30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy advising Knox to speak to his colleague about his association and manner of speaking with another person. Writes that "I have every reason short of positive proof to believe the person here meant, is a Traitor to this Country, that he is in the pay of the Enemy..." Noted as written at the York Hutts and as a copy, "Copied and composed with the original Feb 8th 1854."

GLC02437.09324

23 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing many issues regarding the military and Congress. Among the issues discussed are compensation from Congress for officers who served during the revolution, his affection for these officers, the division of Western lands among the states, the Society of the Cincinnati, the possible resignation of General Lincoln, and the future of the army. Copy made 5 February 1854.

GLC02437.09325

23 October 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox regarding possible peace settlement and the office of Secreatary of War. Asks Knox if he would be interested in becoming Secretary of War, and discusses the views of Congress opinion on a "Peace Settlement," with many opposed. Copy made circa 1855.

GLC02437.09326

3 December 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on "The splendid display of Fireworks last evening" and wishes Knox to pass along his compliments to those in charge. With an signed endorsement on the verso by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide de camp, sending the letter to Brigadier Generals Michael Jackson and Henry Jackson stating that the letter be published for "the troops under your command." George Washington's signature is clipped.

GLC02437.09368

10 February 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on a safe return from Fort Ticonderoga, where he was retrieving artillery pieces for the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Has had trouble obtaining books on military fortification and asks Knox, who had been a bookseller in Boston, if he could find some. Asks Knox to inform him of what maneuvers are being planned against the British, and promises it will "be most sacredly kept." Mentions that the saltpeter (a compound used in gunpowder) works are proceeding rapidly.

GLC02437.00249

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443

7 November 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "This will be delivered to you by Mr. J. Byles who if I mistake not served his time previous to the war with Mr. John Simpkins." After this time, he suffered "many adverse fortunes which has induced him to enter the service of the united States as a private soldier and being to march for camp has requested of me a line to you. Not being acquainted with him I made inquiry concerning his conduct, before I ventured to give him a Letter and finding that he has really been unfortunate though having committed some imprudences, I have told him that he must not expect the attention he…

GLC02437.01703

30 October 1784

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Proof of powder made at West Point

Titles continues to add that the powder referred to is "made at West Point with a 24 pd Ball fired from a 5 1/2 inch mortar..." Lists powder at Fort Clinton and Fort Putnam.

GLC02437.03066

15 June 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am requested by Col. Reid Commanding Officer of this Department to inform you that great part of the Continental Troops in this Quarter are Distitute of Cartridge Boxes, would therefore desire you to order at least 200 to this place. Recruits are dayly expected as also a supply of Cartridge paper thread Twines & flints and some writting paper as I am intirely out and no money to purchase any." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01453

8 December 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Asks for provisions for the troops and mentions the War Office's move (with Congress) to Annapolis, Maryland.

GLC02437.02822

11 June 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of instructions to the commander of West Point]

Provides detailed instructions for the commander of West Point following the Congressional order to reduce the number of troops at that garrison to one company of 55 men. Notes that "the great principle upon which this company is retained is the preservation of the Stores at this place and the other Magazines..." Title from docket.

GLC02437.03012

4 June 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to [Pieter Johan] Van Berckel

Written to "P.J." Van Berckel, likely Pieter Johan Van Berckel. Replies to Van Berckel's letter from 9 May, in which he recommended Joseph Mandrillon for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. Regrets that the Society's rules "did not permit to associate so worthy a character." Refer to GLC02437.03566 for Knox's letter to Mandrillon.

GLC02437.03568

28 December 1783

Manuscript letter

Title: to unknown

Conveys information from Governor George Clinton of New York about enabling officers of the New York Levies to retire from service.

GLC02437.10575

29 October 1782

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Head Quarters. Writes that the Commander in Chief [General George Washington] would like to inform Knox that "immediately on the arrival of the troops at their places of Cantonment much uneasiness arose as hearing their artificers" were not about to join them. They feel that "hutting" cannot commence until "they get their carpenters to direct the work." Therefore General Washington wishes that "neither they nor the Masons; may be detained one moment after the time agreed on" and that if any of them "as can possibly be spared may be sent even before that time."

GLC02437.01685

February 4, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to transmit the estimate of his department, per George Washington's request. Noted as written at the Head Quarters.

GLC02437.01889

February 4, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Replies to a note from Major Walker regarding His Excellency [George Washington's] previous request for an estimate [of ordnance and artillery]. Will endeavor to fulfill the request by the latter part of the following day.

GLC02437.10092

January 23, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

"The Commander in Chief has directed me to inclose you Lt. Campbells return, and to request you would cause some enquiry to be made into the loss of stores mentioned therein." Noted as written at Head Quarters. See GLC02437.01853 for Knox's follow-up.

GLC02437.01852

February 15, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Walker

Discusses the proportions of pay for artificers and sergeants in the artillery as opposed to the regular army.

GLC02437.01924

February 16, 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses salary of the Artillery artificers. States that they "should receive their ... pay with the rest of the army ... " Noted as written at Head Quarters. Appears to be a reply to GLC02437.01924.

GLC02437.01931

19 August 1783-6 September 1783

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Request for provisions]

Three parts. First part asks for an extension in providing provisions for a man as he is very unwell and still needs to take care of his family. Signed by Benjamin Walker. Noted as written at head quarters. Second part requests fifteen packets of rations for the soldier mentioned in the first part. Signed by John Lillie, dated 16 September 1783. Noted as written at West Point, New York and addressed to the commanding officer at Newburgh, New York. Third part is a note of receipt, signed with a mark by [Jane Clift] at Newburgh.

GLC02437.02398

21 July 1785

Walker, Thomas, fl. 1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Walker requests that Knox assist him in obtaining money he was granted by a Congressional Resolution of 15 April 1785, likely for his military service. Notes receipt of a bill from an unspecified board via Mr. Lovell, possibly James Lovell, former Massachusetts Continental Congressman and receiver of continental taxes. Writes, "I need not observe to you Sir that, when the draft is paid, upon Mr. Lovell, it will not reimburse me, for the expenses I have been at, in the solicitation."

GLC02437.03167

22 March 1782

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Resolve of Congress respecting the promotion of Knox to major general]

Signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress. Congress resolved to promote Henry Knox from brigadier general to major general. States that the promotion was granted on the recommendation of George Washington's letter of 31 October 1781 for merit during the siege of Yorktown. The promotion was dated from 15 November 1781. Knox was the youngest major general in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01371

March 1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expenses]

General Henry Knox's army expenses. $66,937 was brought forward. Includes a $600 and $400 payment for recruiting. Also notes "To cash recd. of Govr. Trumbull of Connect[icu]t. agreeable to a Dra[f]t. on him by His Excellency General Washington for the recruiting - and ordnance service Feb. 26 1777 20,000." The total expense was $87,937.

GLC02437.08399

16 September 1777-16 October 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document

Title: Knox's army diary [incomplete]

Mostly deals with movements of the army around Philadelphia in September and October 1777, around the time of the Battle of Germantown. On September 19 says "Intelligence recd. of the enemys pushing for Philadelphia the army cross'd the Schylkill." On 20 September, makes reference to General Anthony Wayne being attacked at night and states that General William Smallwood joined Wayne. Makes reference to George Washington riding reconnaissance with a group of officers on 30 September. Makes reference to moving toward Germantown on 3 and 4 October and describes the battle there. Makes…

GLC02437.08417

circa September 1776

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph document signed

Title: [Officers' petition to Henry Knox regarding inadequate wages]

Signed by Sargent, William Treadwell, Benjamin Frothingham, Jotham Horton, David Allen, John Johnston, Thomas Seward, and Benajah Carpenter. All sign as Captain Lieutenant, and present a moving request for livable wages. "...We the subscribers, your Honour's Petitioners, finding our present Wages inadequate to our necessary Expenses, wou'd beg your Honour to report the Affair to his Excellency... we are not mercenary- we desire not to hoard up, but had we Millions would with Pleasure spend them in our Country's Cause...we've nothing to offer our Country but our lives, which we'll hazard or…

GLC02437.10008