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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Randall, Thomas (d. 1811) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00267 Author/Creator: Randall, Thomas (d. 1811) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 April 1776 Pagination: 1p.+addr. 21.8 cm. x 13.9 cm. Order a Copy

Confirms receipt of an order to remove artillery from Dorchester Heights to the Roxbury Meeting House. Seeks advice to resolve a conflict with Captain John Popkins company over guard duty. Notes that the men need extra time to retrieve their belongings from Cambridge before their march. The Continental Army's position at Dorchester Heights had been integral to the success of the siege of Boston. Randall was a Lieutenant in Knox's regiment of artillery.

[draft]
Boston 4th April 1776
Col Knox
Sir,
This Evening I Received Your orders to Remove the Cannon from Fort Hill, Dorchester Heights & the Lines with the Mortars to Roxbury Meeting House -
Capt Popkins Company is come to Relieve us, but Refuses to Relieve a Guard of a Lieut & 6 men, wich we have mounted on Dorchester Heights. should wish you would please to direct in Regard to that Guard - the Moment we are Relievd Your Orders will be Executed with the utmost Dispatch from
Sir
Your Most H Servt
Tho: Randall
To the Honble Henry Knox
N B all the Mens Baggage is in Cambridge & will want a Little Time to provide themselves to March.
[address leaf]
To
Honble Henry Knox
Col: of Artillery

Randall, Thomas, d. 1811
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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