lieutenant. His company is very good at drilling, and they are practicing under Col. Max Weber from Europe. The brigade practiced firing, and he says "there is music in the whistle of minnie balls especially when you hear some three thousand of them at once." He answers a question about his daily schedule. The sutler's store is closing, and he is glad. He received a letter from Natick, Massachusetts. Numbered in pencil "32." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.05

9 April 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that rebels have taken possession of a part of the Cumberland River, fifteen miles away. The rebels also burned a boat filled with sutler's goods. Describes the town of Clarksville and writes that there are two regiments of infantry, a battery, and some cavalry stationed there

GLC06728.042

16 December 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bishoff Jr.

Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as…

GLC03523.40.20

1863

Cook, Henry, fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: 1863 Diary

Henry Cook describes his life in camp, including his reading and other pasttimes, day trips into cities, soldiers' pay, food, and signal corps duty. He also writes of the movements of the signal corps and of his regiment (9th NJ Volunteers) in considerable detail, including information about the officers and about any skirmishes they encountered. He mentions battles at New Bern, Fort McAlister, Fort Jackson, Little Washington, Chancellorsville, Jackson, Miss., Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, and Tarborough by name. He refers to African Americans on several occasions, including the…

GLC03958.02

18 August 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

A flash flood prevented GWT from joining his regiment at the front and swept away many people's belongings. 40 bodies were found after the flood. One sutler offered a $3000 reward for the return of his cash box. After the regiment returned, their camp was moved to the position formerly occupied by the 9th Corps. Worried about Georgiana's health. Written near Petersburg, Virginia.

GLC04558.156

12 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests a valise to be sent from home. Says a sutler, who is supplied by Smith and Co. in Norwich, has joined the troops. Notes that Captain Henry C. Hall was killed when he "exposed himself needlessly." Mentions two books or magazines "Atlantic" and "The River."

GLC03603.299