Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00665 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 November 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 33.3 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
Expresses his love for Lucy. Describes the British capture of Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware River near Philadelphia. Relates that Mifflin withstood fire for fifty days. Laments the loss of Captain Treat (Samuel Treat), who was hit by a cannonball. Intends to try to prevent the British from bringing their men-of-war (ships) to Philadelphia via the Delaware.
[draft]
Camp 14th Novr 1777
My dearest Lucy
I received your kind letter by the last post dated October 30. the pleasure it gave to me was almost infinite. Yes my dearest Girl I love you and your sweet babe with all the conjugal and parental tenderness possible & I hope I shall have the opportunity of enjoying the happiness of being with you some part of the ensuing winter - I am this instant going out on some service which obliges me to write to you because the business will take me up two or three days in the interim of which the post will arrive and depart.
Fort Mifflin after having most nobly sustain'd a [struck: siege] [inserted: fire] of Batteries within [illegible] 500 yards for near 50 days, is at last evacuated. The different Garrisons in it (for it was at last releived several times) have acquir'd never [ending] applause - I lost [struck: my] my worthy Capt Treat who was kill'd with a cannon ball to my very great Grief. there are few young men existing of greater virtue & bravery - [2] several other officers and men were kill'd & wounded - the enemy at last dismantled and ruin'd every single peice of Cannon in the Fort - and work'd their ships so near as to kill every man who appear'd on the platforms - We hope yet to prevent enemy from bringing their men of War up to the City - I am my dearest Lucy with the utmost purity and sincerity of affection
Your
HKnox
[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
Boston
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