Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox

[draft]
New York July 22 1776.
Dear Brother
I recd yours by the post. Your sister also writes me word she recd one from you - I wish you would write to her often and direct to [R Havern] pay Mr Bradley his 6. 7.4 and take his Receipt for it - pay Thayer one hundred Dollars and take his receipt for those things that [illegible] had aco for this sum - I wish to know the Species of small pox you have with you whether kind or not - As for news of our men acting here there are none, excepting flags of truce - permit me however to congratulate you on the Glorious success of the brave carolinians headed by General Lee - 14 frigates and 2 50 Gun ships under the Command Sir Peter Parker on the 30th June attack' Sullivans Island a little off Charlestown. They run up and brought with their broad sides [tos] at half [musket] that from the [illegible] Genl Lees Letter says "it was the most furious Cannonade I ever saw it continued of 11 oClock in the morg untill 11 oClock at night without any intermission I was in Charlestown and in very great pain for the Garrison who were all raw troops and the officers all boys, and [inserted: I] had serious thoughts of ordering them to spike up the Cannon and retreat from the Island in the best manner I could, but Bird my aid de Camp returning to the Island with a flattering Account I though it my duty [2] to go over to the Island to encourage and stimulate the men - accordingly I went over in a Canoe but I found they wanted no encouragement - The men were cool and brave determin'd to fight it to the last - their behavior would have done honor to the romans in the 3d Century, the men who had lost legs and arms and badly wounded would not quit the Guns but bravely exhorted their brethren never to desert the standard of Liberty" - The ships about eleven OClock [inserted: at high] drew off exceedingly [shatterd] as [apeard] from the evidence of a number of deserters who were newEngland people - the 50 Gun ship had several that thro' her main mast [text loss] thro he[r] hull her yard sails [illegible] [text loss] torn to pieces - the Captain had his Arm taken off above the elbow and sir Peter Parker had his breeches shot away and his leg and hip much wounded. - the Acteon Frigate of 28 Guns run ashore and was burnt by there own crew tho our people got three boat loads of things from her - Every ship was damaged exceedingly in so much that they were going to Antigua to refit if possible - had it not been very smooth water they or [illegible] of them must have inevitably sunk - in that Sir Peter Parker with his squadron is entirely [unfitted] for Action this Campaign - Genl Lee met Genl Clinton at last and drove him away - the troops attemted [sic] to land [3]on Sullivans Island at the same time the ships were firing but were repuls'd with [1762] dead and wounded - This is a most glorious affair I wish to God they would make the like attempt of laying before our Batteries, but I believe they are too prudent for that they are now fortifying on Staten Island [illegible] is going and I am forcd to [illegible]
I am Dear Will
Your affection Brother
HKnox -

[docket]
Letter from Collo Knox
July 22d. 1776