23 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates his brother on his escape from New York. Notes that many in Boston are "much pleas'd" with the retreat. Tells the version of events in New York he has heard but eagerly awaits details from Henry. Notes hearing that Benedict Arnold returned safely to Fort Ticonderoga, after hearing earlier that he had lost his fleet. Discusses extending "civilities" to Doctor Samuel Stringer, who had done the same when William and Henry were in Albany and Fort George obtaining artillery pieces for the siege of Boston, on his visit to Boston. Mentions business and privateering activities.

GLC02437.00449

28 March 1776

Cooke, Nicholas, 1717-1782

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington

On behalf of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, Governor Cooke requests artillery pieces for the defense of the colony, as well as the return of artillery lent to the Continental Army in Cambridge for the seige of Boston. The British evacuated Boston on 17 March 1776. "On public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.00260

16 March 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that the men are supplied with small arms and requests carbines for the officers. Stevens had recently been appointed a captain in Knox's regiment of artillery. The British evacuated Boston the day after this letter was written.

GLC02437.00259

27 March 1776

Tracy, Nathaniel, 1751-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Arranges to have the bearer of the letter retrieve artillery from Framingham, Massachusetts. Tracy was a merchant who turned privateer during the Revolution.

GLC02437.00261

circa March 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds affectionately to a letter from Lucy asking what has become of him. Answers that he has not written because of how busy he has been (during the siege of Boston). Comments that the British are packing up and leaving Boston, and Knox expects to be in the town in 2-3 days, at which time he will also be able to visit her. He is uncertain where the British are going and in what state they will have left Boston, but states that "to New York my Dear Lucy [we] must prepare to follow them. As we are Citizens of the World any place will be our home & equally cheap." Copy.

GLC02437.00264

4 April 1776

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Confirms receipt of an order to remove artillery from Dorchester Heights to the Roxbury Meeting House. Seeks advice to resolve a conflict with Captain John Popkins company over guard duty. Notes that the men need extra time to retrieve their belongings from Cambridge before their march. The Continental Army's position at Dorchester Heights had been integral to the success of the siege of Boston. Randall was a Lieutenant in Knox's regiment of artillery.

GLC02437.00267

6 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes meeting generals George Washington and Charles Lee, who begged him to return to Roxbury and expressed great pleasure in the fortifications Knox had supervised the construction of. Tells a story about how General Lee tried to get a letter to General John Burgoyne during the battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775), to ask him to use his "influence and endeavor to Heal this unnatural break." Criticizes and offers corrections to a widely published account of Bunker Hill by British General Thomas Gage that claimed only 170 redcoats were killed. The Revolutionary War began at the battle…

GLC02437.00196

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

9 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her and expects to the following week. Expresses esteem for generals George Washington and Charles Lee. Of Washington, he writes: "General Washington fills his place with vast ease and dignity & dispenses happiness all around him." Of Lee: "Genl Lee will become very popular soon." Reports that he is going to visit Washington this evening.

GLC02437.00198

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in…

GLC02437.00199

13 August 1775

Howland, Joseph, 1749-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he sent Knox some hosiery. Describes Norwich as confused. Discusses current preparations to defend against the British, who would like to seize their provisions. Calls the uncontested British seizure of provisions on Fishers Island the previous week shameful for the Americans. Interprets a letter from George Washington to the Rhode Island Committee of Correspondence in regard to transports as a reprimand. Asks Knox his rank and requests that he show the works at Roxbury and Cambridge to two of Howland's friends. Discusses forming a light infantry in Rhode Island and asks…

GLC02437.00201

25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions making daily excursions to Cambridge. Reports that General Charles Lee said William could easily get a commission, and Knox will discuss it further with George Washington and Horatio Gates. Knox wants William to join the artillery. Discusses the British troops' ineffectual cannon shot against the American works at Roxbury on 23 September 1775. Asks William to send one of the Watertown newspapers to Edward Parry, Esq. Some of the text on the original is faded.

GLC02437.00203

23 October 1775

Greenleaf, Joseph, 1720-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Docketed by George Washington. Forwards Knox a plan (not included) given to Greenleaf "by a country gentleman." He concludes that Knox could make the best use of it, commenting that "if it affords any good hints they will be improved by you for the public good." On verso, there is a brief notation believed to be in George Washington's hand: "200 Tons Hay /10,000 Cords W."

GLC02437.00207

30 June 1775

Brickett, James, 1738-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: Report of the day.

Indicates that Brickett, the Officer of the Day, made the usual rounds, found the sentries alert, and discovered nothing extraordinary. A note on the back lists some names, places, and numbers. Brickett was a Lieutenant Colonel in Col. James Frye's regiment of Minutemen. He fought at Bunker Hill and later during the Revolutionary War became a brigadier general.

GLC02437.00195

25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Knox

Later copy of original letter (see GLC02437.00203).

GLC02437.00204

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for the transport. Describes his travels. Comments…

GLC02437.00237

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Explains delays in transporting the artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts caused by the lack of snow on the ground and ice on the Hudson River. He realizes the importance of the transport and explains plans for moving forward. Also mentions that he has sent another list of the artillery being moved (not included). Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.00238

January 25, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Lee

Gives General Lee additional specifics on the artillery ordered from New York City and being sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, which George Washington has already written Lee about. He sent a list of items sent by the Second Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety in New York (not included). Explains plans for their transport. Notes that even though Knox has retrieved artillery pieces from Fort Ticonderoga, the pieces from New York are badly needed. Knox also discusses his efforts to obtain artillery from New York City in GLC02437.00212, GLC02437.00220, and GLC02437.00222.

GLC02437.00245

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Bayler

Apologizes for taking Bayler's horse for his brother, William Knox. Had Knox known he would have been away so long, he would not have taken it. Knox was then organizing the transport of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00240

January 12, 1776

Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Knox

Certifies that a Lieutenant Gray "has rode Cannon Seven Miles." Refers to the artillery transport from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts that Knox was overseeing. Contemporary secretarial signature.

GLC02437.00241

January 14, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Swart

Discusses the movement of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts, specifically between Blandford and Springfield, Massachusetts. Updates arrangements for the assistance Swart was supplying.

GLC02437.00242

16 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes lovingly to his wife. Discusses his journey to visit her, getting caught in a violent storm, and expecting to see her tomorrow night. Explains that George Washington has ordered him to go to Fort Ticonderoga. Knox, having recently been appointed head of the artillery, was sent to Ticonderoga to inspect and bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there by a force led by Ethan Allen on 15 May 1775.

GLC02437.00209

16 November 1775

Moylan, Stephen, 1737-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

A letter of introduction for Henry Knox. Asks that Morris "make New York as agreeable to [Knox] as the circumstances of the times will admit." Also asks if there were any letters from "our friend Penn." Moylan was a soldier and officer in the Continental Army, and at one point an aide-de-camp to George Washington.

GLC02437.00210

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes affectionately, asking about Lucy's journey from Worcester. Discusses his own journey to New York City on his way to Fort Ticonderoga, where George Washington had ordered him to travel to in order to bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there in the Spring of 1775. He met his brother on the road, a meeting he describes and dubs "truly farcical." Comments on business opportunities. Reports the easy victory by which American forces captured Montreal on 13 November 1775. mentioning the British retreat, the construction of an American battery, and the interception of…

GLC02437.00211

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

A highly detailed letter in which Knox reports on his efforts to obtain ordnance in New York City for the Continental Army in Cambridge. Discusses similar, unsuccessful activities in regard to the activities of a man named Colonel Read, and his problems with the committee sitting during the recess of the Second Continental Congress, possibly the Second Provincial Congress, which met in New York in late 1775 or the Committee of Safety. Reports Colonel Alexander McDougall's promise to exert his influence on the committee and have them send munitions to Cambridge immediately. Seeks permission…

GLC02437.00212