15 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses his recent fever, treatment, and recovery. Comments on his duties and the upcoming conflict in New York, in sometimes florid prose. Discusses news from Ticonderoga concerning the attempted siege of Canada, and notes the arrival of a French fleet. Seeks assistance in obtaining buttons, possibly for his regiment's uniforms.

GLC02437.00418

19 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses corresponding with his wife. Discusses domestic issues like food, clothing, and money, and a sick servant. Asks Lucy to assist Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who is in need of money. Comments on firing on the Phoenix and other British vessels sailing up the Hudson river and receiving return fire. He expects General William Howe to attack at any time. Discusses Sarah Mifflin, the wife of Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, as the only lady among the army. Tells Lucy to measure his affection but his letters' content, not their length. Notes that the newspapers are reporting 70,000 men in…

GLC02437.00421

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to his brother's news about British ships sailing up the Hudson river, reinforcements arriving for the Continental Army, and Henry's optimistic outlook on the impending battle. Relays news from the West Indies that the Dutch have refused to renew a treaty with Britain to not sell military supplies to Americans and to supply the British with Scotch regiments. Hostilities between the two are beginning. Describes naval skirmishes. Mentions that he has not received any letters from Lucy Knox. Comments on the poor treatment of Tories exiled from Boston to the country. Indicates that…

GLC02437.00425

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses why he did not introduce two of Lucy's acquaintances, Mr. Livingston and Mr. King, to the ladies Lucy mentioned. Indicates that any enemy ship in the bay is seizing every ship that comes near.

GLC02437.00426

6 January 1840

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

Letter signed

Title: to William S. Holabird

Forsyth discusses the Amistad case, revealing the administration's assumptions regarding the verdict of the trial. States that the Spanish minister had applied to the State Department for the "use of a vessel of the United States in the event of the decision of the Circuit Court in the case of the Amistad being favorable to his former application, to convey the negroes to Cuba, for the purpose of being delivered over to the authorities of that Island." States that President Van Buren has agreed, and "ordered a vessel to be in readiness to receive the negroes from the Custody of the Marshal…

GLC05636.18

1 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds the detection of a German traitor named Ledwitz, who had been appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army. Discusses various orders for payment Henry made. Discusses the last two letters he received from Lucy Knox. Has heard that Halifax was burned down by 500 Indians led by Frank Shaw. Discusses need for guns for privateers in Boston and for Continental frigates. Discusses the comparative advantages of large versus small ships, because Henry Jackson is going to arrange for a vessel that Henry "shall be concern'd in." Notes that new regiments have been raised but are…

GLC02437.00431

2 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly describes an unsuccessful "secret expedition" to obtain some artillery pieces. Seeks assistance in outfitting a ship with guns. Discusses a town meeting to choose wardens and various militia officers. Says James Otis "spoke as well as ever he did in his life." Names militia officers chosen, including William Davies, who had been Paul Revere's fellow rider on the April 18, 1776 "midnight ride." Indicates that many people think there will be no fighting in New York in the fall, but he is uncertain. Prays that Knox's "head may be cove[re]d in the day of Battle."

GLC02437.00436

9 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss at the Battle of Long Island because they lost the territory, had to abandon military stores and artillery pieces, and lost access to the good farms and livestock on the island. Others in Boston think the loss was of little consequence. Hopes to keep Manhattan and thinks it possible. Reports hearing that nine prizes containing rum and sugar from the West Indies have been captured by privateers and brought to Newport, Rhode Island and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Seeks a response to his inquiry about getting guns to outfit a ship (see GLC02437.00436). Explains that Mr. Spears…

GLC02437.00443

11 September 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds Knox's action against a British ship on the East River. Notes that they are receiving stock and inhabitants from Long Island. Expresses pleasure at General Nathanael Greene's recovery from an illness. Lists Bostonians recommended for field officer positions.

GLC02437.00444

15 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that Henry has not written to him recently and explains how he has received information from Lucy Knox and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard. Claims that they do not have many good sources for the news in Boston. Indicates that a British ship called the Mifford is seizing any vessel that comes near it in the bay. Mentions plans to mobilize troops from Connecticut. Notes that Benjamin Franklin, Edward Rutledge, and John Adams were being sent by Congress to meet with William Howe, a peace conference that later proved unsuccessful. Mentions reports of a battle on Lake Champlain. Business has…

GLC02437.00445

23 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

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 returned safely to Fort Ticonderoga, after hearing earlier that he had lost his fleet. Discusses extending "civilities" to Doctor Samuel Stringer, who had done the same when William and Henry were in Albany and Fort George obtaining artillery pieces for the siege of Boston, on his visit to Boston. Mentions business and privateering activities.

GLC02437.00449

26 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Compliments Knox on the "generalship" of the evacuation of Long Island and New York. Offers his opinions of the activities in New York and the role of the British navy. Also mentions the loss at Long Island's negative effect on morale. Also comments on Knox's baggage stolen by the Hessians and the cowardice of some of the troops. Communicates that Mr. Spears wants Knox to pursue the exchange of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson, who was taken prisoner at Long Island (also see GLC02437.00440). Discusses correspondence problems. Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln is on his way to New…

GLC02437.00458

7 October 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Provides a description of the attack on the "New Ironsides" by the Confederate torpedo boat "David." "The rebels came down the harbor in a small cigar shaped steamer... She lay off some distance from the Ironsides and sent a small boat with a torpedo to blow her up... It made a tremendous explosion, throwing water all over the vessels, but I do not think she is much injured... would have been a serious blow to us if she had succeeded in disabling the Ironsides, for she is worth the whole fleet of monitors put together..."

GLC04663.25

11 December 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Notes that he received a piece of wedding cake. Discusses the Sanitary Commission, the sinking of the "Weehawken," and an explosion in Fort Sumter, which was followed by Union mortar fire. Sarah sent him a book entitled, "The Wife's Strategy," which he finds "very lively, entertaining, home sort of book . . . ."

GLC04663.28

February 2, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

News concerning his trip to Beaufort, blockade runner tried to enter Union occupied Charleston Harbor and ran aground near Fort Moultrie.

GLC04663.32

23 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he received William's letter from his wife Lucy, who just arrived in New York with their newborn child. Anticipates New York as "principal seat of war" and worries about his family being in harms way. Mentions that George Washington has gone to meet with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to discuss the current campaign. Welcomes the news that General Horatio Gates has been promoted to major general and been placed in charge of the defense of Boston. Mentions a heavy loss inflicted by a schooner from the West Indies two days earlier. Promises to write more frequently…

GLC02437.00311

29 May 1776

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains that he must delay reconnaissance of King's Bridge (Kingsbridge) because he has to go to New Uttrick [Utrecht] on Long Island to conduct business with a committee there. Relays a report of two British ships spotted "off the offing" the previous night. Kingsbridge connected the northern tip of Manhattan to the mainland. The Continental Army evacuated Manhattan through there in October, 1776.

GLC02437.00318

December 25, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The army celebrated Christmas with an artillery barrage on the city of Charleston. As a result a fire broke out in the city which burned for 11 hours. The rebels fired back, hit a gun boat and killed three people. He is applying for leave, but does not want to get his hopes up. His sawmill is running but needs a new boiler. He mentions the progress of the canal.

GLC04662.052

July 15, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to a letter from Lucy in which she remonstrated Henry over their recent separation in which she left New York and went to Connecticut. Henry is "both grieved an angry" because Lucy blames Henry for her inconveniences even though it is in her "power instantly to remedy them." Moreover, if she does not like it there, it is within her power to go elsewhere. Warns her against anyone contradicting his advice. Urges her to use her "own good sense and see that there can be no essential difference as you have a carriage and Horses, between coming [to New York] from New Haven or…

GLC02437.00375

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he wrote her at Fairfield, Connecticut to check on her well being and tell her how much he values her, to tell her that the British had landed at Staten Island but had not attacked New York yet, and that he believes when they do, the Americans will be able to beat them back. He also asked her to send money after taking what she needed and to ask where to send her trunks. Reports that General Nathanael Greene, Jonathan Pollard, and Mrs. [Herey] are all "well an in good spirits," information that Lucy could pass on to spouses and loved ones in Connecticut. Asks if Lucy took the…

GLC02437.00359

4 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments that Lucy had to abruptly leave New York, although it was for her safety. They believed the British would attack but they landed on Staten Island instead, where they were "received with a hearty welcome by its rascally Tory inhabitants." Mentions that the people in New Jersey were assembling their militia (see GLC02437.00357). Favorably assesses their artillery preparations for battle. Asks Lucy to send his trunk back, which has his papers and money in it, and asks where to send her clothes. Pressing business prevents him from writing more. Gives love to their baby.

GLC02437.00361

8 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new baby and the road conditions would be unknown.…

GLC02437.00363

11 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Gives his sister-in-law news of her friends in Halifax. Also gives news of Lucy's mother and father, who were separated from each other at the time. Indicates that Lucy's mother is well, although she is in a smaller house than she desires. Reports that many Tories in Halifax have not gone to England because they are confident that General William Howe will suppress the Continental Army. Reports that some Scotsman have gone to Quebec with their possessions. Discusses smallpox inoculation and local laws passed to prevent further outbreaks. Notes that two British ships have been captured by…

GLC02437.00368

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to Lucy's most recent letter (see GLC02437.00364), discussing her hasty departure from New York. Henry is upset by her distress. He reiterates that he did not want her in New York before something decisive occurred in the war. In response to her complaint that Nathanael Greene's wife returned to New York, he explains that General Greene did not want her there for the same reasons and had just sent her to Newark and she will later go to either Fairfield or Providence. Comments that if Mrs. Pollard comes to New York, she will distract her husband Jonathan Pollard, Knox's quarter…

GLC02437.00369

11 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Scottish (Highlanders) attempts to "purchase Conquer'd Lands." Describes Scottish prisoners as saucy because they call the country people rebels and say they will later be able to sieze their farms. Explains news that Colonel Archibald Campbell, a British officer from Scotland who was then a prisoner, suspiciously purchased a rifle dress. Jackson holds Campbell in a high esteem. Comments on the ships whose recent capture was decribed in an earlier letter (see GLC02437.00343). Says that one of the ships will be refitted and sailed to England "to see if she cant take some East…

GLC02437.00370