Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00641 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 27 August 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 32.5 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy
Praises the American victory in the recent the Battle of Bennington. Notes that General [Benjamin] Lincoln's aide-de-camp sent an account of the British killed, wounded, and missing at Bennington, which amounted to 1,000. Reports that Henry's wife Lucy has agreed to sell her phaeton (a carriage). Relates a quarrel he had with Colonel Crafts as to rank. In two instances, Crafts refused to accept Jackson (from the Continental Artillery) as a higher rank. Jackson asks who actually holds higher rank, Continental Artillery or Continental Infantry.
Possibly refers to Colonel Thomas Crafts, though Crafts was a colonel in the Massachusetts Militia Artillery, not the Continental Infantry.
[draft]
Boston Augt: 27 1777
Dear Friend
I wrote a few day's ago by Capt: Randall - give'g you a particular Acct: of the Affair at Bennington - which I think will have the most happy effect of any thing taken place this war - yesterday we had a very particular acct: of the kill'd wound'd & missing enemy in a Letter from Genl: Lincoln's A.D.C. to Collo. Tudor - who says it amountd to 1,000 - the Prisoner's are all to be sent to this Town and put on board Guard ships -
The phaeton remains unsold but Lucy says she will sell it if she can get a good price for it -
As I have no new[s] to write I'll give youa little affair that took place between Collo. Crafts and myself - about 2 Mo. ago, Genl. Heath Order'd my men over to dorechester, at this time Coll. C had a Company stationd over there - on my being [2] ordered over I told Coll C. that I was agoing to send my men over under the command of a Capt. & that he my Capt must take the command. the Collo. told me he [illegible phrase] his officer would take the command of mine - because there were Artillery - I told him it was not worth while to have any words about it - I look't on my self his superiour Officer - & should take rank of him at all times - he told me he would not give up to me - he should enquire in to the matter, & if it was so he was determin'd to ----- so the matter reste'd ----- Last week Collo: Faneuil dy'd - & Collo Crafts myself & other Officers were sent to as Pall holders - the Collo & myself were the two oldest Officers - Just before they carr'd the Corps out - I took the the Collo aside in the room and told him I suppose'd we walk't according to Rank & I must take rank of him - he paus'd a moment, and then told me he suppos'd we should walk as was allways customary in the Town - that was the Oldest man the eldest Pall Holder - (do you see his art) I told him I appear'd there as Collo of a Regt: & suppose'd he did too - & that [3] I must take rank of him - being a Continental Officer - he told me he would not submit to it - I say'd it was very well - I knew my Rank & suppos'd he knew his - he again say'd he would not submit to it & took himself off - and all the officers of Regt: follo'd him - I hear the Court intend's to give him the Rank of Brigadier - so as to take rank of all Continental Collos - Some of the Collos friends say. I am above my self - he as an Artillery officer is my superiour - Harry I wish to know wether I did right or not - I wish to know if the Continental Artillery take rank of the Continental Infantry - or if thes[e] all rank by the date of there Commissions - I wish you would speak to the Genl: about the Commissions for my self & Officers. I want much - on many Accts - I am
dear Harry your
for ever
Friend
please to Burn this -
[address leaf]
To
Brigr: Genl: Knox
at
Genl: Washington's
Head Quarters
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