Manuscripts

Electus Backus diary

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Description: The diary (48 pages), which covers November 23, 1851-April 18, 1852, details Backus's experience as commander of Fort Defiance, Arizona, and particularly the army's interactions with the Navajo, the Hopi, and the Apache Indians, including the Indians coming to the fort to trade and buy supplies, Backus's relationships with various Navajo chiefs, and failed treaty negotiations with the Navajo by Edwin Sumner and Territorial Governor James S. Calhoun. Backus also describes his frustration with late supply shipments, his fear that his troops will starve, and the various problems brought on with the winter weather including the death of cattle and horses. Backus also mentions gold and "jewel" mines in the area
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1851-1852.
Call number: mssHM 66248
Creator

Electus Backus diaries and letters

Manuscripts

The 31-page diary by Electus Backus covers his time traveling from San Antonio to El Paso, Texas in 1850 and 1851. In the diary he talks about Bishop John Lamy, Lorenzo Sitgreaves, Dr. S. W. Woodhouse, members of the Sitgreaves Expedition, as well as the bad weather and the landscape and inhabitants of Texas. He also discusses his journey from El Paso to Albuquerque. There is one diary page by Backus in June 1848 while he was taking part in the Mexican War in Puebla, Mexico, the site where Santa Ana executed Mexia; he mentions meeting General Stephen Kearny. There is also one page of a diary by Backus from 1860 while he was living in El Paso. There are also several letters and statements regarding Backus' protest against and disagreement with a letter by the Secretary of War, Charles Conrad, stating that he was commissioned to Major of the 3rd U.S. Infantry on October 10, 1850; Backus believed it was June 10 instead. This material includes letters by Backus to Adjutant General Roger Jones and Senator Jefferson Davis, who was on the Committee of Military Affairs, along with a statement of facts by Backus. There is also a copy of a letter by Backus to Colonel Samuel Cooper in August 1860 about his commission date. Also included is a 5-page manuscript by Hugh Brady about his brother, Samuel Brady, Indian fighter of western Pennsylvania (the draft is in Backus' handwriting - Hugh Brady was Backus' father-in-law). There is also one letter by Electus Backus, Sr., to his brother Andrew in New York. This letter was written while he was with the US Army in New Orleans in 1809.

mssHM 71476-71481

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Electus Backus manuscript and letters

Manuscripts

The manuscript relates Backus' experiences with the First Infantry Regiment during the Mexican War, from his departure from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in May 1846, until he left Vera Cruz in July 1848 to return home to the United States. Backus describes in detail his regiment's march; their occupations of Burita, Reinoso, Veracruz and Mexico City; the Battle of Monterrey; his time in charge of the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa; and the violence which continued after the official end of the war. Backus specifically mentions Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, Mariano Arista, Antonio Canales, and Antonio López de Santa Anna. At the end of the manuscript are several newspaper clippings regarding Electus Backus and the Mexican War. Accompanying the manuscript are two letters written by Backus further describing his experience in the Mexican War. The letters are addressed to Senator Alpheus Felch and to Backus' father-in-law, General Hugh Brady. The manuscript and letters may have been written by Backus to support his request for a promotion. There are also several sketches of Monterrey, which are drawn by Backus.

mssHM 66663-66666

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Richard C. Backus travel diary

Manuscripts

The travel diary documents Richard C. Backus' road trip from New York to Los Angeles with typewritten notes and labeled photographs. The diary includes details regarding their trip and the various people and places they visited along the way through Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The typewritten notes include details about miles driven, car trouble and repairs (the group traveled in three vehicles), and road and weather conditions. The diary also includes a hand-drawn map of the group's driving route.

mssHM 84014

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Fred H. Tobey diary

Manuscripts

Tobey gives great detail regarding army life in his diary including his regiment's marches, encampments, and skirmishes with Indians. He also describes the landscape around him and the Indians with which his regiment came into contact and/or battled: the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Nez Perce, and the Crow. He often complains about the weather, the lack of supplies (some of the regiment, including Tobey, resorted to eating the horses) and the actions of his officers. He discusses, in detail, the Battle of Canyon Creek and the history of the 7th Cavalry Regiment including General George Custer, Comanche the Horse, and the Battle of Little Bighorn. Tobey also mentions Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Colonel Nelson Miles, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis, Brigadier General Alfred Terry, Lieutenant Elwood Otis, and Major Marcus Reno; and the Crow Agency (Mont.), Glendive (Mont.), the Tongue River Valley (Wyo. and Mont.), Fort Abraham Lincoln (N.D.), Fort Buford (N.D.), Standing Rock Indian Reservation (N.D. and S.D.), and the Yellowstone River Valley

mssHM 63327

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John Henry Frederick Ahlert diary

Manuscripts

The diary covers the first trip Ahlert made to the Klondike. In it he describes his journey from Los Angeles to Dyea, including accounts of traveling conditions as well as descriptions of his surroundings. He also talks about the difficulties in mining gold as well as the frustration he experienced in registering claims along the rivers and creeks. In the last half of his diary, Ahlert describes Dawson and his life there.

mssHM 64258

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William Henry Harrison, headquarters at St. Mary's, letter to Isaac Shelby, Frankfort, Kentucky :

Manuscripts

Harrison writes to the governor of Kentucky during the War of 1812, discussing his appointment as commander of the northwestern army and a proposed expedition to Detroit. He also discusses the conduct cases of Major Bodly (presumably Thomas Bodley) and Mr. Eastland. Harrison mentions reported activities of Native Americans in the area of Brownstown, Michigan, and the army's goal of sweeping them "from Brownstown to the Rapids." Postscript in Harrison's hand discusses new intelligence about actions at Fort Defiance and his subsequent plans.

mssHM 23010

Electus Backus diary

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Electus Backus diaries and letters

Electus Backus manuscript and letters

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William Henry Harrison, headquarters at St. Mary's, letter to Isaac Shelby, Frankfort, Kentucky :