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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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1781/01/19

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: mission in Philadelphia and need for money

"You must naturally conclude that in taking up this business in its present situation, supplies of money will be necessary." Probably written to Robert Morris.

GLC07420

27 July 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Carrington writes to Knox from the "High hills of Santee," near the Santee River in South Carolina. Due to the resignation of Colonel Proctor, Colonel Carrington assumes he is to take command of the Fourth Regiment. Has not received orders to that effect, and anxiously awaits direction from Knox or General George Washington (through Nathanael Greene).

GLC02437.01093

7 August 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Carrington writes to Knox from "Camp High Hills of Santee," near the Santee River in South Carolina. Reports that he received Knox's previous letter via Governor [John] Rutledge. Informs Knox he has been transferred to Virginia and, per the General's wish, will remain the Quartermaster's Department. Praises General Nathanael Greene's recent campaign in South Carolina.

GLC02437.01123

22 September 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: A General Return of the American Artillery & Stores Appropriated thereto with the Army in Virginia.

Chart enumerating various types of ordnance held with units under the charge of Captain Coleman, Captain Savage, Lieutenant Ingersal, Captain Duffey, and Captain Ferguson. Carrington commanded the 4th Artillery Regiment and was one of the chief assistants to Henry Knox at the Battle of Yorktown. The ordnance listed was needed for the siege of Yorktown, which began later that month.

GLC02437.01187

30 September 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Ordnance for the siege of Yorktown].

Colonel Carrington, on behalf of QMG Colonel Thomas Pickering, acknowledges the receipt of four horses from General Henry Knox which were furnished by Governor of Maryland Thomas S. Lee. The Continental Army began invading Yorktown on 28 September 1781. Signed in duplicate.

GLC02437.01201

11 October 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of the Ammunition expended at the grand Battery October 10th & 11th 1781.

Lists quantities of ammunition used at the Continental Army's grand Battery, redoubt, and left battery under Colonel Edward Carrington's command during the siege of Yorktown on 10 October 1781 and 11 October 1781. Directed to Samuel Shaw, aide de camp of General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.01218

15 October 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: Report of the Stores expended in the Grand Battery, Oct. 15. 1781 under the Command of Capt. Stevens.

Lists quantities of stores used and on hand at the Grand Battery and Redoubt under the command of Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, at the Left Battery under the command of Captain Lt. Thompson and by 10" mortars commanded by Capt. Gvion, during the siege of Yorktown. A note at the end by Carrington cites the taking of the British forces' left and right redoubts by Lafayette and French forces.

GLC02437.01228

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Thomas Nelson

Refers to a letter he forwarded to Nelson from General George Washington regarding a shipment of military stores to be deposited at Westham. If unable to find storage there, he was to ask Nelson for help finding storage in Richmond. Comments he waited several days to see Nelson but must now depart to attend to the General Affairs Division. Introduces Captain Singleton as the person Nelson should now contact regarding this matter.

GLC02437.01291

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Colonel Harrison

Refers to an enclosure of Knox's instructions regarding stores left in Virginia for use by the Southern Department, and the "plan of Deposit directed at Richmond or Westham." Has sent personnel to supervise the collection of the stores. They will be furnished with fatigue men from the Continental troops, and once those troops have left, he has arranged for local militia men to be posted there. He has situated Capt. Singleton at Richmond to receive the stores there and arrange for houses to store them.

GLC02437.01292

19 November 1781

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Singleton

Comments that he has waited for the Governor and Mr. Jones so they all might, with Capt. Singleton, arrange to deposit the stores in Westham or Richmond, but he had to go on to meet General Arthur St. Clair's Division. Declares that the arrangements will be left to Singleton at least until Col. Harrison arrives from Williamsburg to help. Has enclosed a copy of General Knox's instructions to follow as best he can, and expects him to meet with the Executive when he arrives.

GLC02437.01293

10 January 1782

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses problems related to the transportation of military stores from Yorktown to Westham or Richmond, Virginia. Comments that he and his associates are bound in their ability to carry out orders because the state government of Virginia refuses to help. Mentions the resignation of Thomas Nelson as governor and the election of Benjamin Harrison. Has managed to set up the stores near Westham, close to the river so as to be able to ship them by boat in case of danger, but fears that in an invasion or attack they still may not be able to protect them.

GLC02437.01330

7 April 1782

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his promotion to Major General of the United States Army. Fears his own promotion may fall through. Explains that his appointment is determined by the state of Virginia, and he will only receive a promotion "as a compliment from the state with the approbation of a majority of the officers." Must remain in his current circumstances until he finds out, but is suspicious about the principles on which promotions are determined.

GLC02437.01381

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.

GLC02437.01652

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.

GLC02437.01719

12 November 1783

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: to Colonel Fowler

Carrington, the treasurer of the recently formed Society of Cincinnati of Virginia, certifies that two officers have paid membership dues of one month's pay. The interest from the dues went to Cincinnati and their families who were in financial distress. Accompanied by a print of Carrington. 2 items

GLC01450.627.02

26 May 1784

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate of service for Warren Parker]

Certifies that Warren Parker served four years as an army teamster without being paid.

GLC02499.02

12 January 1788

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington reports, "I have as yet passed through no more of this state than what is called the Northern Neck- there I find the opponents of the Constitution pretty numerous and vociferous." Mentions that [Richard Henry] Lee "has in great measure declined to act in the opposition, finding that even his own family have separated from him." Declares that in the southern part of Virginia, many influential figures have united on the "wrong side." Mentions that Governor [Edmund] Randolph has "committed to the public view his opinions as to the conduct which

GLC02437.03758

10 February 1788

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Manchester, a present-day neighborhood of Richmond. Comments on the state conventions held to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia). On Virginia, writes, "My situation here is in the midst of Mr.

GLC02437.03792

13 March 1788

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington, a Continental Congressman from Virginia, reflects on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution (in February 1788) and what it will mean for Virginia: "The decision of Massachusetts is perhaps the most important event that ever took place in America, as upon her in all probability depended the fate of the Constitution- had she rejected I am certain there would not have been the most remote chance for its adoption in Virginia- the demoniac spirit has within a few weeks passed from the few in whom it was generated, to the mass of the people & rages in such a manner

GLC02437.03821

20 December 1788

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on the United States Constitution in Virginia. Notes that he was banished from the house of delegates, but returned to "one of the most antifederal assemblies that could possibly have been collected from amongst the people. This body met in [Phrenzy], and [Patrick] Henry took advantage of that circumstance to push and carry measures which could not have been obtained in the latter parts of the session." Refers to William Grayson, Richard Henry Lee, the evacuation of American Indians, and the possibility of George Clinton being elected as Vice President.

GLC02437.04057

16 February 1789

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates the Virginia Electoral Council's votes for President, and declares that 10 votes were cast for [George] Washington, five for John Adams, three for [George] Clinton, one for [John] Hancock and one for [John] Jay. Relates that Antifederalism is still a factor, particularly near where Patrick Henry lives, south of the J[ames] River; it has influenced the electors and representatives. Describes Mr. [James] Madison's recent election win over Mr. [James] Monroe.

GLC02437.04117

18 February 1789

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relies on their continued friendship to ask for Knox's advice. Recalls his duties in the war, and his attempt to be faithful and enthusiastic. Is now interested in seeking an appointment with the new government, and asks if Knox will recommend him to the President, with whom he is intimate.

GLC02437.04119

4 April 1789

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent letter.

GLC02437.04167

20 May 1789

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote Knox recently and thought he might be able to visit "the metropolis," but now believes he must "decline the trip." Would prefer not to leave while his arrangements are still so tentative, and asks that Knox provide him with useful information as he sees fit. (Carrington may be referring to his prospects of receiving an appointment with the new government; see GLC02437.04167.)

GLC02437.04209

1 July 1789

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes from "Powhatan via Richmond," most likely in Virginia. Writes that he has, in fact, decided not to travel to New York City in pursuit of a government appointment.

GLC02437.04267

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