1To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favor of the 29th directing a suspension of the troops and stores destined for the Western Posts. The light Infantry company which came from the Lines have returned, & I directed that the clothing drawn by them and the Artillery men to be redelivered to the Clothier. There are certain french refugees in this vicinity under the direction of a Major Merlet, who have...
2To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
last evening I wrote to your Excellency per express, transmitting the information by Captain Farley, of the ill success of the Baron Steubens mission. By which it appears that it will be impracticable, to take possession of the posts at the Westward this fall. I requested your final orders concerning the detachment, and artillery, at this place, which are prepared for that service. I now...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The remainder of the 3d Mas. regiment Amounting to about 256 cannot be in readiness to march untill this afternoon. Being part of the late 8th they were to be organized, and they were destitute of articles essential to their march. Captain Cogswell commands them. The troops who have marched have not their compliment of field officers. Colonels M. Jackson and Vose have never joined at this...
6To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having referred to our consideration the claim of Mr Robert Hoakesly to the goods found in his store at York town in Virginia, and by a board of General Officers held on the 24th of October 1781, adjudged to be forfeited—beg leave to report. That having read and considered the memorial of Mr Hoakesly—the proceedings of the board above mentioned, and the depositions of Mr...
7To 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...
8To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of to inform your Excellcy that the brigade of Generals Patterson and Greatons arrived at nine oClock at this post—The first brigade are encamped upon the place the red house—The 2d regiment of the 2d brigade are gone into the old barracks and into the barrack at Genl Clinton’s Battalion The 4 plain are encamped with It is proposed to place the New-Hampshire horses upon...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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,...
15To 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,...
16To 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.
17To 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...
18To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have found it necessary to relieve the Company of Artillery under the Command of Capn Lt Fenno stationed at Kings ferry, and shall replace it with another Company from Colonel Lambs Regiment, under the orders of Captain Fleming, in whom may be placed the most entire confidence. The mode of doing duty at Kings ferry, by which the Commanding Officers are charged every fortnight, will be urged...
19To 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...
20To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter respecting the loss of the stores at the posts at King’s ferry. I take the liberty to enclose the report of Capt. Lieut. Fenno, of artillery, on that subject. I should have transmitted it to your Excellency when I first received it, but I was in hopes that something further might have been discovered. I have sent him the lock and key, and ordered the quarter...
21To 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...
22To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colonel Johnson of Colonel Swift’s regiment is very sollicitous to have leave of absence for twelve or fourteen days. His family is large, and are in distress upon account of the short crops of grain in the vicinity of their . Major Smith is with the regiment. If your Excllcy should find it proper to grant him this indulgence it would releive the anxiety of a deserving officer. I have...
23To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
last evening I received your Excellencys favor respecting a sleigh, and inclosing the paroles and countersigns to the 22d instant. The sleigh shall be put in train immediately and finished with all possible expedition. The painting I am apprehensive will take the most time. From enquiry it appears that the most approved method of making the sliders, is to have them about six inches curved in...
24To 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...
25To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The officer of Artillery stationed at Kings ferry has informed me that the night before last, one side of the redoubt at Verplanks point, gave way, and was entirely levelled with the ground, being the effects of the violent storm. As it is not under my orders I have not done any thing concerning it. Major Villefranche is too busy here to be able to attend to its repair. I have the honor to be...
26To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As soon as your Excellency shall have established a general system of signals, from the posts below to head quarters, I will thank you for a copy. The only circumstance I know at present relating to signals, is, That I have a small guard at the beacon upon Butter Hill, but without any orders whatever. There is another from the Invalids, upon a Hill on the east side of the river. I beg your...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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,...