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TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.05.014
Henry Knox. Letter: [s.l], to George Washington, 1779 October
02. 4 p.
Reconnoitre of Stony & Verplancks points 1779
In obedience to your Excellency’s directions to us the
subscribers we in Company with Brig Genl Wayne reconnoitred
the Enemy’s posts at [strike-out] [inserted: at] Stony
and Verplanks points. We first took a general view [inserted:
of the two places] from the Donderbergh. after which we took
a more close view of Stony point on the north side from a
piece of Ground which we estimated at about 800 yards distance.
it [struck: might] may be more or less as we have not instruments
to measure it. We then viewed the Works on the West side from
the base Hill at the distance perhaps from 14 to 1600 yards,
and from the low grounds on the south side.
The Grounds on the North and West Side appear to be the most
advantageous places for batteris, tho’ possibly other
spots may be found which might serve these same purpose in
an inferrior degree – [struck: That distance appears]
But the distance from the nearest place which is to the North
appears to be such that the making a breach with cannons would
be a very uncertain [struck: and] event but the palasades
and Jersies could be destroy’d by cannon and the block
houses ruin’d [2] [struck: by] with the United effects
of shots and shells. For this purpose we think it would be
necessary to have 15 or 16 heavy Cannon and eight or ten mortars
and howitzers – An Estimate of the quantity of Ammunition
requisits for a ten days Siege and an account of the quantity
in this post and the neighborhood are subjoined – from
which view your Excellency will be able to judge of the quantity
that will remain for this post after such a consumption.
It may perhaps be unnecessary to mention That the Investiture
must be made with a force superior to what the Enemy can bring
to the releif of the place; That Works must be constructed
for the security of the troops and battaries; and that the
north leading from West & Stony point by Clements must
be made passable for the Artillery and Stores –
The Enemy have demolished a number of [inserted: their] Works
on Verplanks point and at present appear to retain only the
redoubt on La Fayette and another to the North of it with
some lines between [strike-out] It would not be very difficult
to erect batteries which [inserted: probably] would disposses
them of Verplanks point –
H Knox
[3] Westpoint [struck: 29th.] [inserted: 30th.] September
1779
His Excellency Genl Washington
[4] on all sides the Works appear to be so strong as to defy
a Coup de main. The parapets are high and appear to be strong,
are well framed in some instances with a double row. The Abbatis
are thin [inserted: and well made] in the main work which
is inclos’d there is a Citidel [strike-out] in which
there is a block house – besides which there are two
other block houses in the main Work and three outside of it
in detach’d Works immediately under the Command of the
main Work [inserted: there is only one entrance into the main
works which is on the south] – a sketch of the Works
as they appeared to me is herewith ammen’d –
[docket]
A paper respecting
West point 2 Octobr
1779 –
not presented –
Knox to Washington
No 4 –
Notes:
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