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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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00435 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 September 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 31.4 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

[draft]
New York Sept 2 1776 -
My dearest tender friend
The post is remov'd from here to Kings Bridge so that I have not the pleasure of receiving your Letters which to me are higly pleasing - You must have heard of our evacuating Long Island a measure necessary wise and prudent - no Retreat under heavens could be better performd I think it was a master piece we Likewise Shall abandon Governors Island and collect our Whole force to one Spot - we are numerous & collected the Enemy are divided. I think with the blessing of heaven we Shall make them Repent their temerity, we have no Intention of abandoning this place which we can defend - Our army is divided into three divisions one in the middle of the Island one in the Town and its environs and one beyond Kings Bridge so there is not a possibility of their surrounding us - I shall write You by every opportunity & am with the most perfect Love Your most affectionate
Husband HKnox

[address leaf]
Mrs Lucy Knox
at
New Haven
Postage '12'
[docket]
[incorrect attribution] Mrs to
Genl K.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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