Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00747 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter Date: 29 January 1779 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 33 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Later copy. Knox gives advice to General Lincoln, Southern Department Commander: "My ignorance of the Country makes me an inadequate judge of your situation, but the numbers you mention you have to oppose the Enemy is most certainly a very serious matter. This it is to hoped will ultimately be remedied but the mean time will probably be very disagreeable." Advises Lincoln to exercise patience. Relates that the right wing of the Continental Army is in New Jersey, while the left wing and part of the second line are east of the Hudson River. Remarks, "The Enemy by shipping off so great a quantity of troops have not enough left to disturb our repose much this winter. We are enjoying ease at your expense. I feel a kind of shame in participating of any entertainment at a time when any part of my friends are in a disagreeable situation."
[draft]
[this appears to be a nineteenth-century copy of the original]
Philadelphia 29 Jany. 1779
Lincoln
from
Knox
My dear Sir
I received your kind favor of the 7th instance for which I am much obliged to you. My ignorance of the Country, Makes me an inadequate judge of your situation, but the numbers you mention you have to oppose the Enemy is most certainly a very serious matter. This it is to be hoped will ultimately be remedied but the mean time will probably be very disagreeable to you.
My friend has lived so long and seen such a variety of events that he well knows there (are) times which demand a tenfold exercise of patience. I take yours to be such a case. I have the same kind of confidence that the public in general but more particularly your acquaintance here, that you will do every thing that is proper and within the reach of your power. I have heard it hinted that there are parties - if so I hope the public danger will tend to united them, and turn their rage on the common Enemy.
Another [2] circumstance, your people have not seen any or but little service, if the Gentlemen of the Country turn out as much may be expected from them as any troops whatever, but all are not gentlemen. As your troops are new your will not my dear Sir take it amiss My suggesting to you the infinite importance of slight redoubts. your circumstances are not peculiar compared with the present state in the middle and Eastern states. Your must work with the tools in your possession - if you succeed [illegible] will follow you if you do not disapointed ambition and every species of rascality will be in an uproar against you. The Enemy will have two objects in engaging you immediately - the prospect of beating an inferior force and the prospect of spreading terrors of a general defeat. - for general it must be if you engage with a small force against a large one[.] Your kindness will attribute these hints to the proper motives - The right wing of Our Army is quartered in Jersey - the left wing and part of the second line including all the [3] Eastern troops are on the East side of the Hudsons. The Enemy by shipping off so great a quantity of troops have not enough left to disturb our repose much this winter.
We are enjoying east at your expence. I feel a kind of shame in participating of any entertainment at a time when any part of my friends are in a disagreeable situation. pray, let me hear from you at every leisure moment. I shall be all anxiety. The General, General Greene, the Commissary Genl. and myself are here being called upon by [illegible phrase] Congress -
Assure yourself I shall mend and write you often - The reason I have not done it before was I was placed in such a post as to have no communication with Any body else.
God prosper and succeed your expertions -
I am your affectionate friend
HKnox
Genl. Lincoln
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