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Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox [incomplete]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00591 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 12 May 1777 Pagination: 4 p. ; 22.1 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Colonel Jackson discusses military details, noting that "the Court," (referring to the Court of Massachusetts) has ordered the draft of every seventh man from towns that have not met enlistment quotas. Has persuaded the court to allow drafted men to choose which regiment they will join. Notes that General George Washington has ordered him to send weekly reports of his (Jackson's) proceedings. Wants Knox to apply to George Washington to give an order on his behalf for arms and accoutrements. Asks Knox other military advice, noting, "as I have never been in the Service I wish to be as regular as possible, in all my proceedings, & Shall be ambitious to enter the field with as much reputation as possible for your sake, as well as my own." GLC02437.00591 and GLC02437.09451 were originally one document.

[draft]
Boston May 12 1777
Dear Harry
The Court have at last adopt Lee's & my Regt: and given us all the encouragement they have the 15 Battalions - Last Wednesday Collo Crafts Regt: was dimis'd (as their time of Inlistment was up) at which time I procur'd a number of drums and Fife's and beat up at the heard of his Regt: we did not Inlist any of them, but a great number promis'd after they had been home and seen their friends they would engage with me - in Order to fill up the 15 Battalions, the Court have Order'd every 7th man to be drafted from each Town, that has not Inlisted their quota, this draft is to take place the 15th Inst: I have got an Act past the [2] Court that these draft'd Men may go into what Regt: they choose - accordingy I have sent my Officers into the Country to be on the spot at the time this draft takes place, as Lee's & my Regt: is Order'd to tarry here. I think they will give us the preference, we have a great Prosepct of filling our Regt: soon - General Washington direct'd me to make return to him every week of my proceedings, as my Regt: is not Immeadiately to march to head quarters, & as General Heath is on the spot: I wish to know if his Excellency the General expect's it - Now for it my Old friend, I want you to serve me, as you serve'd your self when in Boston - I want [3] you to apply to his Excellency the General, to give me an Order on Mass. Livingston & Turnbull for a Complete Cloth: & for my Regt: also an Order for Arms & Accoutrements & every other necessary that I shall want for my Regt: as there is no Accoutrements come with the Arm's I wish I might have Liberties to get all my own made, & then I shall have good one's, for such pouches as they have made are good for nothing its only money throw'd away -- & the first time it Rains all the ammunition will be distroy'd & lost - as I am like to tarry here some time I have a fine opportunity of Equipt'g and Discipline'g my Regt: I wish you would Let me know how many [4] how many Waggon's are allow'd to a Regt: and in what manner they are proportion'd, & to ask the General if I might have Liberty to get them made here and Charge them to the Continent - as I have never been in the Service I wish to be as regular as possible in all my proceeding's & shall be ambitious to enter the field with as much reputation as possible for your sake, as well as my own -
I wish you would get the order for 600 stand of Arms as many Cloth's I should like to have all the Arm's in my Possession immeadiately for a great number of them are out of repair & I would have them all put in the best

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

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