Henry Knox to Samuel Hardy Reporting that He Has Now Discharged Most of the Troops Remaining in Service, 13 June 1784 PDF Download

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox writes to Hardy, a Congressman and Chairman of the Committee of the States. Reports that he has discharged most of the troops remaining in service besides a small number at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania, and West Point, New York. Discusses arrangements being made in light of the troops' dispersal. Reports that several officers will remain in service (John Doughty, Samuel Jefferds, and Captain Lieutenant Johnson). Discusses continued arrangements for invalids and refugees, hospital staff, and stores.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox informs Hardy, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the States, that William Hull's mission to Canada failed. Hull had attempted to ascertain when Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, intends to withdraw British troops from United States posts. Transmits the original letter from Haldimand (not included). Writes, It is in indeed extraordinary that General Haldimand shall have received official information of the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, and not at the same time have received orders respecting the delivery of the posts. Discusses Haldimand's refusal to exchange cannon and stores from the posts.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox writes to Osgood, a Continental Congressman. Thanks him for the disinterested attention he has paid Knox in several instances. Assures Osgood he prizes their friendship highly. Reports that George Washington has instructed him to dissolve several corps and reorganize the soldiers whose terms have not expired into an infantry and artillery. Writes, This business has been painful on account of discharging the officers and soldiers at this [severe] season without pay, and in many instances the men are miserably clad. Refers to an instance in summer of 1783 when officers petitioned Continental Congress for land west of the Ohio River (the Newburgh Petition was presented by men who, in many cases, had not been paid for their service in the Continental Army, and they asked for land as payment). Asks if the petition has been considered. Discusses rumors that he may be appointed to take the place of Benjamin Lincoln (presumably as Secretary of War). In a post script, writes I think the pay & other emoluments of a major general, in a separate department, exclusive of any encumbrances... would not be an unreasonable expectation,- and that would satisfy me.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Informs Carleton, acting Secretary at War, of the arrangements he has made in response to the Congressional resolve of 2 June 1784 ordering the reduction of Continental troops.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox, Commander at West Point, encloses a weekly return of troops (see GLC02437.10140). Reports that he appointed a board to inspect the decrepit and infirm, to determine those who were unfit for service. Sixty-one soldiers were deemed unfit for service, and Knox asks for Washington's approval to discharge these men with a pension. Comments on cannons and military stores. Knox's retained draft.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox, Commander at West Point, transmits a weekly return of troops to Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Discusses illness among soldiers in the West Point vicinity: The troops having been uncommonly sickly for this place, and a malignant putrid fever being among their disorders, I have fixed upon the barrack at Constitution Island as an hospital... Discharged and furloughed some patients from the hospital at New Windsor, under the care of surgeon William Eustis. Reports, We have had cold unpleasant weather since commencement of the present month... [the troops] have only the remains of the thin under cloathes which they purchased in the spring. Regarding the uncertain date of discharge of troops following the recent signing of the Treaty of Paris (3 September 1783), Knox remarks, The officers in general are exceedingly anxious to have some final arrangements made... It is apparent from the foul, illiberal Spirit manifested by many parts of Connecticut, that their hands are outstretched against their officers. I mention these matters not with which to accelerate arrangements which might in some measure depend upon the British evacuating New York, but merely to share the anxiety of the officers... I am apprehensive that the preparations which have been made at this post to celebrate peace have been made in vain...

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Knox, Commander at West Point, reports that he did not receive Washington's two most recent dispatches. Plans to continue to discharge the invalids and those whose times of service may shortly expire. Requires Washington's instructions regarding preparing the barracks [at West Point] for 3,000 men for the winter. Remarks, The british unreasonably protract the evacuation of New York. They appear to be ready either to go or stay as shall be most condusive [sic] to their views. Major [Sebastian] Bauman, recently in New York, reported that the British would not get away untill December. If his conjecture should be right they will hardly go at that time. Your Excellency is probably posses'd of such information, as to enable you to decide with precision as per their intuitions. Notes that Lieutenant Colonel Villefranche (Chevalier de Villefranche), Major [Pierre] L'Enfant, and Major [Stephen] Rochefontaine would be well pleased to stay in the American Service. They wish however to retain their rank in the french Army and to go to France this winter.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Document in Samuel Shaw's hand, and signed by Shaw for Knox, giving Knox's opinion on several questions posed by Washington. Writes, ...it would be a most criminal degree of madness to hazard a general action at this time with the enemy, as by it we might lose every advantage which a three years war, combined with many fortunate circumstances, have given to America. Suggests the Continental Army remain at Valley Forge until the British completely evacuate Philadelphia. Does not advise a detachment to be sent to reinforce Continental troops in New Jersey. Gives advice for securing the sick and stores if the Continental Army should have to immediately evacuate their position at Valley Forge.

Author: Samuel Hodgdon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage. This ordnance transport was possibly one that Knox asked the Board of War & Ordnance to have Hodgdon superintend on 23 September 1781 (see GLC02437.01188). Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. The siege of Yorktown ended the day before this letter was written. See also GLC02437.01263.

Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw, and signed by him for Knox'. Knox advises against sending troops from the northern Continental force to the southward ... supposing the events at Charlestown [Charleston, South Carolina] to prove unfortunate. Writes, The great number of negroes and disaffected people in North and South Carolina will always render the conquest of that country comparatively easy with the more northern parts of the continent... But I cannot think it obligatory on Your Excellency to detach any troops at present from your small army; especially as you will be necessitated to garrison West Point with parts of it... Asserts that maintenance of the Hudson River posts should take precedence over other military concerns. Comments on the possible outcomes of a British attack on West Point. Writes, The enemy by being in possession of the water, have it amply in their power to distress and harass us; but it would be highly imprudent and unwise in us to divide our force so as to be incapable of making opposition in any place... I think therefore it would be rather improper at present to detach any troops because the situation of the force under Your Excellency relative to that of the enemy in New York would not permit it- Argues that the militia in North and South Carolina should turn out to assist the Continental Army.