Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00889

Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Place Written: New Windsor, New York

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 13 February 1781

Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 20.2 cm.

Summary of Content: Discusses a meeting with the French army and navy and General Daniel Morgan’s victory over General Banastre Tarleton, ”the Kill-Devil of Cornwallis’s Army,” at the battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, 17 January 1781.

People: Knox, William, 1756-1795., Knox, Henry, 1750-1806., Tarleton, Banastre, Sir, bart., 1754-1833., Morgan, Daniel, 1736-1802.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: [Draft] , New Windsor 13 February 1781 , , My dear friend & Brother , In the short note I wrote you by Colonel Armand on the 5th instant, I did not acknowledge your two favors received in my absence of the 3 and 11th January , I arriv’d here on the 3d instant being from Boston eight days, three of which the visit to Newport cost me - I was received with very flattering marks of respect by General Rochambeau & all the officers of the French Army & Navy. I found my little family well - Harry had been inoculated and was on the point of breaking out upon my arrival- he has since [illegible] charmingly and now is in the last stage of it but past any danger. , The Waggen yesterday arriv’d on the other side of the river after having past through , much tribulation [2] Major Shaw has gone to see about it to day - There has been no passing the river with horses for 8 or 10 days , I am happy in congratulating you on the glorious victory gain’d by General Morgan in the South, on the 17th Ultimo over more than a 1000 british troops under the command of Colonel Tarelton The Kill-Devil of Cornwallis’s Army- 100 of the enemy were kill’d on the spot - more than 200 wounded - and upwards of 500 made prisoners, among whom are officers - 2 pieces of brass Artillery, 800 arms 35 Waggens and all the baggage of the column which was designe’d to penetrate into North Carolina & therefore were well stor’d with every thing - The Enemies force consisted of Tareltons legion, the 1st battalion of the [3] 7th regiment - the 7th regiment & line other regiment whose number does not occur. , It is presum’d this affair will have the most happy consequences - our affairs in the south , were on the utmost point or verge of annihilation - If this affair has the same instant and extensive consequences as Trenton, the Enemy will be driven into Charles town before May next , , We all send our sincerest affection to you , Adieu my dear , , Brother , H Knox, , Mr William Knox, , [address leaf], Mr William Knox , Boston, Favor’d by Colo Perkins, , [docket], Brigd Genl Knox, :New Windsor 13th Feby, 1781

Keywords/Subjects: Navy, Battle, Revolutionary War, Revolutionary War general, Military History, Continental Army, France, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Global History and US Foreign Policy

Sub Era: The War for Independence