Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

GLC02437.00647

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GLC#
GLC02437.00647-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
4 September 1777
Author/Creator
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Title
to Henry Knox
Place Written
Boston, Massachusetts
Pagination
3 p. : address ; Height: 32.4 cm, Width: 20.5 cm
Primary time period
American Revolution, 1763-1783
Sub-Era
The War for Independence

Expresses surprise that the Continental Army has no knowledge of British General William Howe's location. Thinks it's possible, but unlikely, Howe intends to sail for Boston. Comments on the Battle of Bennington and the performance of General John Stark: "Genl Starks Action I think view'g every circumstance stands first in the American War... before this the Enemy were Ravage'g, butcherg and Scalp'g all before them, not a prisoner fell in there Land but was Tomhawk't to Death- now all is quiet with them & we hear nothing of their Scalp'g & c." Relates that [Burgoyne] has possibly retracted back to Ticonderoga, and ponders why Howe would leave Burgoyne isolated. Reports that a naval prize bound for New York from Liverpool, England, was taken at Boston 3 September, and papers on board suggest the British "look upon the affair to be up with us." Saw in one London paper a paragraph he had written to Knox the previous March in a letter. Asks Knox to speak to "the General" (George Washington) regarding his officers' commissions. Reports that he has not recruited many men recently, and his regiment consists of 160 men. Asks Henry to give his regards to "Bill," Henry's brother William Knox.

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