Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00662 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 November 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 33.3 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Knox worries because Lucy has not recently written to him. Reports receipt of a letter from "Harry," (Colonel Henry Jackson, also in Boston). Expresses discontent regarding the high price of goods Jackson reported in Boston. Refers to the "glorious event to the northward," John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, New York. Writes, "We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give [the British] another blow & if possible to dispossess them of the redoubted city of Philadelphia- The enemy have not yet been able to drive our Gallies away or storm or batter our ports with success..." Refers to the British attack on Fort Mifflin and the death of Hessian Colonel Count Carl von Donop. States that Continental troops would be in a very powerful situation had they not lost Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River.
[draft]
Camp Novr 3 1777 -
My dearest Love
I have but ten minutes to write to her whom I love [struck: my] [inserted: with] all the power and faculties of my soul - Colo Cary is just setting off.
I have received no Letter from you since the 3d ultimo' altho' I have written regularly by the most and as often by private hands as was in my power - write me the reason of all this my Lucy -
I yesterday read a Letter from Harry, informing me of the horrid abuse of all property in Boston - the horrid prices demanded by the traitors renders it immediately necessary for the Legislature to execute four of 5 of the principal rascals - no stone shall be left unturn'd for me to see you this Winter, if consistent with the public good - but this said public good will demand it of me and my private good too - I have no doubt if God spares me to see you by Christmas or New Years - at least that is my present determination.
We have no material news here indeed the all glorious event to the northward [2] so far exceeds any thing in our power that we Feel quite small - however we have done more perhaps than providence dictated. we fought two General actions and pretty toughly too - yet they would not avail - we were oblig'd to march without obtain'g our wish & with some bloody noses -
We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give them another blow & if possible to disposses them of the redouted city of Philadelphia - The enemy have not yet been able to [struck: dispossess] drive our Gallies away or storm or batter our ports with success - we have lately had a storm which has ruin'd their Batteries and works erected against fort Mifflin - since they had their two men of War burnt on the 23d in the river and were detected the 22d at Red bank with the loss of 5 or 600 with Count Donop prisoner and who is since dead of his wounds - they have appear'd quite silent in deeds but not so in words - they have been very angry for our feux's de Joy which we have fir'd on the several victories over Burgoyne - and say we bye & bye shall bring ourselves in Contempt with our own army for propagating such known falshoods - poor fellows nothing but Britain must triumph [3] had we retain'd but Clinton & Montgomery in the highlands of New York we should this day have been in the most [puissant] situation this War - indeed as it is I beleive it is still better - the loss of men in the storm of Fort Montgomery is such that they have dearly bought the advantage obtain'd especially when Considered they cannot keep it.
Rejoicing in the sweet hope of being with You speedily I am Your Most affectionate
H Knox
I hate [Billy?] for not [writing] - Wrapped up in the contemplation of his own sweet person all the World beside is a blank
[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
Favor'd by Colo. Cary Boston
[docket]
H.K
to
Mrs K
at Boston
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