13 September 1782

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. A sarcastic letter expressing annoyance about Congress and their activities after receiving information on the conduct at Elizabethtown -- probably a reference to the negotiations for prisoner exchanges or for the evacuation of New York City taking place there. Says "Our Sovereign Lords the Congress have at length assented to (not approved of) our Conduct at Elizabeth town." It seems that Congress was not willing to respond harshly to General Sir Henry Clinton's letter, which expressed things the American…

GLC02437.01608

8 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Relates a variety of information regarding (a prison cartel) meeting with the British Commissioners, General Campbell and Mr. [Andrew] Elliot [lt. gov. of British-occupied New York]. Contrasts Campbell with former British commissioner General [William] Dalrymple. Believes that Morris was "perfectly right" in his opinion that "the British Commissioners wouldn't be able to treat us with equal power." Mentions General William Heath. Knox notes the recent death of his child and illness of his wife Lucy and family

GLC02437.01651

2 January 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moylan

Writes to John Moylan, the Clothier General, that the "troops in this department are reduced to one regiment of Infantry of 500 rank and file, and one corps of artillery." Has enclosed a return of the articles necessary to clothe the men for the year. Asks him to procure these items and send them to West Point, to Colonel H. [likely Henry] Jackson for the infantry and to Major [Sebastian] Bauman for the artillery. Also discusses the structure and size of the departments; may be referring to the commissary department.

GLC02437.01789

12 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Brigadier General Knox to General Lincoln. Says he was concerned for him, but hopes he is safe at Head of Elk, Maryland. Tells him to "pray take care of the trophies and carry them triumphantly into rome." Reports from Mount Vernon that Martha Washington's son, "Mr. Custis," has died. Says there is a pallor of sadness in the Washington home and that "You who know the tender feelings of a father in their extreme can form some idea of the affliction which must at this moment overcome Mrs Washington & the General." Says they are expected back at Mount Vernon in a…

GLC02437.01288

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult. Describes recent experiments on howitzers of French and of English origin, and explains that they require different shell sizes (see GLC02437.01411), and…

GLC02437.01426

10 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." Informs Knox that Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch has begun casting shells for them, and that Captain [William] Stevens "must immediately go there to prove the shells." Tells Knox to provide Stevens with instructions for how many shells to order cast for the French howitzers. Suggests that if, after a conference with "the General" [perhaps General George Washington], they feel they might not need the French shells right away, they should wait to make them in case they are able to recast the French howitzers and make them "of the English caliber." Also asks what…

GLC02437.01481

31 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to ask his opinion on various subjects surrounding artillery stores for future campaigns. Various topics include shells being cast for French howitzers by Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, preparation of shot and shells by Mr. Byers, transportation of cartridge boxes from Philadelphia to the New York state posts. Also mentions directions from General George Washington to have stores from the post in Burlington, New Jersey moved to New Windsor, New York, and the amount of repairable arms in Albany, Fishkill and West Point. Discusses the urgent need for hiring…

GLC02437.01510

12 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional…

GLC02437.01604

8 October 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives recommendations for arranging the artillery for the siege of Yorktown. Discusses the establishment of the first parallel for the investment and fears a delay in operations. Speculates that one in four shots from the Continental Army will hit the British works. Explains how operations in the field can differ from academic assessments because of the great variety in ordnance quality. Argues that the Continental Army should not expect anything from the current batteries except cover while they build the second parallel, and urges Knox to establish them with that purpose in mind.…

GLC02437.01213

23 December 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Duplicate of GLC02437.01309. Writes to respond to General Benjamin Lincoln's request of his opinon on where to store 4,000 barrels of public powder now in Boston. Declares that West Point is so important that they should do everything possible to provide ample supplies. Thinks 1,000 barrels should be sent to West Point as soon as the snow allows transportation. Also thinks that 1,000 barrels should be deposited at Springfield, and that the remaining 2,000 should be split between Reading, Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this arrangement "if either of the two…

GLC02437.01308

December 31, 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Mentions that among the stores taken from the enemy at the battle of Yorktown are "a number of copper hoops that had been attached to the casks of powder consumed during the siege, which according to the customs of War invariably appertain to the officer commanding the artillery of the conquerors." They have been delivered to the Company General of Military Stores. Asks that if it is consistent with general practices, he would like to have them delivered to his company.

GLC02437.01312

6 January 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes in response to receiving from Lincoln a proposal by Colonel Timothy Pickering to send the artificers from the Park of Artillery to General Nathanael Greene's Southern Army. Writes that this proposal was made "without a sufficiency of knowledge or due consideration of the service these artificers have to perform, and cannot be complied with in any degree, without mining all prospects of advantage from the Artillery in the operating of the next campaign." Argues that their artificers have been working under the same officers for a long time and have developed a high level…

GLC02437.01326

January 22, 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the deficiency of supplies in the ordnance. Comments on the amount of horses necessary for the wagons in the field. Also discusses the supplies necessary for the ordnance, including cannon, howitzers, and ammunition, and the amount of artificers at Springfield who could help build and repair these supplies.

GLC02437.01337

7 April 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox of Knox's appointment to Major General, and describes the details of his appointment.

GLC02437.01382

29 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Lists several items needed by the artificers at Burlington [New Jersey], including one ton of iron, the dimensions of which to be given by Captain [Thomas] Patten to Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon, "iron to cover the ammunition waggons and tumbrills," and "8 blacksmiths with their tools, to be hired for one month to go to Burlington."

GLC02437.01398

30 April 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, to inform him of the recent acquisition of ordnance from the enemy, obtained with the help of France. Explains that the articles obtained are in bad repair but are in high demand, so recommends a Mr. Byers, "who is at present under engagements" to the United States, to be employed to make as many mortars and howitzers as necessary from the materials. Knox will submit an estimate as to how many they might need.

GLC02437.01399

7 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Discusses the importance of establishing laboratories for artillery stores in the field. Comments on the work being performed by officers and enlisted men, as well as the pay scale they receive.

GLC02437.01413

8 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes to General Lincoln, the Secretary at War, on behalf of Captain Jeremiah Freeman, an officer of Artillery who is attached to an independent company. He is trying to obtain fair pay through Congress's resolve, but because of his attachment to an independent company, he is not receiving the deserved pay. Testifies to Freeman's service record and asks General Lincoln to take an interest in the case and see that Freeman get paid appropriately.

GLC02437.01414

16 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Writes again about problems he is having with laboratories and the Commissary, Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Emphasizes the need for some payment, especially for the officers: "a little money now would be of much more service than a great deal in future." "[Y]our Joseph" is likely Joseph Nourse. See GLC02437.01413 for a related letter.

GLC02437.01419

29 May 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Arrived in Newburgh three days earlier. Was at West Point "with the officers of the Army and find them generally much discontented." Says the problems revolve around the issuing of provisions. Says "Tomorrow it is proposed to celebrate with a good deal of taste & some pomp, the birth of the dauphin. I am sorry we shall have such a bad sauce to the feast, as the late unfortunate event in the West Indies" (the French fleet under de Grasse was defeated by British Admiral Rodney on 12 April off the coast of Dominica).

GLC02437.01432

29 June 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Since my return my dear Sir I have found great difficulty in renewing our obligation at the bank I have at last by ye [the?] aid of our mutual friend Mr. Osgood obtained a farther credit (by giving a new obligation & paying the interest) of thirty days. I am under the painful necessity therefore of giving you the information & of soliciting your attention to the matter. Had I the money you would not have heard from me on the subject unless to inform you that the debt was discharged - I am particularly embarrassed at this time as prior to your receiving the money I drew for…

GLC02437.01469

3 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Marked "Private." Letter from Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Reports that the Massachusetts line has determined to apply to the state for its backpay. Says "It would be useless to detail the reasons why such a settlement would be preferable to a continental one." Says it is probable that Massachusetts "may decline to account for the officers subsistence, if so it must be brought before Congress."

GLC02437.01473

13 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Writes, "The bearer of this is a Mr. [Burnet] who is connected with some person who contracted in 1779 for [Cartridge] boxes. I do not remember exactly the circumstances, but generally that Mr. Ruddock was directed by the board of War in the first instance to make the contract & that specimens were approved by me."

GLC02437.01485

15 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Letter seems to be about personal finances. References a letter he sent "some days since" on money due to the bank. Says he has found an unexpected difficulty to renew the note. Reports that "I found that all discount business was over & at last by the influence of my friends obtained a discount for six weeks from the first of July, tho at first they encouraged me to hope but for four weeks, when the day arrived that one note could not be received for an other but that the money must be first lodged." Reports he then sent Captain…

GLC02437.01487

17 July 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Marked both "Private" and "Copy." Mentions writing to Lincoln on 13 July, which acknowledged Lincoln's letter of 29 June. Was in the hope of being able to remit to him the money that was sent, but was unable to. Says he expected to make the remittance in bank bills, but claims "there are none in this quarter." Mentions that a note from [Robert] Morris and Joseph Peirce might be tapped for funds, especially since Boston owes much money to Philadelphia. Presumes those bills can be sold at the coffee house in Philadelphia. Thanks him for…

GLC02437.01489