1Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
2To George Washington from William Heath, 29 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellencys Commission and Instructions to us, we proceeded to Tappan on the 25th instant; where we were met by Lieut. General Campbell and the Honorable Mr Elliot, Commissioners on the part of General Sir Guy Carleton. The next Morning we interchanged Copies of our respective powers, and adjourned to the followg Day. On perusal of the powers vested in the Commissioners of...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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,...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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,...
11To 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.
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19Brigadier 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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,...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the conversation which I had the honor of having lately with your Excellency, you informed me that there appeared to be three methods to open the ensuing campaign, and directed me to consider and report my opinion of each, with the reasons on which it was founded. The first was—To remain in the present Camp, receive the expected recruits, for the Continental Battalions, discipline the Army,...
37To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request, I have the honor to enclose the nomination of the persons who appear to me to be proper to compose the department of field commissary. I hope it may meet your Excellencys approbation. I am conscious of no other motive in recommending any, under a view of the circumstances attending them, than a wish to retain those who may best promote the service. I am,...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
To digest a perfect plan of operations, of the magnitude of those proposed by Your Excellency, demands a much greater extent of abilities and military experience than I can pretend to have. It requires a mind, able to comprehend and provide for every possible exigence, so that, in case of success, we might be ready to urge it to the utmost, or, of misfortune, to render it as little distressing...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
[ “Park of Artillery, near New Windsor,” 17 Feb. 1781 ]. In a series of tables, Knox estimates “Ordinance, Ammunition, &ca necessary for an operation against the City of New York, by way of York Island, exclusive of what may be wanted for Long Island and its communications.” The first table estimates “Cannon” as 32 pounders—8, 24 pounders—12, 18 pounders—26, and 12 pounders—22. A second table...
40To 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...
41To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin is desirous of going to Philadelphia for a few days, to transact some business relative to the recruiting service for this state. If his absence for a short time will not interfere with his trial, and your Excellency has no objection, I would recommend him for the indulgence requested. I have the honor to be most respectfully Your Excellencys very hum. servt DLC : Papers of George...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of this morning respecting the probable evacuation of Philadelphia by the enemy. The peices of Artillery with the ammunition belonging to them now in Camp will be completed with horses and Geers so as to be mov’d in a day or two. I must depend on the Quarter Master General for Horses and some Waggons to move the Spare Ammunition, and he will be very soon...
43To 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.
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellency’s request of the last evening I shall consider and briefly give my opinion on the following questions. “Whether any enterprize ought to be undertaken against the Enemy in Philadelphia in their present circumstances”? The principles of operations proper to be adopted by us in our present circumstances being taken up and pretty fully discussed last evening by...
45To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellencys instructions of 12th Feby last having carefully considered the nature and tendency of Courtsmartial in general, and the duties of a Judge Advocate in particular, we beg leave to give it as our opinion, that as Courts martial are bound to administer justice according to the dictates of their consciences, and to the best of their understandings in cases where...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I exceedingly lament my want of experience and ability to fill properly the important Station in which I am, and I am more particularly distress’d when such important Questions are refer’d to my decission as those which your Excellency gave us in charge the last evening. The happiness or misery of the people of America may be the consequence of a right or erroneous judgement. Much lately has...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Deeply impressed with the importance of West Point to the existence of the United States, I have, with the approbation of your Excellency, endeavored, from its earliest state as a fortification, to have it and its dependences as amply furnished with cannon and military Stores of all Kinds as could possibly be spared from other uses. But after every exertion for this purpose, there still...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall give my opinion on the subjects propos’d by your Excellency to your General Officers with as much brevity as they will admit. The first is. Whether a movement of the greater part of this Army to the Eastward under the present information and circumstances will be eligible? I cannot see the propriety of such a measure at present, or that it could be warranted from the State of...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 11 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Captain-Lieutenants of Artillery have desired me to forward the enclosed letter to your Excellency. It respects their pay, which, by a resolution of Congress last April or May, was reduced from 40 to 33 1/3 dollars per month, without any reason assigned for its being done. The Committee of Arrangement, when at White Plains in September last, assured them that they would lay their...