Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02724 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 October 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 33.7 x 21.1 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the winter quarters for various regiments located in and around the area of West Point. Mentions the British evacuation of New York City which may or may not happen soon. Knox also offers to host Washington if he travels to New York City or Boston. Knox's retained draft.
[draft]
Westpoint 29 October 1783
Sir
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of the 16 instant. [struck: We shall]
We shall endevor [sic] to put the troops into their Winter quarters as soon as possible. The 4t Massachusetts regiment has already gone to occupy the huts built by Colonel Swifts regiment which are in pretty good repair. The New Hampshire Corps will go tomorrow to Constitution Island - The remainder of the connecticut regiment will be stationed in some of the redoubts - and the 1st: 2 & 3d masachusetts will be in barracks in the Garrison except some detachments at the out posts - I suppose the same reasons which induced sending the light companies to Westchester will operate to keep them there during the Winter, if the British should continue in New York.
The Wood party which I have mentioned to your Excellency have almost completed the task assigned them which was two cords p man, and most of them have received their discharges, - We shall be able to ascertain their precise numbers before next post -
Sheldons Legion were furloughed by your [2] Excellency to the first of August, and afterwards I lengthned [struck: them to] them to the first of November. As they will not be wanted untill Spring if ever, perhaps it will be best to renew their furloughs Untill the first of April next, provided no general measures [struck: can] [inserted: could] be immediately taken with them.
The late resolve of Congress respecting a part of the engineers, [struck: have alarmed the rest, who are anxious] [inserted: have induced an anxiety in the rest] to go to France, [struck: to receive a proportion of honor and [Porfit] [sic]] [strikeout] Lt Colonel Vellefranche & Major Rochfontaine are so urgent [struck: up] to go to Princeton [inserted: to obtain your Excellencys permission [strikeout]] that I cannot refuse them especially as they represent that a detention [struck: will so] [inserted: would] esentially [sic] injure them.
The demonstrations of the enemy, to evacuate the city seem to be clearer than they were, but I know not whether they are so unequival [sic] as to decide with certainty that they will go next month, as they say they shall. If this should be the case I suppose a reduction would be certain. I will thank your Excellency for the earliest information upon the subject of Clothing.
[3] If the Enemy should go from New York in the Course of the next month, or [struck: shall] [inserted: if] the service would admit of it I should be happy to receive your Excellencys permission to go to Boston in the beginning of January. I mention it this early, as I understand Congress will soon move to [struck: Baltimore] [inserted: Annapolis], in which case it is probable that Your Excellency will also go Southward.
Brigidier Genl Greaton, being totally unfit for duty by reason of sickness I have permitted him to go home. [struck: and] General Huntington having no command has received like permission. And as most of the connecticut officers will be in the same predicament they will [struck: as] also [struck: be allowed] receive furloughs upon the same principles as those who returned last June.
I have the honor to be
with great Respect
Your Excellenys
Most Obedient
Servant
H Knox
Enclosed are the monthly
returns -
His Excellency Genl Washington
[docket]
To his Excellency General Washington
29 October 1783
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