Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10155 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 October 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 35.3 x 22.8 cm. Order a Copy
Knox, Commander at West Point, reports that he did not receive Washington's two most recent dispatches. Plans to continue to "discharge the invalids and those whose times of service may shortly expire." Requires Washington's instructions regarding preparing the barracks [at West Point] for 3,000 men for the winter. Remarks, "The british unreasonably protract the evacuation of New York. They appear to be ready either to go or stay as shall be most condusive [sic] to their views." Major [Sebastian] Bauman, recently in New York, reported that the British "would not get away untill December. If his conjecture should be right they will hardly go at that time. Your Excellency is probably posses'd of such information, as to enable you to decide with precision as per their intuitions." Notes that Lieutenant Colonel Villefranche (Chevalier de Villefranche), Major [Pierre] L'Enfant, and Major [Stephen] Rochefontaine "would be well pleased to stay in the American Service. They wish however to retain their rank in the french Army and to go to France this winter."
[Draft]
West point 2d October 1783
Sir.
By some bad arrangement of the post which has been detained [struck: three] [inserted: two] days somewhere upon the road I did not receive your Excellencys dispatches [inserted: of the 23 and 25th] untill last night -
I will attend [struck: to the <?> of] [inserted: to] your [struck: Excellencys] directions, to discharge the invalids and those whose times [inserted: of service] may shortly expire [struck: and <?> than by <?> to the number mentioned] If 3000 [inserted: or any number near it] [strike-out] should be absolutely necessary [struck: for any considerable] for a [struck: considerable] considerable part or the whole of the Winter, it would be proper to make some immediate arrangements to procure wood, and to render them comfortable in barracks. Upon this point I [struck: shall] request your Excellencys directions as soon as possible - The redoubts, [struck: and] barracks, and the posts occupied by Colonel Swifts regiment [strike-out] [inserted: Cap Winters undone] regiment to hut anew would probably [struck: contain] [inserted: accommodate] the whole.
The british [strike-out] [inserted: measurably] protract [struck: this] the evacuation of New York - [struck: There are many conjectures as to the time when they will effect it, but] they appear to be ready either [struck: to effect its, <?>] [inserted: to go or stay] as shall be most conducive to their views. Major Bauman who was in New York a few days ago was informed by Mr [2] D. Parke that they [struck: could] [inserted: would] not get away untill December. If [struck: this] [inserted: his] conjecture should be right they will hardly [strike-out] [inserted: go] at that time - Your Excellency is [strike-out] probably posses'd of such information, as to enable you to decide with precision as per their intentions.
The [struck: intentions] wishes of the engineers here has been sounded previous to your Excellencys letter - [struck: Lt Colonel Villfranch] Lt Colonel Villefranche Majors Rochfontaine, and L Enfant would be well pleased to stay in the American Service - They [strike-out] wish however to retain their rank in the french [struck: service] [inserted: Army], and to go to France this winter. I will endever to find out the inclinations [struck: of some] of the [struck: rest] others. [struck: and Villefranche at any rate intends to be <?> of]
I am [inserted: my] Dear General
[struck: your] with the greatest respect
Your most obedient Serv
H Knox
His Excellency General Washington
[docket]
2d October 1783
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