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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 #: GLC02437.00494 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Trenton, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 December 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 20.7 x 16.3 cm. Order a Copy

States that the army has been forced to flee, and the Americans are currently "making a stand on the side of the Delaware toward Philadelphia." Hopes to soon face the enemy again. Expresses his love for her, and continues to advise her to travel to Boston with his brother. Composed at Trenton Ferry. In three days the Americans will cross the Delaware as they continue to dodge the British, only to recross on Christmas Day in order to launch a surprise attack on the British.

[draft]
Trenton Ferry abt. 30 miles from Philadelphia
Decr 8 1776
My Dear Lucy
You may be supriz'd at my dating from this place but it is a combination of unlucky circumstances have oblij'd us to retreat from before the enemy, however we shall soon I hope be able to face them we are now making a stand on the side of the Delaware toward Philadelphia It is exceedingly mortifying to be to be at such a distance from you whom I love so ardently, Providence will I hope give us a meeting in proper time I think you had better go to Boston with my brother in great haste adieu my solely best be lovd
H Knox
[address leaf]
Stanfd. Decr. 19th.
Mrs Lucy Knox
New Haven

[docket 1]
To Mrs K
At New Haven

[docket 2]
Trenton Ferry
Decr 8th. 1776.
[Strikeout]
[Strikeout]
[Strikeout]

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

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