Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Crane
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01086 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Sleepy Hollow, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 30.1 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the transport and repair of cannons with Colonel Crane. Regrets the cannon were not proofed at Boston as it will cause "a clamor" if any prove bad. Reported on a recent reconnaissance mission to Kings Bridge to assess the weak points of the British army in the vicinity. Written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).
[draft]
Camp at Phillipsburg 25th July 1781.
Dear Colonel
I have the pleasure to receive your favor of the 20th at Kings bridge the day before yesterday. I am glad to learn that you have arrived with so many Cannon & stores at New Windsor, and which for the present may remain on board of the Vessells, except the French 18 pounders which I request may be sufficiently proved. I sincerely wish the matter had been thought of at Boston as if any now should prove bad, it will raise a Clamor that so much expence should be thrown away on unserviceable Cannon. You may find some place on the beach at New Windsor where it may be done safely. [struck: Captain] The materials can be furnish'd [struck: at] [inserted: from] West point - I also wish they might when on shore be fitted to the carriages made by Capt Patten for them.
If there should be no probability [2] of the [mortar beds] arriving, I wish you to give directions to Capt Patten to make one.
As soon as you shall have proved the Cannon you [struck: had] will please to repair to Camp leaving the charge of the Stores with Capt De Callander or with the senior officer who came with you. It will also be necessary you should forward all the recruits which came on with the stores, but first a sufficiency to mount guard over them. The officers of the regiment [strikeout] of infantry here which are entitled to them are anxious to receive their [strikeout] proportion
We have been down to Kings bridge as well to reconnoitre the situation of the grounds and points of attack as to offer Battle to the Enemy but they permitted us [strikeout] receive them [3] for two days without molestation
I am dr sir
Your hble servt
HKnox
Colonel Greene -
[docket]
To Col. Crane
25 July 1781.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.