Manuscripts
Electus Backus diary
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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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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
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Bates, Kinzie, -1884. Diary
Manuscripts
The majority of the letters were written by Kinzie Bates to his wife, Elizabeth Chumley Bates, in 1874 and 1875. There is a diary (a collection of 48 letters written to his wife) by Bates that was written in 1877 during the army's search for Sitting Bull and Lame Deer. The letters and diary entries record the US Army campaigns during the war with the Sioux Indians. Bates' letters tell in great detail the everyday hardships of military life and often mention Sitting Bull, Colonel Nelson A. Miles, General William Hazen, Major Henry Lazelle, the Cheyenne, the Sioux and the Brule Indians. His letters were written from several different locations including the Black Hills, SD; Fort Buford, ND; Fort Peck, MT; Fort Randall, SD; the Niobrara River, WY; the Powder River, WY; the Tongue River Cantonment, MT; and the Yellowstone River Valley.
HM 60348 (10)
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Bates, Kinzie, -1884. Diary
Manuscripts
The majority of the letters were written by Kinzie Bates to his wife, Elizabeth Chumley Bates, in 1874 and 1875. There is a diary (a collection of 48 letters written to his wife) by Bates that was written in 1877 during the army's search for Sitting Bull and Lame Deer. The letters and diary entries record the US Army campaigns during the war with the Sioux Indians. Bates' letters tell in great detail the everyday hardships of military life and often mention Sitting Bull, Colonel Nelson A. Miles, General William Hazen, Major Henry Lazelle, the Cheyenne, the Sioux and the Brule Indians. His letters were written from several different locations including the Black Hills, SD; Fort Buford, ND; Fort Peck, MT; Fort Randall, SD; the Niobrara River, WY; the Powder River, WY; the Tongue River Cantonment, MT; and the Yellowstone River Valley.
HM 60348 (7)