1From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esqr. General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. To Major General Willm Heath and Major General Henry Knox. Whereas the Honorable the Delegates of the United States in Congress assembled, have been pleased to authorize and impower me, by Letters patent under the Great Seal bearing date the 16th day of September Anno Domini...
2From George Washington to William Heath, 23 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Powers of equal date herewith Authorize you to proceed to Tappan in Orange County in the State of New York and there meet Commissioners from the British for the purposes mentiond in your powers. You are to pay the most pointed attention to the nature of your Powers which are founded upon Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United States bearing date the 16th instant a Copy of which...
3Orders 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....
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Robinson who is under sentence of death for your consideration. If you concieve from his present disposition, or past conduct—any hopes of his becoming a useful soldier, you have my permission to suspend his punishment—But if you imagine it indispensibly necessary to make an example you will have his sentence put into execution. Df , in James McHenry’s writing,...
5From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Machin being under arrest there would be an impropriety in his transacting any public business—or in granting him leave of absence from Camp. His Trial must soon come on in course, if that terminates in his favor I shall then have no objection to granting the leave requested, and if in the mean time any business of the Corps requires that an Officer should go to Philadelphia, leave...
6From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the Inclosed in my pocket but forgot to give it to you yesterday. I pray you to let the Parole &ca of the day only be known at a time, keeping the others to your self, to avoid the evil of a premature discovery. I am sincerely and Affectionately Yr Privately owned.
7George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 8, 1779 . Instructs Knox to send artillery pieces and men to man them to the Southern Department. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By advices received this afternoon the Enemy have again made an incursio⟨n⟩ into this State and were in pretty considerable force before Fort Schuyler on the 27th. It is essential that a considerable number of Militia should march to relieve it, and Ammunition is wanted for them, which can not be supplied at Albany. You will therefore be pleased to direct the Commissary of Military Stores to...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
From present appearances, and the Season of the Year, there is little reason to beleive, that a cooperation, with the French Admiral, can possibly take place. In consequence of this opinion, and to avoid as much as possible a further increase of expence, I have to request you to suspend such of your arrangements as were designed for this purpose, and which, unless this event were to take...
10From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I approve of your sentiments given to the Officers commanding the Regiments at West Point, respecting the carrying into execution the sentence of Courts Martial upon the Rioters, mentioned in your Letter of this day, & they will stand justified with me. I am loth at this time to consent to the absence of Officers from their Corps, wanting their influence as much as possible, to quiet & allay...
11George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 30, 1779 . Sends instructions concerning brigade artillery. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
12From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The cessation of hostilities having been now proclaimed, you will permit any Citizens of the State of New York or of the United States to pass and Repass your Post with any Vessels, Boats or Water Crafts without any hindrance or molestation on their Reporting themselves to you or to such Officer as shall be appointed by you for the purpose. I am Sir Your most Obedt Servt Sent also to William...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The ordnance and ordnance stores necessary for Fort Arnold and its dependencies you will please to have allotted agreeably to a report made to me by yourself and General McDougall and Gen: du Portail. And where the artillery can be planted with propriety and safety on account of the unfinished state of the out works to have it done accordingly. The posts at Kings-ferry should be immediately...
14From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Such as I hav,e I give unto thee . God grant the news may be true. But whether it is, or not, the late conduct of the Army will redound to the immortal honor of it. Yrs most sincerely TxU .
15From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is Copy of a Letter which I have received by Yesterdays post. I have to request the favor of your Sentiments on the Subject mentioned—and that you will give them to me as soon & as full as possible. You will please also to communicate the Letter to Genl Huntington, & obtain his Thoughts, which you will be so good as to forward with your own. I am Dr Sir Your most Obedient humble...
16George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses disposal of the artillery at Albany and Farmington. Instructs Knox to send the artillery to Camp as soon as weather permits. Hopes that Knox will soon return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the application of the State of New Jersey for Ammunition, also General Cornell’s Letter informing what quantity may be expected from the Eastward, and request your opinion of the expediency of granting any to that State, and in that case how much? I wish also to be advised, what has been done respecting Plank for Platforms, and whether it will be necessary to have...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 18th of January, which hurry of business has prevented my answering sooner. As transportation, at this season, would be ⟨difficult tedious⟩ and expensive, I approve of the plan you adopted ⟨with respect to⟩ the cannon at albany; but that no risk may be run, and in order to have them as early as possible, so near the scene of action, as that we may be able to...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The situation of our affairs and the general prospects of the campaign require that the army should divest itself of every article that can be spared and take the field as light as possible—I am therefore of opinion, that not more than two light field pieces ought to be attached to each Brigade; and that the Park should be composed of a few pieces of the same sort—You will be pleased after...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 26 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is highly necessary that an estimate should be formed of the quantity of Ordnance Stores necessary for the expected cooperation in its fullest extent, that by comparing it with the General Return of those on hand, we may be able to ascertain the deficiency, which I very much fear (notwithstanding the pressing call upon the Board of War & Ordnance last fall when Ct D’Estaing was expected for...
21From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby appointed to the command of West point and its Dependencies—But as the Army will lay for some time upon Verplanks point, you will consider yourself as releived, ’till further orders, from the care of attending to that post—Stoney Point and Dobbs’s Ferry, which are part of the dependencies—except so far as relates to their being constantly supplied with the proper quantity of...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 4th and 16th Feby. I have not yet recd any answer from the Board of War respecting the Artillery at Farmington. I would not have you keep any more of the new Arms in the Magazines to the Eastward than you think will be absolutely necessary for the Recruits coming on to the Army, what number that will probably be you can best judge who are upon the spot. I do not know...
23From 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...
24From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Women of the New York Regt of Artillery have applied to me on the Subject of allowing them and their Children Provisions. The number of Women & Children in the New York Regiments of Infantry before the New System of Issues took place obliged me, either to depart from that System and allow them provision or by driving them from the Army risk the loss of a number of Men, who very probably...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by the last returns, that there is still a number of men wanting Arms —In addition to this, I am informed we may shortly expect some new levies from Massachusetts and Connecticut particularly the latter. The men without arms will be rather an incumberance—than a benifit I request you will take every measure in your power to have a supply ready. For this purpose, you will hasten to...
26From 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.”
27George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 10, 1781 . Asks Knox to supply Captain Lewis Garanger with materials necessary for executing his experiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
28From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Extract of a Letter from Governor Harrison on the subject of the Brass Cannon belonging to Virginia. I wish you to take up the matter so as to get them in our possession as quick as possible. I am Dr Genl Your very hum. Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
29From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 2 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Congress are instructed, among other matters, to enquire whether there is any thing defective in the Ordnance department, or whether any of the regulations at present in force may be amended or altered for the benefit of the service. I do not exactly know when they will take the Business up, but I would wish you to be revolving the matter in your mind, and preparing yourself...
30From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to desire--that you will take the earliest Opportunity to furnish me with an Estimate of every thing in the Ordnance and Artillery Department which will be necessary to carry on an Offensive and vigorous Campaign—considering also the Seige of New York as a probable Operation—this Estimate to be on the same principles as those of 80 & 81—noting such of the Articles as are already in our...
31George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 9, 1781 . Commends Knox for measures taken to carry out instructions sent on January 7. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the conference between the Count De Rochambeau and myself, it was agreed, that if by the aid of our allies, we can have a naval superiority, through the next campaign, and an army of thirty thousand men (or double the force of the enemy [at New York] and its dependencies) early enough in the season to operate in that quarter, we ought to prefer it to every other object, as the most...
33From 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...
34George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Springfield, New Jersey ] June 21, 1780 . Instructs Knox to transport the flour at Trenton, New Jersey, to New Windsor, New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
35From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday, the enemy were advancing in force towards The Continental Village. The other part of their army on the West side were to move the same day to invest the Fort. On reconsideration, as some heavy cannon in our future operations may become essential, if you can possibly procure a sufficiency of horses to carry those...
36Instructions 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...
37From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the 4th Connect. Regt, under the expectation of being soon drafted into the other Regts, is not now employed in hutting, or any other public duties; it is my wish, that this Corps may be occupied in cutting & laying in Wood for the Hospital on the east side of the River. The importance of this business is so great & so obvious, that I scarely need express the earnestness of my desire, that...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In order to facilitate and expedite the communication between the Post of Dobbs Ferry and Head Quarters (which must be kept up principally by Runners) I have to request you will give Orders for forwarding expeditiously by a trusty Non Commissd Officer or Soldier as far as Kings Ferry (where the senior Officer has Instructions on the subject) all Dispatches from Head Quarters to Dobbs Ferry—and...
40From 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...
41From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the last General Return of Ordnance and Military Stores which I have recd from the Board of War; of which You will take a Copy. There appears to me a very great deficiency of many Articles, particularly of small Arms, powder and Lead. But you will be pleased to examine it critically and report to me what are in your opinion wanting that I may lay the estimate, without loss of...
42From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The arms of the army are daily getting out of repair with out any possibility of remedying it there are no travelling forges here and if there were I am informed they could not be set at work for want of some Articles which are absolutely necessary such as Borax salt &c. can any of the Armourers and necessary materials be spared from West Point to come here with some travelling Forges and...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the several points contained in your private letter of yesterday I have to observe—that I shall not be able finally to adjust a system of Signals, until I have seen Governor Clinton, which I expect will be in a few days—in the mean time I would have the Guards continued at the Beacons, as at present. The Rockets you propose to have made will be necessary. As to the Guard of...
45From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with my opinion of certain characters in this State—especially one whom I am told is now an attendant on you at Elizabeth Town—to need a repetition of it at this time; but I wish it were possible for you to guard your Colleague against the arts, & the disadvantages which certainly will result from a free intercourse of Sentiments with the person I allude to, on...
46From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of what I have just received from the Board of War in a letter of the 22d Inst. "The Board are unhappy to inform you that nothing is yet done in consequence of General Knox’s letter: immediately on the receipt of it they made the necessary estimates and applications to Congress for the following Sums—To the department of Military Stores £3794 Specie and for...
47From George Washington to Henry Knox, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 16th Inst. Things being circumstanced as they are, I consent to the work upon the Magazine being stopped, and the Workmen employed upon the Barracks in the Garrison. I shall inform the Secretary at War, who seemed to have the completion of the Magazine much at heart, of the reasons which have hindered us from proceeding. I shall approve your nomination of...
48From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Corne was ignorant of the Regulations respecting Flags when he came out, he may be permitted to Return with the other Prisoners. You will please therefore to send them with a Serjeant and the enclosed Letter to Colonel Canfield who commands at Stanford. I am Dear Sir Your very hum. Servt MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd a letter from Colo. Hamilton. It is Lord Stirlings opinion that the quantity of Amunition sent with the peices may be perhaps insufficient, should they find the Houses possessed by the Enemy stronger than are expected. You will be pleased to send a further supply to Elizabeth Town without loss of time, that we may lose no advantage for want of it—The troops began to...
50From George Washington to Henry Knox, June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having already communicated to you my intention to attempt to Surprize the Enemys Posts at the north end of York Island, & prepared you for the part I expect you to take in the conducting of it, I have now to desire That you will on next (under the most specious pretence that can be devise to conceal the real object) detach as many Officers and Men as with the aid of the Infantry they are to...