91From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 14 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed letters, as I conclude from others which accompanied them, have been a long time getting to hand. There was a moment, when their object seemed to present itself as one not intirely chimerical—but the probability has diminished. Tis however a thing on which the mind may still speculate as in the Chapter of extraordinary events which characterise the present wonderful epoch. My...
92From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [26 March 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Headquarters, Middlebrook, New Jersey, March 26, 1779. “This will be delivered to you by Mr. Garranger, who comes to pass through a probation with you. He is to give you such proofs of his knowledge in the theory and practice of artillery as you shall deem satisfactory. He will, on your certificate of the same, be recommended to Congress for an appointment as Preceptor to the artillery, or...
93From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [24 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I have communicated your letter to The General. He thinks Col Harrison’s regiment not intitled to a ⟨part⟩ of the present supply. I inclose you by the General’s order a letter from General Gates, with sundry papers respe⟨cti⟩ng powder Springfield &c. on which yo⟨ur opi⟩nion is requested. The question is—W⟨hat is t⟩o be done? Col Nixon sent to Springfield ⟨to be in⟩ charge of the Massachusettes...
94From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [30 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General ⟨consents to – –⟩ officers to recover your deserters and to reimburse their reasonable expences. He only makes two conditions, that you will send as few as possible & that they keep and exact and particular account of their expences. The sentence of The Court Marti⟨al⟩ will probably be determined tomorrow; it is too late for to day’s orders. I am ordered to return you the inclosed...
95From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [4 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Gilliland, the most helpless mortal in the world, and the most ignorant of every thing he ought to know, represents that he has been two years without pay. He begs this line to you to have justice done him and seems even not to know to whom he ought to apply. In pity give him such information and advice as you can and at least enable him to have some idea of his own affairs & to give me...
96From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, [9 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
We wish to know the number of heavy cannon we might bring into an operation against New York—already in the possession of The Continental distinguishing the Iron from the Brass. We are writing to The French General. Yr most Obed also the Mortars their different sizes. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. These cannons were to be used for an attack on New York City, which Washington...
97Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
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...
98Invitation to Colonel Henry and Lucy Flucker Knox, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
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.
99Orders and Instructions for Colonel Henry Knox, 3 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
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...
100From George Washington to Col. Henry Knox, 19 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
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.”
101Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
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...
102Orders to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
103From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
104From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
105From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
106From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 14 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
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...
107Orders to Major Generals Arthur St. Clair and Johann Kalb and Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
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....
108From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
109From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
110From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
111From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
112From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
113From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
114From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
115Tench Tilghman to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 16 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
116From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
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...
117From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 14 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
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...
118From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
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...
119From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
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...
120From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
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...