Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01125 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Sleepy Hollow, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 August 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William. Mentions sending a letter to him three days earlier. In that letter he says he gave as much of an account of the general circumstances of the army as possible given the chance of mail getting captured. Says they have zeal, but would not be able to overtake the enemy. Has no news other than Lord Cornwallis being named commander in chief in place of General Clinton, who returns to England. Says "This War has [invariably] disgraced every british commander and I hope eventually disgrace the nation who employs them." Requests to draw a sum of £6.15.0 for wine. Says he needs to have wine because of "our good friends being in camp." Asks him not to be alarmed by the request as he hopes not to repeat it.
[draft]
Camp Phillipsburg 8 August 1781
I wrote you my dear Brother three days ago by a person who was going to Boston upon particular business, [& who] was to return as soon as it was accomplished. In that letter I gave a detail of our general circumstances as far as consistent with my situation, & the chance of falling into the enemies hands. we have [zeal], and we ardently wish that our Country would enable us to exert it with effect. Indeed we could any day we please exert ourselves but the probable consequences would be the death [wound] to the hopes of our Country.
[Since] that we have no news except that Lord Cornwallis is to Command in Chief. the [illegible] of [Sir] H. Clinton who is to go to England. This War has [2] [invariably] disgraced every british commander and will I hope eventually disgrace the nation who employs them.
I have ventur'd to draw upon you for a small sum by Mr [Fosdick] (£6. 15[%].) who has let me have some wine - I hope you will find no difficulty in paying it. This is [inserted: for [Maine] and is] a Consequence of our good friends [being] in [Congress] and [in] a small degree to conform to them. however I pray you not to [be alarm'd] as I hope shall not be obliged to repeat it in any degree. I should not now [but] that [It] became necessary to clear out from Winter quarters. I [furnish Lucy] with almost all that came on [3] [by] Colonel Jackson & General Heath, [&c. &c.]
In great [haste] I am my dear friend
Your affectionate
HKnox.
[address]
Mr William Knox
Boston
favord by. Major [Fosdick]
[docket]
Phillipsburgh 8.th Augt
1781 Brigdr. Genl Knox
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