Lucy F. Knox to Henry Knox Discussing the Arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson Du Coudray, May 1777

Lucy F. Knox to Henry Knox Discussing the Arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson Du Coudray, May 1777
Author: Lucy Flucker Knox
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Release: 1777
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Writes a very detailed letter to her husband in Morristown, New Jersey during the American Revolution. Discusses the arrival in Boston of General Charles Tronson du Coudray, a French military engineer who stiles himself Commander in Chief of the Continental Artillery (Knox's current position) and claimed the appointment was from Silas Deane. Discusses the illness of Henry's brother William (Billy) and her fear we shall lose him, or at least that the humour in the blood has taken such deep root, as to embitter his future days. Also comments on various items she sent to Knox. Discusses escalating prices of foodstuff: Indeed it is difficult to get the neccessarys of life here at any price. Critically discusses the political situation and mob in Boston - jailing suspected loyalists, the confiscation of property, and a scheduled execution. Comments: the behavior at our town meeting has almost made me a tory. Cites Colonels [Thomas] Crafts, [Paul] Revere and [Isaac] Sears as leaders of the movement. Docket indicates Knox replied on 6 June 1777.

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox about War News and the Battle of Ticonderoga, 13 July 1777

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox about War News and the Battle of Ticonderoga, 13 July 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Knox writes, the shortness of your two last letters were not very agreable [sic] to me... Discusses the Battle of Ticonderoga (2-6 July 1777): We have received... news of the evacuation of Ticonderoga pregnant in my opinion with the most disagreable [sic] consequences of any thing during the War... Mentions Generals John Burgoyne (British), Arthur St. Clair (American), and Philip Schuyler (American). Refers to a wagon of supplies Lucy sent to him. Wishes his brother William would not join the Army, but would instead remain in Boston, serving as a disinterested friend and protector for Lucy. Expects General William Howe to combine forces with Burgoyne at an unspecified point along the North River (the Hudson). Mentions that Mrs. Greene (Catherine Littlefield Greene, wife of General Nathanael Greene) arrived several days before. Discusses a letter he sent to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, inquiring if Congress intended to appoint Phillippe du Coudray in command of the Continental Artillery. Reports that Congress resolved that Knox's letter was an infringement on the Liberties of the people.

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Explaining that He Has Not Set Out for Boston to See Her Due to Urgent Public Business, 27 December 1777

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Explaining that He Has Not Set Out for Boston to See Her Due to Urgent Public Business, 27 December 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Written at Camp Great Valley [Valley Forge]. Relates that he has not set out for Boston, Lucy's location, due to urgent public business. Writes, I should most certainly see you this winter if within the compass of human possibility but it will most assuredly be much better for my own satisfaction that I should have the honor of doing public business ... Notes that George Washington hopes to wait for the arrival of an unspecified committee, and Knox hopes to be able to leave after the committee meets. Has not seen his brother William for some days, due to William's illness and fatigue. Remarks that if he travels to see Lucy, he will have to leave his brother behind. Reports that General William Howe, who occupies Philadelphia with British troops, has been drawing forage from the meadows near Philadelphia.

Lucy Knox to Henry Knox about Military Events in Massachusetts and Their Daughter Lucy's Illness, 8 May 1777

Lucy Knox to Henry Knox about Military Events in Massachusetts and Their Daughter Lucy's Illness, 8 May 1777
Author: Lucy Flucker Knox
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Release: 1777
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Written at Sewal's Point, evidently Sewall's Point, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Their daughter, Lucy, has smallpox, and the poor little soul- is covered from head to foot with it- she has upwards of eighty [sic] on her sweet face... Relates that Billy (Knox's brother William) has returned from Providence, Rhode Island. General [Henry] Jackson will begin recruiting troops soon, and General [William] Heath informed Lucy that an order has been issued for Jackson's troops to remain in Boston. Remarks, the people in Boston are all mad moving out as fast as possible, for fear of genl Burgoyne- for my part I shall not stop short when I go- which will not be till there is real danger- they say he is now at Nashua, with ten thousand men...

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox on the Situation of the Army and His Hopes to See Her in Boston, 2 December 1777

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox on the Situation of the Army and His Hopes to See Her in Boston, 2 December 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Writes, In short my Lucy no man on earth seperated [sic] from All that he holds Dear on earth has ever suffer'd more than I have suffer'd in being absent from you whom I hold dearer than every other object... Defends his love for her, because in one moment of inadventure you have written which will long be the source of unhappiness to me. Expects to be able to set out for Congress when the army goes into winter quarters, and intends to be in Boston (Lucy's location) in one month. Notes that The situation of our army on account of Cloathing is such as to render a Winters Campaign impossible without we have a mind to put an end to the War by starving all the soldiers. Explains the situation of Catharine Littlefield Greene, wife of General Nathanael Greene, who was able to follow her husband during his campaign. Relates that General Greene was only able to see his wife for three days. After his visit, because of several factors preventing her travel, Mrs. Greene stayed at the home of an acquaintance who refused money for her stay. Suggests ...the delicacy of Lucy's mind would be much wounded by being in such a situation... Nonetheless, hopes she can be present during his next campaign. In a note written in the margin of page four, mentions Harry, possibly General Henry Jackson.

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Expressing His Sorrow at Being Apart and Warning Her of Forthcoming Danger, 22 May 1777

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Expressing His Sorrow at Being Apart and Warning Her of Forthcoming Danger, 22 May 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Discusses their recent exchange, noting that he had not received some of her letters due to the postman's mistake. Expresses how much he misses her, emphasizing that nothing but an obligation to his country could separate them. Mentions the threat posed by General John Burgoyne, stating that Lucy, in Boston, should get a House in the Country as a Retreat. He says he cannot be sure of visiting Lucy due to the danger of the roads and the uncertainty of his location. In closing, notes I shall always make it a rule to write you by the post, and expect the same from you.

Letter to Lucy Knox from Henry Knox Discussing British Generals William Howe and John Burgoyne, 12 August 1777

Letter to Lucy Knox from Henry Knox Discussing British Generals William Howe and John Burgoyne, 12 August 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Written in camp twenty miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Expresses his happiness that Lucy has spent time in Newburyport, Massachusetts: The Gentlemen there with whom I am acquainted, are in my opinion some of the most virtuous public spirited, patriots on the Continent. Reports that British General William Howe might be sailing toward the Chesapeake Bay. Disbelieves the Chesapeake is Howe's target. Asserts instead that Howe intends to sail for the North River (the Hudson) or Philadelphia. Discusses Howe's movements and comments on the extremely hot weather. Referring to British General John Burgoyne, writes Mr. Burgoyne will push himself untill he finds a stone wall to break his head against- I hope that will not be too soon untill all parts of the Machine may harmonize which is to work his destruction... Referring to his brother William, writes Master Bill bears the fatigues of the Campaign like a soldier and they are not very few...

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox on British Movements, 2 August 1777

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox on British Movements, 2 August 1777
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1777
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Reports, The enemy have manoevr'd us to this place... and after all gave us the slip... this is now the third day of their departure with a fine a wind as ever blew to carry them to New York and so up the North River [the Hudson]-- this must be their great object, and however appearances may have been against it- I could never account why it was not done- Thank God our force there is pretty respectable, and if they can hold out only till we get there... our forces will all be put in motion that way. Emphasizes that General George Washington could not have acted otherwise, for had he not moved to Philadelphia, the British would have taken the city. Predicts Howe's force is smaller than previously imagined based on the British General's hasty departure. Apologizes for the brevity of this letter.