15 November 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Makes reference to the "baneful leaven," the radical democratic principles of the French Revolution, influencing troops in his army. Mentions that Thomas Paine's "The rights of man, has been held up as a Criterion, even of Military Government. Attempts have frequently been made to evade & disobey Orders, under various & unworthy pretexts & idle quibles [sic], unknown at any period before that time, in the Legion." Reports that the most visible actor is Major Cushing "who is a very artful & seditious man." Also mentions a Captain Gunn. Goes into some of…

GLC02437.05975

7 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter describing the build up to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. States Major [William] McMahon was attacked at Fort Recovery by a large band of Indians early in the morning. Reports the attacks lasted all day and night, and throughout the next day before the Indians were finally forced to retreat. Eight to ten bodies were found dead. Comments the real goal of the "savages" was to take the fort by a "coup de main." Notes the camp was left short on supplies and it appears the soldiers killed and ate a number of the pack horses. Reports three small parties of Chickasaw and…

GLC02437.06137

16 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Clerical copy in the hand of War Dept. clerk Samuel Lewis. Discusses the Indians retreat from Fort Recovery and the routes they took. Believes the Wabash Indians and Patawatimes Indians, ranging from 250 to 300 each, broke off from the main body that was heading for Grand Glaize and took different trails. Informs Knox he has several parties collecting information on the British and the "Savages" at Grand Glaize and Roche de Bout, Ohio. Mentions he will be leaving in four to five days, heading towards Grand Glaize, Ohio. Provides details on the route and plan he will take once he arrives…

GLC02437.06147

5 December 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Wayne

Congratulates Wayne on his success and wishes to end a dispute between Wayne and another general (possibly James Wilkinson; see GLC02437.10308). Mentions that he thinks there will be a pay raise for noncommissioned officers and privates. Writes that "I believe this will be the last letter you will receive from me while I am Secretary of War. I have never attended to my private affairs, and I have a growing family. I must be more attentive, or an unpleasant old age will be stealing up on me." Watermarked "J Watt & C Patent Copying/Sold by J Woodmason/London." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.10315

13 October 1788

Vanderburgh, Henry, 1760-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Post Vincennes," present-day Vincennes, Indiana. Vanderburgh predicts an increase in the number of troops raised. Solicits reappointment "either in the line or staff of the army as would enable me to serve with honor." Docket notes, "Wants employ."

GLC02437.03996

19 September 1791

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says "I again take the liberty to enclose to you though I have not yet obtained your leave, but the distance from a beloved son, &, the difficulty of conveyance must plead my appology [sic] if any is necessary when you consider the sensations of a maternal heart." Warren was asking Knox to forward two letters to her son who was marching to Fort Washington in the Ohio Territory (see GLC02437.05171). Place written is listed as "Plimouth."

GLC02437.05164

27 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

References receiving two letters from Warren "covering letters for your son." Writes that he will receive and forward her letters with pleasure. Assumes her son started out for Fort Washington in the Ohio Territory about 15 September, noting that troops are being sent to the area "in order to establish posts on the Miami River which empties into Lake Erie." Asserts, "The force is so respectable that it is not expected they will not meet with hostile Indians - the distance from you about 1400 miles." Tells her he should have answered her letter earlier, but he was sick with a fever and has…

GLC02437.05171

circa 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: Statement - troops

Dated 18 September and 11 or 12 October, but no year provided. On 18 September there were 2,120 effective troops. Received an additional 242 troops on 11 or 12 October. Notes 600 killed and wounded, leaving 1,762 troops. After receiving additional troops he notes a total of 2,320 soldiers at the bottom of the document. In Knox's hand. Title taken from docket.

GLC02437.08427

29 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Marked "Private." Besides receiving a copy of Wilkinson's report to Arthur St. Clair, he also received a private letter of 26 August. Says the volunteer expeditions under Wilkinson and [General Charles] Scott "reflect great honor on the commander and the corps." Hopes the matter of his staff officers has been settled. Has forwarded a copy of Wilkinson's letter to President Washington at Mount Vernon. Would like to offer a position in "a suitable agency" for Wilkinson to serve the public, but there are no appointments available at the moment. Adds that if events change, he will help Wilkinson…

GLC02437.05175

January 24, 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, near present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes to Knox about a disagreement between Major Hodgson and Major Zeigler. Offered to mediate their disagreement, but was denied. Asks Knox to step in, as the Majors are threatening to resign. Adds that he has focused so heavily on dealing with this problem that he has been unable to handle larger issues facing the soldiers in the Fort Washington area. However, he promises to address these other issues with due haste.

GLC02437.05298

February 12, 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Marked "Private, Personal & Confidential." Provides his opinion that [Winthrop] Sargent should be kept on as Adjutant General, but only if the appointment is sanctioned with a rank. Discusses his merits as an officer in that position. Declares that he is making these observations without Sargent's knowledge. Provides some information on Fort Jefferson. Asks for news of Knox's wife and sends his respects.

GLC02437.05318

February 14, 1792

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Marked "Private, Personal & Confidential." Tells Knox that "a most lawless outrage was committed by a party of the soldiers on the person of a civil magistrate in the village of Cincinnati on the 12th." Believes that the incident might have been fatal to 40 or 50 people, but for the intercession of Captain Haskill, who happened to be nearby. Explains what is apparently a struggle for jurisdiction between the civil authorities (represented by himself) and the military authorities (represented by a Major Leyton).

GLC02437.05321

17 May 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Later copy. Thanks him for the various letters and the news they conveyed. Says "I am persuaded that your good sense as well as inclination will lead you to unite cordially with General Wayne, and to promote a Spirit of harmony throughout the several corps." Mentions that Brigadier General Thomas Posey is delivering this letter. He is "a gentleman from whom I flatter myself, the service will derive solid benefit." Believes Posey will arrive in time to accompany Mrs. Wilkinson down the Ohio River. Reports he has told both Mrs. Wilkinson and Colonel Biddle "the pleasure your conduct gave…

GLC02437.05893

12 July 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Informs Wilkinson his letters will be kept private, however, he will show them to the President of the United States. Discusses the conflict between Wilkinson and General [Anthony] Wayne. Comments he regrets the "disagreement which exists between two officers high in rank, and of whose experience and talents a favorable opinion is entertained." Also notes that no officer, regardless of rank, is immune from charges of military crimes and will be brought forth in a public manner. See GLC02437.06143 for copy. Date added later in pencil.

GLC02437.06142

February 17, 1834

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Chilton

A very long letter to Chilton, a Kentucky congressman, in which Harrison recounts his experiences in the wars in the Northwest Territory. Voices his support for Chilton's proposal to extend the pension laws to veterans of the Indian Wars in the northwest, describing those conflicts as a continuation of the American Revolution. Reviews General Anthony Wayne's campaign in Ohio from 1793-1795 (Harrison served as his aide-de-camp). Describes the hardships faced by soldiers, and issues relating to recruitment, pay, and casualties. Recounts, at length, the careers and hardships of two…

GLC05300

February 27, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Notes on a conversation with John Morgan]

Recounts a conversation he had with Morgan that day, about a letter Morgan wrote regarding an incident in the Northwest Territories. Writes that he informed Morgan he must take action and have the matter investigated, due to his office. The incident apparently pertained to General [Arthur] St. Clair, the late General [William] Butler, fighting with the Indians, and a possible Court Martial or Court of Inquiry.

GLC02437.05327

February 7, 1792- February 8, 1792

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Contains two letters. The first, written on 7 February 1792, declares that he was informed by General [Benjamin] Lincoln that Lincoln has no openings under him and so will be unable to hire Peirce's son at present. However, he will keep him in mind for any future openings. Peirce's son, who is the bearer of the letter, intends to set up trade connections between Philadelphia and Boston. He also brings Knox a document from Henry Jackson related to their attempts to purchase land. Peirce discusses Jackson's attempts to get the legislature to approve the canal building project. The second…

GLC02437.05310

9 March 1792

Zeigler, David, 1748-1811

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Marked copy; titled "Copy of a letter from Major Zeigler to Lt. Col. Commandt. Wilkinson." Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Comments on the job the Quartermaster has performed, and justifies his own conduct when working on behalf of the state of Pennsylvania.

GLC02437.05341

11 March 1792

Swan, Caleb, 1758-1809

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Wilkinson

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes that he went to Kentucky to "pay off the militia of that district who served in General [Arthur] St. Clair's expedition against the Indians in 1791," as he was instructed to do. Explains how much he paid, and to how many militiamen. Believes the unpaid may apply at Fort Washington. Also explains that he advanced money to "Lewis," who was wounded and distressed; reminds Wilkinson that he authorized Swan to do so. Encloses two letters (not present).

GLC02437.05349

13 March 1792

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilkinson

Written from Fort Washington, present-day Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes that in the course of his duties, he has offended Captain Ford, but wants to assure him that no cause for offense was given. Has enclosed some materials explaining his case. Suggests that before he goes away, Wilkinson interferes on his behalf, as he is afraid Ford may attack his reputation or harm him physically in public.

GLC02437.05351

January 16- January 26, 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Printed document

Title: [Statement]

First part includes a printed letter from George Washington asking the Secretary of War (Henry Knox) to publish a statement regarding the United States' attempts for the "re-establishment of peace and friendship" with the Indians. The second part is Knox's response to this request in which he states the "The causes of the existing Hostilities between the United States, and certain Tribes of Indians North-West of the Ohio, stated and explained from official and authentic Documents... " Noted as written at the War department and that it was printed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by David C.…

GLC02437.10589

28 August 1791

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Manuscript document

Title: [Extract of a letter from Mr. Priestly to Mrs. Lapsly]

Creator from docket, which is in Knox's hand. Williams sent an extract of a letter from Mr. Priestly of Beardstown, Kentucky to Mrs. Lapsly who was residing at the warm springs in Bath County, Virginia. The extract says "The men are returned from the Expedition under the Command of Genl Wilkinson all safe but two who were killed. They killed seven Indians took thirty prisoners and destroyed two Towns and the Crops at them. they brought in one white white [sic] child but her mother who was at the Same Town they could not find." The extract was dated 28 August, while the docket is dated 16…

GLC02437.05135

February 12, 1792

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides an update on the Committee's debates regarding the Waldo patent lands. Comments on Knox's request that he purchase the portion of the town of Trenton belonging to Colonel Jones. Reports his happiness at seeing the reasons for the Indian War published. Discusses the reenlistment of soldiers in the army; many soldiers who served during the Revolutionary War will not reenlist unless they are promoted. Explains that Major Jack Tyler, who served 1777-1779, would like to serve again, but only as a major. Describes Tyler's virtues and his current circumstances. Requests appointments…

GLC02437.05317

circa 1792

Manuscript letter

Title: [Letter relating to Arthur St. Clair and the discharge of the troops and levies]

Later copy. Discusses paying the levies under General [Arthur] St. Clair. Comments on the rate of pay and the dates on which they were used.

GLC02437.05454

17 May 1792

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox [incomplete]

Largely a copy of GLC02437.05466, with additional content where the other letter leaves off. However, the letter is still incomplete.

GLC02437.05467