Henry Knox to Lucy Knox about the Battle of Long Island - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.00429
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0014] July-August 1776
Title	Henry Knox to Lucy Knox about the Battle of Long Island
Date	28 August 1776
Author	Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Recipient	Knox, Lucy Flucker
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.
Subjects	Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights) Marriage Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Artillery Global History and Civics Battle
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Knox, Lucy Flucker (1756-1824)
Place written	New York, New York
Theme	The American Revolution; Women in American History
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF New York Augt 28 1776 9 oClock eveg - My dearest Lucy The post is not come in so I shall not have the happiness to answer any Letter which I may receive from you - my time is so precarious That I must embrace every opportunity, my Lucy has heard the account of the Action of yesterday, and that I dare say in a way which has alarm'd her. About two o Clock in the morning the enemy attack'd the woods in front of our works on long Island where our Riflemen lay - they attack'd with a chosen part of the Hessians and all the light Infantry and Grenadiers of the army, and after about 6 or 7 hours smart skirmishing our people fell back in front of our works The enemy lost nearly 1000 kill'd among whom was General Grant and Capt Neilson of the 52d. we lost about the same number killd wounded & taken prisoners, among whom is General Sullivan & Lord Stirling - General Parsons was missing untill this morning when he return'd - I wish Lord Stirling and Genl Sullivan might return too But I fear they will not - I met with Some loss in my Regiment, they behav'd like heroes and are gone [2] to Glory - I was not on the Island myself being obligd to wait on my Lord Howe and the navy Gentry who threatn'd to pay us a visit - our works on the Island are Strong and our forces numerous so I think with the blessing of heaven that whenever [text loss] chuse to make the appeal we shall be able to give a good account of them - we took a Lt Ragg whom I knew at Boston and 25 Grenadiers of the marines, some light Horsemen, [inserted: & some] of the 52d Rg & some Deserters - my friend little Barry of the 52d had the picket last night, we took one of his party I wish it had been him he should have been well us'd It is not certain what is become of General Sullivan and Lord Stirling but it is suppos'd they are kill'd I have my dearest friend in grateful remembrance your kind Letter of last Thursday, and dare say I shall receive no small additional happiness from the perusal of yours of tomorrow - dear Girl how much I love you, War will bring peace and bye & bye we will live together enjoying the felicity & happiness of each others society 'till time [text loss] Walk us to immortal happiness, kiss my babe for me - & Beleive me to possess a sincere affection for you as it is possible for a mortal to do HKnox

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