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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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6 December 1776

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Speaks of the importance of friendship and the value of his friendship with Knox. Promises to purchase goods for Henry Knox. Inquires as to how the "independant company" is faring in Boston. States that he was drafted into the continental army but got out of it by paying a fine of ten pounds. "Political affairs seem to wear a gloomy appearance at present," and he worries about the news he has received that Howe is in Philadelphia and the Congress is moving to Baltimore. Howe was not in Philadelphia at the time and the Congress would not flee to Baltimore until the next week.

GLC02437.00493

8 December 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

States that the army has been forced to flee, and the Americans are currently "making a stand on the side of the Delaware toward Philadelphia." Hopes to soon face the enemy again. Expresses his love for her, and continues to advise her to travel to Boston with his brother. Composed at Trenton Ferry. In three days the Americans will cross the Delaware as they continue to dodge the British, only to recross on Christmas Day in order to launch a surprise attack on the British.

GLC02437.00494

26 December 1776

Dana, William, 1745-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: An Account of Clothing drawn out of the Continental Store in December 1775 for the recruits of the year 1776 for Coll Knox's Regt

Lists dates and value of clothing drawn out. Signed by Dana as an Artillery Captain. Docket reads: "Drawn out of the Stores by Lt Wm Stevens."

GLC02437.00496

30 December 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Knowles

Orders Knowles to Philadelphia to get "accounts of the Regmt from General Mifflins [store] & the Quarter master Generals whilst under the direction of Colo Moylan," and then return quickly to Knox. Written four days after the American victory at Trenton and four days before their victory at Princeton. On verso is a Henry Knox autograph document, circa 30 December 1776, comprising a list of distances between various New Jersey towns. This information would have been extremely useful for plotting troop movements and organizing scouting parties.

GLC02437.00498

30 December 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph document signed

Title: A Calculation of Ordnance, and Ordnance Stores wanted for the Army of the Northern Department made by order of the Hnble. Major Genl. Schuyler

Listings of the quantity and types of cannon desired by the Northern Department, and the amount of shot desired for each. Also a list other needed war-time provisions. A note explains that if the specified objects cannot be sent, then at least the material to make them must be. Also states that the letter is a copy. Docket includes a few mathematical calculations.

GLC02437.00499

27 December 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Henry Knox to Brigadier General of Artillery]

Congressional appointment for Knox to the newly created rank of Brigadier General of Artillery. "We, resposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be a Brigadier General of Artillery." Signed by Hancock as President and attested by Charles Thomson as Secretary, both of the Continental Congress.

GLC02437.00500

circa June 1776

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox and Lucy Knox

An invitation from General Greene and his wife to dinner.

GLC02437.00501

circa 1776

Reed, Joseph, 1741-1785

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has just received a note from Knox, but does not know how many "Cartridges" to order, and requests that Knox send him the number. Also notes that he hopes an officer of Knox's corps will take the ammunition order to General Israel Putnam.

GLC02437.00502

circa 1776

Perkins, William, 1742-1802

Manuscript document

Title: An account of Cash paid at Sundry Times to my Compy

An account for 179 pounds paid in advance to men of his company "At Sundry Times."

GLC02437.00504

[18 December] 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: A plan for the establishment of a Corps of Continental Artillery, Magazines, Laboratories &c

Argues that "a well regulated...well disciplined" and well supplied artillery is the most important factor in modern war, and has recently proved decisive in Europe. The British rely on artillery, and feels America should copy them. States the most talented men need to be put into the artillery, and paid more highly than infantry. Lays out the ideal organization of the artillery, with five battalions subdivided into twelve companies each. Lists the number of men ideal for each unit. Also wants a unit of artificers attached to the artillery and a laboratories built in Hartford,…

GLC02437.00505

20 June 1776

Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for a response to a separate letter. Informs Knox that "Congress has ordered some Iron field pieces to be cast." Wishes to know the "state of our furnace at N York," so he can decide if the cannon should be cast there. Also wishes Knox good luck in battle. Refer to GLC02437.00365 for Knox's reply.

GLC02437.00506

circa 1776

Foster, Thomas Waite, fl. 1769-1776

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of Cloathing Drawn before the first of Jany. for the Use of the new Inlisted Men in Capt Foster's Company in Col. Henry Knox's Regt. of Artillery

A list of clothing and its value, including shoes, gloves cloth, a waistcoat

GLC02437.00507

3 January 1776-15 July 1778

Manuscript document

Title: [Timeline of Prisoner Exchange Activities]

Later copy. Listing dates on which important events occurred relating to prisoner exchanges between American and British forces. Entries detail various plans for prisoner exchange. Also specify who is authorized to exchange prisoners and the changes over time in prisoner exchange policies.

GLC02437.00508

15 March 1777

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: Account of Money delivered by Capt. Lt. Treat to the Officers of Artillery for recruiting, agreeable to their Receipts

An account of the money paid to officers in Knox's artillery regiment, totalling 7,145 dollars. States that the money came from General Knox.

GLC02437.00509

2 January 1777

Hall, Elihu, fl. 1755

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he put Lucy Knox and Mrs. Pollard up in his house when they could not find anywhere else to stay in New Haven. He did not know them, but had heard Knox himself was honourable, so let the women stay for a month while he was away. When the called him back to New Haven "to come & settle" he discovered that a number of things in his house had been broken. Someone had also drank "twenty five gallons Best west India Rum." Hall says he does not know for sure who drank the liquor or did the damage, but implies it was the women. Even if it was not he feels they were…

GLC02437.00510

1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Statement of the troops furnished by the following States, taken from actual returns of the army for the year 1776.

Lists numbers of both Continental Army soldiers and militia furnished by the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia for the year 1776. Also includes a conjectural estimate of militia employed in several states. Part of Knox's May 10, 1790 report to Congress. See also GLC02437.10586, .10466, .10468 and .10475.

GLC02437.10010

circa 1776-1783

Manuscript document

Title: Some observations with respect to exchange of prisoners

Examines prisoner exchange, based on rank, between the British and Americans. Includes a rough list of who may be exchanged, discusses "giving privates and officers of inferior rank for others of superior rank." Compares the price of commissions. Lists prices for ensigns, lieutenants, captain lieutenants, majors, and lieutenant colonels.

GLC02437.10464

3 January 1863