circa 27-29 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Draft of Knox's responses to questions regarding an attack on the British at Philadelphia]

"My sentiments are against a general attack of the enemy strongly posted as they are except upon the clearest principles of superior numbers to counterballance their superior discipline. I am fully of the opinion that we have no experience of our troops that will justify the supposition of their being able to storm redoubts defended by british troops..." Argues that the possible advantage gained by the Continental Army in taking Philadelphia will not equal the cost. Prepared for George Washington in response to his queries of 26 October 1777. See GLC02437.00660 for a draft in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.00676

1 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that the British have landed at Head of Elk, Maryland (present day Elkton), twenty miles from Knox's location. Writes, "...we shall remain here a few days and if they will not come to us we shall go to them... it is suppos'd the enemy intend for Philadelphia if so they will meet with a stout opposition." Relates he is serving on a Court Martial. In closing, writes "my soul is intimately connected with yours."

GLC02437.00646

13 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Brandywine (11 September 1777), declaring "...we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy... if they advance we shall fight them again before they get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious- my corps did me great honor they behav'd like men..." Encloses an account (not present) he sent to the…

GLC02437.00648

24 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox [incomplete]

Reports that in a previous letter to Lucy, he gave an account of the Battle of Brandywine. Relates that his army came in sight of the enemy, when a pouring rain ruined their cartridges. Describes how his army followed the British from across the Schuylkill River, and the British eluded them, intending to enter Philadelphia: "They have declin'd to combat our army and have taken possession of the prize for which we both contended." Reports that American Generals [Anthony] Wayne and [William] Smallwood were attacked on 20 September (later known as the Battle of Paoli or the Paoli Massacre).…

GLC02437.00652

3 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Reports that nothing has changed since 23 September, when he previously wrote, and that the British still have possession of Philadelphia. Relates that the Delaware frigate was recently lost to the British. Recently received militia reinforcement. Has received news from the north (possibly referring to the Battle of Freeman's Farm, 19 September 1777). Regarding the reports, comments: "...if this news should be followed by the probable consequences We may yet conclude the Campaign if not the War most happily..."

GLC02437.00653

6 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 which "a fog which was but moderate at first became so thick from the Continental firing of cannon... that it absolutely became impossible to see..." Despite the conditions, reports, "Our troops are in prodigious spirits at being able to drive nearly the whole collective force of the enemy so far-" Relates that his brother, William Knox, "behaved…

GLC02437.00655

29 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 wounded Count Donop. Also describes the British attack on Fort Mifflin, in Philadelphia. Writes, "if the enemy do not get possession of the river they cannot stay in Philadelphia with any ease- their convoys will be liable to be cut off & they blockaded..." Reports that "Billey," his brother William Knox, is doing well.

GLC02437.00661

3 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox worries because Lucy has not recently written to him. Reports receipt of a letter from "Harry," (Colonel Henry Jackson, also in Boston). Expresses discontent regarding the high price of goods Jackson reported in Boston. Refers to the "glorious event to the northward," John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, New York. Writes, "We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give [the British] another blow & if possible to dispossess them of the redoubted city of Philadelphia- The enemy have not yet been able to drive our Gallies away or storm or batter our ports with success..."…

GLC02437.00662

7 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Recently received the first letter from Lucy in a month. Writes, "The [authors?] of this War, on the British side receive my maledictions which hardly square with the forgiveness recommended in the Gospel, but yet my dearest Love I cheerfully entertain the hope that we shall sweetly enjoy the Society of each other again and the blessings of it richly enhanc'd by knowing the afflictions of absence." Contains numerous other expressions of his love.

GLC02437.00663

14 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. Intends to try to prevent the British from bringing their men-of-war (ships) to Philadelphia via the Delaware.

GLC02437.00665

25 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 no other affection on earth..." Hopes to see her sometime during the upcoming winter.

GLC02437.00666

2 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes, "In short my Lucy no man on earth seperated [sic] from All that he holds Dear on earth has ever suffer'd more than I have suffer'd in being absent from you whom I hold dearer than every other object..." Defends his love for her, because "in one moment of inadventure you have written which will long be the source of unhappiness to me." Expects to be able to set out for Congress when the army goes into winter quarters, and intends to be in Boston (Lucy's location) in one month. Notes that "The situation of our army on account of Cloathing is such as to render a Winters Campaign…

GLC02437.00670

3 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her as a follow up to a letter from the previous day. Writes, " ... is there nothing in this world that would satisfy [Lucy] but deserting the camp in which I am engag'd and render my self eternally infamous ... by resigning at the time my Country may stand in need of my little assistance- God forbid." Feels sympathy for her loneliness, mentioning the absence of her family (as Loyalists, they had moved to England). Hopes to see her in about a month. Mentions that he has not written to "Harry," Henry Jackson, because he is expected to soon arrive at Whitemarsh.

GLC02437.00672

February 5, 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Sends Washington the "volume of pamphlets belonging Governor [Jonathan] Trumbull." For several days, Knox has retained the pamphlet written by Governor Pownall and hopes to be able to browse through the volume again when Washington is finished. Hopes to go to West Point the same day, and to deliver a report to Washington the following day. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.00800

2 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports, "The enemy have manoevr'd us to this place... and after all gave us the slip... this is now the third day of their departure with a fine a wind as ever blew to carry them to New York and so up the North River [the Hudson]-- this must be their great object, and however appearances may have been against it- I could never account why it was not done- Thank God our force there is pretty respectable, and if they can hold out only till we get there... our forces will all be put in motion that way." Emphasizes that General George Washington could not have acted otherwise, for had he not…

GLC02437.00632

9 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: [Retained copy of an opinion delivered to General George Washington]

Offers opinions regarding fortification and manpower at Fort Island, Red Bank, and Billingsport. Created in Pennsylvania at Camp Sandy Run. Dated in another hand. Text is in the hand of William Knox.

GLC02437.00634

20 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [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 Philadelphia or the North river is the immediate object of his destination." Discusses William Howe's possible movements. Suggests mounting an offensive against John Burgoyne in the north, "as no longer to leave it in doubt who shall have the Ascendency in that quarter..." Knox predicts that a large scale attack in the north would draw Howe's forces…

GLC02437.00637

25 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Derby, 7 Miles below Philadelphia" (possibly Darby, Pennsylvania). Reports that his troops had begun to march to the North River (the Hudson), but received a dispatch that British General William Howe was in the Chesapeake Bay. Believes Philadelphia to be Howe's target, and predicts he will approach Philadelphia via the Delaware River, not the Chesapeake Bay. Reports that American troops marched through Philadelphia 24 August: "their excellent appearance... astonished the Tories, who are very downcast in the Respectability of the army." Reports that he and General Nathanael…

GLC02437.00640

30 July 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Follows British General William Howe while trying to determine if Howe intends on moving toward Philadelphia with his troops. Notes that he is within 32 miles of Philadelphia, and writes, "I am in hopes my business will call me there having never been in that corrupt place..." Wonders as to Howe's hesitation, joking that it is impossible Howe would be afraid of "our ragamuffin army." Criticizes Howe, noting "the first principle of an invader ought to be to destroy the army of his opponents... if his army is not superior in the field he may as well take himself away..." Asserts that based…

GLC02437.00630

12 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written in camp twenty miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Expresses his happiness that Lucy has spent time in Newburyport, Massachusetts: "The Gentlemen there with whom I am acquainted, are in my opinion some of the most virtuous public spirited, patriots on the Continent." Reports that British General William Howe might be sailing toward the Chesapeake Bay. Disbelieves the Chesapeake is Howe's target. Asserts instead that Howe intends to sail for the North River (the Hudson) or Philadelphia. Discusses Howe's movements and comments on the extremely hot weather. Referring to British…

GLC02437.00635

19 July 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to the Board of War and Ordnance

Signed by Samuel Shaw for Knox. List of items and requested quantities. Written at a Park of Artillery. With autograph annotations by Shaw.

GLC02437.00824

21 July 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stevens

Military orders for Colonel Stevens after he arrives at Peekskill, New York.

GLC02437.00827

10 October 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses disappointment with not receiving a letter from William, but writes this letter for both William and Henry Jackson. Discusses being recalled from New Jersey in response to sightings of British ships. Tells William to not give credit to reports that an American garrison has been taken, because it has not be verified. Comments on cannons he is getting for Henry Jackson to be mounted on a privateer. Mentions that Lucy Knox and their daughter visited briefly. Composed at Mount Washington.

GLC02437.00472

7 November 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: William Knox

Was worried to hear from Henry Jackson that William had gone aboard a ship going to confront the British ship the Mifford. Notes that after pursuing the Continental Army to White Plains, the British have turned back toward New York and Knox speculates that they intend to besiege Fort Washington and then pass to New Jersey and possible Philadelphia. Believes Fort Washington could withstand a two or three month siege. Notes that the Hessians and the British "plunder all before them." Instructs William to pick Lucy Knox up from New Haven, Connecticut, if she wants to winter in Boston. A…

GLC02437.00483

10 November 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses how important his correspondence with Lucy is and how much it hurts him to urge her to go farther away from him (first to New Haven then to Boston). Speculates on a possible British strategy to extend their conquest into New Jersey, which will force Knox to follow, and be further from his wife. Notes that the New York campaign might be considered a loss for the Americans. Analyzes the current situation in New York. Comments that General George Washington set out for New Jersey. Mentions that General Horatio Gates drove Sir Guy Carleton back to Canada, which Knox believes will…

GLC02437.00485