Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox [incomplete]

New Boston Feby 28th 1782
dear Harry

I have recd your several favors since we parted at Phillips burgh, & thank you for the information they contained, & the affectionate terms you express you express for me -
I feel myself [inserted: guilty] exceedingly so, for not writing you before, & be assured Harry is has not proceeded from a want of affection & friendship that was the cause of this neglect, god forbid [struck: that] that should be case - the only reasons I can give are laziness in part, the want of certain conveyance, as to writing by the post the chance was in favor his reaching New York & I have been butt little in the way of opportunity by private hands -
after you left us at Phillips burgh we march'd to Peekskill where we lay encamped about twenty days, frequently looking out sharp for Sir H' army coming up the River, our alarm Guns in readiness & alarm posts assigned in deed every thing in perfect order, we were so very respectable & kept such a good look out, that they knew better than to attempt any thing against us - our next move was to fall back on gallows' Hill to secure our right in case of accident, at this post Frank that lived with you at Morristown was paraded with [2] with [inserted: two] others of the Artillery for Execution for attempting to desert to the enemy, one of them was executed Frank & the other was pardoned -
on the 14th of Sept. I was very violently seized with a Billious Fever which confined me for six weeks, I thought for sometime it would have been too much for me, but my constitution being exceeding good & having the best assistance with everything around me comfortable & convenient I got the better of it. I was reduced to a near skeleton. Jack Bernard was an Elephant in size to me - I never knew what it was to be sick before - some of the Lads began to talk of promotion -
I had but a few days recoverd when the glorious & important news arrived of the capture of Cornwallis & his Army, on which Genl. Heath sent for me to undertake the Arrangement of a Public dinner on the occasion for four hundred officers including some of the most respectable Wig inhabitants - for my part I had no Idea of celebrating that important day on humble Toddy therefore I told the general if he would furnish a pipe of good old Mad, I would do my best, after some [3] sometime he consented, & it was procured accordingly - we had four tables erected in a field which formd a square each to contain one hundred men - we had no jellies creams, or floating Islands. but I assure you we had an exceeding agreeable time, every [container] was fill'd with the greatest joy each one endeavouring [sic] to make [struck: each] [inserted: the] other happy - there were 250 Officers present & after we had finish'd our Wine we left the field of action & retired to our several incampments without the least [accident] taking place during the day -
on the 17th Novr we marchd for our winter quarters, we, that is, the third Massa Brigade are the only troops that have to build Hutts in this part of the army. we are Halted about one mile and a half from Robersons House on the road from the Village to West point & every moment of my time since we arrived on this ground has been imployed in geting the men properly coverd & at the same time not forgeting myself - we have the best line of Hutts for regularities & order of any [ever] before built by the American Army - my Hutt is nearly completed there's but few houses in this part of the country that makes a more respectable appearance - it is an L 34 feet on each face [4] face, with five rooms each with a good fireplace my largest room is 18 feet by 16. three bed rooms 9 feet by 12, & a very good kitchen 12 feet by 16 with a good cellar & oven, Cow house & pig pen & when you come to camp you will find no one happier to see you than I shall. I can acommodate [sic] you all as long as you will stay without the best inconvenience. I have a little wine left in a keg that I have reserved for the Ladies & in case I should have any such friends -
It has been exceeding unhappy that a misunderstanding should have taken place between General Heath & General McDougall - a Court is orderd for the trial of General McDougall - Lord Sterling President, it will not do to give my opinion which is right or which is rong [sic], as I expect I shall be a member of the court, it has been & is a matter of great speculation & conversation in this quarter - I am apprehensive the affair will not and at this court, Mc is exceeding [warm] & determined to follow him to the utmost ends of the earth, but he will have satisfaction. I wish it could have been settled in some other way, for whatever may be thought of it, there is nothing more distructive, to discipline, regularity & order then disputes [5] disputes of this kind amongst officers especially with those of rank -
Lt. Samuel Bass of Colo Cranes Regiment sometime since was tried for forging an order on the Waggon Master in Capt Vose's name for a Horse, he was found guilty & sentenced to be dismissed the service, the general approved it but did not order to take place, from this circumstance many of his friends supposd the general wish'd that they would appear in his behalf, he wrote Colo Crane of the officers of the Regiment for their influence, they informd him his character was such they would do nothing for him - at the time when everything was done & doing for him by the officers of the line, he was guilty of several imprudences & the General issued an Order for him to leave camp immediately, he was a likely fellow, but did at last prove himself to be a great -
when will the Army receive any pay, theirs are exceeding [illegible] & dissatisfied, if they don't receive two or three months before the opening of the Campaign I shall dread the consequences, the public must suppose use [sic] full of money, or consider us as having a greater share of Virtue & forbearance than any race of men were ever bless'd with since the creation of the world the [6] the public have not Idea of the distressd situation of their Army from the general uneasy the common soldier not one dollar to be found & many of their best officers raged & shaby not able to do the necessary duties of Camp not a friend or a farthing to help themselves, a Uniform Coat & a Cockade are sufficient reasons with the inhabitants why this will [inserted: not] assist or relieve their distress - from morn to night, & from night to morn you will hear some of the best officers & soldiers (that any notion could ever boast of) execrating the very country they are risque'g their Lives, limbs & health to support for their inattention & neglect of them - they may talk of arrangements & dearrangements and Inspectors till the words are worn out & time is no more, unless they feed Cloth & Pay the Army they are names without a meaning & will have no more effect in the disipline of the Army than so many blank pieces of paper - I never knew the troops half so raged & destitute of Clothing as they have been this winter, its truce about six weeks ago that drew, one shirt, one pr hose and one pr overalls pr man, when they recd them they were naked & that clothing has been on their backs ever since without being able to [shift] them & there is but [7] but very few men in the [inserted in another hand in pen: Army] but is set up with the [Hat] we have recd a proportion of Cloth for Coats & Vests which are to be made by the regimental Tailors & such country workmen as will engage by [inserted: the time] this clothing is done, the overalls &cc will be completely worn out, but the coats & vests as they are exceeding good, [struck: they] will answer the purpose to keep the feet out in summer & every body knows their feet & Legs are proof against every season -
all the troops in this department have been innoculated for the small pox, it has proved more fatal with my regiment than in any other, I have lost one in fifteen -
General Lincoln went on by the way of Fish Kill so that I was deprived the pleasure of seeing him - I wish you to inform me what Congress have done & are doing with respect to the Army & what we may expect from them, what member of Major and Brigadier Generals are to remain in service & who they are - I hope your affair is determined in your favor before this, as I should be exceeding [lost] to have you leave service at this time - in a Boston newspaper a few days ago I observed that the Brig Amsterdam [8] Amsterdam was taken by the enemy & carried into Penobscot, it was said she was thought to be one of the most valuable prizes taken this War - I was exceeding unhappy as you must be a considerable sufferer by it -
I am told that little Lucy grows a fine girl & as to Harry he is one of the finest fellows of the age, your last boy I want much to see, I hope it will not be long before I shall see you all here - I am informd his Excellency intends coming on the beginning of March -
The Court Martial for the Trial of General Mc Dougall meet at Fish Kill the 18th Inst Lord Sterling president - the members were - Genl Clinton - Genl Patersen Colonels, Shepard, Swift, Putnam - Henry Jackson, Lt Colol Sherman - Smith Governor Huntington - Majors Throop & [Speer] - when the court were about forming & taking there places - Genl McDougall inform'd us he should object to the President & several of the members & was ready to give his reasons if required - my Lord insisted on having the reasons
[docket]
from Col H. Jackson
28 February 1782