22 July 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Certification concerning 13 inch shells]

Certification for thirteen inch shells that have been proofed at Pompton Furnace. Written at Camp Pracaness. Signed by John Callender.

GLC02437.00828

24 July 1780

Manuscript document

Title: A Return of Shells, shot and powder in possession of the United States and the Quantities of each deficient for the Service of the present Campaign, for Sixty days firing

Lists shells by gun size along with the quantity and number deficient. Also includes total cost of the shells only. Written at the War and Ordinace Office.

GLC02437.00830

July 1780

Manuscript document

Title: Proof of Powder, tried on the Plan at West Point in June & July 1780, with a 5 ½ Inch Royal and a 24 Pound Ball

Lists amount of powder used and the range of the ball in feet and yards when shot.

GLC02437.00832

2 August 1780

Perry, Joseph, fl. 1780

Autograph note signed

Title: Discharge for Jacob Baker, an Artificer

Discharge for Jacob Baker citing an illness with tuberculosis-like symptoms. Includes certification of an exam and a note from Samuel Shaw confirming the discharge. Signed by three doctors.

GLC02437.00833

4 August 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: to Ezekiel Cheever

Signed by Shaw for Knox. Details a list of artillery items to send to Fishkill, New York as soon as possible.

GLC02437.00834

18 August 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: Brig. Gen. Knox in account with the United States

Certified by George Olney. Lists account information of Henry Knox with the government by date. Noted that "Errors Excepted in behalf of General [Nathanael] Greene."

GLC02437.00835

29 August 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: List of continental officers killed, captured, wounded, and missing in the actions of the 16 &18 August 1780

Entirely in Shaw's hand, including the signatures of O. H. Williams and Horatio Gates. Lists names of Continental officers who have been killed, captured, wounded and missing.

GLC02437.00836

1780

Manuscript document

Title: Col. John Crane Dr. to the United States

Lists of accounts paid according to date, ranging from October 1775 to August 1780. Page from a ledger concerning bounties to the recruits and artillery units.

GLC02437.00837

1783-1815

Manuscript document

Title: [List of stores from 1780]

Later copy. Lists artillery supplies and stores by date. Date written in pencil.

GLC02437.00841

23 August 1780

Cheever, Ezekiel, 1720-1793

Document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Receipt for $2,500 accountable to Cheever, Comissary of Military Stores and Artillery. Written in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.00842

18 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to George Washington

Document in Samuel Shaw's hand, and signed by Shaw for Knox, giving Knox's opinion on several questions posed by Washington. Writes, "...it would be a most criminal degree of madness to hazard a general action at this time with the enemy, as by it we might lose every advantage which a three years war, combined with many fortunate circumstances, have given to America." Suggests the Continental Army remain at Valley Forge until the British completely evacuate Philadelphia. Does not advise a detachment to be sent to reinforce Continental troops in New Jersey. Gives advice for securing the…

GLC02437.00711

29 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes the Battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778) in detail. As the British marched away from Philadelphia toward Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Continental troops under General [Charles] Lee attacked the British rear. In the ensuing battle, "My brave Lads behaved with their usual intrepidity & the Army give the Corps of Artillery their full proportion of the Glory of the day. Indeed upon the whole it is very splendid- the Capital Army of Britain defeated, and oblig'd to retreat before the Americans who they despise so much." Estimates the number of British casualties to be three times the…

GLC02437.00713

3 July 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Relates that the British are moving toward Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Reports the details of the Battle of Monmouth, mentioning Generals Charles Lee and George Washington. Writes, "The Corps of Artillery have their full proportion of the Glory of the day. His Excellency the General has done them & me the honor to notice us in General orders in very pointed & flattering terms.- Indeed I was highly delighted with their coolness, bravery, and good Conduct." Estimates the British have lost a thousand men between the Battle of Monmouth and other skirmishes.

GLC02437.00714

5 July 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Informs his brother that he wrote a previous letter discussing the Battle of Monmouth (refer to GLC02437.00714). Writes, "I had particular reasons for not writing you a circumstantial [account] as General Lee who commanded the advanced parties has been accus'd of disobedience of orders in not attacking the Enemy and for retreating from before them- he is now on his trial upon the charges." Encloses a duplicate account of what he previously wrote on the battle and asks William not to publish it, noting that George Washington's letter to Congress will carry the "most true and just account."…

GLC02437.00715

2 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Henry Knox's responses to questions posed by George Washington]

Later copy. Knox considers whether or not the greater part of the Continental Army should move east to reinforce troops in Newport, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. Suggests lending assistance if American General John Sullivan's troops are captured. Suggests leaving a force in the Hudson River Highlands comparable to the size of the British force in New York. Advises against an attack on New York. Remarks that obtaining bread will be difficult for the troops moving east.

GLC02437.00722

2 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Henry Knox's replies to questions posed by George Washington]

In Shaw's hand, and signed for Knox by Shaw. Knox replies in detail to Washington's question, whether an eastward movement of the greater part of the Continental Army would be feasible. Knox writes, "I cannot see the propriety of such a measure at present, or that it would be warranted from the state of information which your Excellency gave to the Council last evening." Discusses the factors involved, including the strength of the French and British fleets near Newport, Rhode Island, and the status of American General John Sullivan's operation in Rhode Island. Considers the likelihood of…

GLC02437.00723

2 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Henry Knox's responses to questions posed by George Washington]

Knox's original working draft. Knox responds to General Washington's questions regarding eastward movement of the Continental Army to reinforce troops in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00724

25 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that the British left Philadelphia. He and Lucy went into the city, but had to leave because it "stunk so abominably." Notes that the American and British armies are twenty miles apart, at Princeton and Allentown respectively. Comments on the great number of deserters in the British army. Writes, "if General Actions had no other consequences than merely the kill'd and wounded, we should attack them in 24 hours, but the fate of posterity and not the illusive [sic] [brilliancy] of military Glory govern's our [Fabian] Commander, the Man under God to whom America owes her present…

GLC02437.00712

4 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses previous correspondence between the two, noting he always acknowledges letters received from William. Mentions a military operation planned against Newport to take place in conjunction with the arrival of a French fleet led by the Comte D'Estaing. Relates that his wife and daughter, both named Lucy, are with him in White Plains. Notes that Admiral Lord Richard Howe, in Sandy Hook, New Jersey "lays... with his small fleet ardently wishing for such a reinforcement as may enable him to look Monsr. Le Com[text loss]te in the face- but I hope he will be disappointed." Requests…

GLC02437.00717

13 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Chastises William, his brother, for not writing more frequently. Mentions a military operation planned against Newport to take place in conjunction with the arrival of a French fleet led by the Comte D'Estaing. Instructs William to inform [James] Bowdoin's family that John Temple, British Consul General, has arrived at New York. Reports that a fire in New York City has destroyed between 80 and 100 houses. Encloses some letters for Colonel Sears in Newport. Regarding the planned military and naval operation, writes, "I hope sincerely that Rhode Island may fall into our hands first. The…

GLC02437.00718

16 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Knox writes to his brother, William: "I write... to inform you of our Welfare- no news- we are waiting most impatiently for some from Rhode Island" (there was a military operation planned against Newport to take place in conjunction with the arrival of a French fleet led by the Comte D'Estaing). Chastises William for sending newspapers "bal'd up in all the form of a Letter and paying as much postage ... " Requests that William write frequently.

GLC02437.00719

24 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Acknowledges receipt of a letter William wrote 14 August 1778. Notes that his wife Lucy would also reply to William, but Shaw has not provided her with pens (possibly referring to his aide-de-camp, Samuel Shaw). Refers to a naval battle near Newport, Rhode Island between the fleets of the Comte D'Estaing and British General William Howe. Mentions the violent storm that thwarted the battle, noting that the success of American General John Sullivan, on land in Rhode Island, depends largely on D'Estaing's success (there was no decisive winner in the naval battle, and after the storm D'Estaing…

GLC02437.00720

31 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Again chastises William for his "neglect in writing." Refers to the naval battle between the Comte D'Estaing and British General William Howe's fleet near Newport, Rhode Island. Observes that D'Estaing's departure for Boston will oblige American General John Sullivan to end his attack of Aquidneck Island. Comments that General Henry Clinton is on his way to reinforce the British at Rhode Island. Suggests that Lord John Byron, also sent to reinforce Howe, may give Howe's fleet superiority over Sullivan (Howe received no help from Byron, whose fleet had been damaged in a gale). Gives…

GLC02437.00721

3 June 1778

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, apologizes for the delay in sending a box owned by William. Reports that the army plans to leave Valley Forge, and Henry Knox is unwilling "to leave any thing of his in this d-n'd State." Refers to military and political matters, noting that England ("John Bull") would leave America if it could do so decently. Comments that "La Francois" intends to speculate pretty deeply in American politics." Remarks that British papers emphasize the advantage America could gain by constitutionally uniting with England, yet the British also highlight the difference…

GLC02437.00707

29 April 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes to his brother, asking why William has not recently written. Mentions a recovered debt and an unspecified petition to be presented to Continental Congress. Inquires as to the fitting out of The General Arnold, a ship, and mentions the loss of The Hero. Expresses disappointment that his friend Harry, possibly Colonel Henry Jackson, has not arrived at Valley Forge. Regarding Jackson, remarks, "...I suppose his fat sides are so sore that he is unable to travel with any rapidity." Writes, "Our army is improving discipline and increasing in numbers every day, but this ought by no means…

GLC02437.00698