21 March 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Maitland writes to Bell from a camp outside Memphis. Reports he received a pass to go into Memphis and visited the Union Chapel for services. Complains there was a choir and no one else sang. Remarks the service was too stiff and formal for him. States the city of Memphis is very dangerous, with robberies and murders every night. Mentions a visit to Winchester Cemetery and what a beautiful place it is for meditation. Says he has made inquiries to his superiors about getting out of the service, but doesn't have a date yet. Closes his letter because he has battalion drill. Includes a three…

GLC03523.10.117

27 March 1864

Maitland, Grier, fl. 1837-1920

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Maitland writes to his brother from home. Thanks him for a recent letter. Reports he went to church twice on Sunday and heard two very good sermons. Quotes several verses from the Bible. Says mother finds it hard to write at night and will write him in the morning. Letter continues the next day on 28 March. Says he hopes to plough today, but it is raining very hard and the field is wet. Reports Bell was there for a visit. Includes a three cent stamp on the envelope.

GLC03523.10.118

19 [September] 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister]

Writes that the rainy weather prohibits soldiers from drilling. Mentions that he visited the Christian Commission and got three or four papers (newspapers or writing paper; the duties of the Commission's delegates required them to provide reading material and writing material to the soldiers). Remarks that the Commission is very willing to give and are indeed "the soldier's friend". Wheeler is happy to hear that his nephew Welly (Wellington Spohn) has not forgotten him and promises to teach his nephew how to handle a rifle and turn him into a military man.

GLC07460.049

17 September 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He is happy to hear news about home from a friend that has just returned to camp from Sycamore (Wheeler's hometown in Illinois). Writes that he has only been on picket once since leaving Murfreesboro and his duties have been very light. Wheeler and another soldier, [Issac] Brundage, are flag bearers.

GLC07460.050

1 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn] and family

Reports on the continuous rainy weather. Comments on the quality of tents the soldiers are living in, stating that if they lived off what the government gave them it would be like lying on the ground with " two bed sheets over a ridge pole for a cover." Writes that three Army Corps will be passing through Nashville on their way to reinforce Rosecrans. Informs his family that a building in Nashville used as a barracks for imprisoned rebels has partially caved in, killing and injuring some ninety-five people. Hopes that his hometown friend, Ella Lattin, recovers her health. Writes that he…

GLC07460.051

5 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler is sorry to hear of Ella Lattin's death and writes that he was planning to send her a ring in a letter. Reports that part of General Ward's staff has gone to Murfreesboro. Writes that Colonel Dustan is in command of the 105th Illinois while Ward and Harrison are absent. Expects that there will be some fighting soon, as there are thousands of troops going through Nashville on loaded train cars. Recounts meeting Colonel Bob Thomas' wife, who delivered some shirts to Wheeler on behalf of Wheeler's mother. Writes that he attended a Methodist school which was dull compared to the…

GLC07460.052

3 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Writes a brief note to General Parsons regarding the recent end of Shays' Rebellion and also the likelihood that the "Malcontents" might want to raid the stores at Springfield. Hopes that he can rely on the "late officers of the Continental Army" for protection. (A copy of this letter is included in the correspondence between Parsons and Knox contained in GLC02437.03306.)

GLC02437.03307

10 October 1786

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Hutchins

Written from "Cox's Fort Ohio River." Marked "copy." Discusses the process of surveying land around the Ohio River. Mentions that some surveyors have said there is imminent danger in conducting the survey beyond the 4th range. He has adopted no such sentiments and is willing to proceed immediately and will do as much as the weather will permit. Does think it makes sense to enlarge the group of soldiers going with him. Notes that it is not appealing to be in the woods that late in the season but feels it is his duty to proceed, and will continue according to Hutchins's recommendations.…

GLC02437.03309

11 October 1786-21 November 1786

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: to John Green

Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a long narrative regarding a dispute with Captain John Green, who helmed the ship Shaw traveled on during his first visit to China in 1784. The first page contains a letter to John Green from Shaw, in which he declares that he is aware of the "liberties you have taken with my character." Writes, "I know you to be my enemy. I declare myself irreconcileably yours. Yet, although enemies, I will ask a favor of you. Do not, Mr. Green, ever attempt, under any circumstances, to speak to me. I will religiously observe the same rule towards you…

GLC02437.03310

21 November 1786-3 December 1786

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox and Samuel Ogden

Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a lengthy letter updating his friends Knox and Ogden on the status of his business in China. Says he is pleased to finally be able to write, but is sad to report on the illness and death of their mutual friend Mr. [Isaac] Sears, who had been in China with him. Describes the cool reception he received from the Europeans when he arrived in China, because of the threat of competition the Americans posed. Discusses their business prospects, including the high prices and poor sales for tea and other goods. Includes a detailed…

GLC02437.03311

22 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Writes to introduce Governor Bowdoin to Major [William] North, who is currently Inspector of Troops. Says that North wishes to be included in the line of troops being raised. Comments that he is a citizen of Massachusetts by birth and residence and that he is an honorable and worthy officer.

GLC02437.03316

19 May 1795

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Agreement with James Swan for land sale, with later endorsements]

Agreement granting 25,000 acres in the Waldo patent from Henry Knox to James Swan, also giving Knox the right to buy the land back at a fixed price. Signed twice by Knox with his initials. Later endorsement at bottom of second page, dated 7 November 1798, stating that Knox is buying the land back from Swann. A second endorsement, dated 29 November 1799, states that Swan has yet to transfer his holdings to anyone.

GLC02437.09255

25 May 1795

Manuscript document

Title: [Agreement between Henry Knox and George Meade for sale of land]

Articles of agreement between Henry Knox and George Meade regarding Knox selling Meade one hundred thousand acres in the Waldo patent. Part of the last page has been clipped.

GLC02437.09257

13 September 1795 - 22 October 1795

Maynard, Jonathan, 1752-1835

Autograph document signed

Title: The journal & field book of Jonathan Maynard

Maynard's journal while surveying the Waldo patent. A day by day accounting of the events that occured while in Knox's employment to survey the Waldo patent.

GLC02437.09259

May 1796

Manuscript document

Title: [Pettition to Massachusetts legislature for right to remain on land with Waldo patent]

Petition to the Massachusetts Legislature, stating that the many petitioners have lived on part of the Waldo patent for generations, and that this part of the land belongs to them, even though it has been deeded to Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09262

4 March 1783

Campbell, John, fl. 1782-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Thomas Dakin]

Recommendation consists of two parts. In the first part, Major Runals, Foreman of Blacksmiths, recommends Dakin for a five day leave of absence. In the second part, Lieutenant Campbell signs, noting that Dakin, from the corps of invalids and blacksmiths, has behaved well.

GLC02437.09676

4 March 1783

Wills, E., fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Moses Boardman]

Captain [Wills?] recommends Boardman for a leave of absence until 14 April 1783. Directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox. Written at Constitution Island

GLC02437.09678

4 March 1783

Carleton, Osgood, 1742-1816

Manuscript document

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for John Holden]

Carleton, commanding a company in the Invalid Regiment, recommends Holden for a fifteen day leave of absence. Directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox. Also appears to be signed by Captain [E. Wills?]. Written at Constitution Island

GLC02437.09679

6 March 1783

Stearns, E., fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for John Fulford]

Sergeant Major Stearns recommends Sergeant Fulford of the Fifth Company, Invalid Regiment, for a fifteen day leave of absence. Also appears to be signed by Captain [E. Wills?]. Written at Constitution Island

GLC02437.09680

8 March 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a hired man to serve in the military in the place of Benjamin Burt]

Burt hires the man for one year's service. Captain Patten directs his recommendation to Major General Henry Knox. On verso, Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, authorizes Burt's discharge for one year. Shaw also writes from West Point.

GLC02437.09682

11 March 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Thurstian Hillard]

Captain Patten recommends Hillard for a twenty-two day leave of absence. Directs his request to Major General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09685

11 March 1783

Price, William, ?-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return for military provision and supplies]

Lieutenant Price signs this return for cannon cartridge, ten pounds of twine, and twenty gallons of wine for the laboratory at West Point.

GLC02437.09686

12 March 1783

Patten, Thomas, fl. 1777-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Samuel Mills]

Captain Patten recommends Mills for a thirty-four day leave of absence. Directs his request to Major General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09687

12 March 1783

Swift, Heman, 1733-1814

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Lieutenant Colonel Johnson]

Recommends Johnson, of the Second Connecticut Regiment, for a leave of absence until 9 April 1783. Written from Camp Highlands. Directs his request to Major General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.09688

12 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Approval for Lieutenant Johnson's furlough]

Major General Knox informs Colonel Heman Swift he has no objection to Colonel Johnson's request for a leave of absence. Marked as a copy.

GLC02437.09689