20 May 1782

Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Lancaster, likely in Pennsylvania. Remarks that he wrote some days ago to the commanding officer at Reading about the servants Knox wanted, and if servants are to be had there, he will have them sent out to Knox. If not, he will try further. Asks that he and Mrs. Hazen be remembered to Mrs. Knox.

GLC02437.01423

24 June 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by General Heath to Major General Knox. Reports to Knox that the men of the Massachusetts line believe Congress needs to address the arrears of pay due to them for 1781. They would like the general officers from Massachusetts to join them. Says a meeting has been scheduled for 26 June at noon and it is asked that Knox attend.

GLC02437.01467

13 September 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Encourages Knox to come down to his location soon to discuss and prepare for a meeting with the British Commissioners (regarding the prisoner cartel). Also mentions a discussion with the Quartermaster General [Colonel Timothy Pickering] about preparation of a barge. Writes that the Quartermaster General would like Knox to make preparations for it.

GLC02437.01607

10 December 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moses Hazen

Writes, "I received your favor respecting any supernumerary ensigns who might [turn?] the Massachusetts & Connecticut lines - I have made enquiry upon the subject, and find that instead of having an excess of Ensigns, each regiment upon an average is deficient, of more than one half of that grade." Adds that he is glad to hear that Hazen's regiment will not be affected by the reduction. He and Mrs. Knox send their compliments to Mrs. Hazen.

GLC02437.01736

January 14, 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Heath relates that Doctor Woodward, who presented this note to Knox, left for furlough in November 1781 and was supposed to have returned to service 7 January 1782. Heath explains that the death of Woodward's father, Reverend Woodward, and brother, and the illness of other family members have prevented his compliance with the furlough. Heath writes, "...humanity compel [sic] me to write you a line in his behalf, and as I know he has been perfectly innocent, to request that he may be fully acquitted of any blame."

GLC02437.10033

8 September 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a sheet listing ordnance sent for the southern operation, referring to the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Colonel John Lamb will deliver the enclosed spirit levels. Explains some of the munitions information. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. Account of Ordance stores accompanied the letter (GLC02437.01172).

GLC02437.01173

20 October 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage. This ordnance transport was possibly one that Knox asked the Board of War…

GLC02437.01249

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Responds to Hodgdon's letter about sending ordnance from Baltimore for the siege of Yorktown (see GLC02437.01249) and hopes news of Lord Cornwallis' surrender reached him before the ships set sail. Asks that the shell and shot be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland instead. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01263

January 27, 1782

Hiwell, John, fl. 1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Hiwell as Inspector and Superintendant of Music to ask for more drums and fifes for the musicians. Reminds Knox that the previous summer there were not enough fifes for the musicians to perform their duty, and that the winter season is the best time for the musicians to practice. Wishes also for a small store of articles to serve as replacements in case any instruments are damaged. John Ruddock, the Commissary for West Point, was ordered by General William Heath into New England to procure supplies, but was not able to acquire them, Hiwell supposes, because of want of money.

GLC02437.01340

23 September 1781

Gaskins, Thomas, 1747-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Informs Weedon that there is a ship with 20 soldiers and artillery stores caught on a shoal in the Wicomico River. Discusses how to get the stores off the ship and suggests he may want to "continue this" with Genl Washington. The Continental Army was then preparing for the siege of Yorktown. Lieutenant Colonel Gaskins commanded a Virginia line in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01189

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Colonel Knox writes to General Gates, reflecting on "the successful campaigns of the past season." Hopes to be able to congratulate Gates in a few days on the possession of Quebec. Page three contains a struck draft of Knox's 5 January 1776 letter to George Washington. (See GLC02437.00238 for Knox's retained draft of the final letter.)

GLC02437.09490

7 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Freeman

Refers to a letter received from Captain James Freeman asking for information about how Freeman might settle his military salary account with Congress (see GLC02437.01310). Knox encloses the resolve of Congress which describes the requirements for getting an account settled, as well as a certificate from Joseph Carleton, Secretary to the War Office, which states that certain parties had their accounts settled by a scale of depreciation better than the one used in Congress's resolve.

GLC02437.01327

8 January 1782

Freeman, James, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to his last letter from December asking Knox for help in getting a pay settlement (see GLC02437.01310). He has not received an answer, so he supposes the letter has not been delivered to Knox. Believes that Knox would reply with his help if he had received the letter, out of a sense of "humanity," and believes Knox to be a "lover of Justice." Adds, "When I tell you that my Friends are in very Indigent circumstances, you will naturally suppose, that, I am destitute of money, and so poorly clad, that I cannot appear with common decency abroad."

GLC02437.01328

February 1776

Gridley, Richard, 1711-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 title.

GLC02437.00251

1 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Written on two different sizes of paper: the first is 33.4 x 21.3 cm, the second is 13 x 21 cm. Writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, to ask that eighteen-year-old Isaac Winslow be allowed to return to land his family owns in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Knox implies that Isaac's father, also named Isaac, is a loyalist. Relates that Isaac "hopes no conduct of his father will prevent his residence in a country for which he has the greatest respect." Young Isaac was sent away to Canada at age 11 when the enemy arrived, and is now eighteen and has landed in New York. Knox emphasizes…

GLC02437.01408

2 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Written by Major General Knox to Massachusetts Governor Hancock. Says Colonels Putnam and Hull comprise a committee of the Massachusetts Line to request an explanation on the status of payment of half pay pensions to officers. Says they "have no doubt as to the substance but are anxious to learn the mode fixed." Says the decisions of other states has them worried, but that they still have faith in the good sense of Massachusetts's leaders. Tells Hancock that the war's end will bring home men of the "highest degree of honor and integrity."

GLC02437.01562

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Guion

Titled, "Instructions for Capt. Lt. Guion of the 2d regt. of Artillery." Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "You are with the detatchment under your command to proceed to Albany and relieve Capt. [Thomas] Seward's company in the Northern department. On your arrival there you will report yourself to [William Alexander] Lord Stirling, or the officer commanding, and take his further orders. On taking charge of the works and stores, you must send me an exact return of the men under your command and their respective stations. Also of the…

GLC02437.01627

20 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Hancock

Knox writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. Informs Hancock that Captain [Dewman?] was injured in the Battle of Germantown and is unfit for further service. Uses [Dewman's] case to encourage Hancock's support of a state law which would pay for the provision of wounded officers. Docketed by Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.10052

29 September 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes from Camp High Hills that he hopes Knox is with General George Washington in Virginia, where "the prospect is so bright and the glory so great." Wished the Continental Army had attacked New York, which was planned before the decision to concentrate forces at Yorktown. Anticipates that Washington will force British General Cornwallis to surrender, ("pile his arms"). Talks in general about the difficulties of his Southern campaign. Inquires about family and friends.

GLC02437.01198

12 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Since arriving in Philadelphia, has tried to gather a party of about 30 artificers to give to Greene. Discusses Mrs. Greene's trip with their son George Washington Greene to visit Greene at the "high hills of Santee" (the Santee River in South Carolina, where Greene was stationed). Also mentions the recent birth of a son to him and Mrs. Knox, "whom I should name after you were not for the confounded name given by your [illegible] father - as it is I shall call him after some roman whose character I think you may like" (possibly referring to his son Marcus). Sends love to Colonel Williams…

GLC02437.01303

14 April 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. References two letters from Knox. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Asks how his godson is. In reference to the godchild says, "Such a set of responsers I believe never happened before. A quaker and Roman Catholick for the same Child. Which will you chuse[?]" Asks questions about the other Knox children. Says Mrs. Greene has arrived and given him an update on the social life in Philadelphia. Had not seen his wife in 2 years. Says, "She is kinder to me than I am just to her." Says the military situation is gloomy with the enemy…

GLC02437.01388

7 August 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department to Brigadier General Knox. Says if reports of New York's investment are true then "you must be the hero of the day. Me thinks I hear the cannon roar while I am writing..." Hopes Knox will comes to the South after finishing the job around New York. Makes reference to a story involving General William Howe at the Battle of Morristown, which took place in 1777. Says "Where is How[e] with his nose, has he left off his part, or forgiven the levy that insulted it so grossly at Morristown?" Makes reference to General Lee…

GLC02437.01124

10 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mordecai Gist

Informs General Gist that he is sending an artificer officer named Mr. Thorp to him in Baltimore to obtain supplies. The items are urgently needed, and Knox has already been disappointed in obtaining them from Philadelphia. He hopes Major Sebastian Bauman has "proceeded in his matters." Knox was preparing for the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01179

11 September 1781

Gist, Mordecai, 1742-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Response to Knox's letter (GLC02437.01179). Reports that Mr. Thorp has arrived and describes the ordnance he will receive. Also comments on how Major Sebastian Bauman is responding to Knox's recent directives (see GLC02437.01178). The Continental Army was preparing for the upcoming siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01181

10 December 1781

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Brigadier General Knox. Marked "private" on address leaf. References Knox's letter of 1 November 1781. Praises Knox and passes along the accolades of Colonel "Light-Horse" Henry Lee "who lately returned from the Northern Army [who] says you are the genius of it and that everything is said of you that you can wish." Calls Knox's operations in Virginia, "brilliant, glorious, great and important." Reports that the spirits of the Southern Army are congenial. Hopes to be able to see him soon when there is an official peace. Says the success in Virginia "…

GLC02437.01302