1To John Adams from Henry Knox, 26 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Encourag’d by your kindly mentioning my name in your Letters to several Gentlemen this way I now take the liberty of writing to you. A number of the Generals desir’d me to act as engineer and said that when the delegates from the Continental Congress came here the matter should be settl’d—myself as cheif engineer with the rank and pay of Colonel and a Lt. Col. Putnam as second also with the...
2To John Adams from Henry Knox, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previously set out for Congress and I miss’d you on the road. Since my return from thence the duties of my department have taken up the whole of my time, which together with the fear of trespassing on your more important engagements has prevented my writing to...
3To John Adams from Henry Knox, 4 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
To the numerous congratulations which you have received on your safe arrival in America, permit me to add my tribute, and to felicitate you on your safe return to your Family, friends and Country, and event which I am certain gives you true pleasure and happiness, whatever motives produc’d it, Whether Faction, Ambition, or—as I am a very bad Statesman—true policy in order to procure proper...
4To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for your two favors, one of the 25 Ultimo and the other of the 6 instant both of which I have received. I know not in what condition the Furnace at Salisbury is, but, from the reports which I have had of the Ore, I should suppose they must be bungling workmen indeed if they do not succeed. Shall I enquire into the management of it, and, if practicable, endeavor to get some...
5To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favor of the 19th last month by Mr. Lowell, for which I thank you. Mr. Gerard has been to Camp, and has return’d to Philadelphia, to embark on board of the Confederacy for France, on board of the same Ship Mr. Jay and his Family embark. Mr. Gerard made us happy, politically so I mean, by informing us of your appointment as sole Minister plenipotentiary for the purpose...
6To John Adams from Henry Knox, 25 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Thro’ the hurry and confusion of one retreat after another I have omitted to answer your last favor. You are pleas’d to desire a list of the Officers from Massachusetts Bay noting such as bid fair to rise superior to the commonality. I have endevor’d to procure the whole list but in vain. The General sometime since order’d a list to be given in of the Officers of evry Regiment in Order to go...
7To John Adams from Henry Knox, 16 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honor to address you sometime ago and soon after it I sat out upon a Journey to New York Ticonderoga &c: whilst I was upon my Journey your kind Letter came to Cambridge but by some mischance it was not till lately I had the pleasure to receive it. I blush at what you must have thought of my negligence. I am much oblig’d to you for the favorable opinion you are pleas’d to...
8To John Adams from Henry Knox, 29 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paine has done me the honor to write to me on the subject of casting cannon, in consequence of which Mr. Byers a Cannon founder from this place has proceeded to Philadelphia. I take the liberty to beg he may be set to work immediately and if upon a large scale the advantages must be proportionate. As every hint to a Gentleman in Acting in your important Station may be attended with good...
9To John Adams from Henry Knox, 21 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor by the post for which please to accept my thanks. I hope the Copper you mentioned will be purchas’d as speedily as possible, as it appears to me to be matter of the utmost consequence. I have purchas’d about two tons but this is nothing equal to what I wish was collected. We ought at least to have enough to cast an hundred Mortars, Howitzers, and feild peices. A numerous...
10To John Adams from Henry Knox, 21 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving several Letters from your Excellency, since your departure from america, which I have duly answerd, and hope you have received them. Your ideas of the necessity of some important blow to the british power in the southern states were extremely just. The reasons are too obvious to be mentioned. I am happy my dear Sir, in having it in my power to announce to you...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg, New York ] October 12, 1778 . States desire of Captain-Lieutenant Daniel Gano, Second Continental Artillery, to resign. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
12To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, [9 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, July 9, 1780. Knox’s endorsement on Hamilton’s letter to him of July 9, 1780 , reads: “note … to, Colo Hamilton, Sunday 9th July 1780.” Letter not found. ] Printed in this volume.
13To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Artillery Park [ Valley Forge ] June 12, 1778 . Requests discharge of “Mr. Le Brune a second Lieutenant.” ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
14To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Garanger having positively renounced all claims to rank or command in the Corps of artillery, it is my opinion that he can be Employed in the Corps in a manner honorable to himself, and useful to the service. There can be no objection to his receiving a brevet of a Captaincy in the army. I am Dear Sir affectionately your huml Sert. Copy, Reel 95, Item 78, X, p. 460, Papers of the...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Henry Knox, 24 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been waiting my dear Hamilton, for a Crisis in the case of the intended retaliation for the murder of Huddy before I answer’d your favor of the 7th of last month. But it has yet to have arrived. A Captain of Cornwallis’s Army was brought up to the Jersey line by a mistake of General Hazens in lieu of an unconditional prisoner as a subject for execution. As this person is of considerable...
16To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Ticonderoga to this place on the 15th instant & brought with me the Cannon &c. It having taken nearly the time I conjecturd it would to transport them here —It is not easy to conceive the difficulties we have had in getting them over the lake owing to the advanced Season of the Year & contrary winds—three days ago it was very uncertain whether we could have gotten them over...
17To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ruddock, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores, at Fishkill, has handed me an order from the board of war, for discontinuing the post at Fishkill, so far as it relates to the department of the Commissary General of Military Stores, dismissing the said Mr Ruddock and all the Officers under him, and ordering all the military stores in his possession to be delivered to the D.Q. Master of the...
18To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
There being no established principles to govern the appointments to the vacancies of officers in the artillery, some doubts have arisen since the last regulation of the army, whether the right of appointment is in Congress, as generally has been the case, or in the States on which the regiments of artillery are apportioned, as part of their quotas. This uncertainty has operated to the...
19To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I think it necessary to inform your Excellency that there is a general uneasiness among the New-Commissioned officers of the Connecticut Line grounded principally upon the inequality of the rewards to the officers and Soldiers. They say the rewards ought to be in a strict proportion, and if the officers receive five years pay as a reward for services the same rule ought to extend to them,...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just returnd here from Trenton which place I left last evening, at which time there had gone towards new Windsor by the back route 2213 barrells flour, and I believe that by this evening all will be in motion that was at Trenton amounting to about 3500 barrells including 445 which had arriv’d there from the Gentlemen directors of the bank form’d at Philadelphia. The teams which have...
21To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have seen your Excellencys favor of this date directed to General McDougall, and myself. For my own part I can have no objections to any service your Excellency shall think proper to employ me in, and I know of nothing to prevent my being in readiness to meet the Gentlemen from the Enemy, by the 16th or 18th instant. There will be some arrangements necessary on our side with respect to the...
22To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 21 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Instructions I tarried at Cambridge ’till all the Ordnance & Stores in my department were on the way to this place, which to my great mortification was not till the 14th instant—The detention was owing to the Zeal of the General Assembly which promis’d more than their activity could perform —In my passing thro’ Providence Governor Cook & a number of the principal...
23To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We did ourselves the honor to write to your Excellency from Elizabeth-Town on the 16th instant, after which, we concluded it necessary to retire from thence, as some people might have been induced, from a suppos’d neutrality, to have had improper communications with the Enemy. Mr Skinner proceeded to New-York on that day, but from bad weather was not able to return untill the 20th. We have...
24To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Under the idea of the certainty of peace, I submit it to Your Excellency whether it will be proper to issue any more ammunition to the troops. The situation of the army precludes the probability of an attack. A few hours, even supposing the possibility of a demand, would obtain a supply from this post. I have been induced to these reflections by a return for the first Massachusetts’ brigade,...
25To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Account of the Ordnance which will be attached to the American Army in the intended operations to the Southward. Field Artillery 2 — 12 pounders 6 — 6 prs 4 — 3 prs brass 3 — 5 1/2 inch howitzers brass The above with implements, carriages complete, and 200 rounds to each piece, with the proper quantity of small stores.
26To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the unhappiness my dear General to inform you of the departure of my precious infant, your Godson. In the deep mystery in which all human events is involved the Supreme Being has been pleased to prevent his expanding innocence, ripening to such perfection as to be a blessing to his parents and connecting when by their advanced Years they may find every comfort necessary to sweeten Life...
27To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys favor of the 4th instant. The Artillery men and Artificers at Burlington are at Work, preparing things in their respective departments, and will be ready as far as respects their Work to begin their march whenever your Excellency thinks proper to order after the 1st of June. Having arranged matters here, I shall go to Burlington today, and stay there three or...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Your Excellency the enclosed return, by which you may be enabled to see the number of artillery men wanting from each State, at one view. The service of the artillery, in case of a siege, will be so evidently extensive, that it would be unnecessary to say any thing to Your Excellency on the importance of having the corps filled up from the recruits that are...
29To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here Yesterday & made preparation to go over the lake this morning but General Schuyler reaching here before day prevents my going over for an hour or two. He has given me a list of Stores on the other side from which I am enabled to send an Inventory of those which I intend to forward to Camp —The Garriso⟨n⟩ at Ticonderoga is so weak, The conveyance from the fort to the landing is...
30To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a state of the ordnance at the Northern posts. Your Excellency will be able to judge whether any can be taken from thence to be carried forward, and from which place. Upon a consideration of the importance of Niagara, perhaps it may not be adviseable to have fewer cannon than twelve, of different sizes, and six mortars and howitzers. These would form two or three respectable...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency duplicates of returns which this day I have sent to the board of War—altho your Excellency has not requir’d them, I think it proper they should be in your possession. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Obedient Servant ALS , MeAgMSA . Knox most likely enclosed four returns, all signed by Knox, addressed to GW, and...
32Brigadier General Henry Knox’s Artillery Estimate for 1778, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Estimate of Ordnance, Arms, and Stores necessary for the Army of the United States for the Campaign of the year 1778, supposing it to consist of Forty thousand Men. Battering Train of Cannon, Mortars, &ca Iron Cannon 30 18 Pounders } On Travelling Carriages—6 spare ones for the 12 Prs and 6 for the 18 Prs 30 12 Do Iron Mortars 12 13 Inch. } With Beds Complete—3 spare beds to the 13, and 5 to...
33To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclos’d is my opinion, which I transmitted to the secretary at War, respecting the number of persons, to be employed in the field Commissarys department. This is upon the supposition that the brigade conductors are to be reduced, and their duty executed by the brigade Quarter Masters. main Army—one field Commissary, and two Conductors or clerks. West point—a deputy field Commissary and two...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the communication of your Excellency’s intentions the next campaign, with instructions to me to use every exertion in our power to procure those articles which we shall want in a capital operation against New York—or against Charlestown, Savanna, Penobscot, &ca in case of our inability to undertake the siege of the first and principal object. I shall with peculiar pleasure...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Corps of Artillery being raised in different States upon the same principles as the sixteen additional battalions, labor under great difficulty in obtaining of recruits for the Continental bounty of twenty dollars. The service demands the Battalions of Artillery to be complete, but under the present circumstances it is impracticable. There are four Battalions of Artillery consisting of...
36To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here yesterday a few Minutes after twelve. The british Commissioners have not yet appeared. We learn that Letters have gone forward to your Excellency from the british General and Admiral. We shall set off from home this Day, and wait your farther orders in the Vicinity. Colo. Skinner will forward them. We have the Honor to enclose an English Paper of the third of January, by which...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Ordnance and Military Stores necessary for the campaign of 1781 Muskets of the latest and most approved construction in Europe, complete with iron ramrods, bayonets, scabbards and belts—25000. Gun worms, brushes and wires, and screw drivers—of each species—30000. Cartridge boxes it is presumed may be easily made in America. Flints of the best kind—250000. Swords for the non commissioned of the...
38To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Ordnance and Stores prepared for the Southern Detatch ments Brass— 5 1/2 inch Howitzers— 4 Mortars— 3 Shells 700 Flannels empty 162 Dredging boxes 6 Funnels 4 Bellows 2 Shell hooks 7
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The great demand we probably shall have for musket cartridges the present campaign must induce every exertion to procure as adequate supplies as possible. We have at Fishkill, West Point, and with the spare stores of this army, materials sufficient for six hundred thousand. I therefore take the liberty to propose that one hundred men be immediately set to work at Fishkill, or West Point, as...
40To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having referred to our consideration the claim of Mr Robert Hoakesly to the goods found in his store at York town in Virginia, and by a board of General Officers held on the 24th of October 1781, adjudged to be forfeited—beg leave to report. That having read and considered the memorial of Mr Hoakesly—the proceedings of the board above mentioned, and the depositions of Mr...
41To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your Excellency’s orders, I have examined into the case of Luther Pamela, and I find it to stand thus. He was originally engaged in Baldwin’s regiment of artificers, in the character of a shoemaker. It has in times past been customary to inlist persons of that discription to serve as harness makers. I believe it is not disputed that he signed an inlisting paper for the war. His...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have endevour’d to consider, in every point of view, the important information, which your Excellency gave your General Officers yesterday, and the question arising from it, Vizt whether any troops shall be detach’d from this army, to the southward, with a view of forming a force, to cover the country, supposing the events at Charlestown, to prove unfortunate? An addition of continental...
43To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the Secretary at War gave me the instructions, of which the enclosed is a copy. I am unable at present to determine how far it will be practicable to carry his orders into execution with the three years men, as we shall have no artificers, nor any other assistance, but what we shall derive from them I will however have the necessary estimates prepared and submitted to your...
44To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from Colonel DAboville commanding the french Artillery in Virginia it appears there have been lately discovered in that State 14 heavy battering brass cannon, which are indisputably the property of that State. These cannon have no carriages and I presume little or no proper ammunition & few or no implements. In their present, or indeed in a perfect state, it would be difficult to...
45To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The first principle of the security of the United States must rest and consist in a hardy militia, in whom the ideas of freedom and a generous love of their Country shall be inherent. These upon every invasion will form the advanced guard of defence; and if the war should continue a sufficient number must be selected, under the discipline of a regular army, to oppose the invaders. It ought to...
46To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will please to observe by the above summary that there are now mounted and fit for action in this City and the neighbouring posts one hundred and twenty one heavy and light Cannon. To each Cannon it will be necessary to have ten men including the mortar and contingent Services. this would make twelve hundred an[d] ten men. we have in the regiment six hundred officers included,...
47To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received your note of this date. every thing here was in perfect readiness. The necessary appartus, and provisions embarked, and the party waiting at the Wharf, for orders to step unto their boats to Verplanks. every thing without suspicion. If the orginal design, should be still persisted in, I beg I may notice at least the day before it is to be executed, least a hurry of...
48To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was at West point to day where I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of Yesterday. I am sorry to learn by the extract of the letter from the board of War that things are not in a good train in Pennsylvania, especially as the prospects are so good from the eastward. I am very sorry that your Excellency has any doubts upon being able to carry into execution the plans which you have...
49To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Pattersons brigade and Sprouts regiment will be in readiness to march this afternoon, and will halt at the Furnace of Dean this night. Two peices of artillery will be at Stoney point in order to commence their march from thence tomorrow morning. part of one of General Pattersons regiments has not yet joined from the Lines & it will be difficult to make up the Deficiency. The Connecticut...
50To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your Excellency’s request I enclose the estimate required in your favor of the 1st instant. I am sorry it is out of my power to render it in the manner you wished. But my not having any general returns of stores from the War Office prevents my stating, in a summary view, the difference of the estimate from what is in possession of the Continent. I am, with the highest degree of...