Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Board of War & Ordnance

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01160 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 August 1781 Pagination: 1 p. + docket Order a Copy

Reports that General George Washington has ordered him to take southward all the arms and accoutrements possible. The demand has been indicated to Washington in letters from the Marquis de Lafayette. The supplies were needed for the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Requests specific supplies listed on an accompanying sheet (GLC02437.01161). The Board of War and Ordnance was responsible for supplying troops in the field.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Board of War & Ordnance
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources