The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions.
More information can be found via
www.amdigital.co.uk
| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
|
GLC02437.00478
|
| From Archive Folder
|
The Henry Knox Papers [0015] September-December 1776
|
| Title
|
Henry Knox to William Knox explaining retreat at White Plains and future plans
|
| Date
|
1 November 1776
|
| Author
|
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
|
| Recipient
|
Knox, William
|
| Document Type
|
Correspondence
|
| Content Description
|
Mentions problems with the post. Explains why the Continental Army had retreated in the Battle of White Plains (28 October 1776). Notes that military intelligence gathered from British prisoners and deserters suggests the British are planning to attempt a decisive attack. The Continental Army will try to avoid any general battle in which they lack "most advantageous terms."
|
| Subjects
|
Prisoner of War Battle of White Plains Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Post Office Continental Army Battle Global History and Civics Desertion
|
| People
|
Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Knox, William (1756-1795)
|
| Place written
|
White Plains, 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 Near White Plains 37 Miles from New York Novr 1 1776 Dear Brother There is what they call a flying post, but it [struck: flys] flies so fast I can never catch it. I lodg'd some days ago in the hands of the post master a Letter to my friend Harry giving the reasons of our retiring to the White plains - last monday the enemy with nearly their whole force advanced upon the Hills above us, and soon after ten oClock in the morning with a large pact of their army began a most ferocious attack on a Hill on our right where we had about 1000 posted under Genl McDougal which they carried with considerable Loss - our Loss was not very considerable Our men had no works & were not timely reinforcd [illegible] to the distance they were from the main body, the enemy having possession of this Hill obligd us to abandon some slight lines thrown up on White plains, this we did this morning & retir'd to some Hills about ½ mile in the rear of the plain. - The enemy are determind on something decisive & we are determind to risque a General Battle only on the most advantageous terms - we are manoevrg In which I think [2] they are some what our superiors - we have had intelligence from Deserters & prisoners of which we have considerable numbers that they intended to make a General attack this morning however it is now nine oClock & we hear nothing of it only a little Cannonading - give my Love to Harry - I recd your Letters from Octr 10 to 16 - for which I'm Obligd to you - my duty prevents my answering them - I wish you & Harry to write by the return of Mr Crafts who is a private post pay him well for this & it will be an Inducement for him to call upon you Adieu my dear brother HKnox [address leaf] Mr William Knox the State House Boston Mr Crafts [docket] Letter from Mr H Knox 1.st November 1776.
|
