Our Collection

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.

Richardson, William (fl. 1777) to William Smallwood

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06508.01 Author/Creator: Richardson, William (fl. 1777) Place Written: Gilpin Point, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 April 1777 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 37.5 x 23.5 cm. Order a Copy

Enclosing report to General Washington regarding the state of the regiment. Richardson has small pox and has inoculated the entire regiment. Complains of lack of officers, hardship and illness. It is a "wonder that they don't die at a much faster pace." He also expresses some discontent regarding commissions, "as I have not had influence enough to make a single officer... and strangers are put in that have never seen service."

William Smallwood was a General in the Continental Army. Later Governor of Maryland.
Willaim Richardson was a Maryland colonel in the Continental Army.

Richardson, William, fl. 1777
Smallwood, William, 1732-1792

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources