6 February 1776

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that William Cowley has been granted permission for a military discharge by George Washington. Asks Knox to issue the discharge and have Captain Burbeck pay his wages. Harrison was then a secretary to George Washington.

GLC02437.00248

10 February 1776

Payne, Benjamin, 1728-1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to the Respective Committees of Inspection of the Several Towns on the Road Between Hartford and Cambridge

Also signed by Samuel Wadsworth and George Smith, all on behalf of the Committee of Inspection for the Town of Hartford. Indicates that the bearer of this letter will have two brass artillery pieces to be delivered to George Washington in Cambridge, for the use of the Continental Army. Requests a receipt and asks that care be taken to avoid damage to the cannons and harnesses.

GLC02437.00250

28 May 1864

Smith, Melancton, 1810-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Responds to news of broken boilers in Renshaw's vessels and asks if Renshaw can "not make the repairs on one with your own workmen." Desires to send the U.S.S. Miami, currently under Renshaw's command, to Hatteras Inlet. Inquires about the readiness of the Seymour for travel and suggests that Renshaw "let her tow up one of the coal vessels. Better send her at once as we want coal." The last portion of the letter is marked "Confidential" and discusses Smith's expedition to blow up "the Ram" the previous night. He reports the loss of two men. Smith was serving as senior officer in…

GLC02254.19

8 June 1864

Smith, Melancton, 1810-1893

Manuscript document signed

Title: [General order to be read aloud by the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Miami]

General order to read letter from Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. A transcription of Welles' letter, a response to Smith's report of the action at the Battle of Albermarle is attached. Welles "congratulates all of the Officers and Men of the U.S. Navy who participated in this remarkable contest between wooden gun boats and a formidable armored vessel -- in which the latter was forced to retreat to prevent capture."

GLC02254.20

4 July 1864

1st Regiment North Carolina Union Volunteers

Document

Title: [Invitation to a 4th of July celebration sponsored by the Ist Regt. N.C. Union Volunteers]

Printed invitation requesting Renshaw's presence at a 4th of July celebration at Fort Macon. Includes an "Order of Exercise" listing a variety of activities for the day, including music, prayer, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a fireworks performance at "8 1/2 o'clock, PM." Written at Fort Macon.

GLC02254.21

30 November 1864

Parker, William A., fl. 1864

Letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Parker, Commander of the U.S.S. Onondaga, states "you will not employ Negroes as lookouts, as they are not fit to be entrusted with such important duties." Informs Renshaw, Commander of the U.S.S. Massasoit, that "in this Division the strictest discipline must be preserved," and that military vessels will undergo frequent inspection. States that monthly reports will be issued to Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter. Written aboard the Onondaga, on the James River at Dutch Gap.

GLC02254.22

6 December 1864

Turner, John Wesley, 1833-1899

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Orders to dispatch a gunboat to the mouth of the Chickahominy]

Brig. Gnl. Turner relays orders to William A. Parker, in command of the U.S.S. Onondaga. Parker then orders Captain S.W. Graves of the U.S.S. Miami to the Chickahominy. Notes that "should the 'Miami' not be ready to move at once Comdr. Renshaw will detail some other efficient vessel for that purpose."

GLC02254.23

8 December 1864

Sumner, G. Watson, fl. 1864

Letter

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Lt. Sumner of the USS Massasoit lists men volunteering their services. The list is broken up into sections: "Officers," "Marines," and "Sailors." Marked "copy". There is a short autograph letter signed from Sumner attached, stating that "I deem it unnecessary to attach my name to the enclosed list," as he assumes the Admiral will take advantage of his earlier suggestion. Written along the James River in Virginia.

GLC02254.24

2 March 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ella Godley Renshaw

Writes to his wife from aboard the U.S.S. Massasoit. Expresses confusion over Ella not having received letters from him -- "I write...every two or three days, and what becomes of my letters gracious only knows." Mentions some money he has sent her recently in installments of thirty and fifty dollars. Tells her that "it is not unlikely that my Boat the Massasoit will be sent to the Sounds of North Carolina" and complains that "the Admiral keeps putting me off all the time, saying that I will get to Newbern soon and not to figgit so." Mentions that he has been busy as a member of a court…

GLC02254.25

6 April 1865

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Orders Renshaw to move on to Beaufort, North Carolina and telegraph a series of dispatches to General Sherman. "Use all the haste you can as these dispatches are very important." He is then ordered to return to the Sounds of North Carolina via Hatteras Inlet and join Commander William H. Macomb of the U.S.S. Shamrock. Written by Porter as he hosted Lincoln on a visit to occupied Richmond. Rear Admiral Porter writes from aboard the Flag Ship Malvern. Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and Porter had met on March 27th to plan the final Union push to victory. AN: One of the dispatches sent by this…

GLC02254.26

30 April 1865

Macomb, William Henry Alexander, 1819-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes Renshaw about arrangements to send the mortar schooner Henry James to Norfolk carrying ammunition. At Hatteras, the schooner Etta is to meet the Henry James and transfer more ammunition aboard. Mentions that "we have news here, which I suppose you have heard, that Johnson [sic] surrendered on the 25th on our terms -- those offered by him having been rejected." Sends orders to transform the U.S.S. Hull into a guard boat. Written on U.S.S. Shamrock stationery, as commander of that ship. On 26 April 1865, Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to William Tecumseh Sherman outside of Durham,…

GLC02254.27

22 July 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Document signed

Title: [Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Avery's schooner]

Documents a transaction between William N. Avery, master of the schooner Fairland, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to "charter and take" Avery's schooner "to use or not to use as the U.S. Navy Department may please during the term of ten days." Avery must agree to keep his schooner "tight, staunch, shiny, and well and sufficiently manned, victualled, tackled and apparelled." All management of the vessel, which is to be used as a merchant schooner, is given over to the control of the U.S. Navy. Avery will be paid…

GLC02254.28

15 August 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Document signed

Title: [Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Tourgee's schooner]

Documents a transaction between Daniel G. Tourgee, master of the schooner Garrison, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to charter Tourgee's schooner for ten days or more. Tourgee will be paid thirty-seven dollars per day for the length of the vessel's service. Three red, cancelled one dollar internal revenue documentary tax stamps along left border of first page.

GLC02254.29

March 21, 1872

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Rear Admiral Lee writes Renshaw with orders to transfer to the Kansas "together with Eight (8) reliable men." Letter written aboard the U.S. Flagship Worcester.

GLC02254.32

23 March 1872

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Richard T. Renshaw

Rear Admiral Lee orders Renshaw to investigate an attack reported by the Colonel Chief of Staff, Jose de Chasso. De Chasso's report was relayed by Genl. Franciscos de Ceballos. Sailors "supposed to belong to the Worcester, attacked a Sentinel stationed on the Cavalry Mole."

GLC02254.33

15 July 1872

Bermejo, Segismundo, 1832-1899

Manuscript document signed

Title: To the commander of the sloop of war Canandaigua [in Spanish]

Seal in upper lefthand corner of first page. Pages sewn together in upper lefthand corner. Denounces the ex-Confederate blockade runner "Virginius". Argues that the ship has violated Spanish waters and committed piratical acts. Admiral Bermejo y Merelo was Spanish minister of the Navy during the Spanish-American war. The Virginius, a former Confederate blockade runner, was being used by Cuban rebels and their American supporters during Cuba's unsuccessful struggle for independence from Spain. After the Spanish captured the ship and executed several of its crew, war with the U.S. was…

GLC02254.34

1862

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881

Manuscript

Title: [General Order. No 16.]

Orders for the establishment of a set of signals "as the means of communication between the Army & the fleet." Signals are to be made with rockets, but "the color of the rocket make [sic] no difference."

GLC02254.35

no date

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Manual of marching maneuvers]

Hand bound notebook containing detailed instructions for marching maneuvers. In one half of the notebook, Renshaw has written out instructions for the loading, firing and inspection of arms. When flipped over, the other half of the notebook contains instructions for various maneuvers -- for example, sections titled "To Break into Column of Platoons from a halt" and "To change directions towards Guide." This side of the booklet also includes two unlabeled lists of men's names. Written in pen and pencil and sewn in the middle with black thread.

GLC02254.37

1861-1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ella Godley Renshaw [incomplete]

The letter is incomplete, beginning on the fifth page of Renshaw's original letter to his wife. He asks after his wife and "baby child" and hopes to return home in three months, for "there is not an hour through the days that I am not wondering what you and Maria are doing." Worries repeatedly about the health of both wife and daughter and reminds Ella that "when you are in need of me I will come to you at all hazards."

GLC02254.38

circa 1872-1875

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions for directing letters]

Renshaw gives his address aboard the U.S.S. Worcester in care of the Consul General in Havana, via the US Secretary of State. He adds, "you do not want to put any stamps on your letter."

GLC02254.39

21 January 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook has just arrived in New Orleans and is excited to be involved in the war. Probably doesn't realize the gravity of the nation's situation when he writes, "I think it probable that I shall be back by the 10th of February but am not sure of it." Tells Eliza not to worry herself about his return.

GLC02570.01

17 February 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Has arrived in Hayneville from Montgomery and plans to return to the latter to attend the inauguration of Jefferson Davis. Has received Eliza's letter and writes, "…I do assure you that I was much gratified that you had thought enough of me to write to me. Now you see I regard it as a very considerable matter to get a letter from you for you know you never write to anyone besides me, so you see I regard it as quite a compliment." Includes plan to open a plantation with his brother Girard when they return. Cook again believes he will be home sooner rather than later. He writes, "At any…

GLC02570.02

7 June 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Short note. Letter of introduction of a house guest. Includes his third forecast of an early return when he writes, "I will be with you in two months. I am getting well very rapidly. Be patient."

GLC02570.03

8 September 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Camp news. Discusses his company and the support his charges extend to him. He writes, "I am treated with such kindness and appreciation by the men that it more than compensates for the hardship. I know I shall be well cared for and think that I have many warm friends." Cook informs his wife that he will be corresponding "with the 'Houston Telegraph' and it would be well for you to take it if you could." Includes a promise to send her his pay once he receives it and instructions on sending mail.

GLC02570.04

23 September 1861

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

En route to New Orleans. Discusses his impending appointment to captain. Writes that Louisiana is beautiful and wonders if Eliza would consider living there. On the people of New Iberia, Cook writes, "The people here all talk nothing but French and we have much fun trying to make ourselves understood, but when they do know what we want they are very glad and quick to give it to us." Says he will have the editor of the "Houston Telegraph" send Eliza a copy of his correspondence.

GLC02570.05