Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10109 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter Date: 14 May 1783 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 35.6 x 23.1 cm. Order a Copy
Declares, "The soldiers of the regiments of this garrison have been tolerably quiet until last night, when the behaviour of most or all of the regiments was totally repugnant to discipline, & in many instances highly mutinous... the rioters appeared to have no particular object in view..." Offers to take the responsibility of granting officers' furlough requests, if Washington thinks it appropriate. Knox' retained draft.
Sir
The soldiers of the regiments of this Garrison have been tolerably quiet untill [sic] last night, when the behaviour of most or all of the regiments was totally repugnant to discipline, & in many instances highly mutinous. [struck: The officers are] The officers exerted themselves to keep the men in their barracks [struck: and] [inserted: which they] finally effected [strikeout] & secured some of the most [struck: unruly] violent. The [struck: rioters] [inserted: rioters] appeared to have no particular objects in view but [struck: merely] huzzaing and uttering indecent expressions - regimental courts martial are order'd for the trial of the prisoners and it is presumed the [struck: punishment will be] [inserted: sentence] of those who shall be found guilty will be to be [struck: punishd in the] [inserted: corporal punishment and drummed out] with infamy. I have ventured to assure the officers commandg regiments that if this should be the case, they [struck: would] should be justified in approving the sentence, and carrying it into effect. Upon this I am to ask your Excellencys approbation.
Many officers have requested that furloughs for fifteen or twenty days. I have invariably referred them to your Excellency, but if you should find it too much trouble, and think proper to entrust me with the power, I shall relieve your Excellency from it in future.
I have the honor to be
with great respect Your obdt Servt
[docket]
To His Excelleny Genl Washington
14 May 1783
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