January 29, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Knox gives advice to General Lincoln, Southern Department Commander: "My ignorance of the Country makes me an inadequate judge of your situation, but the numbers you mention you have to oppose the Enemy is most certainly a very serious matter. This it is to hoped will ultimately be remedied but the mean time will probably be very disagreeable." Advises Lincoln to exercise patience. Relates that the right wing of the Continental Army is in New Jersey, while the left wing and part of the second line are east of the Hudson River. Remarks, "The Enemy by shipping off so great a…

GLC02437.00747

February 3, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Is in Philadelphia to suggest new ordnance regulations to a [Congressional?] committee. Of the military, writes, "We are in great want of Lead- The board of War have desir'd me to write to Boston to inquire which quantity can be gotten there and at the neighboring towns and at what price- I wish you to make the inquiry- or rather to get some person to make it for you as the Gentleman speculators may suspect from your connection that you want it for the public and advance their friends in proportion... But let it be done I beseech you so cautiously that it may not be suspected to be for the…

GLC02437.00748

7 February 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Has just returned from Philadelphia. Reports that the Winslows have arrived at Pluckemin. Borrowed five hundred dollars from Mr. French, commissary, who is traveling to Boston. Instructs William to arrange for the repayment of French (William handled business matters of Henry's). Sends love from his wife, Lucy, and remarks that her things have not yet arrived.

GLC02437.00749

February 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains why he has not written recently, citing "a very bad arrangement between me & the post Master." Expresses relief that he and William agree regarding an unspecified matter and a Mr. Hichborne (most sources say "Hichborn"). Refers to the "hoorid fate of the General Arnold." Notes "humanity recoils at the Idea of the distress which the poor families must sustain by the loss of their husbands, fathers, or brothers in that tremendous catastrophe" (the General Arnold, a ship, crashed on a sandbar outside of Plymouth, Massachusetts in December 1778). Knox had some investment in the…

GLC02437.00750

28 February 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses the revival of the General Arnold, a ship that wrecked in December 1778. Knox had some investment in the ship, and remarks "it would be worth while to... get as much in her as will be prudent to risque," possibly referring to loading the Arnold with cargo. Reports that the British attempted to surprise General William Maxwell's brigade but were forced to retreat. Relates that his recent business in Philadelphia consisted of improving regulation of the ordnance department. Notes "I undoubtedly might have at first stipulated for some pecuniary advantages for myself, but... I do…

GLC02437.00751

13 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions the loss of a vessel and the General Arnold, a ship. Discusses his distaste for "making anything out of the public," or making a profit from public service. Notes that he will consider unspecified proposals previously mentioned by William. Mentions his wife and daughter, both named Lucy.

GLC02437.00752

20 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Agrees with William that commerce is a profitable venture. Quotes Shakespeare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken [at] the flood lead[s] on to Fortune..." Discusses William's previous proposal, which apparently involves buying goods on credit from a merchant who might travel to America. Contemplates the uncertainty of the venture and the difficulty in obtaining credit, associates, and bills. Remarks that Spain "will accede to our Independence," and will give credit to American currency. Instructs William to consider all circumstances and to decide whether a European or…

GLC02437.00753

20 March 1779

Smith, Hugh, fl. 1779

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of postage paid 20 March 1779]

Title from docket. Knox pays Hugh Smith postage from July 1777 through 20 March 1779. Smith confirms receipt of postage from Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.00754

3 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William, his brother, to pay Mr. French a sum owed by Knox. Discusses the procurement of cloth for coats. Reports that his wife bore a daughter, whom they named Julia, the previous Sunday. Expresses happiness, though they had wished for a son. Comments on the reading and writing skills of his other daughter, Lucy. Recently purchased a post chaise, noting, "a Phaeton was inconvenient and the other cheap ... "

GLC02437.00755

9 February 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Receipt of payment from Henry Knox]

Document in Knox's hand, signed by Mosely twice. His first signature indicates receipt of payment from Knox for transporting two cannons from Westfield to Worcester. His second signature confirms receipt of payment for "a mistake in the calculation of three cannon transported by John Mosely ... "

GLC02437.00756

11 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses business ventures and the depreciation of currency. Mentions the General Arnold, a ship in which Knox was apparently invested. Refers to a certain gentleman, whose name is not mentioned. States, "...I have the most unequivocal evidences every day that he esteems me- most certainly I love & esteem him for his disinterested virtues." Mentions his wife and two daughters, Lucy and Julia. Asks William to procure and send green tea and sugar.

GLC02437.00757

24 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses a letter William recently wrote to Knox's daughter, Lucy. Lucy is exceedingly pleased to receive a letter from her uncle, and "begs me to assure you she loves you exceedingly and shall write you often." Remarks that his baby daughter, Julia, is "a most charming infant." Writes, "We as yet do not know the intention of the Enemy the Ensuing Campaign- everything will depend on their reinforcements if they are great the Campaign must be active." Third page has been almost completely removed.

GLC02437.00758

25 April 1779

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

"Agreeable to your Desire I embrace the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you to the Rate of exchange upon France." Gives details of the rate of exchange of bills. Also notes that the destination and time of sail for a certain Dutch ship is unknown.

GLC02437.00759

7 May 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Thanks William for congratulating Henry and Lucy Knox on the recent birth of their daughter, Julia. Reports that Lucy has been extremely ill, and suffers from "billious [sic] obstructions." As a consequence, the baby is forced to be weaned. Requests linen and other material. Discusses the "Amsterdam affair," a business venture proposed by William. Notes that a fall or winter voyage will be safer, and instructs William to take as many bills of exchange as possible. Mentions Rivington's paper. "They swear by monstrous big oaths they will…

GLC02437.00760

May 18, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Henry Knox expresses happiness in hearing of the arrival of the Joseph, a ship. He wishes William could have sailed earlier, on the General Arnold (referring to a voyage William plans regarding a business venture in Amsterdam). Instructs him to be careful when buying bills of exchange, and not to buy from foreigners without a "good Indorser an Inhabitant of America." Intends to procure letters of introduction for William from the Marquis de Lafayette, John Adams, Baron von Steuben, and Baron Johann De Kalb. He urges William to travel directly to Holland, arguing that unnecessary stops…

GLC02437.00761

20 May 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Encloses letters from Baron Johann De Kalb "to some of the most eminent characters in Europe all of them introducing you to the persons they are address'd to and mentioning you connection with me- it will therefor be incumbent on you to deliver them with your own hands" (letters are not included). Intends to obtain more letters of introduction for William from Baron von Steuben. In the margin, notes that Lucy is recovering from a recent illness.

GLC02437.00762

1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Statement of the troops furnished by the following States, taken from actual returns of the army for the year 1778.

Includes two charts. The first indicates, "February 26th 1778 Congress resolved to have the following numbers of men furnished by each State." Lists states and corresponding quotas and required troops for 1778. Lists numbers of men furnished, separated by Continental troops and militia. Includes total number of Continental troops and militia. Second chart contains an estimate of militia employed in addition to those cited in the first chart. Part of Knox's May 10, 1790 report to Congress. See also GLC02437.10586, .10466, .10010 and .10475.

GLC02437.10468

2 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: The United States of America in account with Brigadier General Henry Knox, commanding the artillery of the same.

Lists "expenditures in a journey from the camp round Boston to New York, Albany, and Ticonderoga." Includes two Knox signatures. The first is from 2 April 1779 at Artillery Quarters in New Jersey. Knox signs again, swearing by oath that the account information cited is accurate. Also signed by Nathaniel Ayers on 3 April 1779, Justice of the Peace for Somerset, New Jersey. Signed 6 April 1779 by James Johnston, Auditor of Accounts for the Main Army. Johnston certifies that Knox has settled his accounts. Appears to be the same as GLC02437.10472.

GLC02437.10469

2 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: The United States of America in account with Brigadier General Henry Knox, commanding the artillery of the same.

Lists "expenditures in a journey from the camp round Boston to New York, Albany, and Ticonderoga." Includes two Knox signatures. The first is from 2 April 1779 at Artillery Quarters in New Jersey. Knox signs again, swearing by oath that the account information cited is accurate. Also signed by Nathaniel Ayers on 3 April 1779, Justice of the Peace for Somerset, New Jersey. Signed 6 April 1779 by James Johnston, Auditor of Accounts for the Main Army. Johnston certifies that Knox has settled his accounts. Appears to be the same as GLC02437.10469.

GLC02437.10472

19 February 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks they will stay in Murfreesboro. He would like to know how the Confederates are faring near home.

GLC02739.037

February 24, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

There was a very difficult battle but his regiment killed more Confederates than any other. If those she sells crops to will not "take Uncle Sam's money at ful face let them go without it for I don't want to serve in their place and then them not take such money as I get."

GLC02739.038

February 25, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He does not regret joining the army "for it has bin a blessing to me, and I think it wil work out for good to us all in the long run." He will never desert but does not blame anyone for deserting as "our men is meaner than the rebbels."

GLC02739.039

8 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

12 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

15-16 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042