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circa August 1776
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Disposition of Troops at New York
Lists major generals Israel Putnam and John Sullivan and the brigadier generals immediately under them.
GLC02437.00415
15 August 1776
to Lucy Knox
Expresses thanks for their ability to communicate while separated and is looking forward to their future together. Philosophically expresses hopes that reason and religion will someday dictate man's actions. Writes that he "will make a very family...
GLC02437.00419
6 September 1776
Callender, Eliezer (1709-1790)
to Henry Knox
He has heard that his son, John Callender, was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of Long Island. If a prisoner, [which he was], Eliezer seeks Knox's aid in getting his son released. John Callender was later exchanged and...
GLC02437.00441
7 September 1776
Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because...
GLC02437.00442
19 September 1776
to William Knox
Explains that he has been extremely busy and has not been able to write. Notes that those "Rascally Hessians" took his baggage with most of things and asks that some cloth be sent to him. Written from Mount Washington (now Washington Heights) in...
GLC02437.00447
23 September 1776
Discusses corresponding with his brother. Describes the artillery department in the Continental Army as one of the busiest, and the reason he cannot write as frequently as would prefer to. Gives his analysis and opinions of recent events...
GLC02437.00451
25 September 1776
to John Adams
Later copy. Responds to a request from Adams' (see GLC02437.00) and comments on the character and abilities of several officers, although he directs Adams to a list of officers rather than composing one himself. Discusses the difficulties of...
GLC02437.00454
26 September 1776
Knox, William (1756-1795)
Celebrates Knox's "very surprizing deliverance from the hands of the Enemy." Criticizes the "Scandalous Flight of the Connecticut Militia," at the Battle of Long Island. Says that "General Washington himself has wrote to our [Council] & cast most...
GLC02437.00455
27 September 1776
[Hints for the Improvement of the Artillery of the United States]
A report for the Continental Congress outlining specific recommendations to improve the organization, supply, and administration of the Continental Army's artillery. Composed at Harlem Heights in New York. Title from docket. Knox's retained copy...
GLC02437.00459
1 October 1776
Hoff, Joseph (fl. 1776)
Discusses the canons he was ordered to make. Work had stopped from lack of communication but was restarting, and Hoff seeks instructions on what to make. Also indicates that he has the opportunity to hire additional moulders, one of which was the...
GLC02437.00462
circa 6 October 1776
John Hoff Memoranda for Col: Knox
Autograph endorsement signed on verso by Henry Knox, written from Mt. Washington, [New York] dated 6 October 1776, requests that Lieutenant Samuel Treat be granted passage over King's Bridge. John Hoff's memoranda explains the content and...
GLC02437.00463
2 October 1776-14 October 1776
Keyes, Nathaniel (fl. 1776)
[Clothing receipts]
Four receipts for coats, white swanskin (a kind of material) and shoes, signed by Keyes, Thomas Frothingham, John Oliver, Joseph Eayres and Nathaniel Bowen. (All served under Henry Knox.) Notes supplies received at Mount Washington from Isaiah...
GLC02437.00467
5 October 1776
Lord, Jacob (fl. 1776)
Informs Knox that he "is manufacturing gun powder for the Continental Congress" that is intended for George Washington. Sends samples to Knox and asks to be informed which will pass inspection. Signed in the third person in the text.
GLC02437.00469
8 October 1776
Anspach, Peter (fl. 1775-1783)
[Receipt for 450 pounds/1,500 dollars and an account for clothing for Colonel Thomas Mifflin]
Delivered for Henry Knox by Samuel Treat. Composed at Mount Washington.
GLC02437.00471
10 October 1776
Expresses disappointment with not receiving a letter from William, but writes this letter for both William and Henry Jackson. Discusses being recalled from New Jersey in response to sightings of British ships. Tells William to not give credit to...
GLC02437.00472
20 October 1776
Discusses their correspondence and speculates that not all their letters reach each other. Discusses the recent British victories in taking Long Island and New York. Had hoped the victories would induce the British into an ill-planned and...
GLC02437.00476
7 November 1776
William Knox
Was worried to hear from Henry Jackson that William had gone aboard a ship going to confront the British ship the Mifford. Notes that after pursuing the Continental Army to White Plains, the British have turned back toward New York and Knox...
GLC02437.00483
10 November 1776
Discusses how important his correspondence with Lucy is and how much it hurts him to urge her to go farther away from him (first to New Haven then to Boston). Speculates on a possible British strategy to extend their conquest into New Jersey, which...
GLC02437.00485
14 November 1776
Regrets that he must send her to Boston, but hopes to see her and Peter soon, if his duties allow. Notes British movements on Long Island. Comments on the tactical ineptitude displayed by both sides: "The manoeuvres of the enemy are so complicated...
GLC02437.00487
17 November 1776
Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786)
Dated November 1776; date of 17 November inferred from content. Reports that Fort Washington has been captured by the British, and that the Americans have "lost" between 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers. The American generals, including Washington, Palmer...
GLC02437.00488
18 November 1776
Informs her of the loss of Fort Washington and 1,500 men. "This is the most severe stroke we have received during the war as to the number of men." Writes that he is very upset over the terrible defeat, but has not lost hope.
GLC02437.00489
22 November 1776
Assures her that their separation will not be as long as she fears, that they will soon be together again, and that he loves her deeply. Explains why he must stay at war and away from her, saying: "My obedience in this point interrupts our happiness...
GLC02437.00490
25 December 1776
Order of march to Trenton
Orders for surprise attack on British forces at Trenton. On Christmas morning Washington made his famous crossing of the Delaware, and prepared for a surprise attack on Trenton. These orders lay out the various roles of the different sections of...
GLC02437.00495
28 December 1776
Expresses his love for Lucy, but says that the love of his country must keep them apart for now. Discusses the Battle of Trenton (26 December 1776) in depth. Starts by stating that Lucy must "have heard of our success on the morning of the 26th...
GLC02437.00497
circa 1776
Allen, David (fl. 1775-1778)
[List of artillery stores]
List various artillery supplies, such as powder, shells, shot, and fuses. Note on bottom of page states that he has just received the articles on the list "from Capt Dana at Bargin" and wishes to know what to do with them. Addressed to Knox at...
GLC02437.00503
7 January 1777
Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where...
GLC02437.00514
11 February 1776
Washington, George (1732-1799)
Invites Knox to join him for "Dinner to day at 2 o Clock." The year is not given, but has to be 1776 as Knox was a Colonel then.
GLC02437.00531
6 March 1777
Expresses his love for her and his sadness at being forced to part again. Mentions his travel plans as well. After months apart the couple was finally able to see each other when Washington sent Knox to Boston to recruit men and examine artillery...
GLC02437.00544
10 March 1776
"His Excellency," George Washington, compliments Colonel Knox, asks him to come to headquarters immediately, and invites him to dinner at 2 o'clock that night. The letter must be from 1776, since this is the only year in which Knox is a Colonel in...
GLC02437.00546
16 March 1777
Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)
Colonel Crane has been authorized to give twenty pounds as a bounty to those he enlists in the regimental artillery. But Boston is offering a town bounty of fifty pounds for anyone who joins the local army, and this is making recruiting very...
GLC02437.00550
20 March 1777
Mentions his plan to "enter the Service" once he raises a certain sum, which he is confident he will have soon. He has bought two hundred pounds worth of quills, paper, and similar articles from Newburry, and thinks they will be easy to turn a...
GLC02437.00555
23 March 1777
Says that since William's happiness is important to him, he will not prevent his brother from joining the army once William has completed certain essential family business. Arranges for William to pick up his baggage from various spots in New...
GLC02437.00556
1 April 1777
Received Knox's letter via Captain Shaw, and was pleased by Knox's good spirits. Hopes to defeat the British, but worries about the lack of manpower, hearing that Washington only has 4,000 men. "If this is the case you must expect a whipping very...
GLC02437.00561
Reassures his brother of his affection for him. Has received a trunk for Henry from Jonathan Ingersol, and will write him. Informs Knox that he will try to obtain silk stockings for him and that George Washington's coat has been charged to his...
GLC02437.00563
3 April 1777
Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824)
Says she and Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn have completed "the affair of the house" for 5,500 pounds. Says the transaction pains her, though is sure her father will approve once he knows the circumstances. Is worried, however, that others may see Henry...
GLC02437.00565
13 April 1777
Hopes Henry is thinking of her. Says that she is being inoculated for smallpox, but that a rash on her arm has slowed the process and led the doctor to give her more mercury. Worries about her health but says their daughter is doing quite well....
GLC02437.00572
12 May 1777
to Henry Knox [incomplete]
Colonel Jackson discusses military details, noting that "the Court," (referring to the Court of Massachusetts) has ordered the draft of every seventh man from towns that have not met enlistment quotas. Has persuaded the court to allow drafted men to...
GLC02437.00591
26 May 1777
Laments her lonely situation, noting that a recent visitor brought her news of Henry, but no letter from him. Envies the wives of generals able to travel with their husbands: "happy Mrs. Washington happy Mrs Gates in short I do not recollect an...
GLC02437.00602
27 May 1777
Gives details of marching with an unspecified company, and discusses his recent service at Providence, Rhode Island. Refers to a recent election of representatives, possibly in Boston, Massachusetts. Writes, "My good friend, we are in a very bad...
GLC02437.00604
3 June 1777
Relates to Henry what he has heard regarding the Battle of Bound Brook, New Jersey (13 April 1777). Notes that he knows "General Washington & yourself was not in the Battle but intended being at bound Brook the next day." Discusses raising a sum of...
GLC02437.00608
8 June 1777
Colonel Jackson writes "by way of Peekskill" [New York]. Reports that a Massachusetts state cruiser has taken two British transport ships bound for New York with Hessians on board. Of the Hessians, writes "it is said they show'd the greatest joy...
GLC02437.00610
10 July 1777
Replies to a letter from Henry from 21 June, in which Knox discussed British movement in detail. Agrees with Knox, that the British in the New York/New Jersey area will "form a junction with the Nothern [sic] Army." Worries that General George...
GLC02437.00621
13 July 1777
Knox writes, "the shortness of your two last letters were not very agreable [sic] to me..." Discusses the Battle of Ticonderoga (2-6 July 1777): "We have received... news of the evacuation of Ticonderoga pregnant in my opinion with the most...
GLC02437.00622
14 July 1777
Discusses the Continental evacuation of Ticonderoga: "My God, what a Stroke we have met with in Loss of Ticonderoga- after all the trouble, pains, & expense the Continent has been at in Fortifyg [sic] that Post, to think we should be obliged to give...
GLC02437.00624
17 July 1777
Mentions the capture of the Fox, a British frigate. Apparently, the Fox was retaken by the British, but this news is uncorroborated. Colonel Jackson expects to be called in to pay Knox's contribution to a privateer. Suggests that Henry persuade...
GLC02437.00626
19 July 1777
Colonel Jackson asks, "What think you of the loss of Ticonderoga, it is in general believ'd here, that that Fortress was sold to the enemy- as for my part, I shall suspend my Judgement till I can hear more of the particulars." Discusses recent news...
GLC02437.00627
23 July 1777
Colonel Jackson declares, "The loss of Ticonderoga is a very severe stroke, we shall expereance [sic] the misfortune of it as long as the War lasts- there is no one circumstance take'n place this War that has affected the minds of the People so much...
GLC02437.00628
31 July 1777
Reports that Lucy Knox, Henry's wife, left for Newbury Port (possibly Massachusetts), the previous Monday. Mentions an express from General [Israel] Putnam to General [William] Heath, in which Putnam attested the British sailed from the Hook...
GLC02437.00631
2 August 1777
Reports, "The enemy have manoevr'd us to this place... and after all gave us the slip... this is now the third day of their departure with a fine a wind as ever blew to carry them to New York and so up the North River [the Hudson]-- this must be...
GLC02437.00632
7 August 1777
Reports a scare regarding a fleet of 150 ships in the [Massachusetts] Bay. Describes how Bostonians were thrown into confusion, thinking the fleet consisted of British troops from New York. Speaks of the evacuation of Boston: "altho' the Alarm came...
GLC02437.00633
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