December 1, 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Offers his opinion as to "the position proper for Winter Quarters." Argues that winter quarters are "indispensably necessary" for Continental troops. Suggests that quarters be established at a distance from the British (who occupy Philadelphia). Writes, "Could a place be found about 30 miles distant from & North or NW of Philadelphia in which it was possible to quarter the troops I should prefer it to a greater distance, or different direction as by it we should be able to cover a greater extent of Country than by taking post at Wilmington ... " Hopes to establish winter quarters in…

GLC02437.00669

3 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Offers Washington his sentiments "upon the advisability of a Winter Campaign and practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia with the aid of a considerable body of Militia asembled [sic] at an appointed time and place ... I think a Winters Campaign under the present circumstances will be the inevitable destruction if not of the Liberties of the Country yet of the present Army ... " Gives his reasons for arguing against a winter campaign, including the Continental Army's lack of suitable clothing, the strength of the British fortified at Philadelphia, and the uncertainty of gathering enough…

GLC02437.00671

27 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at Camp Great Valley [Valley Forge]. Relates that he has not set out for Boston, Lucy's location, due to urgent public business. Writes, "I should most certainly see you this winter if within the compass of human possibility but it will most assuredly be much better for my own satisfaction that I should have the honor of doing public business ... " Notes that George Washington hopes to wait for the arrival of an unspecified committee, and Knox hopes to be able to leave after the committee meets. Has not seen his brother William for "some days," due to William's illness and fatigue…

GLC02437.00675

circa 27-29 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Draft of Knox's responses to questions regarding an attack on the British at Philadelphia]

"My sentiments are against a general attack of the enemy strongly posted as they are except upon the clearest principles of superior numbers to counterballance their superior discipline. I am fully of the opinion that we have no experience of our troops that will justify the supposition of their being able to storm redoubts defended by british troops..." Argues that the possible advantage gained by the Continental Army in taking Philadelphia will not equal the cost. Prepared for George Washington in response to his queries of 26 October 1777. See GLC02437.00660 for a draft in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.00676

1863

Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: Wallet dairy.

10 almanac and preface pages + 120 diary pages + 30 memoranda and account pages. Entries include details of working life, war news. NB. No entries from June 22 - July 10. Emerick was ill during this period, with "symptoms of typhus." (Entry for July 11th). Summary of selected entries: 1. 02/27/63. "Hooker gone to Washington tonight." 2. 03/02/63. "Sent rep. To Phila. Inquirer tonight. Not much for news. The rebels are reported as doing some damage with our ram "Queen of the West." Large force of rebels reported in vicinity of Bull Run range." 3. 04/10/63. "Rebel Report of our attack…

GLC06738.03

1865

Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: Pocket diary

14 prefatory and almanac pages + 170 diary pages + 32 memoranda and account pages. NB. Missing: pages for December 15 -31. No entries: August 28 - September 1; September 3 - 17; September 24 - October 13; October 16 - November 11; November 15 - December 14, excepting a sum on November 21st and the word "very" on December 13. Summary of selected entries 1. 01/05/65. Commander Melander and other officers of the Swedish navy arrive to visit the Army of the Potomac. 2. 01/27/65. General Grant goes south "to Savannah or Ft. Fisher or both." Also, message from Major E. re. O'Brien being…

GLC06738.05

1865 June

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: Military Telegraph Operators in Richmond.

Negative by T.H.O. Sullivan; positive by Alex Gardner, 511 Seventh Street, Washington. 11 men grouped between pine trees in front of two tents. Seven of the men sit on chairs, while four stand behind them. A small dog occupies a director's stool at the left of the picture. The men have been identified as: (left to right) 1. Dennis Doren, Superintendent of construction. 2. L. D. McCandless. 3. Charles Bart. 4. Thomas Morrison. 5. James B. Norris. 6. James Caldwell. 7. A. Harper Caldwell, chief cipher operator. 8. Maynard A. Huyck. 9. Dennis Palmer. 10. J. H. Emerick. 11. James H. Nichols.

GLC06738.07

1858/05/17

Whittingham, William Rollinson, fl. 1858

Document signed

Title: Catholic confirmation certificate of John R. Meigs.

GLC07059.01

1860/01/21

Floyd, John Buchanan, 1806-1863

Document signed

Title: [Appointment belonging to Meigs]

Appointment of Meigs as a cadet.

GLC07059.04

circa December 18, 1860

Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: his son.

GLC07059.07

1861/12/15

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: John R. Meigs.

GLC07059.11

1862

Johnson, Fry, & Co., fl. 1825-1873

Engraving

Title: [Print of George Clinton]

Depicts General George Clinton standing next to a bayonet, cannon, and cannon balls. Another soldier stands in the background, with his back to Clinton. The backdrop appears to portray the Hudson River Valley. A printed notation states "From the original painting by Chappel in the possession of the publishers."

GLC01450.623.02

13 April 1783

Barry, John, 1745-1803

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate of discharge for Jonathan Mury]

Barry, Captain of the frigate Alliance, states that Mury served on board the ship 6 December 1781- 13 April 1783. Discharges Mury, stating that he is eligible for prize money. Contains several dockets.

GLC01450.655.01

1 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that the British have landed at Head of Elk, Maryland (present day Elkton), twenty miles from Knox's location. Writes, "...we shall remain here a few days and if they will not come to us we shall go to them... it is suppos'd the enemy intend for Philadelphia if so they will meet with a stout opposition." Relates he is serving on a Court Martial. In closing, writes "my soul is intimately connected with yours."

GLC02437.00646

13 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Camp near Schuylkill." Opens with various declarations of how he misses her, including "War nor none of its concomitant Horrors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind..." Reports of a recent engagement with the enemy, the Battle of Brandywine (11 September 1777), declaring "...we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy... if they advance we shall fight them again before they get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious- my corps did me great honor they behav'd like men..." Encloses an account (not present) he sent to the…

GLC02437.00648

15 September 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Would have written to Knox sooner, but was obliged to attend the execution of a man who had deserted from his regiment. Writes, "...he was Shot at the Bottom of the Common, it is supprise'g how the people minds are alter'd about this matter from what it was when the British Troops were here- every one cry'g out a deserter ought to die..." Mentions a British naval prize taken by a privateer and brought to Newburyport, Massachusetts. Describes a matter between the Tartar, an American ship, and a twenty-gun British ship. Expects news from the Northward (northern New York), where American…

GLC02437.00649

18 September 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Worries that her letters might fall into enemy hands. Reports that she and their daughter, Lucy, are in good health. Beseeches Henry to send for her. Notes that she has forwarded "six or seven letters" to Henry.

GLC02437.00651

24 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

Reports that in a previous letter to Lucy, he gave an account of the Battle of Brandywine. Relates that his army came in sight of the enemy, when a pouring rain ruined their cartridges. Describes how his army followed the British from across the Schuylkill River, and the British eluded them, intending to enter Philadelphia: "They have declin'd to combat our army and have taken possession of the prize for which we both contended." Reports that American Generals [Anthony] Wayne and [William] Smallwood were attacked on 20 September (later known as the Battle of Paoli or the Paoli Massacre).…

GLC02437.00652

3 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Reports that nothing has changed since 23 September, when he previously wrote, and that the British still have possession of Philadelphia. Relates that the Delaware frigate was recently lost to the British. Recently received militia reinforcement. Has received news from the north (possibly referring to the Battle of Freeman's Farm, 19 September 1777). Regarding the reports, comments: "...if this news should be followed by the probable consequences We may yet conclude the Campaign if not the War most happily..."

GLC02437.00653

16 September 1777 - 16 October 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Manuscript document

Title: [Account of the campaign of September and October 1777]

Later copy. Possibly created by William Knox, General Henry Knox's brother. Contains a report of the 20 September Battle of Paoli. Mentions Generals Knox, Green (possibly Nathanael Greene), and Alexander McDougall. In an entry for 28 September, records the receipt of favorable news from the north (referring to the Battle of Freeman's Farm). Mentions Generals John Burgoyne (British), Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold. An entry for 30 September states, "Very cold nights, having no blankets." Gives an account of the 4 October Battle of Germantown, reporting that General Francis Nash was…

GLC02437.00654

6 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written from Artillery Park Camp, 25 miles from Philadelphia. Notes that he would have written more details earlier, but "the success of the enterprise depended upon secrecy...." Gives an account of the Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777), in which "a fog which was but moderate at first became so thick from the Continental firing of cannon... that it absolutely became impossible to see..." Despite the conditions, reports, "Our troops are in prodigious spirits at being able to drive nearly the whole collective force of the enemy so far-" Relates that his brother, William Knox, "behaved…

GLC02437.00655

12 October 1777

Stewart, Walter, 1756-1796

Letter

Title: to Horatio Gates

Later copy. Copied 23 May 1860 for Joseph Willard, Esq., by George [H.?] Moore. Stewart, aide-de-camp to General Gates, offers an account of the Battle of Germantown. Mentions Generals Anthony Wayne, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, Edward Stevens, and Alexander McDougall. Writes, "...everything appeared in our favour when the unfortunate retreat took place, which cannot yet be accounted for; it is left on General Stevens, who certainly gave the Orders to the left wing." Reports that Stevens has been suspended, and a court of inquiry, with Lord Stirling (William Alexander) presiding, is…

GLC02437.00657

29 September 1777-18 October 1779

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Memo of payments for General Nathanael Greene, relative to camp expenses]

Among others items, lists chickens, milk, butter, onions, potatoes, and a black horse. On verso, contains what may be a partial address to General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.00658

29 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the attack by Hessian Colonel Count Carl von Donop against a redoubt at Red Bank, the site of Fort Mercer, along the Delaware River below Camden, New Jersey. Notes that Colonel Greene, from Rhode Island, defended the redoubt, and even wounded Count Donop. Also describes the British attack on Fort Mifflin, in Philadelphia. Writes, "if the enemy do not get possession of the river they cannot stay in Philadelphia with any ease- their convoys will be liable to be cut off & they blockaded..." Reports that "Billey," his brother William Knox, is doing well.

GLC02437.00661

3 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox worries because Lucy has not recently written to him. Reports receipt of a letter from "Harry," (Colonel Henry Jackson, also in Boston). Expresses discontent regarding the high price of goods Jackson reported in Boston. Refers to the "glorious event to the northward," John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, New York. Writes, "We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give [the British] another blow & if possible to dispossess them of the redoubted city of Philadelphia- The enemy have not yet been able to drive our Gallies away or storm or batter our ports with success..."…

GLC02437.00662