Author: Henry Knox
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Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for the transport. Describes his travels. Comments favorably of the city of New York in comparison to Boston, but criticizes the people's pride, conceit, profaneness, and Toryism. Mentions the low population and poverty of the area between New York City and Albany. Favorably assesses Albany, New York and speculates that, because of its access to the western territories, it will one day be if not the Capital yet nearly to it of America. Criticizes treatment of American prisoners of war by the British, citing Richard Prescott's abuse of Ethan Allen. Prescott was captured by the Americans on 17 November 1775, and Knox remarks that he and other prisoners were being sent from Albany to Pennsylvania. Comments on letters between generals George Washington and William Howe in which Washington vows to treat Prescott as Allen was treated. Comments on his impression of the British prisoners.
Author: Henry Knox
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Longs to be with her, and hopes that he will have a chance at the end of winter. The men are fighting on past their enlistment dates and have high spirits but want Rum and clothing. Informs her that he has been made Brigadier General over all artillery, which was unsolicited on my part, tho' I cannot say unexpected. Says that people are too lavish in their praise of him, and that he possesses nothing more than industry and love of country. War my Lucy is not a humane trade, and says the attack on Trenton damaged the residents there. Dated 1776, but written 1777.
Author: Henry Knox
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Praises his wife. Discusses the war, claiming it will reveal cowardice treachery ingratitude. His is optimistic about the Continental Army's position in New York. He is in good spirits. Denounces the Continental Congress for not funding the army properly, arguing that a few minor defeats will benefit the revolution by forcing them to alter their administration of the war. He wants there to be a standing army. Argues that the militia spreads panic. Looks forward to conjugal bliss with Lucy at the end of the war.
Author: Henry Knox
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Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the Bravery of America and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue. Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God watching over Lucy in particular. Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York. A penciled note on the verso dated 12 March 1861 identifies the prisoners Knox mentions as from military engagements at St. Johns and Montreal.
Author: Henry Knox
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Urges her to cheer up and look to the future: Providence,...is [missing text] excellent rock to rest upon. Discusses overcoming recent ill health. Reiterates that he thinks she should spend the winter in Boston. Explains that the British army seems to be retiring, but it might be a feint. If the British head to New Jersey or Philadelphia, Knox must follow. Discusses the battle in White Plains. Mentions problems with the post.
Author: Henry Knox
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Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where about 1200 men were stationed by the British, and the late night march to Princeton. Admits we did not take them by surprise as at Trenton, because the British soldiers were already marching when the Continentals encountered them, whereas in Trenton they had been totally out of order. But still thinks the enemy were as much asstonish'd as if An Army had drop'd perpendicularly upon them, because the British thought the Americans were still coop'd up in Trenton. Describes the initial American victory, largely involving bayonets, in which the British lost nearly 800 men. Lists the American officers lost in the fight. The Americans then decide to pull out of Princeton to stay ahead of the main British forces which are advancing. Washington had hoped to move on to New Brunswick and strike again, but the men were too tired. If they had had 1,000 fresh men they could have moved on to New Brunswick and struck one of the most Brilliant strokes in all History. Knox writes that instead the Americans would have to settle for the fact that they drove the British away from Philadelphia and almost out of West Jersey. Mentions a few other minor skirmishes, and feels the Americans are doing well. Paraphrasing Shakespeare's Julius Caesar he says There is a tide in the affairs of men which if taken at the ford leads on to victory. Thanks God for what he sees as a positive turning of the tide and hopes this same feeling will so prevail on the hearts of the people as to induce them to be a people chosen of Heaven...never to dispair of the Commonwealth. Feels that New England and her hardy sons have a key role to play in this struggle. Despite his happiness Knox knows that the State of War is uncertain. Victorious to day defeated tomorrow. States that the Americans shall try to make another stroke or two upon them. Closes by expressing his love for her and his desire to see her.
Author: Henry Knox
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Regrets that he must send her to Boston, but hopes to see her and Peter soon, if his duties allow. Notes British movements on Long Island. Comments on the tactical ineptitude displayed by both sides: The manoeuvres of the enemy are so complicated that at times I think they have as little knowledge in the art of war as their opponents. Discusses the strength of both armies, and prepares for a siege of Fort Washington. Has heard that the King of Portugal has declared war on the colonies.
Author: Henry Knox
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Thanks her for writing and remarks that Religion and virtue dictated every line of her last letter. Discusses death from a religious perspective. Informs Lucy that this letter will be delivered by Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, and asks her to be as civil towards him as her circumstances will allow. Notes that Gerry will tell her about General Charles Lee's recent victory over the British at Fort Moultrie in Charleston (28 June 1776), South Carolina, and Knox provides some details about the battle. Briefly mentions the unsuccessful attempt of an adjutant general from General William Howe's army to deliver a letter addressed to George Washington Esqr. Etc while under a flag of truce and promised to write about it more fully tomorrow (see GLC02437.00385).
Author: Henry Knox
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A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.
Author: Henry Knox
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Expresses his love for Lucy, but says that the love of his country must keep them apart for now. Discusses the Battle of Trenton (26 December 1776) in depth. Starts by stating that Lucy must have heard of our success on the morning of the 26th instant against the enemy. Describes how before the attack, they were forced to retire to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware and that preservation of Philadelphia was a matter exceedingly precarious - The Force of the enemy three or four times as large as ours. Notes that Hessian troops, German mercenaries, were defending Trenton. Describes British movements and troop strength, the difficulty in crossing the Delaware, the harsh weather they were forced to march through. Tells of the American surprise attack, the confusion of the enemy, the details of the American victory. Writes, 2500 or three thousand pass'd the River on Christmass night with allmost infinite difficulty, with eighteen feild peice, floating Ice in the River made the labour almost incredible however perseverance accomplished what at first seem'd impossible... Counts 1,200 prisoners and about 30 killed. Thinks that great advantage may be taken from the victory, and praises American troops. Hopes to chase tyranny from this country devoted to Liberty. Informs Lucy that he has been publicly praised by George Washington, the mention of which would make him blush in front of anyone other than her. Closes by saying he hopes to see her soon.
