Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00671 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 December 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.1 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Offers Washington his sentiments "upon the advisability of a Winter Campaign and practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia with the aid of a considerable body of Militia asembled [sic] at an appointed time and place ... I think a Winters Campaign under the present circumstances will be the inevitable destruction if not of the Liberties of the Country yet of the present Army ... " Gives his reasons for arguing against a winter campaign, including the Continental Army's lack of suitable clothing, the strength of the British fortified at Philadelphia, and the uncertainty of gathering enough militia to make the endeavor possible. Instead, advises for the army to rest in winter quarters and attack the British in the spring.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.