23 July 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Jackson declares, "The loss of Ticonderoga is a very severe stroke, we shall expereance [sic] the misfortune of it as long as the War lasts- there is no one circumstance take'n place this War that has affected the minds of the People so much as this- and there is not one that can acct for its being given up in the maner [sic] it was- not one single Gun fired from us..." Wonders how General [Arthur] St. Clair will explain his conduct after the American loss of Ticonderoga. Hopes General George Washington will become aware of General William Howe's plans. Expects Howe to move up the…

GLC02437.00628

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

27 August 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Praises the American victory in the recent the Battle of Bennington. Notes that General [Benjamin] Lincoln's aide-de-camp sent an account of the British killed, wounded, and missing at Bennington, which amounted to 1,000. Reports that Henry's wife Lucy has agreed to sell her phaeton (a carriage). Relates a quarrel he had with Colonel Crafts as to rank. In two instances, Crafts refused to accept Jackson (from the Continental Artillery) as a higher rank. Jackson asks who actually holds higher rank, Continental Artillery or Continental Infantry.

GLC02437.00641

30 July 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Follows British General William Howe while trying to determine if Howe intends on moving toward Philadelphia with his troops. Notes that he is within 32 miles of Philadelphia, and writes, "I am in hopes my business will call me there having never been in that corrupt place..." Wonders as to Howe's hesitation, joking that it is impossible Howe would be afraid of "our ragamuffin army." Criticizes Howe, noting "the first principle of an invader ought to be to destroy the army of his opponents... if his army is not superior in the field he may as well take himself away..." Asserts that based…

GLC02437.00630

23 August 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that she is recovering from a four day illness. Describes her daily life in detail as requested by Henry. Rises at eight a.m., has breakfast for an hour, then reads, writes, or works until her "solitary dinner" at 2 p.m. Misses Henry intensely, noting that even the company of their daughter, Lucy, reminds her of his absence. Describes her afternoon rides in her chaise, and her visits to several friends. Mentions the loss of her immediate family, who as Loyalists fled from Boston. Expresses her wish to be with Henry. Refers to the Hero, a ship, which will soon sail for France.…

GLC02437.00638

1862/04/03

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894

Document

Title: [By Command of Brig. General N. P. Banks]

Signed by R. Morris Copeland. "Special Order No. 3" granting James R. Kelly a sixty-day leave of absence for "wounds received at the Battle of Winchester."

GLC04197.26

1862/04/04

Kelly, Mary, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

She describes the immense suffering in the hospital and the fact that nearly all amputees have died. She dislikes Miss Dix's nurses, and of the Quaker ladies, Mary has nothing but admiration.

GLC04197.27

1862/04/17

Kelly, Mary, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sallie, Mother and Sisy

Mr. Kelly's condition has somewhat improved. He ate some fried oysters and oyster soup. She mentions wounded arriving from Pittsburgh Landing [Shiloh].

GLC04197.29

18 January 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Previous catalog record noted that this is a copy. Knox had planned to travel to New England by way of Albany, New York, so he could see Lincoln and Benedict Arnold, but his late departure will prevent him from taking that route. Comments on Lincoln's recovery (his leg was badly injured during the Saratoga campaign in 1777). Congratulates Lincoln on the victory at Saratoga, New York: "The success with which your exertions have been crowned, and the ample security it affords at present to this and the neighboring states must be a pleasing reflection in your pain and confinement…

GLC02437.00691

14 January 1778

Scollay, William, 1756-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Possibly written to William Knox, Henry Knox's brother. Colonel Scollay expresses joy "that the circumstance of settleing [sic] a little delicate matter, whether we should continue the Friendship that has so long & uninterreptedly subsisted between us, or obliterate it by a total annihilation of all intercourse, is now I hope brought to such a point as will effectually cement and perpetuate our friendly Connection." Explains that his previous congratulation of General Horatio Gates, who defeated John Burgoyne in the north, was not meant to undermine the success of the Army of the…

GLC02437.00690

17 December 1777

Franks, David Salisbury, fl. 1740-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Franks, aide-de-camp for General Benedict Arnold, replies on behalf of Arnold to a letter from Lucy Knox. Notes that Arnold's indisposition prevented him from answering Lucy Knox's "Billet," and comments on Arnold's recovery (Arnold suffered from a leg wound inflicted during the Saratoga Campaign). Franks informs Lucy Knox that Arnold cannot part with the contents of an unspecified trunk until he reaches Boston, and offers Lucy Knox preference when he does dispose of the trunk's contents. See GLC02437.10452 regarding the trunk, the contents of which had been intended for Elisabeth De Blois…

GLC02437.00673

1861/07/21

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

Pamphlet

Title: Report of Light Battery M, Second Artillery,…Battle of Bull Run, July 21st 1861.

Inscribed by John R. Meigs.

GLC07059.08

1861/07/25

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

Manuscript document

Title: "Camp near Fort Albany."

Testament. Meigs's assistance at the Battle of Bull Run. Verso contains copy of J.B. Richardson's recommendation to appoint John R. Meigs lieutenant in the regular army.

GLC07059.09

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

22 February 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

He refers to the Sanitary Commission's pretentious movement, and complains about their nurses. Laments the fact that while he and the Army medical department do all the work, and the government pays all the costs, they receive all the criticism while the Sanitary Commission ends up with all the credit. "The world you see is very much given to humbuggery. Even benevolence sometimes assumes that shape. Allow me to say, however, that the people mean well and freely give their money – give it more freely than I ever knew the bogus chivalry of the south to do, with all their flings and sneers at…

GLC04195.03

June 10, 1862

Olmstead, Charles H., 1837-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Olmstead, a Confederate officer who surrendered Fort Pulaski and was taken as a prisoner of war at Fort Columbus, writes to Union Secretary of War Stanton. Olmstead is concerned that the Union is violating the prisoner of war terms signed by General Quincy A. Gillmore and himself at the surrender. The surrender terms stated that the Confederate sick and wounded should be sent up to the Confederate lines. Olmstead has found out that instead of these sick and wounded men being allowed to return home, they were kept and arrangements were made for them to be exchanged for Federal prisoners in…

GLC00319.01

11 June 1862

Loomis, Gustavus, 1789-1872

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Transmits correspondence from Confederate Colonel Charles H. Olmstead to Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War (see GLC00319.01) concerning the alleged violation of the surrender terms of Fort Pulaski. Autograph endorsement signed by Major General David Hunter, 7 July 1862, from Hilton Head, South Carolina stating it was received 27 June 1862 and referred to Hunter for report on instructions from Stanton. Hunter then endorses the letter on 7 July 1862 from Hilton Head, South Carolina and states that, "The surrender of Fort Pulaski was unconditional. Capt. Gillmore had no authority from me to…

GLC00319.02

22 December 1775

Parker, Jonas, ?-1775

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for Joseph Graves]

States that Graves is owed one pound sixteen ounces for "entertainement given to let Jonas Parker and his men in bringing prisoners" over his land. Signed by Parker as "Captain of the Gaurd." Verso dated 22 December 1775, but the document must have been written earlier since Parker died in April 1775. Verso also states that document was examined and signed by Abraham Mason, Thomas Durfee, Jon Webster, and Joseph Locke. Verso also bears a second signature from Parker. A later note signed "Everett" tells the story of Parker's death at the battle of Lexington.

GLC01450.237.01

9 October 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Extends wishes for their mother's recovery, comments on his wife's improving health from sea bathing, and provides other family news. Reports hearing that Lord North received a message about Lord Cornwallis being attacked by General Horatio Gates. Explains news that Cornwallis repelled the attack, killed many, took 1,000 prisoners, and captured American artillery equipment. Suggests that "Gates thinking to circumvent him as he had done to Genl Burgoign [Burgoyne] had detached 1500 to attack him in the rear, they were received by Col Tarleton...who totally defeated them." The battle…

GLC02549.14

28 February 1863

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Gross

General Birney transmits his division's battle flag (not included) via Lieutenant Briscoe (possibly J.C. Briscoe). Referring to General Philip Kearny, states "Kearny always had it with him as he dashed along the front & at his Head Quarters." Requests that Gross present the flag to the Union League of Philadelphia. Of the flag, writes "It is a very plain, unsightly piece of bunting, but when Franklin's G. Division saw it advancing up the hill at Fredericksburg and recognized it as my battle flag, a shout of joy went up, and nine hearty cheers welcomed it to the front."

GLC02608.01

6 March 1863

Boker, George H. (George Henry), 1823-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Bell Birney

Boker, Secretary of Philadelphia's Union League, thanks General Birney for the flag of General Philip Kearny, recently donated to the League (refer to GLC02608.01). Declares "I never before was so thoroughly impressed with my incompetency to perform any duty that was allotted to me. If you could have been present at the Solemn Silence which fell on all lips, as I reverently unrolled that war-worn standard ... you would understand how poorly mere words can convey the feeling which it inspired." Thanks Birney for the "treasure which I know that you esteem above all other symbols save that of…

GLC02608.02

11 February 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore Kelly

Troops are passing through on their way to important work in Paducah and "there is a rumor here that 20 or 30 thousand may be sent from the Army of the Potomac into Ky. We are being victorious everywhere, and everyone looks for victories as a matter of course. If we could only have good roads we should soon be in Tenasee." He mentions the accusations of treason against General Charles Pomeroy Stone. He needs money as paymasters can't pay for a few weeks. "The accusations of treason against Gen Stone are astounding, and I hope will prove on investigation to be untrue. But if they are proven he…

GLC04195.02

19 September 1862

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written immediately following the battle of Antietam (17-18 September 1862), after Lee's troops had withdrawn across the Potomac. They rested after the previous battle before pursuing the rebels, overtaking their rear as they were crossing the water. He has worked with the rebel wounded left in the surrounding farm houses. "They probably lost 15000 men in wounded and killed. Our own loss is perhaps more than half that. It was one of the most magnificent battles of the war. The invasion of Maryland has thus ended ingloriously and their Army has left very greatly demoralized...No men ever did…

GLC04195.04