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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 #: GLC02437.00481 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: White Plains, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 November 1776 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 33.2 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Urges her to cheer up and look to the future: "Providence,...is [missing text] excellent rock to rest upon." Discusses overcoming recent ill health. Reiterates that he thinks she should spend the winter in Boston. Explains that the British army seems to be retiring, but it might be a feint. If the British head to New Jersey or Philadelphia, Knox must follow. Discusses the battle in White Plains. Mentions problems with the post.

[draft]
Camp near White plains Novr 6 1776
My dearest Girl
I received your much valu'd Letter of the 30th last month, why my Love you write in a low turn of Spirits chear up we yet shall enjoy many a happy hour Providence [struck: my] is an excellent rock to rest upon the [maker] [and ours] go on most chearily - I was unwell a [text loss] head ach sever cold, & [struck: diareah] dysentery [text loss] together but with [severe] exercise and the b[lessing] of heaven, I am happily rid of any Complain[t] [text loss] I wrote you concerning your spending the winter in Boston, I do indeed think it will be for your happiness & mine that you should do so more especially since the manoevre of the enemy Yesterday who appear to be retiring [struck: we] whether it be a feint or not this day will discover - if it is not a [feint] they must certainly mean for the Jersies or Philadelphia if so we must follow them so that I shall stand just as good a chance to see you in Boston as N Haven - I wish to please you in the minutest matter in Life you shall judge for yourself may God direct your judgement you say you recd no Letters from me for a certain time this was [2] [illegible] I wrote four - Last Friday we abandon'd certain lines on what are called the White plains, on which the enemy advanc'd with great seeming boldness to within cannon shot of our posts, upon which we saluted their highness which they by no means seem'd to like & very uncivilly ran away, scampering & clattering like so many devils, nor have they approach'd us since, I hope my dear little babe is better. God preserve both you & her in perfect health I am my dear Lucy
Your most affectionate Husband
HKnox

[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
New-Haven

[docket]
Genl to Mrs Knox
Nov/76.

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

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