131To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 5 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to address your Excellncy from Fort George on the 17 Ult.—I then was in hopes that we should have been able to have had the Cannon at Cambridge by this time the want of Snow detain’d us some days & now a cruel thaw, hinders from Crossing Hudsons River which we are oblig’d to do four times from Lake George to this Town—the first severe night will make the Ice on the river...
132To 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...
133To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 24 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys directions I am employ’d in looking at and getting the necessary information Respecting this harbour in which I shall Spare no pains. I mention’d to Your Excellency Newport Harbour, which in Conjunction with this will when fortified afford a safe retreat to the American Navy or their prizes in any Wind that blows; they are equally convenient for Ships coming...
134To 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,...
135To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
From a view of the present important contest with Great Britain it appears that the war is but in its infancy. To carry it on with vigour and success a well regulated and numerous body of Artillery will be necessary. The present number of officers and men of the Regiment of Artillery here are not sufficient for the posts in and round about this City. To supply this deficiency a number of men...
136To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I understood that some few Cannon were to be taken from Mount Washington for Kings Bridge for the present—we find great difficulty in procuring the Carriages for General Fellowss encampment—the Greatest part of which I hope will be Completed to day and tomorrow after which we will turn our whole endevors to Complete those for Kings Bridge. I am with Great Respect Your Excellencys Most Obt &...
137To George Washington from Colonels Henry Knox and Rufus Putnam, 6 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your directions, we view’d the hill, East of Mount Washington, & the camp in general, & beg leave to make the following report Viz. That the highest part of said hill, be secured by a fort, principally made of the timber now standing there, strengthened with a good abattis, form’d of the tops of the trees, which are to be cut down; And that on the North part of the hill, a redoubt...
138To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 1 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
After my Letter to General Greene from Springfield of the 26th of January I sat out for this place in order to provide such materials as were necessary to carry on the various branches connected with the Laboratory and ordnance establishment. Upon my arrival here I was much surpriz’d at the very extrordinary bounty offer’d by this state for Recruits for the service. I wrote to General Greene...
139To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Resolution of Congress of the 31 ultimo has been shewn to me by some French Officers attached to the Corps of Artillery under my command, ordaining that all Officers of Artillery engaged by Mr Deane in France shall take rank in the American Artillery according to the dates of their brevet commissions in the French service. I believe the Congress did not sufficiently consider the consequences...
140V. Brigadier General Henry Knox’s Opinion, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is the opinion of the subscriber that the Battery on Fort Island ought to have an additional work thrown up upon its left, and Garrison’d with 12 pieces heavy cannon, 150. Cannoniers, and half as many assistants, with 500. Infantry. Red Bank to be contracted so as to have 5 or 6 Cannon on the land side, and as many heavy towards the river; to prevent any Ships coming up the Channel leading...