Collection Search

to his sister

Written in pencil. Discusses the possibility of settling the war in July, and the decision to compromise or go into hard fighting.

GLC02082.04

to his sister

Written in pencil from Fairfax Court House, Virginia. Comments on the possibility of battle if the Yankees don't run. Expresses desire to capture Yanks and kill them. Describes a hard march to Fairfax.

GLC02082.05

to his mother

Written in pencil. Discusses First Bull Run, 10,000 fighting against 800, and 15,000 killed and wounded

GLC02082.06

to his sister

Written in pencil. Discusses First Bull Run.

GLC02082.07

to Dorcus

Written in pencil to his cousin Dorcus. Writes with great optimism about his regiment being the best. Discusses camp life. Written from "Sanksters Cross Rodes."

GLC02082.08

to Mary

Written in pencil to his sister Mary. Discusses some skirmishes and camp life. Written from "Sanksters Cross Rodes."

GLC02082.09

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about illnesses and camp news.

GLC02082.10

to S. M. Smith

Written in pencil. Discusses illnesses and camp news.

GLC02082.11

to aunt Lizza

Discusses illnesses, cold weather, and camp news.

GLC02082.12

to his sister

Gives news of Battle of Cumberland Gap. Reports that Beauregard is to command in the west.

GLC02082.13

to his sister

Discusses Peninsular Campaign and Yorktown battle action. Also relates news of conscript law.

GLC02082.14

to his sister

Written in pencil from the "Chickahominy River" on small sheet of paper (appears to have been taken from a pocket diary). Discusses marching 8 days and nights, and military action.

GLC02082.15

to his sister

Written in pencil on blue-lined notepaper. Discusses military action.

GLC02082.16

to his sister

Written in pencil on blue-lined notepaper at Ropers Mills near Richmond, Virginia. Comments on the Battle of Seven Pines.

GLC02082.17

to his sister

Written in pencil from camp near Seven Pines in Virginia. Provides reports on the Seven Days battles.

GLC02082.18

to his sister

Written in pencil. Gives battle reports (he was away), and discusses Stonewall Jackson and stragglers at Antietam.

GLC02082.19

to his sister

Written in pencil. Discusses the Shenandoah Valley and provides more news of Antietam and Stonewall Jackson.

GLC02082.20

to his sister

Written in pencil on small leaves removed from a pre-printed alphabetized ledger. Mentions Strasburg, Virginia, and a raid by Jackson.

GLC02082.21

to his sister

Discusses being appointed hospital steward. Provides news of Fredericksburg.

GLC02082.22

to his sister

Continuation of GLC02082.22. Discusses illness and hospital duty.

GLC02082.23

to his sister

Ink is severely faded and nearly illegible. Provides Fredericksburg, Virginia camp news.

GLC02082.24

to his sister

Written from "Graces Church, near Fredericksburg." Comments on camp news and the prices of food & clothes. Also mentions exchanging papers with Yanks.

GLC02082.25

to his sister

Continuation of GLC02082.25. Contains verses of "Bonnie Blue Flag."

GLC02082.26

to his sister

Continuation of GLC02082.25-.26. Mentions sham battles with North Carolina troops, and includes verses of "Maryland."

GLC02082.27

to his sister

Reports that General Hooker ordered evacuation of Fredericksburg. Mentions pride in the spirit of Maryland.

GLC02082.28

to his sister

Written "Near the Rapperhanock [sic]." Includes camp news and a song called "Wait for the wagon."

GLC02082.29

to his sister

Discusses a cavalry fight with Stewart's and Fitz Hugh Lee's Cavalry at the Battle of Brandy Station.

GLC02082.30

to his sister

Continues GLC02082.30. Comments on a code for writing letters.

GLC02082.31

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about camp news and marching orders.

GLC02082.32

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about the Battle of Chancellorsville. Discusses those wounded and burned to death and mentions that Jackson has been shot.

GLC02082.33

to his sister

Discusses camp news and further battle news.

GLC02082.34

to Mary

Writes to his sister Mary about marching in Maryland. Also mentions the recapture of Winchester, Virginia by Longstreet.

GLC02082.35

to Mary

Continuation of GLC02082.37. Relates that "we will start to Pennsylvania." Declares that the "Yanks [are] now in hot water." Writes from "Antietam, near Hagerstown," in Maryland.

GLC02082.36

to his mother

Details his Pennsylvania experiences and "Alabamiams." Pages 3 and 4 written on separate scrap of paper.

GLC02082.37

to Mary

Describes the retreat through Maryland and Pennsylvania. Mentions the plentiful food. Describes the battle of Gettysburg & retreat. Written in pencil. May be missing conclusion. Author assumed based on letters of similar handwriting and content...

GLC02082.38

to Dorcus and to his sister

Letter on first page to cousin Dorcus, hoping that her sweetheart Robert has fared well in the late battle. Uses a numeric code. Letter of last three pages to his sister. Describes Gettysburg and their retreat: "Hear we have bin for several days...

GLC02082.39

to Sister

Reports good health for himself as well as the majority of the army. Writes briefly about the fight at Gettysburg because Mary had not received any letters from him.

GLC02082.41

to Mary

Describes his leisure time. Reports that they are being sent to Chattanooga. Complains about the complaining men of the South. Describes how Lee treated deserters: he shot them.

GLC02082.42

to his mother

Discusses shooting a deserter. Writes from a camp on the Rappahannock River.

GLC02082.43

to Mary

Written on long sheet of blue letter paper and cross-written on page 1. Discusses camp news, battles & skirmishing. Location listed as Camp 5th Alabama Regiment near Brandy Station, Virginia.

GLC02082.44

[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Van Kennedy].

GLC02110

to John C. Spencer

States that the lead pipe delivered by F.O. J. Smith, the contractors with Mr. Tatham and his brothers, is defective. Describes the main problem, "I find it defective in many points but particularly in the destructive effect that has been produced...

GLC02112

to John C. Spencer

Answers Spencer's questions about matters involving telegraphic conductors. Gives information on who will supply the pipe, pricing and payment, and delivery of it. States that he first found out about the deficiencies of the pipe on 6 December 1843...

GLC02113

to Jabez True

Discusses delegates elected to the national convention and gives the number of ballots for each. Written on blue paper. Recipient name from later penciled note on verso.

GLC02111

to George C. Pullman

Written as Vice President of the Pullman Company to the President while on vacation. Mentions political news, cost-effectiveness of the elevated trains in New York, and scheduling trains to handle rush hours. Written on Pullman Palace Car Company...

GLC02114

to Thomas H. Patterson

Written aboard the U.S.S. Wabash in Port Royal Harbor. Rear Admiral Dupont gives orders to Patterson, commander of the U.S.S. James Adger on delivering prisoners of war to the proper authorities. Instructs Patterson to " ... proceed with the James...

GLC02115

to unknown

Encloses a copy of a resolution of Congress (not present) stating that 530 beef cattle are needed for the use of the Continental Army. Stresses that this order needs to be carried out immediately to avoid dire consequences. Docketed, "letter to the...

GLC02116

to Joseph M. Kennedy

Discusses sending dies for the half dollar and the quarter-dollar. Patterson served as director of the U.S. Mint from 1835 to 1851.

GLC02117

A Plan of the city and environs of Philadelphia

Surveyed by N. Scull and G. Heap, engraved by William Faden. Includes military information relative to the American Revolution. Also has an inset image of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

GLC02118

[Navigational journal]

Contains numerous charts and geometric diagrams in water color. Includes meticulous information on the navigational aspects of geometry. Contains a Mercator's chart created by Little in Newburyport under the tutelage of Bartholomew Horace Burgess...

GLC02119

An oration on the death of Abraham Lincoln late president of the United States

Published by W.A. Whitmore, Steam Book and Job Printer. Signed in pencil by Fillmore on title page. The speech was delivered on Island 40, April 25, 1865.

GLC02120

Resolution re: shortage of military supplies

Signed by Thomson as Secretary of Congress. The resolution is a response to a report of the Commissary General Col. E. Blaine. Was written in Congress.

GLC02121

Proclamation of Peace [Printed by John Hayes]

Tall, narrow broadside dated from Baltimore, April 12. "1783" has been added in roughly contemporary ink. A docket on verso has been obscured by age and modern restoration (possibly including bleaching). Apparently, the only recorded copy of the...

GLC02122

Report the subject of the Cod and Whale Fisheries...

Printed by Francis Childs and John Swain. Folio. A-G2 ($1 signed). Full title: "Report of The Secretary of State, on the Subject of the Cod and Whale Fisheries, Made Conformably to an Order of The House of Representatives...." The House issue of...

GLC02123

to Robert E. Lee

Contemporary military copy of Grant's surrender terms for General Lee, signed by the clerk and labeled a copy. Proposes the terms on which he will receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Directs Lee to create two rolls of all...

GLC02124

to George Washington

Has received his recent letter directed to himself and General [Andrew] McDougall. Declares that for his own part, he is perfectly ready to do what General Washington would like him to do, including meeting the "Gentlemen from the enemy" on the 16th...

GLC02437.01564

to George Washington

Mentions that he has received General Washington's letter of 5 September, regarding repairs of arms. Declares that each brigade's own armorers have been performing the repairs to the best of their ability, and that that is the only option, since...

GLC02437.01589

to George Washington

Written by Major General Knox to General Washington. Says he arrived at camp to find that 22 American women and children, formerly prisoners who had travelled from Canada, were seeking assistance. They travelled down from Vermont to Albany, New York...

GLC02437.01624

to Henry Knox

Written by New York Governor Clinton to Major General Knox. Says he lately received a letter from Colonel Tilghman of General Washington's staff informing him of the capture of three Tories, all natives of Milford, Connecticut: Joseph Northrop...

GLC02437.01642

to George Washington

Contributes his thoughts on what to do with the "poor unfortunate invalid regiment." Declares that his ideas stem both from compassion for the soldiers and from "what I conceive to be the good of the service." Discusses physical examinations of the...

GLC02437.01657

to George Washington

Relates the story of Aaron Swetland and Charles Treat, who had been clerks in Colonel [possibly Jeduthan] Baldwin's regiment of artificers at the pay grade of Sergeant. When the regiment was reduced, they were transferred to Captain [Thomas] Patten...

GLC02437.01704

to George Washington

Writes to General George Washington that he would like a copy of the "general system of signals" Washington is producing when it is finished. Discusses placement of regiments and guards, including the Invalid Regiment, for the coming winter....

GLC02437.01709

to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox that despite his generous offer to bring his family to West Point, "I must again from urgent and impossible family reason beg leave of absence for the winter." Says that if it is not in Knox's power to grant his request...

GLC02437.01711

to George Washington [incomplete]

Writes that he has received General Washington's letter respecting a sleigh, and discusses the possibilities for constructing that sleigh, which will "be put in train immediately and finished with all possible expedition." Is concerned that the...

GLC02437.01748

to George Washington

Informs Washington of the death of his infant son, Washington's godson. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.10042

to George Washington

Discusses problems with the issuance of provisions at West Point. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.10043

to George Washington

Discusses the difficulty of a building project on Constitution Island, possibly an ordnance magazine and barracks. Encloses a "representation" from Major Chevalier de Villefranche, involved in the construction project. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.10045

Return of musquet cartridges delivered to the several brigades from West Point from the 1st of March to the 1st September 1782

List of numbers of musket cartridges, broken down by brigade.

GLC02437.01558

Return of public stores at Albany in the Department of the Quarter Master General ...

[title continues] ... "and which by order of Major General Lord Stirling are immediately to be sent to West Point recommended to the care of Major General Knox or the commanding officer there." List includes items like saws, axes, and spades.

GLC02437.01560

Detail of guards in and about West Point

List of guards, broken down by department (such as sappers and miners and artillery). On verso is a "Detail of the despatched parties from the 2d Connt. Regiment," with the clerical signature of Heman Swift.

GLC02437.01578

Memorandum of stores with the laboratory

Return of artillery stores, such as knives, scrapers, and hammers. Price signs as lieutenant of artillery.

GLC02437.01602

to Henry Knox

Writes that he has sent, at "the first safe opportunity I had, those six maps you have subscribed for at Philadelphia. I hope they may meet your approbation; tho they are not printed so clean as I could wish, the least imagined to be done, but of...

GLC02437.01603

List of stores on board the Hope in the river

List of artillery stores, including tools and supplies.

GLC02437.01612

Return of riding horses in garrison at West Point

Written on behalf of Daniel Carthy, the Assistant Deputy Quarter Master, by George J. Denniston. Lists 22 horses and the people to whom they belong, including General Henry Knox, Major Villefranche, Colonel John Crane, etc.

GLC02437.01613

to Henry Knox

Written from "War Office." Writes, "I have Sent for the German Armourers and will forward - them to you with the necessary Tools - If I can obtain any considerable number I think we had better send to Mr. [possibly Richard] Cranch who is now...

GLC02437.01619

to Henry Knox

Discusses a variety of issues related to his presenting a petition to the Massachusetts State Legislature. Has attempted to meet with Governor [John] Hancock, who has promised to notify them when a meeting would be convenient. Describes the...

GLC02437.01629

to Henry Knox

Mentions that he has taken the liberty of enclosing a letter by Mr. Commissary [Samuel] Hodgdon regarding Cheever's continued grievances (possibly regarding his pay and benefits: see GLC02437.01379 and GLC02437.01553). Remarks that Hodgdon's letter...

GLC02437.01633

to Henry Knox

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster to Nathanael Greene's Southern army, to Major General Knox. Makes reference to Congressional military appointments. Expresses anger at some Congressional decisions involving himself, saying "I...

GLC02437.01652

Return of ordnance stores deliver for Stony Point

Return of stores dated 13 October 1782 and 31 January 1783 declared by Captain [likely Ephraim] Fenno, and by John Smith. Richard Frothingham, Field Commissary of Military Stores, signs on 20 March 1783.

GLC02437.01660

[Warrant for release of Abraham Bell]

The first part of this note, on the first page, is written on behalf of Knox in the secretarial hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. The note describes the circumstances of Abraham Bell, formerly of New York State, who has been captured as a...

GLC02437.01661

to Henry Knox

Writes that he would like Knox to inform him whom he should consult "for Provisions & Hospitals Stores after the 15th as I have received no Official Direction on the Subject." Explains that Mr. Sands "has ordered his issuers to continue their duty,"...

GLC02437.01663

to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Brooks to Major General Knox. Says he had a long conference with a Massachusetts legislative committee on half-pay pensions for the state's officers. Says they finally agreed to report "a state of facts," but did so without...

GLC02437.01671

[Return of ordnance and stores in the Northern Department]

Three charts describing the ordnance of the Northern Department. The first page features a return of ordnance sent to West Point from Albany. The second page features a return of "Musquets, Cartridges, Flints & Sundries" delivered in the Northern...

GLC02437.01672

Return of cartridges in the 9th Massa Regiment commanded by Majr Leml Trescott

Lists cartridges from the 9th Massachusetts. Countersigned by Major Lemuel Trescott.

GLC02437.01690

Report of the guard & stores at redoubt no. 4

List of officers, sentries, and stores, including axes, spears and funnels.

GLC02437.01716

to [Thomas] Jones

Marked "copy" by Carrington. Addressee is listed only as "Mr. Jones," but earlier correspondence suggests the addressee is Thomas Jones. Colonel Carrington writes that he has waited till this morning for Jones to arrive, before Carrington must...

GLC02437.01719

Return of the boards & plank issued for the use of the artillery barracks antecedent to the last order

Return listing boards and planks, sorted according to who ordered their delivery and the date of delivery.

GLC02437.01720

Orders for the issues of arms accoutrements and ammunitions

Unsigned, but written the hand of Samuel Shaw. Lists, by date between June and November, orders given to issuers of supplies, such as Mr. John Ruddock, Commissary at Fishkill, and Mr. Richard Frothingham, Commissary at West Point.

GLC02437.01725

Return of the boards & plank issued for the use of the Connecticut barracks

Addressed to Major General Henry Knox. Signed by George J. Denniston on behalf of John Campbell, Assistant Deputy Quarter Master. Return of the amount of boards and planks, as well as when they were delivered, to whom, and on whose orders.

GLC02437.01728

to Henry Knox

Is honored to report that the two cannons entrusted to him will be ready for delivery by next Wednesday. Will soon be going away for some weeks and wishes he could be present to see them sent off, but hopes they will meet with Knox's approval....

GLC02437.01733

[Certificate for Andrew Billings Esq. for engravings for two pieces of cannon]

Written and signed for Knox by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "This is to certify that, in consequence of orders from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, Andrew Billings Esq. has engraved certain devices upon two pieces of cannon...

GLC02437.01746

to Henry Knox

Written by Reverend Blair to Major General Knox. Asked Colonel John Lamb to inform Knox of his impending retirement and his reasons for leaving the service. Says he would have written sooner but had problems with "the extreme weakness and disorder of...

GLC02437.01747

Report of the ordnance at the different posts and park of artillery

Chart of ordnance at Fort Clinton and nearby fortifications on the Hudson River. Artillery has been dismounted, spiked and "stoped with stones."

GLC02437.01757

[An account of monies expended by the British troops in Charleston South Carolina]

Title taken from docket. A list of monies spent, broken down by department.

GLC02437.01762

Report of the ordnance at the different posts & park of artillery on West Point

Signed by a J. George, likely John George, a Captain-Lieutenant of Artillery from Massachusetts. Return lists ordnance stores broken down by location. Similar in content to GLC02437.01757.

GLC02437.01763

to Henry Knox

Sarcastic letter written by Major General Gates to Major General Knox. Says "Chess is intirely at a Stand here; I have many challenges, but no Troops to Act; when a convenient Opportunity Offers, I shall be Obliged to you for the peices that are...

GLC02437.01764

Received from Mr Forsyth, Commissary of Issues, during the month of January 1783

List of items received from James Forsyth during January 1783 for General Henry Knox and his family, signed by Samuel Shaw (see GLC02437.01769 for a related document.)

GLC02437.01770

Return of the men in the Masstts. Corps of Artillery whos time of service expt. in Decr.-Jany. Insuing

Return of 15 named men, broken down by company. Signed by Samuel Cooper, Adjutant, and countersigned by a Lieutenant Burbeck.

GLC02437.01772

Provision return for three men drafted from the Corps of Invalids, doing duty in the Engineers Barge, commencing the first & ending the eight day of January both day included

Provision return signed by D. [likely Daniel] Niven [some sources say Nevin], Commanding Engineer, and countersigned "By order of Gen [Henry] Knox", S. [Samuel] Shaw, Aide-de-Camp. Note on verso signed by Peter Fitzpatrick.

GLC02437.01775

[Provision return for three soldiers employed in the ordinance department]

Return signed by Captain Thomas Patten of the Artillery Artificers (3 men named) and countersigned "By order of the Comdt", S. [Samuel] Shaw, Aide-de-Camp. Note on verso signed by D. S. [possibly Dudley] Mercer.

GLC02437.01778