New York State Adjutant General's Office Letter Books of Outgoing Correspondence

Chronological by date of correspondence.

This series consists of two volumes of outgoing correspondence sent from the Adjutant General's office to officers of New York militia units, other military personnel, and Governors Daniel D. Tompkins and William L. Marcy. While the records span 1809-1850, there are significant gaps between 1812-1832, 1840-1843, and 1847-1849. The bulk of the correspondence documents the following subjects: the conduct and submission of inspection returns of state militia units to the Adjutant General; procedures and policies for appointment, promotion, and resignation of military officers, as well as the legal bases for such policies and procedures (e.g. Militia Law of the U.S. of 1792; New York State Militia Laws of 1809 and 1846); duties and responsibilities of officers; charges and complaints against officers and procedures for courts martial; and the organization, reorganization, and assignment of various units within the state militia.

A significant amount of correspondence covers Governor Tompkins's effort to mobilize soldiers and resources at the beginning of the War of 1812, and the state's effort in 1846 to organize volunteers to fight in the Mexican War. One extensive letter in the series, sent by Adjutant General Dix to Governor Marcy, concerns whether children of alien parents naturalized in the United States are considered U.S. citizens and eligible for military service.

B0462Series B0462, Correspondence and Petitions

A4130Series A4130, Duplicate Correspondence Directed to and Received from Military Offices and

A4148Series A4148, Telegrams Received and Sent, contain additional Adjutant General's correspondence.

Volume list.

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