1863/4/21

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

He is feeling better, although "the medicine I have taken has settled in my bones So it is hard for me to walk. Some has [sic] lost the use of their limbs altogether & others have lost all the toes off their feet." He still expects his package to come and mentions that it may be delayed because the transport boats have been moving out of the area. He describes rebel deserters who complain of a lack of food, clothing and pay.

GLC04189.37

1863/4/24

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles

He describes cooking in camp and speculates that Hooker is moving the army out to keep the Confederates from sending reinforcements to Vicksburg.

GLC04189.38

1863/4/30

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

He received his box. Last night, troops crossed below Fredericksburg found the city well fortified. His regiment has also moved from their old camp and may see action soon.

GLC04189.39

1863/5/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the move from Falmouth to his current position on the battlefield. He writes of his units performance in the battle and notes "the old troops say it was the hardest Battle so far they was ever in..."

GLC04189.40

1863/05/07

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

The army has retreated back to their old camp. Describes Stonewall Jackson's maneuver which forced them to retreat. He discusses losses to the regiment and lists the names of friends who were killed or wounded. He writes that he had been in battle five days and nights and "2 nights & 1 day under fire of artillery & Small arms...I can get along with small arms very well for we cannot hear the Ball until it strikes. But the shells Grape & canister you can hear from the time they start (or are in the air) and every one thinks it may hit him (So the feeling at such times is…

GLC04189.41

1863/5/18

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

The regiment has moved near General French's headquarters. They earned the nickname the "bloody 12th." General French sent orders to retreat three times before the regiment finally obeyed. Discusses comrades wounded in the battle.

GLC04189.43

1863/5/22

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He believes the unit may be ordered back to Ellicotts Mills to guard the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Most of the men in the regiment have nine month enlistments that will be ending soon. Nine month men are called "Lincoln's pets."

GLC04189.44

May 30, 1863

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles

Page 1 addressed to Charles. The regiment is under marching orders. Rumor has it that the Rebels have crossed the Rappahannock near Culpeper Court House and intend to invade Maryland. [Page 2: "Well my Old Duck" [Elizabeth] signed "Dave Smith the soldier."] He received four months back pay and expects to receive two more months worth. The letter contains an account of his expenditures. Scrap to Charles: The regiment is on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad near Fairfax Court House.

GLC04189.45

1 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Chastises William for not writing more. Discusses the recent Tory plot to either capture or assassinate George Washington and the subsequent hanging of a member of the General's Guard named John Rickey, a misidentification of Thomas Hickey, the only person hanged for the conspiracy. Discusses General William Howe's position at Sandy Hook with 130 ships and his ability to strike the city in about three hours. They are expecting an attack any time and Henry speculates that if Howe "comes up like a man and brings his ships too before our Batteries, there must be the finest sight...that ever was…

GLC02437.00356

3 July 1776

Woodruff, Isaac, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

On the verso, the letter is titled: "On the Publick Service." The Elizabethtown Committee informs George Washington that the British have landed on Staten Island and proceeded to within two miles of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The militia is gathering but the area is threatened. They are in need of artillery and request supplies from Washington. A post script specifies that their cannon bore is exactly 2.5 inches in diameter. Woodruff was the chairman of the committee. Possibly forwarded to Henry Knox because he commanded the artillery.

GLC02437.00357

1862/12/20

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and children

Smith describes his march from Washington, loading and unloading baggage cars, and being ordered to load the wounded onto steamers at Acquia Creek. They are camped within the sights of Confederate artillery. Addressed from Virginia nearly opposite the City of Fredericksburg.

GLC04189.20

1863/9/26

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He is very ill. Written from Stanton General Hospital.

GLC04189.56

1863/10/21

Starz, Edward L., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Smith

Informing him that private D. V. M. Smith died on October 10th, 1863. Also informs him where Smith was buried.

GLC04189.57

1863/10/22

Smith, John M., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He found her husband's body and has sent it home by express. He warns her not to open the coffin because the body is "in an advanced state of decomposition."

GLC04189.58

27 June 1776

Pierce, Thomas, fl. 1775-1778

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Captain Thomas Pierce's account for January, including December and April]

Invoice concerns pay, blanket money, and mentions recruitment. Pierce was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00353

circa June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: A List of Cannon necessary to be transported from this Camp to New York

Lists cannons and mortars.

GLC02437.00354

1 July 1776

Morton, Dimond, 1743-1792

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Captain Dimond Morton's account for January, including December and April]

Invoice concerns pay, blanket money, and mentions recruitment. Morton was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00355

2 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Colonel David Mason fifty dollars. A note on the verso indicates that the money can be given to Captain Andrew Symmes.

GLC02437.00358

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he wrote her at Fairfield, Connecticut to check on her well being and tell her how much he values her, to tell her that the British had landed at Staten Island but had not attacked New York yet, and that he believes when they do, the Americans will be able to beat them back. He also asked her to send money after taking what she needed and to ask where to send her trunks. Reports that General Nathanael Greene, Jonathan Pollard, and Mrs. [Herey] are all "well an in good spirits," information that Lucy could pass on to spouses and loved ones in Connecticut. Asks if Lucy took the…

GLC02437.00359

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Notes that Lucy Knox and others have gone to Fairfield, Connecticut, away from potential fighting in New York. Indicates that he gave Colonel David Mason a draft for fifty dollars to be paid by William (see GLC02437.00358). Asks William to write "fully & frequently." Alluding to the impending battle in New York comments that "You may expect something great before long."

GLC02437.00360

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments that Lucy had to abruptly leave New York, although it was for her safety. They believed the British would attack but they landed on Staten Island instead, where they were "received with a hearty welcome by its rascally Tory inhabitants." Mentions that the people in New Jersey were assembling their militia (see GLC02437.00357). Favorably assesses their artillery preparations for battle. Asks Lucy to send his trunk back, which has his papers and money in it, and asks where to send her clothes. Pressing business prevents him from writing more. Gives love to their baby.

GLC02437.00361

5 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: The United Colonies to Henry Knox Commander of the Regiment of Artillery Dr

Lists travelling and billeting expenses connected to the men who enlisted in December, 1775. Groups them by captains in Knox's artillery regiment they served under.

GLC02437.00362

8 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new baby and the road conditions would be unknown.…

GLC02437.00363

July 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Distressed, Lucy discusses the circumstances under which she left New York and argues she was undeserving of Henry's censure. She stayed in New York longer than expected in order to have "a more affectionate parting." When she desired to go to Fairfield, Connecticut, she received a message from Mr. Burr (possibly Aaron Burr), indicating that he could not obtain a house or furniture for her there, as Henry had requested. Is dissatisfied that Henry writes "frequently in your letters to remind me of my incapacity of judging for myself." Also writes that Henry ignored, or never read, her…

GLC02437.00364

24 June 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Robert Treat Paine

A detailed answer to a request for artillery information concerning the weight and bore of howitzers on hand in New York. Reports that they have none, although Colonel Richard Gridley ordered some cast. Also provides other artillery information. Discusses uses for different bore sizes, their range, and gives editorial comment on artillery matters. Explains the possibility of having brass cannons cast. Comments on artillery operations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the recipient of this letter was. Knox's retained working draft.

GLC02437.00365