George Washington to Henry Knox appointing Knox as commander of West Point - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.09376
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0045] August 1782
Title	George Washington to Henry Knox appointing Knox as commander of West Point
Date	29 August 1782
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Appointing Knox in command of West Point "and its Dependencies." Notes matters requiring specific attention, including "visit the Redoubts frequently" and keep them furnished with supplies, call the rolls often. Also requests that Knox deal with the erection of new buildings and a shortage of tents. Also notes of Knox "I have so thorough a confidence in you and so well am I acquainted with your ability and activity, that I think it needless to point out to you the great outlines of your duty." Written at "Head Quarters," likely from New York or New Jersey.
Subjects	President Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Fortification West Point (US Military Academy) Military Supplies Military Camp Building Construction
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Theme	The American Revolution; The Presidency
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF To Major General Knox. Sir You are hereby appointed to the command of West point and its Dependencies - But as the Army will lay for some time upon Verplanks point, you will consider yourself as releived, 'till further orders, from the care of attending to that post - Stoney Point and Dobb's Ferry, which are part of the dependencies - except so far as relates to their being constantly supplied with the proper quantity of Ordnance Stores - I have so thorough a confidence in you and so well am I acquainted with your ability and activity, that I think it needless to point out to you the great outlines of your duty - I recommend the following matters to your attention. To visit the Redoubts frequently - see that they are kept in proper order - that the Garrisons allotted to them are alert - and [2] and that they make it an invariable Rule to sleep within the Works. They should each be furnished constantly with ten days Wood and Water, and if the Contractors keep up such a Magazine of Salt provision upon the Point as they ought to do by Contract, the detached Works should be provided with ten days provision also - The Rolls to be frequently called - No Officer to be absent without your leave, and no non Commissioned Officer or soldier without the leave of a Field Officer: The Quarter Master having reported a scarcity of Tents, you will be pleased to remove the 10th: Massachusetts Regt. into the Barracks, that their tents may be delivered up - No Buildings either public or private to be erected without your knowledge, and when applications are made to you for that purpose, you will, if the applications are admitted, direct the commanding Engineer [3] Engineer to point out the situations, that they may not interfere with the defences of the place - The public Buildings now carrying on, and the alterations and repairs of the Works will engage your particular attention. You know the necessity of bringing them to a certain state before the Frost sets in.} Given at Head Quarters at Newburg the 29:t of August 1782 - Go: Washington [docket] Instructions to Majr. Genl: Knox.

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