1 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reaffirms his love for his wife. Discusses smallpox and the possibility of Lucy going to Boston to be inoculated. Comments on various daily and domestic activities, like how he typically spends his time, with whom he dines, and what time he goes to bed. Mentions being ill. Discusses the possibility of Lucy returning to him. Mentions that business prevented him from having a meeting with Lord William Howe, whom he believes will soon attack.

GLC02437.00408

5 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Comments on their correspondence habits. Asks William to inform the wife of James Lovell that her husband would be released from the British in a prisoner exchange. Discusses British forces amassing in New York and preparing for an attack. Discusses the gravity of the situation at length. States "I shrink and tremble at the Importance of our present conduct."

GLC02437.00413

circa August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph manuscript

Title: Disposition of Troops at New York

Lists major generals Israel Putnam and John Sullivan and the brigadier generals immediately under them.

GLC02437.00415

15 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses thanks for their ability to communicate while separated and is looking forward to their future together. Philosophically expresses hopes that reason and religion will someday dictate man's actions. Writes that he "will make a very family man when peace shall again bless this...Country." Discusses their own troops strength and activities. Also comments on the Hessians and the British, and writes passionately about being wronged by and separating from the British. Comments on Lucy's account with a man named Peter. Reassures her that his health has improved. Comments on her new…

GLC02437.00419

1 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Chastises his brother for not writing and complains of writing so much himself that his arm hurts. Gives some instructions for business.

GLC02437.00407

8 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports intelligence gathered from two British deserters on the size and plans of the British force gathering to attack New York.

GLC02437.00414

12 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Colonel David Mason sixty dollars. A note from Mason on the verso directs that the payment be made to Hannah Mason.

GLC02437.00417

15 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses his recent fever, treatment, and recovery. Comments on his duties and the upcoming conflict in New York, in sometimes florid prose. Discusses news from Ticonderoga concerning the attempted siege of Canada, and notes the arrival of a French fleet. Seeks assistance in obtaining buttons, possibly for his regiment's uniforms.

GLC02437.00418

19 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses corresponding with his wife. Discusses domestic issues like food, clothing, and money, and a sick servant. Asks Lucy to assist Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who is in need of money. Comments on firing on the Phoenix and other British vessels sailing up the Hudson river and receiving return fire. He expects General William Howe to attack at any time. Discusses Sarah Mifflin, the wife of Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, as the only lady among the army. Tells Lucy to measure his affection but his letters' content, not their length. Notes that the newspapers are reporting 70,000 men in…

GLC02437.00421

21 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy. Responds to Adams' (see GLC02437.00416) and discusses the urgent need to obtain copper from mines in New Jersey in order to cast canons. Joins Adams in lamenting the lack of officers from Massachusetts in the Continental Army, but also considers there to be a dearth of qualified candidates. Discusses recruiting and training good officers' rely not only on gentlemen but also on "local" talent. Suggests Colonel John Glover for possible promotion. Discusses raising an army and re-enlistment at length. Warns Adams that a bounty of $25-$36 or 100-150 acres of land is necessary to…

GLC02437.00423

26 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Captain William Perkins thirty dollars. A note on the same page, signed by Perkins, instructs that the payment be made to Naby Perkins.

GLC02437.00427

28 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.

GLC02437.00429

7 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because the army needs "men capable of great Ideas & who are acquainted with military matters." Fears George Washington is bearing too great a load of leadership. Indicates that General Nathanael Greene is recovering from illness. Hopes General Charles Lee arrives soon. Discusses treatment of prisoners, the honor of war, and his desire to not make…

GLC02437.00442

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

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

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.

GLC02437.00432

11 August 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Robert Cook twenty dollars. A note signed with the mark of [Anne Cook] (spelled "Cooke"), on verso, dated 2 September 1776, directs that the payment be made to Isaiah Doane.

GLC02437.00433

2 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

GLC02437.00435

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

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 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he received William's letter from his wife Lucy, who just arrived in New York with their newborn child. Anticipates New York as "principal seat of war" and worries about his family being in harms way. Mentions that George Washington has gone to meet with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to discuss the current campaign. Welcomes the news that General Horatio Gates has been promoted to major general and been placed in charge of the defense of Boston. Mentions a heavy loss inflicted by a schooner from the West Indies two days earlier. Promises to write more frequently…

GLC02437.00311

May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Supply of clothing for Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Lists supplies for clothing and costs, including buttons and "scarlet cloth," and in some cases who the material was sent to. Directed to Jonathon Pollard, the quartermaster for Knox's artillery regiment. A memo written on page three by Samuel Shaw indicates when Pollard gave Knox receipts for supplies on May 21st and 23rd, 1776.

GLC02437.00309

25 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Orders Sargent to accompany Earl Stirling (aka Lord Stirling and William Alexander) to ports on the Hudson River and to report back on the artillery there. Sargent was a captain lieutenant in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00315