He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the presidential medal of freedom, the nations highest civilian award. He was the seventh child of william and mary knox, who had 10 children in total. Henry knox henry knox 17501806 was a revolutionary war general, famed as the father of american army artillery. During this time, he formed the society of the cincinnati, a fraternal organization consisting of officers who had served in the war. By march, henry knox cannon would be manhandled to the top of dorchester heights, resulting in the british evacuation of boston and a peculiar massachusetts institution which exists to this day, known as evacuation day. To george washington from colonel henry knox, 5 january 1776. Having read both this book and pulss biography of sam adams, i found this. Lucy knox had inherited the land through her mother, the daughter of brigadier general samuel waldo. Major general henry knox s formidable artillery regiment continued to exhibit.
A man who saw things other didnt and strived to make it better any way he could. But in fact, it was a grim and troubling time for those americans that fought. It is not easy to conceive the difficulties we have had. Having an interest in the military, knox sold many books on military history and military tactics. Jun 14, 2019 knox s guns played a key role in the siege that ensued. Jun 26, 2005 david mccullough shows how washington won the war of independence by default in 1776 neal ascherson sun 26 jun 2005 09. A key figure in the american revolution, henry knox was born in boston on july 25, 1750. Knox, henry 17501806 book of accounts regiment of artillery commanded by colo.
Book of accounts regiment of artillery commanded by colo. In exchange for tuition, gale requires his students to. Knox college timeline perspectives on knox history knox. In the spring of 1826, in whitesboro, new york, the notable reverend george washington gale experiments with schooling groups of young men who were eager for an education, but unable to pay for the tuition. Highresolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to american history, 14931943.
Following the victory, knox was promoted to major general and assigned to command american forces at west point. Though he quotes primary sources liberally, occasionally to the point of absurdity for example, a passage from pages 115116 reads. Page 3 in congress, july 4, 1776 the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of natures god entitle them, a decent. Letter from general henry knox to his wife, lucy knox. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the american revolution and founding era. In november 1775 he was commissioned colonial of artillery. He retrieved captured cannon from fort ticonderoga he oversaw an artillery. Henry knox 17501806, was an american revolutionary general and president washingtons first secretary of war.
Knox remained at washingtons side and supervised the 1776 christmas day. A man who lived during a very important time of american history and made history himself. Mar 18, 20 childbirth without fear is one of the first books about natural childbirth published after painkillers were available. Knoxs advocacy of a plan to deal fairly with indian nations during his term in washingtons cabinet has been eloquently presented in founding. Henry knox and his artillery were to move as speedily as possible by the directest road thither. Henry knox archives journal of the american revolution. Discover the story of henry knoxs noble train of artillery at fort ticonderogas upcoming living history event, saturday, december 6, from 10 am 4 pm. This volume contains a list of daily transactions and expenditures from henry knoxs london bookstore in boston.
Gershom foster of the continental artillery regiment commanded by col. The next morning, british general howe faced 59 cannon aimed towards. I did myself the honor to address your excellncy from fort george on the 17 ult. But his fascination with warfare and strategy and his support of the patriot cause prepared him to do what no one else thought was possible. During the 1776 siege of boston he had a brilliant idea that manifested into the perilous journey of his noble train of artillery. Henry knox july 25, 1750 october 25, 1806 was an american bookseller from boston who became the chief artillery officer of the continental army and later the nations first secretary of war.
Selfmade man, patriot and entrepreneur from the general henry knox museum a short biography of the man from a museum dedicated to him in thomaston, maine. Born and raised in boston, massachusetts, he owned and operated a bookstore there, cultivating an interest in military history and joining. When his father died, henry had to leave school and take up odd jobs from an early age to support his widowed mother. While revolving mostly around the leadership and often indecisiveness of george. Henry knox, bookseller, soldier, patriot is a great story of a great man. The work is a companion to mcculloughs earlier biography of john adams, and focuses on the events surrounding the start of the american revolution. Henry knox book company abebooks torrington, ct, u. Formerly a boston bookseller and selfeducated in military science, knox rose from the civilian book trade to become the youngest american major general in. Knox joined the american colonial army in 1775 and participated in many military engagements. Available on the henry knox bookseller papers microfilm, p467, 1 reel. Jul 04, 2006 this books focuses on 1776 which the mccullough tries to argue is a pivotal year in the american revolution. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription.
Nineyearold henry knox entered the boston bookstore, leaving his childhood behind. Henry knox was born in boston, massachusetts, on 25 july 1750. Vauban was considered the foremost authority on fortifications. Collections online henry knox diary, 20 november 1775 january 1776 view.
He was a trusted adviser, and a lifelong friend, of george washington. He went on to command the yorktown artillery in 1781. In the weedon orderly book under january 3, 1778 at valley forge there is. In the hands of mark puls, knox and his beloved wife lucy come to life in a way that reminds us of the debt we owe the men and women of the founding generation. The boy, blond and tall for his age, could see shelves of books and boxes of fine stationery adorned with floral designs imported from london, along with writing materials, inkwells, quills, pamphlets, and writing paper neatly laid out for customers. Aug 23, 20 knoxs advocacy of a plan to deal fairly with indian nations during his term in washingtons cabinet has been eloquently presented in founding brothers by joseph ellis. In 1776 david mccullough captures the importance of that years quintessential struggle for our country. First secretary of war henry knox had no formal training or experience in war, but he had fighting in his blood and loved learning about artillery. To deaden the sound, knox had the wagon wheels wrapped in straw. A bostonian by birth, knox joins the american side in 1775 and quickly becomes impressed with george washingtons charisma and capable leadership.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. General henry knox retired from president washingtons cabinet and departed philadelphia on june 1, 1795. Henry knox july 25, 1750 october 25, 1806 was a military officer of the continental army and later the united states army, who also served as the first united states secretary of war from 1789 to 1794 born and raised in boston, massachusetts, he owned and operated a bookstore there, cultivating an interest in military history and joining a local artillery company. Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of john adams, david mcculloughs 1776 is another landmark in the literature of american history. By focusing on this single year, as opposed to the entire war, mccullough is able to dissect more minutely the individual battles, turning points, specific leaders, and the result is one of the most humanistic depictions of george washington ive ever read. A hearty eater, dapper dresser, bookseller to loyalists and patriots alike,and married into a staunch loyalist family, henry knox may seem an unlikely hero. He was a trusted adviser, and a lifelong friend, of george washington quotes. Henry knox, a selftaught artillery commander, was one of the the revolutions great figures, and this book explains why we should know more about him. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. He was born in boston to irish immigrant parents, the seventh of 10 children. To george washington from colonel henry knox, 17 december 1775. Knox to george washington on the difficulties of taking to. This survey of knox college history was prepared by grant forssberg 09 for a special research project on college history 1826.
Originally from boston, massachusetts, he was appointed chief. Henry knox united states army center of military history. Henry knox was an energetic, 300pound, selftaught soldier who became the chief artillery officer of the continental army and a close confidant of george washington. Henry knox july 25, 1750 october 25, 1806 was a military officer of the continental army and later the united states army, who also served as the first united states secretary of war from 1789 to 1794.
Knox rose from the civilian book trade to become the youngest american major general in the continental army. Henry knoxs train of artillery in the winter of 1775 1776 is tom lovells painting the noble train of artillery. General henry knox daughters of the american revolution. Knox college timeline perspectives on knox history. Major general henry knox in the american revolution.
His other acclaimed books include the johnstown flood, the great bridge, brave companions, 1776, the greater journey, the american spirit, and the wright brothers. Knox gains washingtons respect by recovering important british artillery from the abandoned fort ticonderoga. Our work has been featured by the new york times, time magazine, history channel, discovery channel, smithsonian, mental floss, npr, and more. The book s subtitle, visionary general, refers among other things to knox s work to found a military academy well ahead of the establishment of west point and, after the war, his draft for a new constitution which mirrored in remarkable fashion the document which came later. It haild with great violence the troops marchd with the most profound silence and good order. Childbirth without fear is one of the first books about natural childbirth published after painkillers were available. May 24, 2005 but it is the american commanderinchief who stands foremost washington, who had never before led an army in battle. The event will feature a lively program highlighting henry knoxs arrival to fort ticonderoga and recreate part of the epic feat that ultimately forced the british evacuation from boston on march 17, 1776.
The then youngest major general in the american army retired to become secretary at war and to lay the basis for a visionary citizen army. Americas beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nations birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the atlantic, the actions and decisions that led great britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed americas survival in the hands of george. Forced by family circumstances to leave school at age nine, knox worked in a boston bookstore and by age 21 had acquired his own store. During the early 1770s, knox was a strong supporter of the growing patriot movement. Check out these 15 books about the american revolution.
Menno, baron van coehoorn, called the dutch vauban hoefer, nouv. Knox remained at washingtons side and supervised the 1776 christmas day crossing of the delaware. When henry was only 9 years old, his merchant captain father passed away after experiencing financial ruin. It must have been a sight when that noble train of artillery entered cambridge on this day in 1776. David mccullough shows how washington won the war of independence by default in 1776 neal ascherson sun 26 jun 2005 09. Henry knox in the balance from the blog boston 1775 this article critiques the tendency to assume that henry knox was always an ardent patriot or whig. What accomplishment did knox pull off in late 1775early 1776 that established him as a major part of washingtons army. Allan maclean 17251798, a scots highlander who served as a british officer during the french and indian war after being pardoned for fighting against the british at the battle of culloden in 1746, raised a regiment of royal highland emigrants in the summer of 1775 and subsequently played a prominent role in the defense of quebec. Oct 28, 2009 henry knox 17501806, was an american revolutionary general and president washingtons first secretary of war. A ballad paperback september 18, 2017 by mary ames mitchell author, illustrator visit amazons mary ames mitchell page. Washington 1786 i hope you will not consider yourself as commander in chief of your own house, but be convinced that there is such a thing as equal command lucy knox, august 1777. General henry knox 17501806, us secretary of state for war from 1789 to 1794 played a key role in the american revolutionary war. Henry knox 17501806 was born in boston, the seventh of ten children by. Henry knox simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In march 1776, washington seized dorchester heights the key to boston and knox. Key revolutionary war battles detailed in the book include the battle of dorchester heights, the battle of. He is at his best in describing the character of george washington and the other military leaders, both american and british, and the difficulties of cobbling together a ragtag army of americans but most of the book is relating one battle after another, which i found boring. In november of 1775, newlyappointed general george washington requested that knox bring in his 59 cannons from fort ticonderoga in new york and place them on the dorchester heights overlooking boston. In 1783, with the help of the french military, washingtons army will go on to defeat the british forces, ending the war and winning independence for america. Henry knox was born in 1750 to william knox and mary campbell knox. Letter from general henry knox to his wife, lucy knox, december 28, 1776. Grantly read wrote the book in 1944, so i can january 24, 20 march 12, 20 ctbookbarn blog. David mccullough has twice received the pulitzer prize, for truman and john adams, and twice received the national book award, for the path between the seas and mornings on horseback. He had to leave school at an early age to support his mother, who had been deserted by his father. Henry knox, american general in the american revolution 177583 and first secretary of war under the u. This volume contains a list of daily transactions and expenditures from henry knox s london bookstore in boston.
Henry knox is one of the key commanders on the american side of the revolutionary war. May 24, 2005 americas beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nations birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the atlantic, the actions and decisions that led great britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed americas survival in the hands of. Henry knox claims the artillery from fort ticonderoga, 1775 1776. This put him in a position to become a colonel in charge of artillery for the continental army and go on to become a brigadier general. Massachusetts historical society, collections online.
This letter is describing general washingtons victory at trenton. Henry knox 17501806 was a military leader for the americans during the american revolutionary war. Later, knox became secretary of war under president washington. Knox and his family settled at his familys estate, montpelier, at thomaston, maine in 1796. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Henry knox was born in boston to william knox and mary campbell knox in 1750.
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