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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) to John Ruddock

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01445 Author/Creator: Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 June 1782 Pagination: 2 p. ; 18.6 x 15.1 cm. Order a Copy

Written from "Head Quarters." Shaw writes to Ruddock, the Field Commissary of Military Stores for Fishkill, that General Henry Knox wants Ruddock to send Colonel George Reid, commanding officer at Albany, "twenty thousand musket cartridges for the use of the troops under his command." On the verso is an "Extract of a Letter" from Colonel Reid (spelled Ried), addressed to General Washington, and written in a different hand. This letter informs Washington that they are "almost Distitute of Cartriges in this Quarter - the few that are on Hand, are much too small, being made for the Militia Arms - I wish a Quantity of Musquet Ball, Cartrige paper & thread, may be ordered on as soon as possible - there is powder in Store sufficient for the present."

Preliminary research has located a Colonel George Reid of New Hampshire (1733-1815), but there is no record of him ever having been in command at Albany, New York.

[draft]
Extract of a Letter from Colo. Ried
Commandg at Albany - 8th June 1782
[inserted - different hand: To W.]
"I must inform you that we are almost Distitute of Cartriges in this Quarter - the few that are on Hand, are much too small, being made for the Militia Arms - I wish a Quantity of Musquet Ball, Cartrige paper & thread, may be ordered on as soon as possible - there is powder in Store sufficient for the present - "

I am &tc.
Signed
Geo: Ried -

Gen Washington

.02
Head Quarters,
14 June 1782.
Sir,
General Knox directs that you immediately send to Colo. George Reid the commanding officer at Albany twenty thousand musket cartridges for the use of the troops under his command.

I am, Sir
your most obedt. &c
[S. Thaid ?]

Jno. Ruddork Esq
D.E.M.S.
at [Tirppile ?]

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Ruddock, John, fl. 1779-1796
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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