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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 Lucy Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00200 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Watertown, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 August 1775 Pagination: 1 p. : docket : 31.8 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of cattle on Fishers Island, off Connecticut. Thinks he will see her Monday. The American Army got into a skirmish with British forces nearby at Plumb Island the day after this letter was written, the first reported clash between regulars in the Continental Army and the redcoats. Letter is dated Thursday morning 9 August 1775 but Thursday was actually 10 August 1775.

[draft]
Watertown Thursday Morng. Aug 9 75
My dear Lucy
I wrote to you who is the animating object of My Life yesterday but had no opportunity of sending it - therefore to make my promise good and agreable to my own inclinations - I attempt to talk to my Lucy this morning but alas forty miles - She cant hear me - what Did I say I shall attempt to talk to her this morning - I am allways talking inwardly to her - I think of [rarely] any thing else - [struck: inded] indeed my dear Girl I love you too well to be seperated from you at all - I was Yesterday at Cambridge General Washington & Lee inquired after you - I din'd at General W- while I was there the navy prisoners who I wrote to you about Yesterday came there on [struck: Horseback] Horses - there were Seven vizs one Lieut one Doctor one master & four midshipmen - all handsome Genteel looking men - and Mr Ichabod - the officers were dispos'd of Genteely for the present and are soon to be sent into the Country - Mr Jones will I presume be sent to Goal [inserted: to counterballance this] - the regulars have lately made a fine prize at Fishers Island off Connecticut of 2000 very lean sheep & one hundred & fifty head of Cattle - all the fat Cattle & sheep they took from the Island last thursday & fryday - and left the lean ones suppos[ing] no body would Touch them but they were mistaken people [struck: whose] Who are starving dont stand for delicacy whether their meat is fat or Lean - those sheep will make very good broth - I think my Dear I shall be home on next monday - I am with the most perfect attachment that ever posses'd the human heart Your sincerly
Affectionate husband
Harry Knox

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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