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Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to William Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01084 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: Sleepy Hollow, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: July 25, 1781 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 30.2 cm, Width: 19.2 cm Order a Copy

Has not recently received any letters from William, his brother. Reports that Continental troops in the vicinity reconnoitered at Kings Bridge to estimate where the British are most vulnerable: "The result of our discoveries was a full conviction that the place was reducible with a proper number of men, a number however far exceeding those now here. Whether we shall be able to obtain a sufficient force depends upon our Country, if they will furnish the men..." Describes a skirmish between the Marquis de Lafayette and Lord Cornwallis on July 6 in Virginia near Green Spring plantation, in which Lafayette underestimated the British force, thus the Americans "were oblig'd to retire..." Knox is however assured that "This affair will have no bad consequences." Refers to General Nathanael Greene's actions in South Carolina, including at Ninety Six. Letter written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

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