Gibbs, Caleb (ca. 1748-1818) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02457 Author/Creator: Gibbs, Caleb (ca. 1748-1818) Place Written: New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 September 1783 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.3 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Major Gibbs to Major General Knox. Says he wrote Knox a letter on 27 August from Brunswick and since then his regiment has been reduced by sickness. Reports he left 60 men in Brunswick and more have become sick since marching from there. Says that Lt. Bullard, quartermaster of the 2nd regiment who was sent ahead, will be able to give Knox a full report. Says if there is not enough water transportation to take the entire regiment to West Point from Kings Ferry, he will only send along his invalids and baggage. Hopes to reach West Point by Wednesday if the weather is favorable. Camped 12 miles from Kings Ferry, New York.
Gibbs was born in Newport, Rhode Island, but lived much of his life in Massachusetts. He was appointed adjutant in the 21st and 14th regiments of the Continental infantry. George Washington appointed him captain in command of the commander in chief’s guard on 12 March 1776. He resigned his commission in June 1784. A summary on Washington's guard can be found in a paper read before the New-York Historical Society on 5 January 1858 by Benson J. Lossing found in "The Historical Magazine," vol. 2, New York: C. Benjamin Richardson.
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