Our Collection

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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20 August 1777

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph document

Title: [Draft of an opinion for General George Washington]

"From the time which has elapsed since Genl Howe disappeared from the Capes, it may be fairly and certainly deduce'd that he has gone very far either to the Southward or eastward... and it may be concluded with the same probability that neither Philadelphia or the North river is the immediate object of his destination." Discusses William Howe's possible movements.

GLC02437.00637

22 September 1778

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to George Baylor

Advises Baylor to "use every means in your power" to ascertain as much information as possible about the British troops embarking from New York. Also instructs him to keep an eye on the North River and to notify West Point if he sees any British transports go by. Written just prior to British General Charles Grey's attack at Old Tappan on 28 September 1778. Water damaged ink.

GLC07486

13 June 1779

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a circular letter with a general disposition for the army (not included), "which is to be varied according to circumstances and the particular movements of the enemy," should the British attack West Point. Henry Clinton's forces had seized Stony Point and Verplank's Point on 1 June 1779 on their way up the Hudson River towards West Point.

GLC00780

16 July 1779

Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796)

Autograph document signed

Title: General orders after action at Battle of Stony Point

This document is written in the third person and is signed in text. A hastily written draft conveying General Anthony Wayne's general orders lauding his troops directly after the Battle of Stony Point. Cites Colonel [Christian] Febiger as the field officer of the day. Says their perfect execution of orders reflects the highest honor on the troops engaged. Wants all captured military stores to collected, reported, and placed in charge of proper guards. Commends soldiers for confidence and bravery during battle. Instructs troops and generals on guard duty and moving supplies.

GLC00496.108

30 September 1779

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Working draft of Knox's report to George Washington. Describes British fortifications at Stony Point and Verplanck, New York. Advises Washington regarding the feasibility of attacking British posts in the area. Docket reads, "Knox to Washington No. 4" with final page adding a report on West Point.

GLC02437.00784

1780

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, (1754-1825)

Engraving

Title: West Point and its Fortifications in 1780

One engraving entitled "West-Point and its Fortifications in 1780" dated 1780. Depicts a landscape view of the Hudson Highlands and West Point Military Academy. In the forefront of the engraving, two men look across the Hudson River at the Military Academy. Drawn and engraved by J. Smillie after a drawing made in 1780 by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, Engineer U.S. Army. Printed by W. Pate.

GLC08878.0027

5 February 1780

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Sends Washington the "volume of pamphlets belonging Governor [Jonathan] Trumbull." For several days, Knox has retained the pamphlet written by Governor Pownall and hopes to be able to browse through the volume again when Washington is finished. Hopes to go to West Point the same day, and to deliver a report to Washington the following day. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.00800

29 March 1780

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, and signed by him for Knox'. Knox advises against sending troops from the northern Continental force "to the southward ... supposing the events at Charlestown [Charleston, South Carolina] to prove unfortunate." Writes, "The great number of negroes and disaffected people in North and South Carolina will always render the conquest of that country comparatively easy with the more northern parts of the continent...

GLC02437.00805

18 June 1780

André, John (1751-1780)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Chew

Reports that Benedict Arnold, "the Rebel General," is to take command in Connecticut and that he is expected to leave from West Point to go to New Haven daily. Asks Chew to send spies to watch his travels. On verso is a note dated 19 June by Chew stating that he has sent two men in the direction given by Major Andre and details what they will be paid for the service.

GLC05533.01

27 June 1780

Walker, John (1744 - 1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Hears that Weedon has been called back into service. Feels the war is going well and expects a favorable outcome. "Let it not be said that Virginia was exceeded by any" other state. The British burned Springfield, then retreated to Elizabethtown. Expects them to attack West Point next, but thinks America will soon "be prepared for them at all points." Wonders "where in the name of Heaven are the Monsieurs (the French) all this time."

GLC06500.01

July 1780

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Proof of Powder, tried on the Plan at West Point in June & July 1780, with a 5 ½ Inch Royal and a 24 Pound Ball

Lists amount of powder used and the range of the ball in feet and yards when shot.

GLC02437.00832

8 July 1780

Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Informs that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

05 August 1780

Humphreys, David (1752-1818)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Encloses a paper (not included) that explains the reasons for the recent movements of both the British and Continental armies during the Revolutionary War. Also encloses a sketch of the order of battle (not included) for the Continental troops. Mentions that Major General Benedict Arnold has been appointed to the command of West Point. Lord Stirling succeeds to the left wing. He has heard that the militia of North Carolina has taken down 60 of the enemy's horses but he does not know if this is true or not.

GLC00250

4 September 1780

Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Foote

From West Point, Arnold writes to a supplier asserting that "The Enemy from their Preparations seem to have some important movement in contemplation, their object may be an attack on these ports." Consequently, he requests the cattle meant for the post be expedited so that they will be well provisioned. Written at "Robinson's House."

GLC08919

3 October 1780

Hand, Edward (1744-1802)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Kitty Hand

Writes to his wife that he hopes he can alleviate her distressing situation soon. Informs her of the treason of Benedict Arnold and the hanging of the British spy, John Andre. "A few days ago Gen Arnold detected in his views of Betraying the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies into the hands of the Enemy, deserted to them leaving Major Andre Adjt. Genl.

GLC00189

1780/10/09

Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: situation at West Point after Arnold's treason

"The condition of the works and the knowledge the enemy has of them from Arnold's late shameful and treasonable conduct make it necessary that every exertion should be made to compleat them, and I have it from the commander in chief to leave nothing unattempted to accomplish it."

GLC07653

11 October 1780

Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Writes to Pickering, who was his successor as Quartermaster of the Continental Army when Greene took command of West Point just after Benedict Arnold's treason. Expresses his dismay at the state of the garrison at West Point and requests supplies. "On my arrival at this place I found every thing in so disagreeable strain, so much to do, so little time to do it in ... " Advises that he has stopped Captain Seizer's artillery company from marching until they can get more manpower.

GLC07667

17 October 1780

Pendleton, Edmund (1721-1803)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Discusses the war in Charlotte and Salisbury, North Carolina, and Benedict Arnold's treasonous act. Mentions Colonel Sumpter [Sumter?], Colonel Tarlton, and General Gates.

GLC00099.050

1780/11/29

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to the Officer commanding the New Jersey Brigade

Detailed advise about military strategy. In part: "You are, in case you should receive just information as you can rely on of the enemy's moving up the North River in force, to march immediately with the troops under your command to West Point - giving the Officer commanding there and in the Jerseys notice thereof..." Washington goes on to describe various scenarios and the appropriate military response to each.

GLC07881

circa 1780-1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph document

Title: [Memoranda]

List of cannons and mortars that need to be transported from West Point to use against New York city. Includes the type of artillery and its poundage. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.08302

1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph note signed

Title: to Ebenezer Stevens

Advises Stevens that instead of landing the artillery "at King's Ferry, they must be taken back to West Point, provided it can be done without any risque." This note is a postscript removed from a letter. Date added later in pencil.

GLC02437.01313

2 January 1781

Heath, William (1737-1814)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Stevens

Acknowledges his reception of the Quarter Master's receipt for Colonel Hazen's regiment. Written from "Garrison West Point."

GLC01412.64.10

January and February 1781

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Return of military stores received, delivered, and on hand at West Point and its dependencies for the months of January and February 1781.

Divides records into 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 pound ordnance.

GLC02437.10674

18 March 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Platt

Discusses the preliminary drawings of an artillery building at West Point which will include an ordnance store and a crane projecting from the building's pediment. Knox requests another building to serve as a laboratory.

GLC02531

2 April 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman

Docketed to Colonel Tilghman, one of George Washington's aides. Reports that a company at West Point has been annexed to Colonel Proctor's regiment. Asks for George Washington's instructions as to whether or not he should order the company to Proctor's regiment immediately. Asks for news regarding General [Nathanael] Greene, Commander of the Southern Department. Remarks that his son Harry is feeling better today.

GLC02437.00933

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