Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10139 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 September 1783 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33.3 x 22.8 cm. Order a Copy
Knox, Commander at West Point, encloses a weekly return of troops (see GLC02437.10140). Reports that he appointed a board to inspect the "decrepit and infirm," to determine those who were unfit for service. Sixty-one soldiers were deemed unfit for service, and Knox asks for Washington's approval to discharge these men with a pension. Comments on cannons and military stores. Knox's retained draft.
West Point 17 Septr 1783
Sir
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency the last weekly returns of the troops.
Since my last, I appointed a board to inspect the decrepid and infirm who were [inserted: in] capable of [strikeout] duty, which have [reported] sixty [one] to be discharged as unfit for service, one of them with a pension. I shall accordingly discharge them which I hope will have your Excellys approbation.
[Struck: I have the]
We are busy in [withdrawing] the Cannon of the outposts, and making every arrangement so as to place the stores in the best order our means will admit.
I have the honor
to be with great respect
Your Excelly
Obedient
Servant
HKnox
His Excelly Genl Washington
[docket]
To his Excellency General
Washington 17 Sept 1783
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.