Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00994 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New Windsor, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 June 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 27.6 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions doubts George Washington expressed in a previous letter regarding the upcoming campaign (initially the campaign was to be against the British in New York, but Washington revised these plans to launch the Siege of Yorktown). Discusses arrangements [Knox] made with General [Ezekiel] Cornell, a Continental Congressman, to obtain supplies.
[Draft]
New Windsor 29th June 1781 -
My dear Sir
I was at Westpoint today where I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of yesterday. I am sorry to learn by the extract of the letter by the board of War that things are not in a good train in Pennsylvania especially as the prospects are good from the eastward.
I am very sorry that your Excellency has any doubts, upon being able to carry into execution actions the plans which you have formed for the Campaign. I hope the intelligence you have received of the Enemy having [inserted: received a] reinforcement of 4000 is premature, and perhaps the [channel through] which [illegible] if it is not, we soon shall hear it from other quarters before the are [illegible] which perhaps in the present instance [illegible] in consequence of the communication <loss> [2] you have been pleas'd to make to me of the possibility of events taking a [struck: different] [inserted: contrary] turn from our wishes, I arrang'd [struck: the matters] matters with General Cornell as follows.
The heavy Cannon (about 12 pds) to be at Kings ferry by the 20th of next month
The last division of the powder to be at New Windsor by the same time and the remainder to follow in divisions of three or four days distance from each other on the same date. and under proper guards.
The shots, shells & heavy stores to be collected [illegible] [struck: Philadelphia] and [strike-out] [inserted: and held] in order to be transported [inserted: from there] by the the the 25th of next month.
The Articles for composition, implements for the laboratory, catridge paper, empty catridgs, and some other Articles, not amouting probably to [inserted: more than] twelve Waggon loads to be here as soon as possible.
These directions were contained [3] in a letter of the 29th Instant of which General Cornell was the bearer and with whom I communicated fully on the supplies requested.
I will wait on your Excllncy on Monday, and if any part of the orders shall be necessary to be changed there will [inserted: then] be time sufficient for these purposes.
I have sent the Lanterns and rockets orderd, the fomr would [illegible] require Wax or spermacetie candles of which we are destitute. The latter are good - but not so large as I intend the rockets for signals - any of the artillery officrs are acquainted with the method of firing them.
I have the honor to be with
the greatest respect and attachment
Your Excellncy most
Obedent Serv
H Knox
[docket]
To His Exy. Gen. Washington
29th June 1781.
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