Henry Knox to Lucy Knox declaring how much he misses her and war news - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.00648
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0018] September-December 1777
Title	Henry Knox to Lucy Knox declaring how much he misses her and war news
Date	13 September 1777
Author	Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Recipient	Knox, Lucy Flucker
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Written at "Camp near Schuylkill." Opens with various declarations of how he misses her, including "War nor none of its concomitant Horrors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind..." Reports of a recent engagement with the enemy, the Battle of Brandywine (11 September 1777), declaring "...we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy... if they advance we shall fight them again before they get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious- my corps did me great honor they behav'd like men..." Encloses an account (not present) he sent to the President of an unspecified council. Docketed on page one.
Subjects	Battle of Brandywine (Brandywine Creek) Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Love Letters Marriage Battle Death Global History and Civics Bravery Artillery President
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Knox, Lucy Flucker (1756-1824)
Place written	Schuylkill, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Women in American History; Foreign Affairs; Children & Family
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	While Knox does not mention the Battle of Brandywine by name, it occurred just prior to the writing of Knox's letter, and he is writing from Schuylkill, in Pennsylvania, near the scene of the battle. Other campaigns, such as the Saratoga campaign in upstate New York, were being waged at the same time.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF Camp near Schuylkill 13 Septr 1777 My dearest Life most willingly would your Harry releive all Your cares and anxiety on this and on every other account, chearfully would he take them on his own shoulders for the sake You whom he loves more than Life. I received your kind Letter I beleive by Mr Livingston altho deliver'd to me by another hand - the irregularity of the posts [strikeout] has prevented my writing in proper time to you. But my heart did not omit communicating with yours. I [struck: frequently] [inserted: always] console myself with the conversation of my Love - War nor none of its concomitant Honors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind for a moment. My dear Girl will be pleas'd to hear of her Harrys safety - Yes my Love - heaven who is our guide has protected him in the day of Battle - you will hear with this letter of the most severe action that has been fought this war between our army and the enemy [2] our people behav'd well but Heaven frown'd on us in a degree - we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy - they dar'd not pursue a single step - if they advance we shall fight them again before they Get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious - My corps did me great honor they behav'd like men - contending for everything thats valuable - except my writing You a long letter - inclos'd you have the account which I have sent to the president of the Council - I shall have the [happiness] to be with you in two months most certainly - I regret it to be so long but its impossible to quit. I am with the utmost attachment that the human heart is capable of Yours most Affectionately H Knox [strikeout]

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