Collection Search

to Lucy Knox

Informs her of the loss of Fort Washington and 1,500 men. "This is the most severe stroke we have received during the war as to the number of men." Writes that he is very upset over the terrible defeat, but has not lost hope.

GLC02437.00489

[Draft of an opinion for General George Washington]

"From the time which has elapsed since Genl Howe disappeared from the Capes, it may be fairly and certainly deduce'd that he has gone very far either to the Southward or eastward... and it may be concluded with the same probability that neither...

GLC02437.00637

to Henry Knox

Praises the American victory in the recent the Battle of Bennington. Notes that General [Benjamin] Lincoln's aide-de-camp sent an account of the British killed, wounded, and missing at Bennington, which amounted to 1,000. Reports that Henry's wife...

GLC02437.00641

A copy of Three Acts of Congress in favor of Silas Talbot

Title from docket. Includes acts for 10 October 1777, 14 November 1778, and 17 September 1779. The first act promotes Talbot to Major for his attempt to set fire to a British ship "and that he be recommended to General Washington for employment...

GLC02437.00656

to George Washington

Penned by Samuel Shaw, with post-script in Knox's hand. Knox answers the question: "... whether it would be advisable to attack the enemies redoubts and the City of Philadelphia by way of storm ... " Knox writes, "I exceedingly lament my want of...

GLC02437.00667

to Henry Knox

Colonel Jackson writes, "Are you dead or alive- one post after another, and not a line from you-its a Mo since I saw your hand writi'g." Describes his attempts to enlist soldiers. Asks if George Washington would approve if he enlists British...

GLC02437.00668

[Military advice for George Washington]

Written from Artillery Park of Great Valley (Valley Forge), Pennsylvania. Knox discusses the necessity of recruiting more men. Argues that New York City is of greater importance to the British than any other place due to its accessibility by way of...

GLC02437.00683

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...

GLC02437.00707

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...

GLC02437.00711

to Henry Knox

Indicates that he is sending Knox ordnance and apologizes for the delay caused by wagon availability. Also explains his lack of manpower. If Knox sees General James Reed first, asks that he explain Cheever's inability to comply with a request to...

GLC02437.00464

to Henry Knox

Laments the loss of Bergen Point, New Jersey, as well as any other easy victory by the British because it lifts their spirits and emboldens them. It also discourages the Americans. Wants there to be no more works built that cannot be properly...

GLC02437.00474

to William Knox

Rants about not receiving any letters from Knox. Discusses in detail the "fatal Catastrophe of our Navy," commanded by Benedict Arnold, on Lake Champlain, as well as subsequent activities around Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga, including the...

GLC02437.00477

to Lucy Knox

Comments on their problems corresponding and reaffirms his love for her. Indicates that the British have stopped pursuing them and their intentions are unknown. Denounces British and Hessian plundering. Describes the Scottish (Highlanders) as the...

GLC02437.00484

to Charles Knowles

Orders Knowles to Philadelphia to get "accounts of the Regmt from General Mifflins [store] & the Quarter master Generals whilst under the direction of Colo Moylan," and then return quickly to Knox. Written four days after the American victory at...

GLC02437.00498

A Calculation of Ordnance, and Ordnance Stores wanted for the Army of the Northern Department made by order of the Hnble. Major Genl. Schuyler

Listings of the quantity and types of cannon desired by the Northern Department, and the amount of shot desired for each. Also a list other needed war-time provisions. A note explains that if the specified objects cannot be sent, then at least the...

GLC02437.00499

to Henry Knox and Lucy Knox

An invitation from General Greene and his wife to dinner.

GLC02437.00501

An account of Cash paid at Sundry Times to my Compy

An account for 179 pounds paid in advance to men of his company "At Sundry Times."

GLC02437.00504

[Timeline of Prisoner Exchange Activities]

Later copy. Listing dates on which important events occurred relating to prisoner exchanges between American and British forces. Entries detail various plans for prisoner exchange. Also specify who is authorized to exchange prisoners and the...

GLC02437.00508

to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he put Lucy Knox and Mrs. Pollard up in his house when they could not find anywhere else to stay in New Haven. He did not know them, but had heard Knox himself was honourable, so let the women stay for a month while he was away....

GLC02437.00510

to William Knox

Explains that his letters may be short, but he still loves his brother. Feels God has favourably turned "the tide of our affair." Knows that war is hard, and has prepared himself for losses either "public or personal." Hopes to hear from William...

GLC02437.00515

to Lucy Knox

States that his other recent letter, probably GLC02437.00514, is not full of sentiment because its contents is of public importance and she might wish to show the letter to others. Says that, while there love is public, the full expressions of it...

GLC02437.00516

to William Knox

Promises Knox he will deliver letters to various people for him. Expresses his happiness on hearing that Knox had safely made the trip to Boston. Worries about Mrs. Knox, and comments on Knox's philosophy that "What is is best."

GLC02437.00523

[Invoice of payments to Henry Knox from the Unites States] [incomplete]

List of payments made to Knox by the United States between November 1775 and January 1777. Includes dates payments were made, what they were for, how much they were for, and who actually gave the money to Knox. Figures include pay for Knox and his...

GLC02437.00527

to Joseph Hoff

Orders Hoff to deliver to Colonel Stewart an order for "ten tons Grape Shot mostly the larger with some small." Sent to Hoff at Hibernia Furnace, New Jersey. Docket states that the document is a copy.

GLC02437.00532

to Ezekiel Cheever

Asks Cheever to deliver "three coats & fifteen yards white duffle" to Lieutenant James Hall. Docket states that "three Coats & six yds of W Duffell" were received. Endorsed by Jonathan Terry on verso.

GLC02437.00536

[Receipt for a coat and duffle]

States that Noyes received one "Regimental coat" and two and a half yards of white duffle.

GLC02437.00539

[Receipt for a coat]

States that one coat was received from Ordnance for Alexander Clark. Niles signs for it and writes that he will be accountable for it.

GLC02437.00547

to Lucy Knox

Arrived last evening after a long trip. The roads past Hartford were so bad that "the Slay" and much of the baggage had to be abandoned. Has heard a report that at Spanktown, modern day Rahway, "our people" killed and wounded five hundred of the...

GLC02437.00549

to Henry Knox

Reports "News Glorious News" that a French ship loaded with artillery and arms for the Americans landed at Portsmouth last week. Also carried French officers "well recommended by Doct. Franklin" and an account stating that a similar ship will soon...

GLC02437.00554

to Lucy Knox

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live....

GLC02437.00560

[Receipt from Henry Knox to Thomas Mifflin]

Account for 2,463 pounds 9 shillings 11 pence owed by Knox to Mifflin.

GLC02437.00568

to Lucy Knox

Says that he always writes "by the post" and wishes she would do the same "as it is now conducted with some regularity." Hopes that her inoculation works, and that both she and their daughter not "have too many or too few" pocks. Wishes Lucy could...

GLC02437.00576

to Lucy Knox

The Americans "are getting strong" while "the enemy by all accounts...must be very imbecile." Hopes she is recovering from the smallpox inoculation, and sends his love to her and their daughter.

GLC02437.00577

[Account of goods for Henry Knox by order of Captain Lieutenant Treat]

Signed by Sweers, commissary of military stores in Philadelphia, who notes that the contents were received in full from Treat. Lists water biscuits, green tea, and other items.

GLC02437.00594

Arrangement and present strength [incomplete]

Lists Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, and colonels in New Jersey. Lists Major Generals Green (Nathanael Greene), John Sullivan, [Adam] Stephen, [Benjamin] Lincoln, and "Ld. Sterling," (William Alexander). May be incomplete. Possibly created by...

GLC02437.00596

Instruments made for the artillery by Mr. John Lamb

Title from docket in Knox's hand. Mentions "callippors" (artillery calipers), quadrants, and scales.

GLC02437.00597

[Invoice of items bought by Jonathan Hasting at London book store]

Includes five thousand quills, seals, wafers, and loggerheads. Knox's business was called the "London Book Store."

GLC02437.00606

to Henry Knox

Discusses the possibly appointment of French officer Philippe Tronson du Coudray in charge of artillery (Knox's post). Writes "...I think the circumstance of having a foreign officer, who neither speaks our language nor can possibly be acquainted...

GLC02437.00615

to Lucy Knox

Begins with expressions of his love for Lucy, his wife. Describes his devotion to his country, the only thing that keeps him from Lucy. Discusses possible enemy movement and location. Praises his troops. Writes, "With the blessing of Heaven I...

GLC02437.00616

to Henry Jackson

Written at Camp Middlebrook. Replies to an earlier request from Colonel Jackson to enlist Hessians from a captured British ship: "I have not mentioned to the General your request to be permitted to enlist some of [the Hessians], it is so repugnant...

GLC02437.00617

to Henry Knox

Knox's wife Lucy writes, "... I am resolved nothing shall prevent my coming to you early in September but your positive refusal, in which case, I will try to be as indifferent as I shall then think you are." Reports that Knox's brother William is on...

GLC02437.00625

to Henry Knox

Reprimands Henry for not writing sooner. Notes that she sent a letter to Henry with Captain Randall. Asks Henry to intervene on behalf of Captain Bliss regarding an unspecified matter. Writes, "It is very strange that you mention nothing to me of...

GLC02437.00642

to Henry Knox

Notes that Captain Randall is not leaving as soon as she expected, thus she can add more lines to her letter, a continuation of GLC02437.00642. Writes, "I forgot to tell you how much I am mortified at having received an epistle from you wrote upon...

GLC02437.00643

to Lucy Knox

Written at "Camp near Schuylkill." Opens with various declarations of how he misses her, including "War nor none of its concomitant Horrors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind..." Reports of a recent engagement with the enemy, the Battle of...

GLC02437.00648

to Lucy Knox

Written from Artillery Park Camp, 25 miles from Philadelphia. Notes that he would have written more details earlier, but "the success of the enterprise depended upon secrecy...." Gives an account of the Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777), in...

GLC02437.00655

to Horatio Gates

Later copy. Copied 23 May 1860 for Joseph Willard, Esq., by George [H.?] Moore. Stewart, aide-de-camp to General Gates, offers an account of the Battle of Germantown. Mentions Generals Anthony Wayne, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, Edward Stevens...

GLC02437.00657

to Lucy Knox

Discusses the attack by Hessian Colonel Count Carl von Donop against a redoubt at Red Bank, the site of Fort Mercer, along the Delaware River below Camden, New Jersey. Notes that Colonel Greene, from Rhode Island, defended the redoubt, and even...

GLC02437.00661

to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for Lucy. Describes the British capture of Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware River near Philadelphia. Relates that Mifflin withstood fire for fifty days. Laments the loss of Captain Treat (Samuel Treat), who was hit by a cannonball...

GLC02437.00665

to Lucy Knox

Knox writes, "I am unhappy to the last degree that you should suppose in the least that my affection for you is diminish [sic]- my God knows how much I suffer for your sake how much anxiety I go thro this you may rely upon my dearest Love that I have...

GLC02437.00666

[drafts of rough minutes delivered to Doctor Ramsey who is writing the history of the late war & who furnished to me his Sketches & Materials for that purpose. May '86]

Later copy of Knox's notes which he delivered to Doctor David Ramsay to use as reference for his book, History of the American Revolution. Note at top states, "(Inclosed) Notes and explanations of Doctor Ramsay's history respecting the campaign 1777...

GLC02437.00680