1865

Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: Pocket diary

14 prefatory and almanac pages + 170 diary pages + 32 memoranda and account pages. NB. Missing: pages for December 15 -31. No entries: August 28 - September 1; September 3 - 17; September 24 - October 13; October 16 - November 11; November 15 - December 14, excepting a sum on November 21st and the word "very" on December 13. Summary of selected entries 1. 01/05/65. Commander Melander and other officers of the Swedish navy arrive to visit the Army of the Potomac. 2. 01/27/65. General Grant goes south "to Savannah or Ft. Fisher or both." Also, message from Major E. re. O'Brien being…

GLC06738.05

13 April 1783

Barry, John, 1745-1803

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate of discharge for Jonathan Mury]

Barry, Captain of the frigate Alliance, states that Mury served on board the ship 6 December 1781- 13 April 1783. Discharges Mury, stating that he is eligible for prize money. Contains several dockets.

GLC01450.655.01

1 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that the British have landed at Head of Elk, Maryland (present day Elkton), twenty miles from Knox's location. Writes, "...we shall remain here a few days and if they will not come to us we shall go to them... it is suppos'd the enemy intend for Philadelphia if so they will meet with a stout opposition." Relates he is serving on a Court Martial. In closing, writes "my soul is intimately connected with yours."

GLC02437.00646

15 September 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Would have written to Knox sooner, but was obliged to attend the execution of a man who had deserted from his regiment. Writes, "...he was Shot at the Bottom of the Common, it is supprise'g how the people minds are alter'd about this matter from what it was when the British Troops were here- every one cry'g out a deserter ought to die..." Mentions a British naval prize taken by a privateer and brought to Newburyport, Massachusetts. Describes a matter between the Tartar, an American ship, and a twenty-gun British ship. Expects news from the Northward (northern New York), where American…

GLC02437.00649

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

3 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Reports that nothing has changed since 23 September, when he previously wrote, and that the British still have possession of Philadelphia. Relates that the Delaware frigate was recently lost to the British. Recently received militia reinforcement. Has received news from the north (possibly referring to the Battle of Freeman's Farm, 19 September 1777). Regarding the reports, comments: "...if this news should be followed by the probable consequences We may yet conclude the Campaign if not the War most happily..."

GLC02437.00653

29 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the attack by Hessian Colonel Count Carl von Donop against a redoubt at Red Bank, the site of Fort Mercer, along the Delaware River below Camden, New Jersey. Notes that Colonel Greene, from Rhode Island, defended the redoubt, and even wounded Count Donop. Also describes the British attack on Fort Mifflin, in Philadelphia. Writes, "if the enemy do not get possession of the river they cannot stay in Philadelphia with any ease- their convoys will be liable to be cut off & they blockaded..." Reports that "Billey," his brother William Knox, is doing well.

GLC02437.00661

3 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox worries because Lucy has not recently written to him. Reports receipt of a letter from "Harry," (Colonel Henry Jackson, also in Boston). Expresses discontent regarding the high price of goods Jackson reported in Boston. Refers to the "glorious event to the northward," John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, New York. Writes, "We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give [the British] another blow & if possible to dispossess them of the redoubted city of Philadelphia- The enemy have not yet been able to drive our Gallies away or storm or batter our ports with success..."…

GLC02437.00662

14 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for Lucy. Describes the British capture of Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware River near Philadelphia. Relates that Mifflin withstood fire for fifty days. Laments the loss of Captain Treat (Samuel Treat), who was hit by a cannonball. Intends to try to prevent the British from bringing their men-of-war (ships) to Philadelphia via the Delaware.

GLC02437.00665

19-24 December 1777

Tiffin, William, fl. 1777

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Proof of British powder]

Written at Turtle Bay near New York. Chart recording the result of proofing [testing] of British powder and powder captured by the British. Includes names of prizes from which powder was taken and the capturing vessels. Signed twice by William Tiffin, Captain of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

GLC02437.00674

1864

Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: Pocket diary

14 prefatory and almanac pages + 121 diary pages + 37 memoranda and account pages. Entries throughout, plus notes. Summary of selected entries 1. 01/04/64. Resignation of General Stoneman. Also, "Reconnaissance to Shenandoah Valley has returned not being able to ford the river." 2. 01/08/64. Emerick visited Gardner in his gallery in the morning. 3. 02/13/64. "Gen. Grant has determined not to attack Longstreet in East Tenssee immediately." Also, performance at Ford's theatre in the evening. 4. 02/14/64. "Several hundred prisoners have escaped from one of the Richmond prisons and a number…

GLC06738.04

1859

Wood, William W.W., ?-1882

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: General Orders for the Engineers Department of the U.S.S. Sloop "Lancaster"

The General Orders includes 7 articles regarding duties assigned according to rank, 19 articles on day-to-day operations and procedures, and orders while "In Port," "At Sea - Steaming," "At Sea - Not Steaming," "Coming to," "Loading Ship," and orders regarding "Lights." Signed on docket by Wood, Chief Engineer. Wood, a pioneer of the steam Navy, oversaw construction of the Merrimac. He later served as engineer and Chief of the Navy and reached the rank of commodore.

GLC01896.025

August 29, 1859

City, George W., fl. 1859-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Richard Archer

Thanks and praise from the Chief Engineer to Archer for his good service while working together. "It affords me great pleasure to be able to state that...the assistance you so cheerfully rendered at all times, your high professional attainments evinced, your unquestionably moral character and thoroughly correct deportment in all respects have merited not only my highest approbation but a sincere wish for your speedy promotion."

GLC01896.030

August 29, 1859

Semmes, Alexander, 1825-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Richard Archer

Praise from a lieutenant serving on the steamer "Soeyman" for Archer for his good service. "It gives me pleasure to State that your correct department, your qualifications for, and attention to, your duties during the time & over three months you have been under my command, were such as to merit my highest approbation." Semmes was a cousin of Confederate naval hero Raphael Semmes. Alexander Semmes stayed loyal to the Union, commanding vessels in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron throughout the war. He was promoted to captain in 1873. Semmes was with the East Indian Squadron at the…

GLC01896.031

April 27, 1860

City, George W., fl. 1859-1878

Letter

Title: to J.B. Montgomery

To Flag Officer J.B. Montgomery, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Requesting letters of recommendation needed by Assistant Engineers Archer, City, and Dungan to present to the Board of Examining Engineers for promotions. According to an Act of Congress, a letter of recommendation is needed from the ship's commander that the assistant engineer served on when going before the board. However, such a letter was not possible due to the sudden detachment from the U.S.S. Frigate "Roanoke" at Boston which the three assistants had served on until that time. Indicates on the upper left hand corner that…

GLC01896.033

9 March 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed as a Provo guard and sent to protect the Roberts, a slaveholding Confederate family, from being robbed. The women there do no work and he credits their intelligence to the luxury of time to study. He has a room to himself but has requested to return to camp. He compares the Confederates to the Copperheads: "there is no reason in them."

GLC02739.103

30 April 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They marched to Athens, then Charlestown, and then to Cleveland. They are headed toward Dalton, Georgia where the Confederates are stationed and expect to encounter a Confederate garrison soon.

GLC02739.111

6 May 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have come within 12 miles of the Confederates without firing but there will be a battle soon if the Confederates do not fall back. They awaited the Confederates on a ridge but they did not appear so his regiment moved to a higher ridge and fortified it.

GLC02739.112

11 May 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have been fighting since they arrived. They tried to storm the Confederate works but were repulsed with many losses including their colonel.

GLC02739.113

21 May 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have fought two battles in this campaign and skirmished with the enemy every day from the 7th to the 19th. His company of 20 has lost half its men.

GLC02739.115

27 May 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Engaged in fighting for 3 days; anticipating a decisive battle tomorrow.

GLC02739.116

28 June 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Charge on June 27th ("I never saw a grater [sic] slaughter in as little [sic] time").

GLC02739.122

1 July 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

More description of the charge on June 27th, with 800 killed or wounded; assisting the wounded on the field and in the hospital; safekeeping his diary.

GLC02739.123

24 July 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Taking position outside Atlanta; heavy engagement by the 16th and 17th corps with heavy Confederate losses; battle at Peach Creek.

GLC02739.126

31 July 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Surrounding the city and three subsequent engagements; news of mutual acquaintances; rumors of Confederate reinforcements.

GLC02739.127