1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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.
4To 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.
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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.
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To 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,...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just returnd here from Trenton which place I left last evening, at which time there had gone towards new Windsor by the back route 2213 barrells flour, and I believe that by this evening all will be in motion that was at Trenton amounting to about 3500 barrells including 445 which had arriv’d there from the Gentlemen directors of the bank form’d at Philadelphia. The teams which have...
13To 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...
14To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 21 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Instructions I tarried at Cambridge ’till all the Ordnance & Stores in my department were on the way to this place, which to my great mortification was not till the 14th instant—The detention was owing to the Zeal of the General Assembly which promis’d more than their activity could perform —In my passing thro’ Providence Governor Cook & a number of the principal...
15To 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...
16To 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,...
17To 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.
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here Yesterday & made preparation to go over the lake this morning but General Schuyler reaching here before day prevents my going over for an hour or two. He has given me a list of Stores on the other side from which I am enabled to send an Inventory of those which I intend to forward to Camp —The Garriso⟨n⟩ at Ticonderoga is so weak, The conveyance from the fort to the landing is...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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,...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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,...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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....
43To 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...
44To 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,...
45To 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,...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To 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...