Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01084 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Sleepy Hollow, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1781 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 30.2 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Has not recently received any letters from William, his brother. Reports that Continental troops in the vicinity reconnoitered at Kings Bridge to estimate where the British are most vulnerable: "The result of our discoveries was a full conviction that the place was reducible with a proper number of men, a number however far exceeding those now here. Whether we shall be able to obtain a sufficient force depends upon our Country, if they will furnish the men..." Describes a skirmish between the Marquis de Lafayette and Lord Cornwallis 6 July in Virginia near Green Spring plantation, in which Lafayette underestimated the British force, thus the Americans "were oblig'd to retire..." Knox is however assured that "This affair will have no bad consequences." Refers to General Nathanael Greene's actions in South Carolina, including at Ninety Six. Written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).
Camp at Phillipsburg 25th July 1781
I have not my dear friend received any letters from you since those which I acknowledged in my last to you. [One] of which was by Colonel Harry with the money, and the other of the 27 ultimo indeed I have received one or two papers with your hand writing on the [superscription], and a letter for Mr Nelson. The last was via Philadelphia through the egregious inattention of the people of the post office.
On the 21st instant we mov'd to Kings Bridge in 4 Columns, with the principal intention of reconnoitring the points at which the enemy were most vulnerable and if they chose it to give them battle on our own terms. We [view'd them] for two days in every direction we pleas'd without any material interruption. We return'd to Camp on the evening of the 23d. The result of our discoveries was, A full conviction that the place was reducible with a proper number of men, a number however far exceeding those now here. whether we shall [2] we shall be able to obtain a sufficient force depends upon our Country. if they will [furnish] the men I think without presuming too much we should be able to possess ourselves of York & Long Island in the Course on a month or six weeks. The Enemy deprived of those places would soon be compell'd to relinquish every post they hold in America - But it is exceedingly to be apprehended that a want of exertion in the respective States will be the cause of our losing the most favorable moment to ruin the Enemy which has happened during the War. certainly certainly these people have less ardor in attempting to secure their libery & every [blessing], than children in their most juvenile sports.
The Marquis de la Fayette, had an action in detail, with the Enemy under Lord Cornwallis on the 6th instant, near James Town or James River in Virginia. a small part of our force was engag'd with [3] a great part of theirs. we of course were oblig'd to retire, our loss abt 118 killd, wounded and missing and two peices of cannon which we were oblig'd to abandon, by reason of the horses being kill'd. This affair will have no bad consequences -
General Greene after dispossessing the Enemy of all their posts in South Carolina & Georgia, and ninety six, was oblig'd to raise the siege of the latter in consequence of Lord Rawdons marching against him reinforced by 1800 or 2000 people for England. General Greene's conduct under the most pressing embarrassments have been [such] as to [struck: [to grant] the most] [inserted: establish] [struck: them] a man of great talents and solid military abilities - Fortune has nothing to do with his conduct as it seems to be dictated by superior sentiments
I beg you to consider how consolatory a letter from you is to me, [4] and to omit no opportunity of letting me know that you are well. I have felt hurt by you not writing by the several opportunity before alluded to -
Give my love to all friends and believe me my dear Brother to be your affectionate
HKnox
Lucy and her children are still up the river I have not heard from them since my last.
[docket]
From Brigad.r Genl Knox
July 25.th 1781. at
Phillipsburgh.
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