Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox

[draft]
Dear Harry Boston July 10 1777

I have rec:d your favor's of the 14th: 29th & 2d Int. for wh: am very much oblige to you for the very particular Acc:t you give of the movement of the Enemy -
I think with you, that their only object this Campaign, will be to form a junction with the Northern Army, that manoeuver of their's in advancing their Army from Brunswick, to Sumer Set Court House, in order to secure their Baggage & ce I think was as good a [piece] of Generalship as my Lord How has exhibited since he first land'd on Long Island - I really beleived Genl Washington & most of our Genl Officer, suppos'd that when Mr How first began his march he intend'd for Philadelphia - when at the same time he had not an Idea of it I am affraid Genl Washington does not get good intelligence from them, I think every risque ought to be run to gain the very best information of their intention/ Numbers & cce From the Acc:t we have from Ticonderoga, I am fearfull with respect to that Post - it is report'd here we have but [2] but 3,000 effective men there - which if this be true, I am affraid we shall [illegible] that important Post - I pray God this may not be the case - for I [view] it as the most capital Post on the Continent - while we hold that Post we shall have many of the Indian's in our favor - as soon as lost they will act against us - these devil's will, let their Friendship be what it may - will allways take up the hatches on the strongest side -
Let mr How get [illegible] of Philadelphia, Albany & Ticonderoga I hope this would not discourage us. I think it would help us in some measure it would Brake up all our dam'd money makers, who are making their Fortunes, on the ruin of their Country - in short my dear friend our Lawfull money, is no so good as O Tenor was before there time - every young Gentleman that goes in the army must be ruin'd, as to his Pay, it will not find him grogg - there is my Officers that have been out [recrutg]
it has
[3] it has cost them near a years Pay - all that they are allow:d is 81[lmy] for every man they inlist - to my knowledge they often expen'd 4 or 5 doll:s on a man to get him & after all the dam'd raskel's have [illegible] to come the next day & inlist, & you'll never see them afterwards - this is the way numbers serve us - Recruit'g goes on butt dull - I have recruit'd, 19 Sergt: 17 [drems] & [Fifes] - & 91 Privates - my officers are very attentive & no men could be more industerous in Recrut'g than they are Collo Lee has got about 70 Men - Henley but few - I suppose you have heard Bill [Tuda] is Coll.o Henley Leut Collo
Harry I have 2 Captain's vacant in my Reg:t in [List] I want to fill up with the Best of men - men that have seen some service - if you know of any that you think would answer I wish you to let me know - Fryday last the anniversary of Independence, was Celebrated here - Doct Gordon Preach'd a sermon on the [illegible] [4] occasion - Collo Hatch turn'd out the militia. Majr Hichbourn the Independent Company - and (Genl I like to have said I mean Collo Craft's a detachment of artillery - at 1206 the whole march down into Congress, Street - I asure you they made a fine appearance at 1 O Clock - Fort Hill open'd the Ball & all the Forts & Ship'g in harbour fired 13 rounds - Collo Craft drew up on the right of the Militia with 2 Brass field pieces - cast here - he also fired 13 Round the militia & Majr Hichbourn & [Volley] thus end'd the fore noon - in the Eve'g Collo Crafts incampment was illumenated - (he has got 4 or 5 [sant's] picht'd on the founder House [wall]) this is call'd Collo Crafts incampment - from which he threw a number of rockets & shell's - the shells were thrown very well - thus end'd the day - yesterday a Prize arriv'd at marble head with 200 Hh:o of Jamaican Rum - there of my not writing by the last Post - was my not being in Town - yours sincerely
HJ -