TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.15.046
Henry Knox. Autograph letter copy signed: West Point, to George
Washington, 1783 October 15. 3 p. + doc.
West point 15 October 1783
[inserted – different hand: To W]
Sir
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor
of the 8th instant. In consequence of which; and one of the
same date, to the quarter master General, we shall set to
work to procure [inserted: fire] wood for the Garrison who
will probably be retained here during the winter. This I suppose
shall be performed by the men whose times of service will
expire in December and January, to receive their discharges
as soon as the task [strike-out] assigned them shall be finished.
The number of this description upon the returns are more than
five hundred; but there as so many detached duties, sick &c;
[strike-out] I can not imagine that we shall get more than
three hundred and fifty working men. If [struck: those] [inserted:
these] should not be sufficient, we might add the men whose
enlistments terminate in February
We have determined, upon the side of the mountain, on the
road from this to murderers creek just beyond the block house,
as the place from which the wood may be most easily obtained,
all things considered – The men will bring it to the
foot of the mountain, and from thence it will be transported
by trains, if they can be procured. As this necessary business
is very arduous, I think no other [strike-out] stimulation
to its performance, in our power to offer, will be equal to
[2] an anticipated discharge – And this I hope will
be confirmed by your Excellencys opinion
We shall place one of the massachusetts regiments in the
huts built last winter by Colonel Swifts regiment The others,
we hope to be able, after the wood party shall be discharged,
to put in the barracks and <?> posts.
I have permitted Colonel Crane, and Lt Colonel Huntington
to retire upon the same principles as those officers who retur’d
last June. It was so evident from the state of the Corps these
Gentlemen were in that the service could not be insured, [struck:
That] I did not hestitate to gratify them. It is probable
that other officers, similarly circumstanced, may wish to
retire, particularly in the connecticut regiment the most
of whom [struck: who] will be discharged soon, in which case,
I shall [struck: considering] consider it, conforming to your
views and those of Congress to suffer them to go.
I enclose the weekly return of the troops. And I also enclose
[struck: an abstract] a return of clothing wanted, according
to the returns made to me. The men are now in a wretched situation,
for want of warm under clothes having only the remnants of
the thin overalls and waiscoats purchased by themselves last
Spring. The rapid [3] advance of the winter season, will not
only extremely injure their healths, but render them entirely
unfit for duty, except they [struck: are] [inserted: shall
be] better clad. Your Excellency must be so impressed with
the necessity of this matter, that I need only mention it,
to be certain of an immediate operation of your influence
to obtain a supply.
I have the honor to be with
great respect
Your Excellencys
Most obedient Servant
H Knox
His Excellency Genl Washington
[docket]
To his Excellency Genl Washington
15 October 1783 –
Notes: General Washington’s name appears at bottom of
page 1 of original document but placed at bottom of transcription
for convention.
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