January 27, 1783

Harrod, Joseph, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Harrod to Major General Knox. Is writing because he knew Knox had a friendship with his deceased "Brother Treat" (possibly Samuel Treat, d. 1777, Harrod's brother-in-law).. Is requesting his assistance in getting Treat's half-pay pension for his mother, who needs it. Also says that "the last time he was at Haverhill I think he told me he lost a Valluable Horse at the [battle of] Brandy Wine & did not know wheather it would be made up to him." Says his petitions have not been answered and hopes Knox can assist him.

GLC02437.01864

11 March 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Gordon

Writes to Reverend Doctor William Gordon, a prominent Massachusetts minister and historian. Discusses a brigade of General Nathanael Greene's division, commanded by Brigadier General Weedon, that engaged with the British "at the close of the action at Brandywine." Explains that while Colonel Walter Stevens' s regiment fought gallantly, so did many others. Adds that he has tried to obtain information for Gordon's history but has been of limited success; refers him to General Greene, whose "information must be perfect on this subject." Also relates that many printers in Boston are upset to…

GLC02437.03247

14 September 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Order to the Commissary for the arrearage of provisions due to Mrs. Corbin of the Invalids]

Includes a note at the top of the page, in Shaw's hand, from Jonathan Pugh, Lieutenant of Invalids, which reads, "This is to certify that Mrs. Margaret Corbin (wife of John Corbin a soldier in the corps of Invalids) has not drawn any liquor with the ration allowed her since the 1st Jany 1782." Below, Shaw relates that Mrs. Corbin has two Congressional resolves in her favor, "she having had a husband and son killed and was herself wounded at Brandywine in 1777. She is allowed a full ration per day, half pay for life and a suit of clothes annually. " Orders the Commissary to give her the…

GLC02437.01611

1763-1791

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Header Record

Title: Correspondence of Catharine Macaulay [Decimalized .01- .63]

Collection of correspondence of Catharine Macaulay Graham with various people from England, Scotland, France, and America, including a folder of transcripts of letters not included in this collection. Materials in this collection consist of retained drafts, letters received, drafts written on other letters, and some occasional pieces. According to a later note in GLC 1795, these letters were returned by her second husband William Graham to daughter Catharine Sophia Macaulay Gregorie. Some letters are in French. A full inventory is available, and transcripts of some letters are also…

GLC01794

3 December 1777

Parker, W., fl. 1777

Newspaper

Title: General advertiser and morning intelligencer. [No. 337 (December 3, 1777)]

Reprints the "whole of the London Gazette Extraordinary," of 2 December 1777 which includes a letter of British General William Howe to Lord George Germain dated 10 October 1777 at Germantown concerning events in the Revolutionary War. Includes a list of wounded and killed at the Battle of Brandywine, 11 September 1777 and Germantown, 4 October 1777. Also prints extracts of letters from Sir Henry Clinton to William Howe. Stamped with half-penny tax on first page lower right corner.

GLC08717

1861-1877

Doughty, Thomas, 1791-1856

Engraving

Title: The Battlefield of Brandywine

One engraving entitled "The Battlefield of Brandywine" circa 1861-1877. Depicts a view of Brandywine Creek with a large house near the river. On the lawn adjacent the house, two cows graze while several people go about daily activities including one man fishing. Engraved by James Smillie after a painting by Thomas Doughty. The caption notes "engraved expressely for Graham's magazine."

GLC08878.0030

4 September 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses surprise that the Continental Army has no knowledge of British General William Howe's location. Thinks it's possible, but unlikely, Howe intends to sail for Boston. Comments on the Battle of Bennington and the performance of General John Stark: "Genl Starks Action I think view'g every circumstance stands first in the American War... before this the Enemy were Ravage'g, butcherg and Scalp'g all before them, not a prisoner fell in there Land but was Tomhawk't to Death- now all is quiet with them & we hear nothing of their Scalp'g & c." Relates that [Burgoyne] has possibly…

GLC02437.00647

13 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Camp near Schuylkill." Opens with various declarations of how he misses her, including "War nor none of its concomitant Horrors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind..." Reports of a recent engagement with the enemy, the Battle of Brandywine (11 September 1777), declaring "...we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy... if they advance we shall fight them again before they get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious- my corps did me great honor they behav'd like men..." Encloses an account (not present) he sent to the…

GLC02437.00648

24 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

Reports that in a previous letter to Lucy, he gave an account of the Battle of Brandywine. Relates that his army came in sight of the enemy, when a pouring rain ruined their cartridges. Describes how his army followed the British from across the Schuylkill River, and the British eluded them, intending to enter Philadelphia: "They have declin'd to combat our army and have taken possession of the prize for which we both contended." Reports that American Generals [Anthony] Wayne and [William] Smallwood were attacked on 20 September (later known as the Battle of Paoli or the Paoli Massacre).…

GLC02437.00652

20 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Draft of an opinion for General George Washington]

"From the time which has elapsed since Genl Howe disappeared from the Capes, it may be fairly and certainly deduce'd that he has gone very far either to the Southward or eastward... and it may be concluded with the same probability that neither Philadelphia or the North river is the immediate object of his destination." Discusses William Howe's possible movements. Suggests mounting an offensive against John Burgoyne in the north, "as no longer to leave it in doubt who shall have the Ascendency in that quarter..." Knox predicts that a large scale attack in the north would draw Howe's forces…

GLC02437.00637

24 August 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on General John Stark and the Battle of Bennington ( 16 August 1777): "I don't think all History from Adam to this day, can produce such an instance, which an unequal number of raw undisciplind militia, have attack'd a Superor number of well disciplined regular Troops intrench in Lines- beat them out & gaind so complete a Victory [sic]--" Describes the celebration held in Boston following news of the victory, including liquor at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, drum and fife music on a balcony, brass field pieces, and two barrels of grog in the street. Gives an account of a new ship…

GLC02437.00639

25 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Derby, 7 Miles below Philadelphia" (possibly Darby, Pennsylvania). Reports that his troops had begun to march to the North River (the Hudson), but received a dispatch that British General William Howe was in the Chesapeake Bay. Believes Philadelphia to be Howe's target, and predicts he will approach Philadelphia via the Delaware River, not the Chesapeake Bay. Reports that American troops marched through Philadelphia 24 August: "their excellent appearance... astonished the Tories, who are very downcast in the Respectability of the army." Reports that he and General Nathanael…

GLC02437.00640

9 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Written from "Head Quarters." Writes, "I would ever wish to pay proper attention to the business of Ladies, but without I am acquainted with the Resolve of the 6 July 1779 in [favor?] of Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin, I cannot tell what it is she wants - We have not the Resolves of that date with us." See GLC02437.01591, GLC02437.01595, and GLC02437.01611 for related information.

GLC02437.01591

10 September 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman

Writes that it is not in his power to send him Congress's resolve of 6 July 1779, concerning Margaret Corbin. Explains that her case is "peculiar": "Her husband and son killed and herself wounded in the services, were misfortunes of so aggravated as justly rendered her worthy of public attention." Congress has provided her with "a complete ration per day, and half pay for life," which Colonel [Lewis] Nicola helped her apply for, but she has received very little of the rations and pay she deserves. Explains that "[h]er present application is in consequence of the rum or whiskey which…

GLC02437.01595

11 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Writes, "It appears clearly to me that the order forbidding the issue of Rum to Women does not extend to Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin - Granting provision at all, to Women who are followers of the Army, is altogether matter of courtesy, and therefore the commanding General may allow them such a Ration as he thinks proper - But Mrs. Corbin is a pensioner of Congress, and therefore, upon procuring the Resolve made in her favor - Genl. [Henry] Knox, as commandant, may direct the Contractor to commute her Retained Rations of liquor - perhaps it would not be prudent to give them to her all in liquor -…

GLC02437.01597

27 October 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Landon Carter

Signed twice by Washington. Discusses his campaign, the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Red Bank and Saratoga, and the danger of being captured. "at the same time that I assure you, that, It is not my wish to avoid any danger which duty requires me to encounter I can as confidently add, that it is not my intention to run unnecessary risques." On the Battle of Germantown: "After driving the Enemy from their Incampment - possessing their ground - and being, as we thought, upon the point of grasping victory, it was snatched from us....a very heavy atmostphere [sic], aided by the smoke of…

GLC07115.01

May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [drafts of rough minutes delivered to Doctor Ramsey who is writing the history of the late war & who furnished to me his Sketches & Materials for that purpose. May '86]

Later copy of Knox's notes which he delivered to Doctor David Ramsay to use as reference for his book, History of the American Revolution. Note at top states, "(Inclosed) Notes and explanations of Doctor Ramsay's history respecting the campaign 1777- & the affair of Trenton 1776." Title is from document. Includes historical notes on the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Asserts, "It was not a general opinion by any means that Sir William Howe would attack Philadelphia by means of the Chesapeake. The first object was supposed to be the complete possession of Hudson River, so as to…

GLC02437.00680

1778/04/13

Faden, William, fl. 1750-1836

Map

Title: Battle of Brandywine...rebels were defeated, September 11th, 1777...

Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 126; British Library 123; Clemonts catalog 14, Snyder fig. 185.

GLC04313