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

20 May 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. Is happy to hear about Knox's promotion. Thought that he might be able to work with Knox on the coming campaign, but says the circumstances have been changed by British Admiral George Brydges Rodney's victory over Comte de Grasse's French fleet near Dominica at the Battle of Saintes on 12 April 1782. Says Sir Henry Clinton will undoubtedly push operations in the South. Says he heard that Knox thinks there will be a British evacuation and has delayed sending supplies as a result. Had to use some harsh discipline, including hanging a…

GLC02437.01424

1 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jean Baptiste Gouvion

Written by Major General Knox to Colonel Gouvion. Says he was "mortified" that Gouvion did not call on him before leaving. Claims that despite the snub, he "cannot restrain my affection and esteem for you." Asks to be remembered with "pure love," as he will remember him. Wants to hear from him after he arrives in Europe "and you will make me happy"

GLC02437.02218

15 July 1783

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Gouvion, a French engineering officer, to Major General Knox, in reply to Knox's letter at GLC02437.02218. Says when he left the army he received letters of some importance that kept him from going through West Point. Says if he saw Knox he would tell him "how grateful I am for all the marks of friendship you gave me during my staying in America." Praises America saying "the prodigious difference I find between what this country was during the war and what it is now, the activity which prevails now every where, and the happiness which appears already to be generally…

GLC02437.02290

18 September 1783

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Praises Knox's appointment as the Secretary-general of the Society of the Cincinnati. Seeks a certificate of membership (if such exists) from the Society of Cincinnati for foreign members and asks Knox to deliver his to Major Rochefontaine.

GLC02437.02534

March 1784

Gouvion, Jean Baptiste, 1747-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the Society of the Cincinnati is "... sure do well in this country, but the news we have from america give me some uneasiness, the american gentlemen who are in paris and not members of the Society are much against it, chiefly Mr. Jay who went the other day so far as to say that if it did take well in the states, he should not care whether the revolution had succeeded or not." Discusses exclusionary policies of the Society. Describes recent developments in hot air ballooning: two days prior, "a gentleman went in the air as far up as four thousand yards..."

GLC02437.02988

August 31, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Littlefield Greene

Discusses Mrs. Greene's financial situation and her children. Mentions the quality of the schools in France as being one of the best, where "the system is admirably adapted to impress the best habits - both of body and mind - Dancing fencing... " Also writes that the Marquis de Lafayette is willing to help her, as he was friends with her husband, the late General Nathanael Greene. Knox writes that if she chooses to send her son to school in France, the Marquis "will be the friend of your son... " Mentions the cannons with the inscription to Greene's late husband are now complete. Also notes…

GLC02437.03649

19 May 1789

Glasbeech, Baron de, fl. 1781-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has enclosed a letter from Mr. Thomas Fitsimmons. Asks Knox for a "favorable subscription," a confirmation of Glasbeech's service and monetary relief. A note written at a later date on the top of the document misidentifies Glasbeech as the "Baron de Glasbeck." See GLC02437.04208 and GLC02437.04210 for related documents.

GLC02437.04207

20 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Baron de Glasbeech

Knox signs in text as "General Knox." Writes that he has done everything in his power to help the baron, and wishes that he could help "every unfortunate person on earth." Notes that he has already contributed more than he can afford on Glasbeech's account, and he cannot do anything further. Docket misidentified the Baron as "Baron Glasbeeck." See GLC02437.04207 and GLC02437.04208 for related documents. Location inferred from date and related documents.

GLC02437.04210

February 2, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Knox, Commander at West Point, congratulates General Greene, Commander of the Southern Department. Recently received news of Greene through Major Burnet. Writes, "To say only I congratulate you on the enemys total evacuation of the Southern States, would very imperfectly express my happiness upon the occasion... you must be doubly happy, in being so fortunate as to be conscious of having done well... prominent actions, if not attended with success, are often disregarded by the people. But thank God the case is otherwise with you." Notes that he has been at West Point for five months.…

GLC02437.10091

21 October 1781

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Communicates General George Washington's order that 100 swords confiscated from enemy forces at the surrender of Yorktown be sent to the regiment of Marquis Laval. Hand was an adjutant general under Washington.

GLC02437.01255

7 June 1782

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Hamilton after he left the Army to Major General Knox. Letter details Hamilton's opinions against retaliation for the execution of American Captain Joshua Huddy at the hand of New York Loyalists (this is reference to the well-known Huddy-Asgill Affair). Hamilton says any retaliatory killing would be "derogatory to the national character." He claims there is no precedent for such a killing and that it would be "wanton and unnecessary." Says America's affairs "are now in a prosperous stream and so vigorous," that it would be foolish to tarnish the nation's reputation. Says that this…

GLC02437.01442

7 June 1782

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of letter from Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox in GLC02437.01442, for which a transcript is available. Written by Hamilton after he left the Army to Major General Knox. Letter details Hamilton's opinions against retaliation for the execution of American Captain Joshua Huddy at the hand of New York Loyalists (this is reference to the well-known Huddy-Asgill Affair). Hamilton says any retaliatory killing would be "derogatory to the national character." He claims there is no precedent for such a killing and that it would be "wanton and unnecessary." Says America's affairs "are now…

GLC02437.01444

24 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Hamilton

Written by Major General Knox to Hamilton who had left the army in March 1782. References Hamilton's letter of 7 July. Discusses retaliation against "a captain of the 57 regmnt" (Captain Charles Asgill), for the murder of Captain Joshua Huddy by Loyalists. Asgill was to be executed after the British refused to hand over Lippincott, who the Americans said was responsible for Huddy's death. Washington felt he could not recede from this course of action but wants all other possibilities exhausted before the execution is carried out. Reports Washington will likely demand of Sir Henry Clinton that…

GLC02437.01498

January 7, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: To Edward Hand

Written and signed for Knox by his aide Samuel Shaw to Brigadier General Hand. Says the prisoners of war at West Point are being marched this day to the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. Their names are enclosed. Says Lieutenant Hoit [could be the same Hoit at GLC02437.01755] is to be watched because "He has in several instances been tampering with the soldiers." Says David Jones is a deserter who should be released, which coincides with General Washington's wishes. Reports that Colonel Humphreys will remember the man as the person who was "wandering about without a pass." Says he can have an…

GLC02437.01807

16 April 1783

Hay, Udney, fl. 1776-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

About Washington's permission to allow volunteers to rebuild Udney's house after a fire. After Quartermaster Udney Hay's house (the historic "Clinton House") and possessions were destroyed by fire, Washington authorized volunteer officers to rebuild it.

GLC02437.02095

17 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Udney Hay

Written by General Knox to Colonel Hay. Sympathsizes with Hay for the loss of his house. Tells him that with Washington's permission he will send an artificer to work on the wooden half of the house, but that it is out of his power to send a mason because "We have but one who knows his right hand from his left professionally and he is employed in such public works as are indispensible." This is Knox's response to Quartermaster Hay's earlier request (see GLC02437.02095).

GLC02437.02098

23 July 1782

Forman, Aaron, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Aaron Forman, Assistant Deputy Quarter Master, writes to Shaw to inform him that he has recovered a mare that had been left at Sadler's Tavern. Explains that she was "badly foundered" and he did not think she could be made fit in time for the next campaign. Because of that, and because she was very old, he decided to sell her. The bearer of this letter will bring a new horse, which he hopes is good enough to replace the mare.

GLC02437.01497

30 August 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Orderly Office." Writes, "Major Mannand of the Corps of Engineers has this minute applied to me for five men to go to wappings creek for a Batteau, which is to transport the Baggage of the Engineers from the Neighborhood of Fishkill Landing to West Point the application comes too late to be complied with from the Troops ordered to March tomorrow. I have therefore taken the Liberty to refer him to you not doubting but you will as soon as convenient order him a party from the garrison under your Command."

GLC02437.01551

1 September 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses information from the day's General Orders and asks Knox to pass the information on to the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment who are on fatigue on West Point. Orders say they should probably march on Friday next. Also has orders for the 2nd Connecticut, and asks Knox's garrison to send their monthly rations to his office without delay.

GLC02437.01559

4 September 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplanks Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Writes, "As the Commander in Chief proposes reviewing the Line on Saturday next, the relief for Dobb's Ferry and the fatigue at West Point will not march untill Sunday - it is expected that the regiments forming this Camp will be perfectly collected for the review." "On public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01573

5 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Hand

Inquires about several corps, guards and fatigue parties to be used in the movement of powder from Fishkill to a temporary magazine at Constitution Island. Includes guards under Major Villefranche and Captain Buchanan.

GLC02437.01577

5 September 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplanks Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. "Public" is written on the upper right side of the address. Writes, "I beg you may be pleased to have the following extract from the Orders of this day published to your Garrison - & that you will direct the Invalid Regt. to furnish a Capt. for the Court Martial therein expressed, he will not be continued long on that duty as the Court will be dissolved as soon as the Invalid Officers are tried."

GLC02437.01579

7 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Heath

Writes, "The bearer hereof has in charge one William Campbell, who came to camp as a recruit for the Mass Line. He offered to enlist with the recruiting party [for] this State but was refused by Captain [Andrew] Moodie who has [reported] him to me. As I cannot learn that he is appropriated to any particular service, I send him to you, as Head of the Line for which he was recruited." Written and signed in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01588

26 September 1782

Hawes, William, fl. 1781-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by William Hawes, a Captain of Artificers. Mentions that he called on Knox while in Philadelphia, but Knox had already proceeded on to West Point. Reports that the Minister of War [Benjamin Lincoln] has ordered thirty artificers to continue working at Springfield, and has given Hawes directions for them. As part of his instructions, he is to bring Knox any articles he needs. Reports on the progress of the construction of the magazine, as well as the use of leather for harnesses and pouches.

GLC02437.01628