TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.14.050
Henry Knox. Autograph draft fragment: West Point, to George Washington, 1783 September 10. 3 p. + doc.

West point 10 Septr 1783

[inserted – different hand: To W]

Sir

I have the honor to enclose the weekly returns of the troops. [struck: Since my las] on the 7th [inserted: instant] the remainder of the 3 Massachusetts regiment arrived from the Southward in a pretty healthy State, having lost but few upon the road.

The troops having been uncommonly sickly for this place and [strike-out] a malignant puln’d fever being among ther disorders, I have [struck: directed] fixed upon the barrack at Constitution Island as an hospital, and to remove [inserted: entirely] the hospital from New Windsor [struck: entirely]. There being a number of patients in that hospital, who labour under such [struck: disorders that] [inserted: complaints] as to afford no prospect, of any duty from them, I have upon the recommendation of Doctor Guslis discharged those who had about six months to serve, and furloughed those who had a longer term. [struck: <?> one of eleven months who was <?>]

[struck: There has]

It being decided by the Minister of War that he could have no artificrs to erect new magazines, it remains only to make the best arrangements with the old ones. We therofre are levelling the south curtain of the exterior fort clinton which covers the magazine, and shall build up a dry Stone wall and point it [inserted: with mortar] outside. Windows or openings will be <?> upon <?> of security to admit a circulating air, by which we hope to expel the damp air [struck: which] [inserted: that] has always remained in it for want of [struck: openings] [inserted: openings] opposite to each other

[2] We have had cold unpleasant weather since [struck: we have enter] commencement of the present month, which has [inserted: greatly affected] the troops [struck: we are] [inserted: as they] have only [struck: the [inserted: remains] <?>] the remains of the thin under cloaths which they purchased in the Spring. [struck: <?> greatly affected them] – If there should be a [struck: proposed] probability of the men being detained [strike-out] untill the first of November [strike-out] it would be absolutely necessary that some woolen waistcoats [inserted: generally] should be furnished them [struck: if possible <?>] if in store or possible to be obtained. The officers in general are exceedingly anxious, to have some final arrangements made. They see [struck: before them] an uncheary winter advancing fast upon them, without having the power [inserted: in their present situation] of making [struck: an] adequate preparations against its inclemencies. If they should be held untill the winter arrives and then be discharged, their misery would be extreme. They can have little hope [inserted: of assistance] from those who ought [struck: to be supportd] to be their friends. [struck: Because] It is [struck: manifest] [inserted: apparent], from the souls, <?> Spirits manifested by many parts of Connecticut, that their hands are outstretched against [struck: the officers] [inserted: [struck: their] officers] [struck: I mention these things not to]

[struck: Your Excellency from the <?> – Your Excellency from your information can judge, when the enemy will leave New York]

I mention these matters not with a view to accellerate, arrangements which must [inserted: in some measure] depend upon the [struck: British] [inserted: Britons] evacuating New York, but merely [inserted: to their:] the anxiety of the officers to be liberated from a service that <?> them no object

[3] The ordnance [inserted: &] stores in the posts upon the Mohawk River, although not very numerous are of some value. The [inserted: service of a] company of artillery which was stationed there, expired with the rest of the Army, and there are there now only an officer of artillery and three or four men. I have not furnished others in their place since an expectation that some final arrangements would take place, but as this [struck: has] is not the case, I have to request your Excellencys directions whether I shall send to those posts an officer and fifteen or [struck: eighteen] [inserted: twenty] artillery men.

I am apprehensive that the preparations which have been made at this post to celebrate peace have been made in vain. [struck: The advanced] [inserted: a little further advance of the] season will render our houses, [struck: might <?>] uncomfortable places of festivity. The fire works indeed [struck: may] [inserted: might] with expert care, and a good Vessell be transported upon the river by water, but they cannot admit of land transportations

[docket]
To His Excellency General
Washington 10th. Sept 1783.

Notes: