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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...
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.
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...
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.”
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Enemys Transactions in Philadelphia as related by divers intelligent persons indicate the speedy evacuation of that post—this requires a state of readiness in us for marching at the shortest warning—I am therefore to desire that you will give the proper orders in your department, that every thing ⟨tha⟩t depends on you, may be prepared for moving on the first notice—You will likewise...
His Excellency desires you will inform him as shortly and with as much accuracy as possible what number of battering Cannon you have mounted in the park and at the different Arsenals with their Calibres and whether there are any and what number not yet mounted, which might be got ready if wanted. We have not a word of News. I am yrs &c. ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . In a...
You will perceive by the inclosed Letter—Commission & Resolution, that Congress have given Lieut. Colo. Stevens an actual command in the Artillery. He is to join Colo. Lamb’s Regiment in the room of Lt Colonel Oswald resigned. After reading the Letter you will be pleased to seal it and give the necessary Orders on your part. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obedt sevt Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s...
I duly received your favor of the 30th Ulto inclosing one of the same date representing the State of the Ordnance Department. The latter I submitted to the consideration of the Committee appointed by Congress to confer with me on the affairs of the Army. The Committee agrees that the Department is at present on a very improper footing—and that its defects will be most effectually remedied in a...
For the more speedy assembling of the Militia upon an emergency, I have agreed with the Feild Officers in this and the next County to erect Beacons upon the most conspicuous Hills, the firing of which shall be signals for them to repair to their different Alarm Posts—You will be pleased to have one erected upon the Mountain in the Rear of Pluckemin, upon the place that shall seem most visible...
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...
I inclose you a return which I received a few days ago from General Parsons—of arms and accoutrements wanted for the troops at Reading. I wish you to take the most immediate measures on this occasion in your department to have these and all the deficiencies in the troops stationed on the other side of the North River supplied from Springfield; having respect at the same time to the supplies...
The Inclosed letters respecting the rank of Officers in Proctors Regiment, & Colo. Flower’s pretensions, are this moment come to hand. I wish you to consider them attentively, and give me your sentiments in writing, fully, upon every matter & thing contained in them. The amusements of Phila. have such preferable charms to the dangers and hardships of the field, that I shall not be surprized at...
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,...
I herewith transmit you an extract of a letter from the board of war of the 24th inst.; by which you will perceive, that the factory at Philadelphia turns out 60 or 70 cartridge boxes per day; and that the armory is in a situation to enter upon the repairs of arms. You will be pleased to have the old cartridge boxes now in store, and those returned on the distribution of new ones sent forward...
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...
On the 2d instant a part of the enemy possessed themselves of the fort on Ver-planks point, by capitulation—they are now throwing up some works on the point on this side. It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the highlands. The militia are calling out for amunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is far from...
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...
The army is now crossing the Mountain to take post on the upper communication. It will be unsafe for you to move on through the clove. You will therefore be pleased to file off by the road from Morris town toward Sussex so as to proceed on by the upper route from Sussex to New Windsor, till you join the army. This is meant as a general direction. You will inform yourself more particularly of...
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...
I have received the reports from Major General McDougal Brigadier Du Portail and yourself of this date on the subject of the batteries cannon and ammunition necessary, for the defence of West Point. The motive there suggested concurs with others to make me desire there should be a speedy and ample supply of powder at this post and in the vicinity—We cannot now undertake any operations however...
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Henry Knox, 10 Nov. 1779 . A summary of this one-page letter reads: “Instructions relating to the Southern campaign” ( ABPC, American Book-Prices Current . New York, 1895–2004. 69:748).
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...
As the North Carolina Troops have orders to march immediately to the Southward, you will be pleased to direct the Company of Artillery belonging to that State to hold themselves in readiness to move with them —their route will hereafter be made known—And with respect to their pieces you will suffer them to carry them or not, as you see proper. I am Dr Sr Yr Mo. Obet servt P.s. Colo. Clark will...
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...
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...
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...
There is a large quantity of flour at Trenton which it is of the greatest importance should be forwarded with all possible expedition to the North River. The exigency is so pressing, that the ordinary means of transportation will not suffice, and it will probably be indispensable to have recourse to an impress of waggons. Relying on your judgment and activity I request you will proceed without...
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...
The period for commencing our operations is so near, that, not a moment is to be lost in bringing forward all the cannon and stores in our possession proper for a siege, and necessary for the service of the campaign—to the North river. New-York will be the object, with an army of 30,000 men, which you will receive in confidence. I request you will take immediate measures for the above purpose,...
Since I saw you I have reflected upon the request of the General Officers for permitting Genl McDougall to go to Philadelphia with their representation to Congress. His presence here, from his knowledge of Naval affairs, may be very important at this juncture but if his going to Phila. be thought essential by the Gentn I shall give my consent—I am—Dr Sir Yr Most obedt P.S. I shall expect his...
I have received Colo. Lamb’s Letter addressed to You, by which he desires You “to ask me, if ever Colo. Bigelow solicited me, to order a Court of Enquiry into his conduct at the attack on Quebec, on the 31st Decr 1775.[”] In Answer to this question I can only say that I recollect something passed between Colo. Bigelow & Myself a long time ago. I believe soon after he returned from Canada on...
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...
I wish to be informed, whether what Arms and Accoutrements you have on hand, together with those in the Magazines capable of being put in repair in three weeks; are sufficient to equip five thousand men, exclusive of the troops now on this ground, who are destitute and must be supplie⟨d⟩. If there are not Arms and Ac⟨co⟩utrements to this amount, I beg you will give me the best information you...
By twelve OClock on Friday you will have ready all such peices of your park as are most proper to annoy shipping and cover a body of troops across a River —A releif of Horses to accompany them will be desirable if they are to be had. Your usual punctuality assures me of the same in this instance. I am Dear Sir Your most obt humble Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, ViRVal ; Df , DLC:GW ;...
I have received Some Intelligence wch has induced me to lay aside the enterprize I had in view—you will be pleased therefore to suspend the Measures & orders you were to execute. I shall now turn my thoughts to Winter Quarters, & have sent for the Qr Mr to fix Matters for this purpose. I am Dr Sir Yrs &ca. ALS , NjMoHP . See Document XIII ; see also Document XVIII . For the dispersal of GW’s...
You will proceed, with the dispatches with which you are charged, to the Governors of the States of Connecticut—Rhode Island and Massachusetts and to the President of New Hampshire. You are acquainted with the subject of those dispatches, in which, the Gentlemen, to whom they are addressed, are referred to you for a more particular account of the situation of the Army—the causes of discontent...
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...