31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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....
34To 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...
35To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a representation of Major Villefranche, the engineer of these posts, respecting the magazine ordered to be erected on Constitution Island. Your Excellency will observe that it is impossible, in the present advanced season, with the masons only in prospect, to effect to much of the building as to be of any material service. If it should be continued, the labor...
36To 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,...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a state of the case of a Mr Corney. Gen. McDougall speaks well of him, as a person of honor, although opposed to us. It appears to me that this place is rather improper for him, except he is to be kept for a long time. I beg your Excellency’s immediate directions concerning it . I am, with great respect, Your Excellency’s most obedt servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
44To 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...
45To 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.
46To 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
47To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Henry Knox, 24 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been waiting my dear Hamilton, for a Crisis in the case of the intended retaliation for the murder of Huddy before I answer’d your favor of the 7th of last month. But it has yet to have arrived. A Captain of Cornwallis’s Army was brought up to the Jersey line by a mistake of General Hazens in lieu of an unconditional prisoner as a subject for execution. As this person is of considerable...
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 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...
50To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
As it is probable that our report of this date may after having been transmitted to Congress come before the public eye, we have thought it best to give in a distinct letter the information which it may be unnecessary or improper to publish. Your Excellency will perceive that we had no proper oppo rt unity of bringing forward distinctly the affair of Mr Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into...
51To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter of the 10th instant, enclosing an extract of Governor Harrison’s letter of the 23d March, respecting the brass cannon belonging to the State of Virginia. I should instantly have written to General Lincoln, requesting that he would put the matter in a train of execution, but that I every day expected to set out for Philadelphia, where I could explain to him...
52To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Forman (who is now on his way to you with a Representation on the Hanging of Captain Hoddy by the Refugees) will have the Honor of delivering your Excellency this Letter. Previous to the Generals Arrival we had heard of this Matter altho not so particularly. We mentioned it to General Dalrymple and Mr Elliott. They seemed to be surprised and wounded at the Information & assured us of...
53To 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,...
54To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Smith delivered your Excellency’s Letter of the twenty eighth, between four and five Yesterday Afternoon. You mention having had Intimations, that under the Idea of the Cessation of Hostilities a Number of People intend to come over from New York to our Lines, and express your particular Desire that no Persons coming from the Enemy may be permitted to Land, except the Commissioners and...
55To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We did ourselves the honor to write to your Excellency from Elizabeth-Town on the 16th instant, after which, we concluded it necessary to retire from thence, as some people might have been induced, from a suppos’d neutrality, to have had improper communications with the Enemy. Mr Skinner proceeded to New-York on that day, but from bad weather was not able to return untill the 20th. We have...
56To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here yesterday a few Minutes after twelve. The british Commissioners have not yet appeared. We learn that Letters have gone forward to your Excellency from the british General and Admiral. We shall set off from home this Day, and wait your farther orders in the Vicinity. Colo. Skinner will forward them. We have the Honor to enclose an English Paper of the third of January, by which...
57To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We received your Excellency’s Letter of the fourteenth this Morning, previous to the Receipt of which we had written to you by Lieutenant Blair of the Jersey Line. We have written to Sir Henry Clinton, of which the enclosed is a Copy, and sent it with another to the Officer commanding on Staten Island requesting him to facilitate Mr Skinner’s Passage to New York, whom we have instructed to...
58To 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...
59To 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
60To John Adams from Henry Knox, 21 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving several Letters from your Excellency, since your departure from america, which I have duly answerd, and hope you have received them. Your ideas of the necessity of some important blow to the british power in the southern states were extremely just. The reasons are too obvious to be mentioned. I am happy my dear Sir, in having it in my power to announce to you...
61To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received my dear General an inaccurate report of the Cannon & Mortars which are in York, and which amount to 170 sixty five of which are brass—The extreme confusion in that place has prevented my officers being more particular at present, but I hope tomorrow to render a more certain account to your Excellency. Knowing Colonel Tilghmans destination I thought even this important...
62To 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.
63To 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....
64To 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...
65To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys favor of this Day enclosing Genl Cornells letter of the 24th ultimo informing of the quantity of Lead & cartridges which may be expected from Boston and Providence, and of the request of the State of New Jersey for Ammunition. It appears from General Cornells letter that the prospects of addition to your are moderate and the demands from the southward and north ward...
66To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys orders, we have consider’d of an arrangement of Colonel Baldwins regiment of artificers, and are of opinion That all the non commissioned officers & privates should form one company under the direction and command of Capt. Patten and Lieut Lears Artillery Artificers at the Park, and one lieutenant to be taken from said regiment, the whole to do duty at present at...
67To 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...
68To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to Your Excellency’s directions to me, Mr Garranger was ordered to West Point, to give some specimens of his knowledge in artillery, and particularly in projectiles. The superintendence of this matter was committed to Major Bauman, who has reported his opinion, in consequence of some experiments made on the 16th instant, of which the enclosed is a copy. I have the honor to be with...
69To 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...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 7 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of Your Excellency’s instructions to me, dated the 7th ulto, I proceeded to the States of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and delivered the dispatches with which I was charged, to the Governors and to the President to whom they were addressed. The legislatures of Connecticut and Rhode Island unfortunately were not sitting. The Governor of the former...
74To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I send your Excellency the volume of pamphlets belonging t[o] Governor Trumbull. I have taken the liberty to retain for two or three days the single pamphlet written by Governor Pownall, and shall be oblig’d by the perusal of the Volume when your Excellen[c]y has done with it. I wish to go to West point to day the weather & sleighing bei[n]g favorable which obliges me to postpone making my...
75To 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...
76To 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...
77To 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...
78To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the council of war held on the 31 ulto, Your Excellency did your general officers the honor to state to them the force which the enemy had detatched from New York, and the reinforcements they had received since the council of the 6 Sepr last, and the probability that the detatchment was destined for the Southern States. Also, the number of men that will remain of this Army for the war, on...
79To 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...
80To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from Lt Colonel David Mason, superintendant of the laboratory at Springfield, dated 30 ulto, enclosing a copy of a resolution of Congress for dismissing him from any further service at that post. I take the liberty to inform Your Excellency that Col. Mason has been employed, by my direction, at Springfield for the summer past in making fuzes, a species of laboratory...