16 October 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: At a council of war held at Frederickburgh Octr 16th 1778

Knox's handwritten copy of Washington's queries to his Council of War. Washington informs the Council that the British force consists of two divisions (one at New York and one at Rhode Island). A detachment from New York were recently "employed in a Forage" in New Jersey. Notes that the New York fleet was still in the harbor on 9 October, and was rumored to be planning to sail for Boston. A Continental officer, recently a prisoner of the enemy, reported that a large body of British troops embarked "destin'd for the Southward." Notes that General John Sullivan has command of troops…

GLC02437.00731

19 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Working draft of Knox's opinion given to George Washington on questions such as detaching part of the main army toward Boston and keeping Continental troops in a "collected state" during winter]

Knox's working draft. Is a response to GLC02437.00731 and draft of GLC02437.00733. Regarding the question of sending part of the army to Boston, writes "[the topic] was so fully discussed at the time it was propos'd and the conclusion drawn that it would be unnecessary to say any thing further on the subject..." Argues that during the winter "the army should be held in as collected a state as possible." Notes that the only argument against gathering the army in one location will be the difficulty of obtaining supplies and provisions. Advises against dividing the army into cantonments.…

GLC02437.00732

19 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Knox's opinion given to George Washington on questions such as detaching part of the main army toward Boston and keeping Continental troops in a "collected state" during winter]

Retained copy of GLC02437.00732, a response to GLC02437.00731. Refer to the draft of this document, GLC02437.00732, for complete scope and content. In Samuel Shaw's hand. Place of writing is inferred from copy at GLC02437.00732.

GLC02437.00733

January 10,1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses recent trouble with the post, his estate (William handled many business matters in Knox's absence), and a petition. Possibly referring to his own estate, expresses relief that William has chosen Joseph Peirce as an agent. Requests that William send some unspecified things, noting "The matter to Mrs Knox is of so much annoyance That no pains or expense must be spar'd in order to get them here timeously." Mentions the arrival of "the Miss Winslows" at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Relates that the Winslows will travel to Boston. Refers to the ship the General Arnold. In a post…

GLC02437.00745

6 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Has received news that a fleet has blocked the port of Boston. Notes that Admiral Parker (possibly Sir Hyde Parker) has arrived at "the Hook" with several ships ("the Hook" may refer to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, or another point in New Jersey near New York City). Reports that General [Nathanael] Greene praised the service of Knox's friend "Harry" [Henry Jackson]. Comments on other military matters, including a proposed duel between General Horatio Gates and James Wilkinson, who served under Gates. Remarks on the court martial of General Charles Lee for his conduct at the Battle of Monmouth.

GLC02437.00725

14 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William, his brother, for news of the location of William Howe's fleet. Apparently speaking of the British, writes "It is improper for a person in any Station to speak thus were it to be divulged but I do not believe there ever was a set of men so perfectly disqualified by a total & profound ignorance of every thing that might to constitute the Characters of Leaders of an Army to conquest- poor people they must evacuate the Continent or they will be entirely undone- I beg you not to imagine that by deprecation of their abilities I mean to exalt our own. God forbid- I shall say…

GLC02437.00726

28 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments, "You appear a little testy that I did not inform you the Enemy were going to Boston. Indeed I never believed it except a combination of unfortunate circumstances should impress an Idea of the kind on their minds... I think you may very freely make purchases and rely upon it that the Enemy will not come to Boston this Year- not even the tempting object of the french fleet will be a sufficient inducement. I believe from present appearances that the Enemy are about to evacuate the Continent." Also mentions the escape of General John Sullivan's forces in…

GLC02437.00727

5 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments on the arrival of (the privateer) General Arnold's prize. Thinks the British will leave the United States to secure their possessions elsewhere, noting that an attempt to capture the French fleet at Boston rests on too many uncertainties for the British. Recently received news that the French captured the island of Dominica, which Knox refers to as "Dominico." Also reports that France sent 4,000 men to take Jamaica. Comments that the British have taken cattle and forage in New Jersey, and surprised [Colonel George] Baylor's regiment, wounding Baylor (…

GLC02437.00728

6 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Measam

Written at Fredericksburgh. To Measam, deputy clothier stationed at Fishkill, New York. Discusses a deficiency of "waiscoats."

GLC02437.00729

11 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Reports that the British are still in New York City, and many British sailors are sick ashore. Of British commissioners, writes, "The Commissioners have Issued another Proclamation & manifesto. This they declare shall be the last & if it makes no impression on the hard hearted people of America they shall return and report the ill success of their Mission. These people have the same kind of insolence about them that a [young man rake] has who debauches his friends daughter and then offers a considerable sum as [hush?] money." In a post script, notes…

GLC02437.00730

24 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Location from docket. Knox informs his brother that the British sent a detachment of 7000-8000 men from New York. Predicts the men were sent to the West Indies, but "others again suppose for Carolina." Mentions a fleet of ships, possibly British, and the Comte D'Estaing. Notes, "I write you this that if there are no other Demonstrations than the ships of War-not to be alarm'd." Reports that more British may embark from New York, assuming they will travel to Europe, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the West Indies. In a post script, relates that the left wing of the…

GLC02437.00734

28 October 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Reports that a large detachment of British troops sailed recently, and by all accounts are bound for the West Indies or Europe. Writes, "The Enemy in New York are still preparing for a further Embarkation, if it takes place I think it may fairly be concluded They intend to evacuate the Continent. There is one event which if it takes place certainly indicates a total evacuation. I mean the evacuation of Rhode Island. We have intelligence of a number of Empty transports going to Rhode Island if so we conclude it is for the purpose of taking off the Garrison...…

GLC02437.00735

16 November 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Requests that William obtain items for Lucy Knox, his wife. Asks that he send the articles so Lucy may receive them by mid-January. Requests green tea and "raisons." Discusses the procurement of goods, and gives William advice on business matters. Agrees to help Sally and Betsey Winslow reach Boston, noting "the distressing circumstance will be how they will be able to subsist when there... their mother in Law is going to England & they will be left friendless and without protection-" Reports that the British have not completely evacuated New York, but two fleets recently embarked.…

GLC02437.00736

17 November 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Manuscript letter

Title: to Silas Talbot

Knox's retained copy of a letter from Laurens, President of Congress. Laurens congratulates Talbot and his men for taking the schooner Pigot, and on behalf of Congress grants Talbot a commission as lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Copy is in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00737

25 November 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that the army stationed at Fredericksburgh will leave 26 November for Pluckemin, New Jersey. Mentions Captain Stevens and the lands at Warren (possibly Warren, Maine). Discusses taxes on the sale of land. Written at Fredericksburg (present-day Patterson, New York).

GLC02437.00738

8 December 1778

Anspach, Peter, fl. 1775-1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account regarding Major David Mason and Thomas Mifflin]

Peter Anspach attests "errors excepted" for Mifflin. Contains account information from 1775 for sundries. A note written by Jonathan Webb Checkley at the bottom of the page indicates to pay the amount to Colonel W. Smith.

GLC02437.00739

8 December 1778

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Lists goods to be sent to Shaw for the Knox family, noting the location of the articles and when they will be sent. Includes a breakfast table, sheets, pillow cases, candle sticks, and other household items.

GLC02437.00740

December 31, 1778

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Account between John Jacob Faesch and Henry Knox]

Document in Shaw's hand, and signed by him for Henry Knox. Knox ordered grape shot and three pound balls from Faesch (spelled "Feash" in this document). Faesch signed 31 December 1778 at Mount Hope Furnace. Knox signs 20 February 1779 at Pluckemin, noting that the grape shot and cannon balls are "agreeable to the orders of His Excellency."

GLC02437.00741

4 January 1779 - 29 June 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: No. 7: Articles Issued in the Year 1779

Lists articles issued to 240 men, including officers. Includes articles such as bayonets, cartridges, powder, muskets, and flints, among many others.

GLC02437.00742

July 29, 1779 - December 31, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Articles issued in 1779]

Appears to be a continuation of GLC02437.00742. Lists articles for 180 men, including officers. Includes powder, ball, flints, cartridges, and muskets, among others.

GLC02437.00743

January 6, 1779 - December 31, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: No. 2: Ordnance and stores received during the year 1779

Lists articles for 90 men, including officers. Includes muskets, bayonets, lead, flints, and gun slings, among other items.

GLC02437.00744

January 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Address leaf has been cut out. Discusses the management of an estate, possibly his own, noting his satisfaction that William chose Joseph Peirce as agent. Requests William to procure black cloth from the State Store of Massachusetts to make coats for himself and his aide-de-camp, Samuel Shaw. Also requests fabric for waistcoats. Remarks: "We are both naked- therefore I pray you cloath us... I mean this on supposition that you get [the cloth] at the same price that the other officers have gotten it... I could not procure these actual articles under a small fortune here and yet they are…

GLC02437.00746

January 29, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Knox gives advice to General Lincoln, Southern Department Commander: "My ignorance of the Country makes me an inadequate judge of your situation, but the numbers you mention you have to oppose the Enemy is most certainly a very serious matter. This it is to hoped will ultimately be remedied but the mean time will probably be very disagreeable." Advises Lincoln to exercise patience. Relates that the right wing of the Continental Army is in New Jersey, while the left wing and part of the second line are east of the Hudson River. Remarks, "The Enemy by shipping off so great a…

GLC02437.00747

February 3, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Is in Philadelphia to suggest new ordnance regulations to a [Congressional?] committee. Of the military, writes, "We are in great want of Lead- The board of War have desir'd me to write to Boston to inquire which quantity can be gotten there and at the neighboring towns and at what price- I wish you to make the inquiry- or rather to get some person to make it for you as the Gentleman speculators may suspect from your connection that you want it for the public and advance their friends in proportion... But let it be done I beseech you so cautiously that it may not be suspected to be for the…

GLC02437.00748

February 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains why he has not written recently, citing "a very bad arrangement between me & the post Master." Expresses relief that he and William agree regarding an unspecified matter and a Mr. Hichborne (most sources say "Hichborn"). Refers to the "hoorid fate of the General Arnold." Notes "humanity recoils at the Idea of the distress which the poor families must sustain by the loss of their husbands, fathers, or brothers in that tremendous catastrophe" (the General Arnold, a ship, crashed on a sandbar outside of Plymouth, Massachusetts in December 1778). Knox had some investment in the…

GLC02437.00750