31To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency duplicates of returns which this day I have sent to the board of War—altho your Excellency has not requir’d them, I think it proper they should be in your possession. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Obedient Servant ALS , MeAgMSA . Knox most likely enclosed four returns, all signed by Knox, addressed to GW, and...
32Brigadier 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Corps of Artillery being raised in different States upon the same principles as the sixteen additional battalions, labor under great difficulty in obtaining of recruits for the Continental bounty of twenty dollars. The service demands the Battalions of Artillery to be complete, but under the present circumstances it is impracticable. There are four Battalions of Artillery consisting of...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The great demand we probably shall have for musket cartridges the present campaign must induce every exertion to procure as adequate supplies as possible. We have at Fishkill, West Point, and with the spare stores of this army, materials sufficient for six hundred thousand. I therefore take the liberty to propose that one hundred men be immediately set to work at Fishkill, or West Point, as...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have endevour’d to consider, in every point of view, the important information, which your Excellency gave your General Officers yesterday, and the question arising from it, Vizt whether any troops shall be detach’d from this army, to the southward, with a view of forming a force, to cover the country, supposing the events at Charlestown, to prove unfortunate? An addition of continental...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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,...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To 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...
51To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the conversation which I had the honor of having lately with your Excellency, you informed me that there appeared to be three methods to open the ensuing campaign, and directed me to consider and report my opinion of each, with the reasons on which it was founded. The first was—To remain in the present Camp, receive the expected recruits, for the Continental Battalions, discipline the Army,...
52To 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,...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
To digest a perfect plan of operations, of the magnitude of those proposed by Your Excellency, demands a much greater extent of abilities and military experience than I can pretend to have. It requires a mind, able to comprehend and provide for every possible exigence, so that, in case of success, we might be ready to urge it to the utmost, or, of misfortune, to render it as little distressing...
54To 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...
55To 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...
56To 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...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of this morning respecting the probable evacuation of Philadelphia by the enemy. The peices of Artillery with the ammunition belonging to them now in Camp will be completed with horses and Geers so as to be mov’d in a day or two. I must depend on the Quarter Master General for Horses and some Waggons to move the Spare Ammunition, and he will be very soon...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellency’s request of the last evening I shall consider and briefly give my opinion on the following questions. “Whether any enterprize ought to be undertaken against the Enemy in Philadelphia in their present circumstances”? The principles of operations proper to be adopted by us in our present circumstances being taken up and pretty fully discussed last evening by...
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To 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...
62To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall give my opinion on the subjects propos’d by your Excellency to your General Officers with as much brevity as they will admit. The first is. Whether a movement of the greater part of this Army to the Eastward under the present information and circumstances will be eligible? I cannot see the propriety of such a measure at present, or that it could be warranted from the State of...
63To 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...
64To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 11 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Captain-Lieutenants of Artillery have desired me to forward the enclosed letter to your Excellency. It respects their pay, which, by a resolution of Congress last April or May, was reduced from 40 to 33 1/3 dollars per month, without any reason assigned for its being done. The Committee of Arrangement, when at White Plains in September last, assured them that they would lay their...
65To 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.
66To 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;...
67To 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...
68To 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...
69To 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...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73To 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.
74To 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....
75To 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...
76To 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,...
77To 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,...
78To 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...
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 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...