15 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles McKnight

Writes that in response to his request, he has not heard that any sick members of the garrison are suffering "for want of a Gentleman of the hospital." Writes that he does not feel it would be proper to grant him permission to travel to New Jersey on family business, perhaps because Dr. McKnight's services are needed at Fishkill: "If it really was with me to grant you the permission and the State of the service would permit it, I certainly should convey it to you without hesitation." See GLC02437.01662 for a related document.

GLC02437.01667

15 April 1782

Loring, Joshua, 1744-1789

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Elizabethtown, present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey. Asks Knox to facilitate the exchange of Lieutenant Haldane, an aide-de-camp of Lord Cornwallis. Believes that when General George Washington hears that he has personal reasons for wanting to exchange Lieutenant Haldane, he "will oblige me in my Request."

GLC02437.01390

12 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 7 August. Thanks him "for your opinion on the department of field Commisary of Military Stores." As Knox hinted, Lincoln said he has submitted it to Washington. Wants his opinion on the peace. Says he received a late letter from London "shewing the miserable state to which their nation is driven. - which, if true, must soon produce a peace provided we do not relax on the present state of things - and thereby lay ourselves open to a stroke." Says a Mr. Blake of South Carolina has recently returned from…

GLC02437.01524

28 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some…

GLC02437.01546

23 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes that as he has been charged with being the commander of West Point, he must, with General George Washington, determine any changes or additions to West Point "as may tend to give it that solid strength which the nature of the service may require." Discusses some changes he would like made to the structure of the redoubts, which would require timber. To obtain the timber, he needs teams of oxen to pull it, and he is having trouble acquiring the timber and oxen. Asks Lincoln to empower the Quarter Master General to help him in his endeavor.

GLC02437.01760

4 July 1782

Loring, Joshua, 1744-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that due to Knox's letter of 12 June, he placed Knox's items at auction. He is not yet sure of the proceeds but estimates them at about 140 pounds. Will write by next post with more information. (See GLC02437.01475 for references to this letter.)

GLC02437.01477

22 August 1782

Loring, Joshua, 1744-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox that a "Bill of Exchange for 500 Dollars" from General Benjamin Lincoln came and he paid it. There is now a balance due to Knox of 200 dollars which he can get from Loring whenever he likes.

GLC02437.01533

26 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Marked "Private." References Knox's private letter of last Saturday evening sent by Frothingham. Asked him to reread his public letter of 31 July because "fearing from the warmth of expression that you supposed me more responsible than I really was & that I had omitted a part of my duty -- I am now satisfied -- do not wonder at my noticing every thing which looks like a hint that there has been an omission." Believes the officers should not address the assembly of Massachusetts on half pay at this time, as Congress has not…

GLC02437.01540

4 September 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he will receive "the resolve of Congress relative to the department of Field commissary of military stores - as the officers must be under your particular eye & as you are better acquainted than any other the appointment is left to you - In your instructions you will order proper returns to the war office."

GLC02437.01571

9 September 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Writes that Congress has recently repeated its "solution respecting the additional allowance to the commanding officer at west point." Does not think there is any chance Congress will help them. Suggests Knox talk to his "good friend General [Ezekiel] Cornell" and either apply to Congress directly or through Lincoln. Promises he will "speak to your friends on the subject - though I am convinced that this is not the proper moment to make the application."

GLC02437.01592

30 November 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signature is clipped, but docket confirms General Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary at War, as the author. Written from "War Office." Writes, "I have been honored with your letter of the 18 ultimo, informing the appointments which have been made in the field commissary's department - it was received but a few days since."

GLC02437.01726

3 December 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 25 November. Says he has suffered anxiety over his long silence and lack of acknowledgement of his letters. Says he told Congress in strong terms of the distress the army suffered for want of pay. Says he told Congress that the information came from the best sources and was not simply grumbling. Says he told Congress that many troops still need pay dating back to 1 January and that some states have helped, but others have not. Reported to the legislature that this caused "uneasiness" among the troops. Also…

GLC02437.01729

14 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Writes that Major Villefrance, who will deliver the letter, hopes to receive a promotion. He has not been promoted since he joined the service in 1777. Writes that he has been very successful as Commanding Engineer and is highly talented. He hopes to secure a promotion in order to help him advance in the French service. Writes, "I am persuaded his claims of long service, unremitting attention to duty, and conspicuous talents will ensure the success of his request, unless it should be barred by some rigid principles independent of his professional character. I take the…

GLC02437.01744

20 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Letter is unsigned; may be a page missing. Text loss on much of the document. Discusses a variety of subjects, including the pleasure Knox takes in his friendship with Lincoln: from the "first moment I have had the happiness of being acquainted you I conceived a high degree of friendship, which has uniformly increased, as I became more intimate." Values Lincoln's friendship "in all events of grief or joy," more than any other man. Also discusses the subject of half-pay for soldiers. GLC02437.01754 is a later copy of the entire letter.

GLC02437.01751

22 December 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Head Quarters." Writes, "I just now arrived from Philadelphia - I have been detained on [the] road - I wish to see you - I can not have the pleasure of seeing you at West Point - Pray let me see you to morrow morning at this place - My affectionate regards to Mrs. Knox."

GLC02437.01756

4 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells his brother that "an object is now developed and known to be Lord Cornwallis," and alludes to the forthcoming siege of Yorktown: "our measures are such that if the respective parts harmonize, we hope to do something handsome..." The military maneuver will disrupt General Knox's family life because he has to leave for Virginia. Discusses a personal financial issue.

GLC02437.01165

8 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports to his brother that the army has gathered with all its stores in Head of Elk, Maryland and will proceed to the Chesapeake in three days. He is optimistic about the upcoming siege of Yorktown: "I shall hope to inform you in 15 days that we have had Cornwallis completely invested." He is also confident in the assistance of the French Admiral de Grasse, whose job it was to secure the mouth of the York River. Mentions that his wife Lucy Knox is in Philadelphia with their daughter.

GLC02437.01174

5 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at camp near Dobbs Ferry by Brigadier General Knox to his brother William Knox. References William's letter of 25 July 1781. Says he wrote last week and hopes he has received the letter as the post office has been unreliable. It seems that someone in Lucy Knox's family is dying, but Henry says he will not tell her because she "will be afflicted by it beyond moderation." Says her family in England will want to know of this information, and wants to be informed when a Mrs. Winslow will sail for Plymouth, so he can write to Lucy's sisters and mother. Says the "destruction" of paper money…

GLC02437.01120

8 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written by Brigadier General Henry Knox to his brother William. Mentions sending a letter to him three days earlier. In that letter he says he gave as much of an account of the general circumstances of the army as possible given the chance of mail getting captured. Says they have zeal, but would not be able to overtake the enemy. Has no news other than Lord Cornwallis being named commander in chief in place of General Clinton, who returns to England. Says "This War has [invariably] disgraced every british commander and I hope eventually disgrace the nation who employs them." Requests to draw…

GLC02437.01125

1767

Manuscript document

Title: Account document [in Dutch]

GLC03107.05270

1771

Manuscript document

Title: Account document [in Dutch]

GLC03107.05273

11 September 1782

Villefranche, Jean-Louis-Ambroise de Genton, chevalier de, 1747-1784

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "A Capt. [possibly Jonathan] Lawrence of the Corps of Sappers is so unwell in sick quarters as to make it necessary for his servant (who is now in Camp) to be with him - beg therefore that your permission may be granted to send him off immediately."

GLC02437.01599

16 September 1782

Villefranche, Jean-Louis-Ambroise de Genton, chevalier de, 1747-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "the quarter master general has told me a few days since, that he could not furnish me with any Masons; untill the 20th of the present instant ; it also seems to me that he is not able to supply with lime and other essential articles, to carry on the work with celerity: these reasons induces me to imagine it improper to begin the masonry this fall, for in a little while the front will hinder us from doing any business of this kind - I think it would be much more advantageous to turn all the means we have to the repairing and building accommodations for the troops in the Garrison, for…

GLC02437.01616

21 September 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I herewith Transmit your honor a Return - agreeable to your request, hope and Doubt not but Will meet your approbation." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01622

24 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

Account of ordnance "attached to the American Army." Includes two lists: "Field Artillery" and "For a Siege." The siege being prepared for was the Battle of Yorktown, which began the following month. Written at a Park of Artillery. With closing and Knox's signature (written along the margin) in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01156