19 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that he has been extremely busy and has not been able to write. Notes that those "Rascally Hessians" took his baggage with most of things and asks that some cloth be sent to him. Written from Mount Washington (now Washington Heights) in New York.

GLC02437.00447

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses corresponding with his brother. Describes the artillery department in the Continental Army as one of the busiest, and the reason he cannot write as frequently as would prefer to. Gives his analysis and opinions of recent events, commenting on British activities and George Washington's leadership, the poor quality of officers the Continental Army, the failures of the Continental Congress, and the needs of the army. Believes that the Battle of Long Island was their one chance to win New York. Comments on the morale-boosting effects of the small victory at the Battle of Harlem…

GLC02437.00451

26 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Celebrates Knox's "very surprizing deliverance from the hands of the Enemy." Criticizes the "Scandalous Flight of the Connecticut Militia," at the Battle of Long Island. Says that "General Washington himself has wrote to our [Council] & cast most severe reflections on their conduct." In response to Henry's letter from 19 September (see GLC02437.00447), he acknowledges that Henry's work and health have limited his writing and notes that he has obtained the epaulets Henry wanted but has not gotten the blue cloth yet.

GLC02437.00455

27 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Hints for the Improvement of the Artillery of the United States]

A report for the Continental Congress outlining specific recommendations to improve the organization, supply, and administration of the Continental Army's artillery. Composed at Harlem Heights in New York. Title from docket. Knox's retained copy & marked 'copy' by him.

GLC02437.00459

May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: A Sketch of a defense of General Washingtons System of the Campaign of 1776, at New York and its Vicinity

Sweeping account of the early events of the American Revolution intended to defend the strategy George Washington took when the British drove the Americans from New York in 1776. Draft copy with many editorial alterations. Title from docket, which also indicates that this was "written and given to Doctor Ramsay of South Carolina."

GLC02437.00460

1 October 1776

Hoff, Joseph, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the canons he was ordered to make. Work had stopped from lack of communication but was restarting, and Hoff seeks instructions on what to make. Also indicates that he has the opportunity to hire additional moulders, one of which was the letter bearer, his brother, John Hoff. Assures Knox his iron will make good canons. Hoff ran a foundry called Hibernia Furnace.

GLC02437.00462

circa 6 October 1776

Hoff, Joseph, fl. 1776

Manuscript document

Title: John Hoff Memoranda for Col: Knox

Autograph endorsement signed on verso by Henry Knox, written from Mt. Washington, [New York] dated 6 October 1776, requests that Lieutenant Samuel Treat be granted passage over King's Bridge. John Hoff's memoranda explains the content and circumstances of the delivery (by John Hoff) of a letter from Joseph Hoff, owner of Hibernia Furnace, to Colonel Thomas Mifflin, requesting instructions for an order of artillery pieces (see GLC02437.00462). Since Mifflin went to Philadelphia, the letter is going to Henry Knox.

GLC02437.00463

5 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal "cowardice treachery ingratitude." His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to "conjugal bliss" with Lucy at the end of the war.

GLC02437.00437

5 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reacts to news of the Battle of Long Island, hopes the loss serve as a learning experience rather than discouraging one, and laments the loss of Lord Stirling and General John Sullivan, who were captured. No news from Boston. "Lt. Johnston" was Captain Lt. John Johnston, captured at Long Island (see GLC02437.00443).

GLC02437.00438

6 September 1776

Lucinda, fl. 1776

Autograph note

Title: to William Knox

Sent to Knox but for a man named Philander. Lucinda thanks Philander for lending her books, and although she was very late in returning them, hopes he will recommend and lend some others.

GLC02437.00439

5 September 1776

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to visit the wife of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson of Knox's artillery and tell her that her husband was wounded and taken prisoner, but is being taken care of. Also wants the wife of John Callender told that he was taken prisoner as well. Notes that the Continental Army is in high spirits and there has been no new developments since the retreat at the Battle of Long Island. Shaw was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00440

9 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss at the Battle of Long Island because they lost the territory, had to abandon military stores and artillery pieces, and lost access to the good farms and livestock on the island. Others in Boston think the loss was of little consequence. Hopes to keep Manhattan and thinks it possible. Reports hearing that nine prizes containing rum and sugar from the West Indies have been captured by privateers and brought to Newport, Rhode Island and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Seeks a response to his inquiry about getting guns to outfit a ship (see GLC02437.00436). Explains that Mr. Spears…

GLC02437.00443

11 September 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Applauds Knox's action against a British ship on the East River. Notes that they are receiving stock and inhabitants from Long Island. Expresses pleasure at General Nathanael Greene's recovery from an illness. Lists Bostonians recommended for field officer positions.

GLC02437.00444

15 September 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains that Henry has not written to him recently and explains how he has received information from Lucy Knox and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard. Claims that they do not have many good sources for the news in Boston. Indicates that a British ship called the Mifford is seizing any vessel that comes near it in the bay. Mentions plans to mobilize troops from Connecticut. Notes that Benjamin Franklin, Edward Rutledge, and John Adams were being sent by Congress to meet with William Howe, a peace conference that later proved unsuccessful. Mentions reports of a battle on Lake Champlain. Business has…

GLC02437.00445

18 September 1776

Furnivall, James, fl. 1776-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the situation at Fort Schuyler. The men are afraid of remaining there for the winter because they have few shoes or stockings. Discusses enlistment and pay. Furnivall was a lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00446

20 September 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Assures William that his brother Henry has not been taken prisoner in the Battle of Harlem Heights (September 16, 1776), despite reports to the contrary. Explains the misunderstanding through an account of the Continental Army's evacuation of New York City. Indicates that she will be coming to Boston.

GLC02437.00448

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

23 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reaffirms his love for Lucy and apologizes for not being able to write a much as he would like. Writes angrily about the enemy who is forcing them apart but expresses optimism for a victory. The postmaster had moved twenty five miles north, making correspondence more difficult. Comments that Major John Crane lost a toe.

GLC02437.00450

23 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that some of "our cool W[h]igs" are getting discouraged, in response to activities in New York and the loss at Long Island, and wish an end to hostilities. Jackson, however, only wants the matter settled "upon Independent terms." Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln will be marching to New York with 6,000 reinforcements. Jackson's company was not ordered to join them. Indicates that two prizes have been captured by privateers.

GLC02437.00453

26 September 1776

Jefferds, Samuel, 1752-1804

Manuscript document

Title: A Weekly Return of Lt. Burbeck's Companey in Col. Knox's Reigt.

Lists numbers of men of various rank, under Lieutenant Henry Burbeck's command, present in varying capacities. Jefferds was a sergeant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00456

26 September 1776

McClure, David, 1748-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for disabusing him of rumors from New York. Discusses the activities in New York, the war in general, and the cause of liberty. Praises the artillery at the Battle of Long Island. Notes that 1,000 troops from New Hampshire have set out for New York. Knox has recently set up a correspondence with Reverend McClure, an old friend of his brothers (see GLC02437.00425). McClure spells his name Macclure.

GLC02437.00457

26 September 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Compliments Knox on the "generalship" of the evacuation of Long Island and New York. Offers his opinions of the activities in New York and the role of the British navy. Also mentions the loss at Long Island's negative effect on morale. Also comments on Knox's baggage stolen by the Hessians and the cowardice of some of the troops. Communicates that Mr. Spears wants Knox to pursue the exchange of Captain Lieutenant John Johnson, who was taken prisoner at Long Island (also see GLC02437.00440). Discusses correspondence problems. Reports that General Benjamin Lincoln is on his way to New…

GLC02437.00458

1 October 1776

Stringer, Samuel, 1725-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Signed Philocles. Because he is impatient, asks Knox to deliver a letter (not included). A post script notes that the woman to receive the letter is going to Salem, if she has left, Knox should deliver the letter upon her return.

GLC02437.00461

1 October 1776

Cheever, Ezekiel, 1720-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 supply Reed with an officer, as was requested. Cheever was the commissary of military stores.

GLC02437.00464

2 October 1776

Stringer, Samuel, 1725-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Signed Philocles. Instructs Knox to deliver a letter with confidential content to a woman named Dilia. Possibly the same letter referred to a day earlier (see GLC02437.00461).

GLC02437.00465