51To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Return of Shells, Shot and Powder, in possession of the Continent, and the places where they are deposited; compared with an estimate of stores presented to the Committee of Congress with the Army, 27 June 1780, and the deficiencies pointed out. In addition to the remarks already presented on the estimate made last October, it is to be observed, that 50 shells and sixty shot were then,...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Your Excellency the enclosed return, by which you may be enabled to see the number of artillery men wanting from each State, at one view. The service of the artillery, in case of a siege, will be so evidently extensive, that it would be unnecessary to say any thing to Your Excellency on the importance of having the corps filled up from the recruits that are...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received Your Excellency’s directions, not to lose a moments time 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 being the object. As I am now writing to the board of war on the subject, I should be obliged to Your Excellency to direct whether the stores shall be...
54To 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...
55To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Faesh is so deeply impres’d, with a beleif, that the disafected, will set fire to his furnace, if he shall cast shot, or shells, that he declines to cast those articles, unless the continent, will indemnity for any loss he may incur in consequence, or provide him with a guard. I have endevor’d to convince him to the contrary, but without effect. I humbly submit to Your Excellency, the...
56To 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...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have endevor’d attentively to consider the several propositions, resulting from the State of the Army and Country, which your Excellency on the 6th instant was pleas’d to lay before your General Officers assembled in Council: The respective States, complying only partially, with the requisitions made of them, of men, and provisions; The inadequate quantities of Military Stores; the...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To 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...
62To 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...
63To 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...
64To 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...
65To 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...
66To 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...
67To 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...
68To 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...
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, 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...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74To 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...
75To 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....
76To 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.
77To 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...
78To 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
79To 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...
80To 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...
81To 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...
82To 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...
83To 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...
84To 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,...
85To 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...
86To 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...
87To 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...
88To 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...
89To 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...
90To 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
91To 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.
92To 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...
93To 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.
94To 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...
95To 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...
96To 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...
97To 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...
98To 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...
99To 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...
100To 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...