4 November 1781

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. communicates a request from George Washington asking Knox to send a copy of the information Washington is to incorporate into a letter to Governor of Virginia Thomas Nelson. Washington also wants a list of the cannons Knox proposed be sold to reimburse William Ross. Possibly concerns indemnification for impressed supplies needed for the siege of Yorktown. Washington recently wrote a letter to the Governor of Maryland under similar circumstances (see GLC02437.01273). Trumbull was Washington's military secretary. Knox's reply appears in GLC02437.01286.

GLC02437.01282

4 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Responds to Trumbull's letter requesting information for George Washington to incorporate into a letter to Governor of Virginia Thomas Nelson (see GLC02437.01282). Explains plans to establish an artillery magazine in Virginia, containing the ordnance remaining after the siege of Yorktown. The artillery would be for the use of the Southern Army and protection of Virginia in case of a British invasion. Washington needs to make requests to Governor Nelson for a location to store the munitions, preferably in Westham, and a party for the transport. Discusses the channels through which the…

GLC02437.01286

1 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Stevens

Instructs on facilitating movement on the Washington-Rochambeau route southward toward Yorktown. Stevens is to head toward Christiana Bridge with Colonel John Lamb's regiment, and then on to Head of Elk. Stevens was commanding officer of an artillery regiment in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01164

22 November 1781

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Had wanted to write earlier but was afraid a letter might not reach him. Informs Knox that his brother William left for France on the 20th. Before he left, Knox's brother William left Peirce various papers and "empower'd me to transact his affairs in his absence, at the same time wished me to inform you thereof." Promises to forward letters he has since received from William. Discusses the surrender of Cornwallis: "The taking of Lord Cornwallis's Army is an event of prodigious magnitude, such as may produce a peace at a much earlier period than the most sanguine could expect." Discusses…

GLC02437.01295

24 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Gen Knox presents his compliments to the Marquis de Rostaing].

Indicates that he is sending one of the pieces of ordnance seized from a British redoubt at the Battle of Yorktown to the regiment of Gattenois, which stormed that redoubt on 14 October 1781. The transfer was made in accordance with George Washington's orders (see GLC02437.01259). A third person letter in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01260

24 October 1781

Laurens, John, 1754-1782

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Laurens communicates George Washington's request that Knox send "one of the pieces taken in the Redout [sic] by the french troops...to the regiment of Gattenois." This was in accordance with general orders issued 20 October 1781. The ordnance was seized in the Battle of Yorktown. Laurens had marched to Yorktown as an aide to General George Washington.

GLC02437.01259

2 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Lamb

Puts Colonel Lamb in charge of ordnance being transported to Head of Elk, Maryland and instructs him on how to proceed. Includes instructions on where to store the ordnance, what to obtain from the quartermaster at Head of Elk, and what to demand of the Board of War & Ordnance. Explains that the company of artificers under Captain Thomas Patten are to be left in Philadelphia and set to work immediately. As much artillery as possible should be removed to the Hudson River and placed under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln. The ordnance being transported had been used for the siege…

GLC02437.01280

18 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Sim Lee

Declares he intended to return to Annapolis but was unable due to circumstances outside of his control. Delivered to Colonel Carrington the horses Governor Lee provided, for use in the Southern States, but one died before they reached Alexandria. The cannon Governor Lee furnished the army with were initially to be used against Lord Cornwallis, but had to be left with Rochambeau to defend York and Gloucester. Suggests that if the state of Maryland needs cannon for its own use, it can take those captured from the enemy, although doing so would stop the cannon from being part of a "battery…

GLC02437.01290

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Brigadier General Knox to General Lincoln. Says he was concerned for him, but hopes he is safe at Head of Elk, Maryland. Tells him to "pray take care of the trophies and carry them triumphantly into rome." Reports from Mount Vernon that Martha Washington's son, "Mr. Custis," has died. Says there is a pallor of sadness in the Washington home and that "You who know the tender feelings of a father in their extreme can form some idea of the affliction which must at this moment overcome Mrs Washington & the General." Says they are expected back at Mount Vernon in a…

GLC02437.01288

8 October 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives recommendations for arranging the artillery for the siege of Yorktown. Discusses the establishment of the first parallel for the investment and fears a delay in operations. Speculates that one in four shots from the Continental Army will hit the British works. Explains how operations in the field can differ from academic assessments because of the great variety in ordnance quality. Argues that the Continental Army should not expect anything from the current batteries except cover while they build the second parallel, and urges Knox to establish them with that purpose in mind.…

GLC02437.01213

December 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Mentions that among the stores taken from the enemy at the battle of Yorktown are "a number of copper hoops that had been attached to the casks of powder consumed during the siege, which according to the customs of War invariably appertain to the officer commanding the artillery of the conquerors." They have been delivered to the Company General of Military Stores. Asks that if it is consistent with general practices, he would like to have them delivered to his company.

GLC02437.01312

20 November 1783

Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de la, 1741-1791

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox [in French]

Luzerne informs Knox of the arrival in Philadelphia of the engraved cannon for delivery to the Count de Grasse. He thanks Knox, saying that it is especially appreciated as Knox, more than any other, contributed to the victory at Yorktown which had brought such renown to the United States. He notes that Baron von Steuben has made arrangements with the Board of War regarding the cannon. Believing the British evacuation of New York to be imminent, he hopes he will have the pleasure of seeing Knox in Philadelphia the coming winter.

GLC02437.02791

24 October 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Manuscript letter

Title: to Ebenezer Stevens

"By order of genl. Knox," Shaw orders first division of vessels containing ordnance to Head of Elk, Maryland. Colonel Edward Stevens will provide an inventory of cargo. Explains the logistics of the transportation. Secretarial copy of a Shaw letter.

GLC02437.01261

4 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Tells his brother that "an object is now developed and known to be Lord Cornwallis," and alludes to the forthcoming siege of Yorktown: "our measures are such that if the respective parts harmonize, we hope to do something handsome..." The military maneuver will disrupt General Knox's family life because he has to leave for Virginia. Discusses a personal financial issue.

GLC02437.01165

8 September 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports to his brother that the army has gathered with all its stores in Head of Elk, Maryland and will proceed to the Chesapeake in three days. He is optimistic about the upcoming siege of Yorktown: "I shall hope to inform you in 15 days that we have had Cornwallis completely invested." He is also confident in the assistance of the French Admiral de Grasse, whose job it was to secure the mouth of the York River. Mentions that his wife Lucy Knox is in Philadelphia with their daughter.

GLC02437.01174

24 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to George Washington

Account of ordnance "attached to the American Army." Includes two lists: "Field Artillery" and "For a Siege." The siege being prepared for was the Battle of Yorktown, which began the following month. Written at a Park of Artillery. With closing and Knox's signature (written along the margin) in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01156

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

19 October 1781

Hunter, James, fl. 1781

Autograph document

Title: [Bill to Henry Knox for military supplies needed for the siege of Yorktown].

Bill for iron and waggonage from the Rappahannock Forge in Falmouth, Virginia. Knox's instructions to Hunter to send iron and ordnance to the James River and Hunter's report on fulfilling that request appear in GLC02437.01194 and GLC02437.01217, respectively.

GLC02437.01246

10 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: Gen. Knox in account with S. Shaw

Lists Henry Knox's accounts with Shaw, beginning 8 June 1781 and ending 12 December, 1781. Contains several memoranda and instructions for what Knox owes to Shaw and what the United States government owes Knox. Expenses range from: groceries and house wares to a payment to Frederick "for dressing the Generals hat," to "Jacob's wife (Peggy) for washing," to "Cato Freeman on account of his wages" (probably an African-American servant), travel and board expenses "From Camp to Philadelphia" [August], from "Philadelphia to Williamsburg in Virginia" [September], and from "York to Mount Vernon" […

GLC02437.01368

19 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant [M.] Wetzell

Orders Wetzell to take his two howitzers to West Point to coordinate with Colonel John Crane. Crane is to then transport the cannon to the West side of Kings Ferry, where Colonel John Lamb will receive them. Knox stipulates, "Not a moments delay to be made in the execution of this order."

GLC02437.01140

30 March 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

feels like he has nothing interesting to say. very homesick. feels homesick the most when he is on picket duty.

GLC09354.06

February 7, 1782

Stevens, William, 1750-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks that Knox provide him with a horse or approve of him obtaining one. Lost his horse "before York" (possibly meaning in battle), and cannot afford another. Wants to borrow a horse in order to travel to Boston: "As I have no other way of getting to Boston to see and provide for my family, & as we are disapointed in our expectations of receiving regular payments, they require my presence to point out some mode for their future support while I am in the service of my country." Promises to return the horse in good working order.

GLC02437.01349

25 August 1781

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Hamilton

Alxander Hamilton writes to Elizabeth Hamliton that though he would love to see her and missed her very much it would not be prudent as the trip to Yorktown, Virginia could be hazardous. He also must be focused on his military endeavors. He mentions the possibility of her stress being bad for her pregnacy as well.

GLC09634

November 29, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he was so hurried in his last letter he forgot to mention his promotion in rank which he is happy about. States that he has written to Mr. Moir to get his affairs in order. Discusses his financial state for a bit and his need for credit. States Colonel McLeroth has offered to write on his behalf to help him get credit. Comments that Alexander must have heard of General Cornwallis's fall and says they do not know what the consequences will be. Expects reinforcements if Britain intends to keep the colonies. Gives his love to family…

GLC01450.023.08

December 10, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he sent a letter with a friend and British soldier George Cumine who went home with General Cornwallis and his unfortunate army. Remarks upon the death of their Uncle Forbes. Discusses letters received and sent to family and friends and the state of the mail. Mentions his promotion in rank again and that he is glad to hear it will not be delayed by lack of money. States he asked Mr. Moir to send him some money. Indicates that Cumine will explain his situation better when he returns home. General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown…

GLC01450.023.09