Manuscript Division United States War Department Records

United States War Department Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS76072

Scope and Content Note

The records of the United States War Department span the years 1794-1848 and include correspondence, letterbooks, ledgers, account books, legal records, lists, and other material. The collection relates primarily to the United States Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pa., later known as the Frankford Arsenal, and to superintendents of military stores William Irvine and his son Callender. The material depicts the growth of the United States military and its supply needs during the early national period. For example, the letterbook of Callender Irvine and William Duncan of 1812-1813 reveals that as early as April 1812 extensive preparations were being made to provide New Orleans with the means of defending itself. Other topics include operations against the Creek and Seminole Indians and items relating to the war with Mexico, 1846-1848. The collection is arranged in the following series: Chronological File and Oversize .

Significant individuals represented in the collection include John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Richard M. Johnson, Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, and William Wirt.

Dates

Creation: 1794-1848

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The records of the United States War Department are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.

Copyright Status

The contents of public records created by federal agencies may or may not be covered by copyright legislation. It is the researcher's responsibility to determine requirements of domestic copyright laws and international treaties and conventions.

Extent

500 items
6 containers
21 oversize
24.2 linear feet

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Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, letterbooks, ledgers, account books, legal records, lists, and other material relating primarily to the United States Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later know as the Frankford Arsenal, and to superintendents of military stores William Irvine and his son Callender Irvine.

Arrangement of the Records

This collection is arranged in two series:

Catalog Record

https://lccn.loc.gov/mm82076072

Provenance

The records of the United States War Department were acquired by the Library of Congress in 1920 by transfer from the War Department zone supply officer of Philadelphia, Pa. A letterbook of Callender Irvine was purchased by the Library in 1934 and added to the collection.

Processing History

The records of the United States War Department were arranged and described in 1985. The collection was expanded and revised in 1996. The finding aid was revised in 2009.