Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00450 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 September 1776 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 33.7 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
Reaffirms his love for Lucy and apologizes for not being able to write a much as he would like. Writes angrily about the enemy who is forcing them apart but expresses optimism for a victory. The postmaster had moved twenty five miles north, making correspondence more difficult. Comments that Major John Crane lost a toe.
[draft]
NYork Sept 23 1776
My dearest beloved -
It is with the utmost mortification that I have so few opportunities to write to you who are the supreme object of my earthly affections I feel for you my Lucy all that tender anxiety with which I know your bosom is agitated, the Supreme inseperable from Love. I know the rascals who daily crowd from our Camp give you the most alarming apprehensions for our Safety - these circumstances combind must form an exceeding great affliction in the heart of a young tender delicate mind unbroken by the frowns of adversity - I wish the scroundels who go away would call upon me for Letters to you & my time would permit the writing of them I should take up your whole time in reaching & deciphering my scrawls - But they do not they steal away like thieves - they are very little loss to us we still shall have a most powerful army left & they are like the fellows in the bible under Gideon who did not Lap the water properly - With the blessing of heaven [2] if we beat them in one capital action we shall reap every capital advantage we could possibly expect - I assure you seriously we may with some degree of propriety expect it after the arrangement now meditating takes place - how does my sweet babe - I long to see her & her dear Mother - the post master talks [illegible] deal but thinks new York not a very safe place therefore has taken himself away 26 miles up Country, but there is to be a post establish'd 3 times a week & then my Lucy shall have an Inundation of Letters - my poor major Crane has gotten one of the honors of war having had his great toe taken off rather rudely by a twelve pound shott from [illegible] he is in a fair Way - I recd some Letter of yours dated the first of this month I ought to have another since then I receive no letters from Boston nor write none having no opportunity May all gracious heaven have you & your lovely babe in his powerful protection
Your entirely devoted
Husband
HKNox
[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
New Haven
[docket]
H Knox to his
wife Sept. 76
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