31 July 1782

Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return]

Return for ordnance and military stores available, received and delivered for the month of July 1782 at Fishkill, New York. Items listed by type, weight and ammunition.

GLC02437.10701

1 September 1782

Manuscript document

Title: [Return]

Return for ordnance and military stores available, received and delivered for the month of August 1782 at Fishkill, New York. Items listed by type, weight and ammunition. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.10702

9 September 1782

Jackson, Thomas, fl. 1782

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return]

Return for ordnance and military stores at the north and south redoubts. Items listed by type and location. Two black and white bust engravings of Jackson included.

GLC02437.10704

5 October 1782

Clinton, George, 1739-1812

Manuscript letter signed

Title: 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, Daniel Rogers, and Benjamin Merchant. Says they were captured in Long Island Sound, sent to headquarters by Colonel Thomas, and then conveyed to the provost at West Point. Tells Knox that he has been recommending sending such captives to the nearest military post so the Americans can get the benefit of prisoner exchange. Says that previously, for want…

GLC02437.01642

10 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 soldiers, how to judge who is capable for duty, and what sort of work they might be able to accomplish (says that they could not, for example, be employed in the movement of ordnance). Mentions Colonel Timothy Pickering, the Quartermaster General.

GLC02437.01657

9 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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's company of artillery artificers. Knox ordered that they should act as conductors, and if they performed well, would be kept on in that capacity. They have done well, but "the reduction of the Commissary of military Stores department renders it is impossible to provide for them in that line." Adds, "Had they actually received appointments of…

GLC02437.01704

12 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. Comments briefly on military stores (such as the amount of rachets on hand) and then recounts that General [Alexander] MacDougall's troops in Connecticut are displeased because they will be losing a guard after inspections, and Knox suggests that permitting them to continue having a guard would "probably induce a continuance of favor." Asks for…

GLC02437.01709

13 November 1782

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, perhaps a few lines written to General George Washington would be able to help. Declares that he has children to look after, and is debilitated in health due to heavy military service, for which the country has not shown its gratitude. Adds that General Washington's suggestion that "two field officers should remain with a regiment" suggests that West…

GLC02437.01711

17 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: 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 painting of the sleigh will take the most time. Relates the ways builders might construct it to limit the jostling and bumpiness felt while riding on a rough road, and also types of curtains they might use to limit the wind's effects.

GLC02437.01748

26 September 1782

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 positions and concerns of many legislators regarding half-pay of officers, on which the petition seems to focus. Docketed at the top of page one by Knox.

GLC02437.01629

30 September 1782

Cheever, Ezekiel, 1720-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 is "flattering, but [...] a poor boon." Adds that he hopes Knox will be able to "use your influence in my behalf, my perplexed circumstances I trust will apologize for this request." Place name listed as Wesford, possibly Westford, Massachusetts. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01633

8 October 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 shall not sacrifice that independency, which I have always possessed, to hold it on Terms inconsistent with the principles on which I accepted it - and, wretched as it may, perhaps, be supposed the situation of an American Officers would be in private life, I shall certainly embrace that wretchedness, in all its Horrid forms, rather than remain…

GLC02437.01652

20 March 1783

Frothingham, Richard, 1748-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

October 29, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [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 prisoner of war by a militia group (Knox mentions that Bell has "been indicative of his intention of leaving the enemy," suggesting he was a loyalist). After being captured, Bell was taken ill and sent to the hospital. While largely recovered, Bell fears he would get worse if sent back to prison, so has applied to Knox to be given…

GLC02437.01661

14 October 1782

Adams, Samuel, 1745-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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," and that Mr. Wadsworth will furnish him with everything he needs.

GLC02437.01663

17 October 1782

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 expressing their minds on the subject. Says the report was sent to the Court and as a result Dorr (from Massachusetts Senate), General Artemas Ward, and Lowell (from Massachusetts house) were added to the committee. Says the committee received a letter from a member of Congress [Massachusetts Continental Congressman Samuel Osgood -- see GLC02437.01730]…

GLC02437.01671

16 October 1782 - 18 October 1782

Seward, Thomas, 1740-1800

Manuscript document signed

Title: [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 Army from 18 October 1781-18 October 1782. In addition to quantities, includes dates, ordering officers and recipients. The third page features a return of "Artillery Ammunition, and Military Stores, Expended and Stolen, at the respective Posts in the Northern Department," beginning 18 October 1781; the ending date is left blank.

GLC02437.01672

1 November 1782

Condy, Thomas Hollis, 1754-1833

Autograph document signed

Title: 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

18 November 1782

Burnet, Robert, fl. 1782

Manuscript document signed

Title: Report of the guard & stores at redoubt no. 4

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

GLC02437.01716

19 November 1782

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: 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 leave to meet with General [Arthur] St. Clair, and he is disappointed to see that Jones has not arrived. Wishes he could have made plans with Jones in person to arrange for the deposit of arms and military stores at Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Writes, "I now enclose you the Generals instructions which you are to put into execution without loss of…

GLC02437.01719

20 November 1782

Campbell, John, fl. 1782-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: 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

27 November 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph manuscript

Title: 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

2 December 1782

Denniston, George J., fl. 1782

Autograph document signed

Title: 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

7 December 1782

Billings, Andrew, 1743-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. Explains that the quality of the engraving is not as high as he might be able to accomplish on copper because of the hardness of the cannon's metal. Describes how best to clean and maintain them: "if they are kept covered and once in a month washed with a clean brush and hot soap suds wrensed off with hot watter they will preserve the pollish."…

GLC02437.01733

16 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [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 ordered by Congress to be presented to the Count De Rochambeau, and that for the said service he charges forty guineas, or the value thereof, to the United States, which as far as I am competent to judge is just and reasonable - and that I have received the said cannon." See GLC02437.01733 for a related document.

GLC02437.01746