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[Battle plan for the siege of Boston Harbor]
circa 1775-1776
Mapped battle plan for an American siege of Boston Harbor. Shows boats and some major geographic markers. For written plans see GLC02437.00231.
GLC02437.00232
to Henry Knox
February 1776
Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796
At the request of General Horatio Gates, Gridley asks Knox to inform General Israel Putnam of the need for repairs on a bridge at Lechmere Point, Massachusetts. Gridley was the army's chief engineer, he was succeeded by Knox in 1775 but retained the...
GLC02437.00251
February 19, 1776
Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828
Praises Knox and congratulates him on his recent commission to colonel and his successful operation retrieving artillery from Fort Ticonderoga. Discusses his own ill health as well as his desire to get well and return to military service. Comments...
GLC02437.00252
to Artemas Ward
February 26, 1776
Read, Joseph, 1732-?
Gives a military report provided by Thomas Mayfield. Describes ship activities in Boston Harbor, mentioning workers and loading occurring at "the Castle," in reference to the military garrison on Castle Island in the harbor. Written in Dorchester...
GLC02437.00257
16 March 1776
Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823
Notes that the men are supplied with small arms and requests carbines for the officers. Stevens had recently been appointed a captain in Knox's regiment of artillery. The British evacuated Boston the day after this letter was written.
GLC02437.00259
27 March 1776
Tracy, Nathaniel, 1751-1796
Arranges to have the bearer of the letter retrieve artillery from Framingham, Massachusetts. Tracy was a merchant who turned privateer during the Revolution.
GLC02437.00261
4 April 1776
Randall, Thomas, ?-1811
Confirms receipt of an order to remove artillery from Dorchester Heights to the Roxbury Meeting House. Seeks advice to resolve a conflict with Captain John Popkins company over guard duty. Notes that the men need extra time to retrieve their...
GLC02437.00267
23 September 1776
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Congratulates his brother on his escape from New York. Notes that many in Boston are "much pleas'd" with the retreat. Tells the version of events in New York he has heard but eagerly awaits details from Henry. Notes hearing that Benedict Arnold...
GLC02437.00449
to Lucy Knox
16 November 1775
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Writes lovingly to his wife. Discusses his journey to visit her, getting caught in a violent storm, and expecting to see her tomorrow night. Explains that George Washington has ordered him to go to Fort Ticonderoga. Knox, having recently been...
GLC02437.00209
to William Knox
25 September 1775
Later copy of original letter (see GLC02437.00203).
GLC02437.00204
to William Burbeck
February 25, 1776
Asks Colonel Burbeck to procure horses and carts, and move some artillery pieces from Prospect Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts, after assessing the road in the daytime. Notes that he would have done this himself if his wife, Lucy Knox, was not...
GLC02437.00254
3 March 1776
Crane, John, 1744-1805
Indicates changes made to the organization of artillery at Roxbury, Massachusetts, per Knox's request. The artillery was for the siege of Boston. Crane was a major under Knox's command.
GLC02437.00256
24 July 1776
Discusses a British ship that was captured near an American fort at Nantasket, Massachusetts. The vessel had come from Ireland to support General William Howe's army and had mistakenly thought the British were still in Boston. Tells a detailed...
GLC02437.00392
Clothing and payroll return document 1st Massachusetts regiment [Decimalized .01- .04]
1781-1783
Manuscript clothing and payroll return documents listing many African American freemen who fought in this desegregated regiment during the Siege of Boston and at Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, and Monmouth, and guarded the Hudson Highlands. These...
GLC09134
[Receipt of payment from Henry Knox]
February 9, 1776
Document in Knox's hand, signed by Mosely twice. His first signature indicates receipt of payment from Knox for transporting two cannons from Westfield to Worcester. His second signature confirms receipt of payment for "a mistake in the calculation...
GLC02437.00756
to unknown re: evaluating British commanders in America; campaign
1775/07/13
Germain, George Sackvile, Viscount Sackville, 1716-1785
A remarkably outspoken letter written three months after Lexington. He evaluates commanders and vows that now further accommodations are now possible: "We will soon have very interesting news from Boston, as I never can believe that Howe will be...
GLC07129
[Two muster rolls taken during the siege of Boston, September-October 1775]
1775
A roll for Captain Luke Drury's company in the 32nd Continental Regiment of Foot under Colonel Jonathan Ward.
GLC09048
to Sylvia Weiner
February 7, 1945
Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988
Moe received a letter from Alvin who is now in London. He went to the concert and enjoyed it immensely. He also reassures Sylvia that he received her anniversary gift, and mentions he has sent her a package.
GLC09414.1331
to George Washington
23 October 1775
Greenleaf, Joseph, 1720-1810
Docketed by George Washington. Forwards Knox a plan (not included) given to Greenleaf "by a country gentleman." He concludes that Knox could make the best use of it, commenting that "if it affords any good hints they will be improved by you for the...
GLC02437.00207
to Alexander McDougall
17 December 1775
Docket is written in Knox's hand. Asks Colonel McDougall to use his influence to have the listed shells sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, immediately. In a post script, asks that McDougall inform George Washington if he cannot obtain the listed...
GLC02437.00220
5 January 1776
Explains delays in transporting the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts caused by the lack of snow on the ground and ice on the Hudson River. He realizes the importance of the transport and explains plans for moving forward....
GLC02437.00238
to Charles Lee
January 25, 1776
Gives General Lee additional specifics on the artillery ordered from New York City and being sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, which George Washington has already written Lee about. He sent a list of items sent by the Second Provincial Congress or...
GLC02437.00245
25 December 1775
Palmer, George, 1719-1809
Responds to Knox's cancellation of an arrangement for Captain Palmer to obtain sleds and pack animals to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that the patriotic people Palmer contracted with are insulted by...
GLC02437.00225
to Capt. Bayler
Apologizes for taking Bayler's horse for his brother, William Knox. Had Knox known he would have been away so long, he would not have taken it. Knox was then organizing the transport of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
GLC02437.00240
11 July 1775
Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels...
GLC02437.00199
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