Out-Letter Book. Copies of out-letters from Sir Joseph Paxton relating to the Army...

Out-Letter Book.

• Copies of out-letters from Sir Joseph Paxton relating to the Army Works Corps.
• The letters are of an administrative nature dealing with the recruitment, payment and transportation of men, and the provision of stores, for the Corps. Almost all were signed by Frederick Wragge on behalf of Paxton. The office of the Corps was at 18 New Street, Spring Gardens, London.
• There is an alphabetical index to addressees at the front. Many supplied stores. The main recipients were Mr Milner, Crystal Palace, Sydenham; W H Gardner of Sussex House, Woundwell, Southampton; W S Lindsay and Company of 8 Austin Friars, London and Henry Powell and Sons of 28 Fenchurch Street.
• Milner was responsible for recruiting men into the Corps and arranging their contracts. The recruits, from various parts of the country, were sent to him at Sydenham. The first party sailed on the 'Simoon', 'Langdale' and 'Barrackpoore' in late June-early July 1855. The number of men initially sent was 1000. Gardner was also engaged in recruiting. Lindsay was responsible for shipping the men and stores from the East India Docks whilst Powell fitted out the ships.
• The letters include a copy of the instructions for engaging the men as well as rules for the allotment of money to wives and families [f.177]; a letter addressed to Colonel Colt in London relating to his 'revolving pistols' and letters to the Duchess of Manchester and Lady Rayleigh relating to the provision for the religious instruction of the navvies. A few letters relate to the effects of men who died.
• Later letters refer to further recruitment, the shipment of additional stores and the payment of men and their families. Reference is made to a number of men to work on the construction of a hospital on the Bosphorus.
• Towards the back of the volume are a number of lists of stores.

Topics

Army

Weapons

Construction industries

Armed Forces (General Administration)