25 August 1776

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter (see GLC02437.00423). Discusses the difficulty of obtaining copper in order to cast canons. Also discusses importance of officers to an army and the issue of appointing more officers from Massachusetts. Asks Knox for a list of the best prospects and comments on their characters. Explains his advocacy of a permanent regular army but also his doubts about one being created. Writes, "I am a constant Advocate for a regular Army, and the most masterly Discipline, because, I know that without these We cannot reasonably hope to be a powerfull, a prosperous, or a free…

GLC02437.00424

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

28 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.

GLC02437.00429

6 September 1776

Callender, Eliezer, 1709-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

He has heard that his son, John Callender, was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of Long Island. If a prisoner, [which he was], Eliezer seeks Knox's aid in getting his son released. John Callender was later exchanged and George Washington reversed his court-martial for cowardice at Bunker Hill in light of his valor at Long Island. He was captured while serving as a volunteer in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00441

7 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because the army needs "men capable of great Ideas & who are acquainted with military matters." Fears George Washington is bearing too great a load of leadership. Indicates that General Nathanael Greene is recovering from illness. Hopes General Charles Lee arrives soon. Discusses treatment of prisoners, the honor of war, and his desire to not make…

GLC02437.00442

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses corresponding with his brother. Describes the artillery department in the Continental Army as one of the busiest, and the reason he cannot write as frequently as would prefer to. Gives his analysis and opinions of recent events, commenting on British activities and George Washington's leadership, the poor quality of officers the Continental Army, the failures of the Continental Congress, and the needs of the army. Believes that the Battle of Long Island was their one chance to win New York. Comments on the morale-boosting effects of the small victory at the Battle of Harlem…

GLC02437.00451

26 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Celebrates Knox's "very surprizing deliverance from the hands of the Enemy." Criticizes the "Scandalous Flight of the Connecticut Militia," at the Battle of Long Island. Says that "General Washington himself has wrote to our [Council] & cast most severe reflections on their conduct." In response to Henry's letter from 19 September (see GLC02437.00447), he acknowledges that Henry's work and health have limited his writing and notes that he has obtained the epaulets Henry wanted but has not gotten the blue cloth yet.

GLC02437.00455

27 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Hints for the Improvement of the Artillery of the United States]

A report for the Continental Congress outlining specific recommendations to improve the organization, supply, and administration of the Continental Army's artillery. Composed at Harlem Heights in New York. Title from docket. Knox's retained copy & marked 'copy' by him.

GLC02437.00459

May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: A Sketch of a defense of General Washingtons System of the Campaign of 1776, at New York and its Vicinity

Sweeping account of the early events of the American Revolution intended to defend the strategy George Washington took when the British drove the Americans from New York in 1776. Draft copy with many editorial alterations. Title from docket, which also indicates that this was "written and given to Doctor Ramsay of South Carolina."

GLC02437.00460

1 October 1776

Hoff, Joseph, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the canons he was ordered to make. Work had stopped from lack of communication but was restarting, and Hoff seeks instructions on what to make. Also indicates that he has the opportunity to hire additional moulders, one of which was the letter bearer, his brother, John Hoff. Assures Knox his iron will make good canons. Hoff ran a foundry called Hibernia Furnace.

GLC02437.00462

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

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.

GLC02437.00432

2 September 1776

Parry, Edward, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses plans to purchase books and other business. Mentions that the Army was in 3 divisions and describes the location of each division.

GLC02437.00434

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

GLC02437.00435

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

5 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reacts to news of the Battle of Long Island, hopes the loss serve as a learning experience rather than discouraging one, and laments the loss of Lord Stirling and General John Sullivan, who were captured. No news from Boston. "Lt. Johnston" was Captain Lt. John Johnston, captured at Long Island (see GLC02437.00443).

GLC02437.00438

5 September 1776

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to visit the wife of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson of Knox's artillery and tell her that her husband was wounded and taken prisoner, but is being taken care of. Also wants the wife of John Callender told that he was taken prisoner as well. Notes that the Continental Army is in high spirits and there has been no new developments since the retreat at the Battle of Long Island. Shaw was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00440

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

18 September 1776

Furnivall, James, fl. 1776-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the situation at Fort Schuyler. The men are afraid of remaining there for the winter because they have few shoes or stockings. Discusses enlistment and pay. Furnivall was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00446

20 September 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Assures William that his brother Henry has not been taken prisoner in the Battle of Harlem Heights (September 16, 1776), despite reports to the contrary. Explains the misunderstanding through an account of the Continental Army's evacuation of New York City. Indicates that she will be coming to Boston.

GLC02437.00448

23 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that some of "our cool W[h]igs" are getting discouraged, in response to activities in New York and the loss at Long Island, and wish an end to hostilities. Jackson, however, only wants the matter settled "upon Independent terms." Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln will be marching to New York with 6,000 reinforcements. Jackson's company was not ordered to join them. Indicates that two prizes have been captured by privateers.

GLC02437.00453

26 September 1776

Jefferds, Samuel, 1752-1804

Manuscript document

Title: A Weekly Return of Lt. Burbeck's Companey in Col. Knox's Reigt.

Lists numbers of men of various rank, under Lieutenant Henry Burbeck's command, present in varying capacities. Jefferds was a sergeant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00456

26 September 1776

McClure, David, 1748-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for disabusing him of rumors from New York. Discusses the activities in New York, the war in general, and the cause of liberty. Praises the artillery at the Battle of Long Island. Notes that 1,000 troops from New Hampshire have set out for New York. Knox has recently set up a correspondence with Reverend McClure, an old friend of his brothers (see GLC02437.00425). McClure spells his name Macclure.

GLC02437.00457

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