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...
2From John Adams to Henry Knox, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a Letter from you a few days ago and was rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more im portant share than you have done hitherto in the Conduct of our military Matters. I have been impressed with an Opinion of your Knowledge and Abilities in the military Way for several years, and of late have endeavoured, both at Camp, at Watertown and at...
3Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to examine into the state of the Artillery of this army & take an account of the Cannon, Mortars, Shels, Lead & ammunition that are wanting; When you have done that, you are to proceed in the most expeditious manner to New York; There apply to the president of the provincial Congress, and learn of him, whether Col. Reed did any thing, or left any orders—respecting these...
4To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 27 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here last saturday morning and immediately made inquiry whether Colo. Read had done any thing in the buissness with which he was charg’d—I found his Stay had been short during which time the Committee that sit during the recess of Congress could not be gotten together so that he went away without being able to forward the matter—The Committee met Yesterday and after having consider’d...
5To 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...
6Enclosure: 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
7To 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...
8Enclosure: 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
9To 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...
10Invitation to Colonel Henry and Lucy Flucker Knox, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General & Mrs Washington, present their Compliments, to Colo. Knox & Lady, begs the favor of their Company at dinner, on Friday half after 2 oClock. D , in George Baylor’s writing, NNGL : Knox Papers. Henry Knox married Lucy Flucker (c.1756–1824), a daughter of the royal secretary of Massachusetts, on 16 June 1774.
11Orders and Instructions for Colonel Henry Knox, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
It being of the Utmost Importance to the Publick Service, that the Main Body of The Regiment of Artillery, together with The Field Cannon, Ammunition, Stores &c., should as speedily as possible be Assembled at New York, I have thought proper to give you The following Orders, and Instructions. The Legislature of this Colony, having determined to Assemble three Hundred Teams, upon the Common in...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15From John Adams to Henry Knox, 2 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed Favour of the 16 of May, came to my Hand a few Days ago. You have laid me under obligations, by your ingenious Observations upon those Books, upon military Science, which are necessary, to be procured, in the present Circumstances of this Country. I have been a long Time convinced of the Utility of publishing american Editions of those Writers, and that it is an object of...
16To 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,...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19From George Washington to Col. Henry Knox, 19 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Henry Knox, 19 Aug. 1776. GW wrote to William Heath on this date : “I have wrote to Colo. Knox this morning.”
20To 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 &...
21To 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...
22From John Adams to Henry Knox, 25 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 21. is before me. I agree that We ought to have an hundred more of Mortars, Howitzers, and Field Pieces, And if I knew where to procure the Brass, I should be glad to promote the Manufacture of that Number. You Say that Copper can be purchased at a little advanced Price. I wish I knew, where, and at what Price. We have contracted with a Gentleman in Maryland, for a large...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
as it is more than probable (unless Genl Howe should throw his whole force into the Jerseys & bend his Course towards Philadelphia) that there will Scarce be a junction of our Troops again this Season; it may be well for you to Consider of a proper partition of the Field Artillery, Artillerists and Stores for each Service, and delay no time in the arrangement and dispatch of those destined for...
26Orders to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The honorable Continental Congress having resolv’d to establish Magazines, Laboratories, and Founderies for casting brass Cannon, in the State of Pennsylvania, and in New England, and having invested me with power to effect the same—I have directed Lieutenant Colonel Flower Commissary of Military Stores to repair to York Town and Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and put the various...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have no doubt but that in the new appointment of Artillery Officers, you thought of Mr Machin in the manner he deserves—however, as he is now here, and has heard nothing from you on this Subject, I cannot help reminding you of him, as he appears from observation, and information, to be a person of Merit. He has also mentioned something to me respecting his pay, which you will cause to be...
28To 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...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I recd a Letter from Genl Schuyler, in which he requests that Colo. Lamb may be immediately sent up to Ticonderoga to regulate the Ordnance department in that Quarter against the next Campaign. As I do not know how far Colo. Lamb’s going up, may break in upon any arrangements that you may have made, I will not give you a positive order to send him, only wishing it may be done if...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 1st instant inclosing a Copy of a Memorial which you had presented to the Council & House of Representatives of the State of Massachusets. I most sincerely wish that your Representation may be attended with the Success it deserves, and that I could, with propriety, press the Subject of it upon them in the manner you desire. To advise them to give the Bounty of Twenty Pounds...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 14 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have for some time past most earnestly expected you, to arrange matters in the Artillery department which has in a manner lain still since you went away. I have prevailed upon Colo. Proctor, tho he is under positive orders from the State of Pennsylvania to return to Philada, to stay till you come back. I beg you will endeavour to bring forward as many of the Artillery Men, intended for this...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35V. 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...
36Brigadier 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...
37Orders to Major Generals Arthur St. Clair and Johann Kalb and Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Major General St Clair, Major General Baron Kalb, and Brigadier General Knox. Gentlemen You are to proceed with all convenient expedition to Fort Mercer, where by conferring with Brigadier General Varnum, Commodore Hazlewood and such other Officers as you may think proper to consult—and from your own view of the ground and river, you will investigate the following Points. 1....
38To George Washington from Captain James Knox, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency George Washington, Esquire General and Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States. The Representation of James Knox, a Captain in the Eighth Virginia Regiment sheweth That some time in July last he received of the Continent a considerable Sum of Money for the purpose of paying the Wages and arrears of pay due to the Officers and Soldiers that were under his Command...
39To 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...
40To 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;...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellencys orders to give my sentiments “upon the advisability of making a Winters Campaign, and Practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia, with the aid of a considerable body of militia to be assembl’d at an appointed time & place” —Were it probable that Sir Wm Howes destruction would be the consequence of a Winters Campaign I would most chearfully give my voice and...
42To 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...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following hints are humbly submitted to the consideration of your Excellency. The necessity of recruiting the Army is so very obvious, that there cannot be the least doubt but Congress will take the most speedy and effectual methods to induce the respective States to furnish their quotas of men, in such season that they may be collected and disciplind, before the Campaign opens. The mode...
44From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to give you the following Instructions relative to the Ordnance Department under your command. My wish to have so essential a Department of the Army in the best order the next Campaign induces me to desire that no time may be lost in geting every thing forward with the utmost expedition. As the short enlistments of the Artificers have been, and still may be, productive of...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the Instructions I gave you to day, I beg may be added that of providing a number of Gunscrews for the purpose of Drawing Ball. I concieve this to be a matter well worthy of attention—will prevent the disorderly firings in our Camp—and be a considerable Public saving. If they are to be made, Let them be stout & substantial. but I recollect something of a large importation of...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall take particular care with respect to the Gun screws, and if those imported should not be sufficient they shall be made. The Artillery Artificers will make the cover’d ammunition Waggens and travelling forges. I expect they will be able at Carlile and Springfield to make 200 ammunition Waggons by the Spring which in addition to those we alredy have will be nearly sufficent. I have given...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Should it be thought expedient to draw a Body of Men together early next Spring, it will be necessary for us to know precisely what number of Arms we could have ready for such an emergency. I have desired Colo. Flowers to make me a return of all at the magazines under his immediate direction, & have wrote to the Commissary at Springfield to do the like. You will be pleased to make the proper...
48To 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...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 15th desiring you to have the Arms in Massachusets and New Hampshire collected and a Return made to me as soon as possible. I find by letters from General Heath that Arms have lately arrived in several Vessels from France, I beg they may be immediately sent to the different Arsenals and put in order. We shall want a considerable number in the Spring when the Levies come into...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency from Poughkeepsie, that as it was not probable the Train of Artillery at Albany would be wanted in Pennsylvania this winter it had better rest at present in Albany, and when the river opened in the Spring to be transported by water to New Windsor, and from thence across the country; also, that there was a report it had been, or was about to be, sent to New England....