51To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General officers who were directed by your Excellency to view the most proper place on West point, to erect a magazine, desired me to report, That it is their opinion that the hollow, west of Fort Clinton, under all circumstances, is the best place for that purpose. I have the honor to be sir with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys most obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
52To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency last evening referr’d to your General Officers the consideration of the position proper for Winter Quarters, and order’d us to give our opinions respectively on that subject. I shall be concise in my opinion, establishing the proposition that Winter Quarters are indispensably necessary for the army in order to give it that rest and refreshment of which it stands much in need;...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s directions to us the subscribers we in Company with Brig. Genl Wayne reconnoitred the Enemy’s posts at Stoney and Verplanks points. We first took a general view of the two places from the Donderbergh. after which we took a more close view of Stoney point on the north side from a peice of Ground which we estimated at about 800 yards distance. it may be more or...
54To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to a General Order of the 8 June 1783 for the Inspection of the Officers of the Invalid Corps the board beg leave to make the following Report. Captain John McGowen Aged 44 years of the 4 pensilvania Regiment, entered the service in October 1775. and transfered to the Invalids in Spring 1781. in consequence of a variety of complaints which disqualified him for active Service. The...
55To 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...
56To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg pardon for troubling your Excellency with the inclosd, which, if you think proper I request the favor of your sending to Congress. I am decided in my intentions of leaving so ineligible a situation as I have been in all the past Campaign. I wish to continue in the service of my Country untill the present contest is at an end. But I find it an indispensable duty owing to myself not to do...
57To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Captain Farley has this instant arrived here. The baron is at Saratoga and will be down in a few days. He has not been able to effect any thing with General Haldimand who he met at Chamblee. he would not upon any pretence admit the Baron, to visit the posts, nor would he enter into any agreement upon the subject. He added that if the definitive treaty was even signed he could not relinquish...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I rejoice with you my dear friend and General, with glorious issue of your warfare how rich must be your sensations at this moment! May the God long continue you to see the progression of peace and happiness which has been obtained under your auspices. happy day for America! I am my dear General with the greatest warmth & sincerity Your affectionate MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
61To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I came to this place to day to take your Excellency’s ultimate directions when the Park should join the army, and to take any other orders your Excellency should please to give me; but I was disappointed by the army and your Excellency having moved. I presume the laboratory preparations will be in such forwardness by Sunday next, that we might then move without retarding any thing material....
62To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum of sundry matters necesary to be done in the ordnance departments. 1. All the Artificers at Carlile and Springfield to be enlisted during the War or pleasure of Congress—The whole to be on the same establishment, as to pay, rations, &c.—and to form ten Companies—From these the Artillery of the Armies to be supplied with artificers for the field. 2. The laboratory Companies at...
63To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Annexed is a state of the barracks exclusive of that in Fort Clinton. Certainly a greater number than in this calculation were stowed in them last Winter, and in addition sixteen officers were crowded in almost every room. With the barrack we are now erecting for the officers, the number contained in the calculation and their officers will be conveniently accommodated. I have the honor to be,...
64To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
We are here yet, but have brought our business to no kind of conclusion. We have detained Colonel Smith, with the intent to send by him a particular report of our proceedings, and that he might be able to fully explain every thing to your Excellency . I write this note just to inform you of the arrival of a large fleet from charlestown which came in yesterday. they consist of about 130 sail,...
65To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellency’s directions to me of the 15th instant, To have the cannon and stores for the intended siege collected to the North river, I applied to the Quarter Master General for assistance to move the heavy park from Easton, and about two hundred tons of shot and shells from Hibernia, Mount Hope and Pompton furnaces. Enclosed are copies of my letter to him, and his...
66To 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.
67To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Garranger has sollicited me to write to Your Excellency in his behalf. This gentleman was directed by the honorable Congress, nearly two years ago, to repair to camp, and to serve in such capacity as Your Excellency might judge proper. Accordingly he has been with the Army for the greater part of the last and present campaigns, desirous of an opportunity to signalize himself, but...
68To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have consulted with his Excellency Governor Clinton on the best mode of transporting the Cannon from Albany to Pennsylvania. He agrees with me that they will remain perfectly Safe at Albany untill next Spring; and when the ice shall break up in the river, which will be some time in March, to have them brought down by water to New Windsor; and thence across the Country to Pennsylvania. I have...
69To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to state to your Excellency the case of Charles Treat, and Aaron Swetland. These persons were originally engaged as clerks in Colo. Baldwins Regt of Artificers with the pay of Serjeants. When the Regiment was reduced and the men transferred to Captain Pattens company of Artilly Artificers, I directed that these Men should act as Conductors, intending if they were competent to the...
70To 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...
71To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank your Excellency for your opinion with respect to the German Armourers, I did not know that a Post was to be kept up at Newburgh, I think they can with great propriety be employed there under the care of some faithful, Superintendant—I will write immediately to the Minister of War on the subject. I shall have the honor in a few days to transmit to your Excellency the names of the...
72To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Faesh is so deeply impres’d, with a beleif, that the disafected, will set fire to his furnace, if he shall cast shot, or shells, that he declines to cast those articles, unless the continent, will indemnity for any loss he may incur in consequence, or provide him with a guard. I have endevor’d to convince him to the contrary, but without effect. I humbly submit to Your Excellency, the...
73Enclosure: Inventory of Artillery, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
List of Mortars and Cannon brought from Ticonderoga Decr 10th 1775. Mortars Diameter of the bore Length Inches Feet Inches 2 Cohorns 5 7/10 1 4 4 do 4 1/2 Brass 1 1 1 Mortar 8 1/2 2 1 do 7 1/2
74To 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...
75To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s request, I have fully considered the subjects of the respective letters which you enclosed to me yesterday. Colonel Flower’s exorbitant claim to be a Colonel of Artillery, or Artillery Artificers, with the rank of Colonel of Artillery from an early date in 1777, is, in my opinion, totally repugnant to every military principle and decisively inadmissible. In...
76To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I should have been at Head quarters this morning agreably to Your Excellencys request by Major Shaw, but there is so much ice in the river as to prevent all passing by water. If the State of the river will admit tomorrow I shall wait on your Excellcy I beleive no person, will go from West point in consequence of the extraordinary notification and address forwarded by Colonl Crane. I am my dear...
77To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the information which your Excellency on the 16th Instant was pleased to give to the Board of General Officers, and the propositions then given for their consideration and opinions. The first query or proposition, vizt “Whether it will be prudent and adviseable to make a Detatchment of the Main Army towards Boston, and if so of what force?” was so fully discussed at the time...
78To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to state, for your Excellency’s consideration and decision, the case of two companies now in Col. Lamb’s regiment of artillery. These companies, originally commanded by Captains Lee and Porter, were raised in the State of Pennsylvania, have always been returned to the Board of War as part of the quota of that State, and for a considerable time past adopted by it and received...
79To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Return of Shells, Shot and Powder, in possession of the Continent, and the places where they are deposited; compared with an estimate of stores presented to the Committee of Congress with the Army, 27 June 1780, and the deficiencies pointed out. In addition to the remarks already presented on the estimate made last October, it is to be observed, that 50 shells and sixty shot were then,...
80Enclosure: List of Cannon and Ordnance Stores at Ticonderoga, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
A List of Stores to be convey’d to Camp At Cambridge from Ticonderoga 12 18 pounders—Iron 1 do—brass 2 13 Inch Iron Mortars 1 7 do 1 6½ do 2 do 2 Howitz. 1 8¼ Inch } Iron
81V. 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...
82To 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...
83To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I communicated to Major Villefranche your Excellency’s idea of making rafts to float the fire wood up to this place. He is confident that the mode will answer, provided great care is taken not to make them too large in the first instance, and that they be pretty well secured by Winter . The foundations of the rafts to be the dry timber mentioned, or hemlock. He says, that great part of the...
84To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Soldiers of the Regiments of this Garrison have been tolerably quiet untill last night, when the behaviour of most or all of the regiments was totally repugnant to discipline, and in many instances highly mutinous. The Officers exerted themselves to keep the men in their Barracks, which they finally effected and secured some of the most violent. The rioters appeared to have no particular...
85To 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...
86To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
To subsist an Army well, requires the utmost attention and exertion. Unless an Army is properly fed, all calculations and schemes of enterprise are in vain. For the moment an Expedition is to take place, the troops may be said to have wanted provisions for one, two, or more days, and that it will be impossible to begin a march until they shall be supplied. Experience has often convinced us of...
87To 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.
88To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday There arrived at this place twenty two women & Children, who have been sent by the Enemy from Canada to Vermont. The forwarded there to Albany, my lord stirling has sent them down the Country, with a view, of them having an oppertunity of going to Philadelphia on the way to their respective homes. These unhappy people, were inhabitants of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania....
89To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Excellency’s directions concerning the Beacon dated 23d instant. I will have it executed immediately and inform your Excellency of the Spot. I have only one Copy of the late Arrangement of the ordnance department which I have lent to an officer who is gone out. I will get it from him and send it to head Quarters. The Corps of Artillery being so dispers’d it will take...
90To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
A doubt having arisen respecting the mode of appointing officers of artillery under the new arrangement of the Army, I beg leave to refer the matter to Your Excellency for decision. The corps of artillery is to consist of four regiments—the officers to rise regimentally to captains, and from that grade to field officers in the line of the corps. This arrangement will render it difficult, if...
91To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Colonel Sprout of this day containing information of the extraordinary conduct of a Mr Honniwell. If upon an enquiry the facts should appear as stated to Colonel Sprouts, The justice and dignity of America are deeply concerned that such an atrocious violation of the Laws of nations, should be punished with exemplary vigor. I have the honor to be with great respect...
92To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Estimate of horses and oxen, necessary to remove the Park of Artillery and its appendages from Burlington. For the regiment 9 by Forage 1 Waggon Master 1 Laboratory 4 Artificiers 6 21 waggons Travelling Forges 4
93To 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...
94To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I mention’d to your Excellency a few days ago that I suspected That the Enemy had some Agents among the Country people who enticed the soldiers to desert, and assisted them in getting to the Enemy. We had eight who deserted in a body, and altho the pursuit was quick, diligent & Extensive we could get no intelligence of them, in the first instance, altho’ by the hue & Cry rais’d, they were some...
95To George Washington from Henry Knox, 7 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 5th instant, respecting the repairs of arms in the Army. The respective brigades have hitherto executed by their own armourers the common repairs; and when the business was industriously pursued, they have been nearly able to keep the arms in order. This is still, under present circumstances, the only possible mode to be adopted, for there is not one...
96To 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...
97To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of yesterday, respecting the 4th Connecticut regiment cuting and laying in wood for the hospital. General Huntington informs me that the arrangement with respect to their officers is entirely completed, and that nothing remains to be done previous to drafting the men, but to inspect them in their present state, which is to be done on the 13th after which they...
98To 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...
99To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot omit, informing your Excellency, of the conduct of the Contractors, in issuing provisions to this Garrison. It appears very extraordinary, and yet it has been practiced since the 20th of July. When I first received the information, I supposed it must have originated in a mistake, but upon examining Mr Forsyth, the issuing Commissary here, he says the probability of a mistake on the...
100To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I beg your Excellency’s indulgence for a few moments, while I just state my ideas respecting the poor unfortunate invalid regiment, which ideas are the result of compassionate sensations, combined with what I conceive to be the good of the service. I have, in every shape I could devise, endeavored to make the few who are here serviceable in some degree, but without producing any adequate...