Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln

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 #: GLC02437.01754 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 20 December 1782 Pagination: 3 p. ; 23 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

There is a small note at the top which says "(Copied from the Original) K's rough draft being faded out in parts." Knox writes that he is sorry General Lincoln seems so upset with him for not replying to his letters and emphasizes how much he prizes his friendship with Lincoln. Declares that he received two letters from Lincoln that did not seem to require a reply. Adds that right at the time that he received them, death "had with a strong and an unrelenting hand seized up the youngest of my little flock. My utmost attention and philosophy were necessarily exerted to calm the agitated mind of its wretched mother." Had hoped to see Lincoln at Camp then, but was not able to. Discusses the negotiations for half-pay of soldiers. Writes, "The expectations of the Army, from the drummer to the highest officer, are so keen for some pay that I shudder at the idea of their not receiving it." Has dispatched some gentlemen to bring him an address on the subject, and he hopes Lincoln will not have left town until they get there. Later copy of GLC02437.01751.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources