Letterbook, 1813-1814.

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Letterbook, 1813-1814.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/191259801

This letterbook commenced 23 October 1813 and ended 29 September 1814. Most of the letters appear to have been sent over his signature, but several carry the signatures of his aides-de-camp Jonathan Myers ( - ) and John B. Taylor ( - ). The letter to the adjutant general of Virginia and to other officers concern illness and the lack of equipment among the soldiers, especially those who have "come from the mountain country," the problems inherent in short-term voluntary service, and a case of desertion by several men and Taylor's plea for clemency in all cases save one, that of William Proctor ( - ). There is correspondence concerning supplies and their distribution, arrangements for construction of barracks, troop movements, dissatisfaction with vendors, problems of pay for troops being discharged, and civilian reports to Taylor on the condition of American prisoners of war held aboard the _Dragon_ and the _Squadron_, as well as arrangements for exchange of prisoners. Taylor used his legal training and skillful language to clarify the ownership of booty recaptured from the British, to explain his stand that securing provisions for U.S. troops versus state troops was not within his jurisdiction, and his entreaty that, for good soldiers to be encouraged to remain in service, the administration must award promotions based on merit, extend discharge dates, and relinquish political favoritism. He also hoped that "all the gentlemen of the Army who are members of the Legislature" might attend the session in Richmond "provided it can be done without disadvantage to the Service." Taylor wrote several candid letters to te Secretary of War, two of which merit special attention. One is dated 1 February 1814 and offers a plan for a roving corps of three or four regiments, fully trained and equipped and not organized along the lines of the traditional state militia. A second letter to Acting Secretary of War, James Monroe (1758-1831) dated 29 September 1814, reiterates his uneasiness about volunteer corps "already organized" which, despite their bravery, do not have "the temper of order & subordination," or "that moral force which springs from bold achievement & successful enterprise." Entries in the letterbook are indexed alphabetically on the inside front cover and first leaf. There is also one folder, filed with the volume, containing seven checks dated 1819 and 1828[?] and signed by Taylor.

1 v. (182 leaves), ; folio.

Gadsden Public Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 6957802

Gadsden Public Library

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vv2g33 (person)

James Monroe, fifth president of the United States of America (b. April 28, 1758, Monroe Hall, Virginia-d. July 4, 1831, New York, New York) fought with distinction in the Continental Army, and he practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As a young politician, he joined the anti-Federalists in the Virginia Convention which ratified the Constitution, and in 1790, an advocate of Jeffersonian policies, he was elected United States Senator. As Minister to France in 1794-1796, Monroe showed strong ...

Squadron (Ship)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6s80r7z (corporateBody)

Dragon (Ship)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g78pg5 (corporateBody)

Details of vessel and its master unknown. From the description of Log of ship Dragon, 1765-1771. (Historical Society of Delaware). WorldCat record id: 70977938 Built 1595 as a privateer/merchantman for George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, bought from him for £3700, former name Scourge of Malice, variously estimated at between 600/900 tons, c200 crew, 38 guns. Voyages: (1) 1600/1 Bantam. Capt James Lancaster, Master William Broadbent/Roger Hankin. Woolwich 13 Feb 1601 - T...

Myers, Jonathan

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cv615s (person)

Proctor, William Henry, 1945-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v99q9t (person)

Taylor, Robert B. (Robert Barraud), 1774-1834

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wm1sft (person)

Robert Barraud Taylor (1774-1834), lawyer, soldier, orator, judge, and statesman, was born in Norfolk, Va., a son of Robert and Catherine Curle Barraud Taylor. He was graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1793, after which he studied law and entered the bar of Virginia, practicing and gaining a reputation as an eminent lawyer in Norfolk. During the War of 1812 (4 March 1813 to 5 February 1814), Tayler served ably as Brigadier-General of the state militia (he was offered the same rank...

Taylor, John B., 1942-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ht469s (person)

John B. Taylor worked at the General Electric Company in Schenectady, N.Y. From the description of Letters to Horace Howard Furness, Jr., 1921. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155884270 Deputy marshal in Norfolk, Va. From the description of Letter book, 1820-1821. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 38929411 ...