Later copy of GLC02437.01252. A detailed account of the siege of Yorktown. Affirms the correctness of Adams' ideas about a need to conduct a major attack against the British in the southern states. Announces the recent surrender of Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Explains the harmonious concurrence of circumstances that made the victory possible, mentioning the fleet from the West Indies commanded by Admiral Compte de Grasse, the American and French troops marching down from the Hudson River, and a fleet from Rhode Island under the command of Compte de Barras. Provides a chronological explanation of the Allied forces' actions against Yorktown between 27 September 1781 and 19 October 1781. Comments on the terms of surrender, ordnance confiscated, and strategic benefits of the victory. Also discusses the talent of General Nathanael Greene, the harmony between troops, the French fleet, the state of West Point, and the European trip his brother William Knox is taking.

A detailed account of the siege of Yorktown. Affirms the correctness of Adams' ideas about a need to conduct a major attack against the British in the southern states. Announces the recent surrender of Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Explains the harmonious concurrence of circumstances that made the victory possible, mentioning the fleet from the West Indies commanded by Admiral Comte de Grasse, the American and French troops marching down from the Hudson River, and a fleet from Rhode Island under the command of Compte de Barras. Provides a chronological explanation of the Allied forces' actions against Yorktown between 27 September 1781 and 19 October 1781. Comments on the terms of surrender, ordnance confiscated, and strategic benefits of the victory. Also discusses the talent of General Nathanael Greene, the harmony between troops, the French fleet, the state of West Point, and the European trip his brother William Knox is taking. Postscript is in Samuel Shaw's hand. GLC04237.01251 is a later copy of this letter.

Later copy of GLC02437.01253. Indicates that French ships are about to dispatch with official accounts of the Battle of Yorktown. Knox feels he should tell Jay what has occurred because an official account from Congress may not be immediately forthcoming. Although the British had less forces in America than in 1776 or 1777, the Continental Army was compelled to attack Yorktown or consider the southern states lost. The Comte de Grasse was of similar opinion, and plans to attack New York were abandoned in favor of a siege of Yorktown. A detailed, chronological explanation of the Allied forces' actions between 27 September 1781 and 19 October 1781 follows in the clerical copy. Knox's original indicates that the text should replicate that in a letter to John Adams (see GLC02437.01251 and GLC02437.01252). A postscript indicates that George Washington sent Jay authenticated copies of Lord Cornwallis' capitulation. GLC02437.01253 is the original copy of this letter and and this copy is a handwritten clerical copy made by Judge William Jay on 25 August 1856.

Indicates that French ships are about to dispatch with official accounts of the Battle of Yorktown. Knox feels he should tell Jay what has occurred because an official account from Congress may not be immediately forthcoming. Although the British had less forces in America than in 1776 or 1777, the Continental Army was compelled to attack Yorktown or consider the southern states lost. The Comte de Grasse was of similar opinion, and plans to attack New York were abandoned in favor of a siege of Yorktown. A detailed, chronological explanation of the Allied forces' actions between 27 September 1781 and 19 October 1781 follows in the clerical copy, Knox's original indicates that the text should replicate that in a letter to John Adams (see GLC02437.01251 and GLC02437.01252). A postscript indicates that George Washington sent Jay authenticated copies of Lord Cornwallis' capitulation. This copy of this letter is the original and GLC02437.01254 is a handwritten clerical copy made by Judge William Jay on 25 August 1856. Concluding paragraph, beginning This important affair, the closing salutation, Knox's signature, and the postscript are in Shaw's hand.

Responds to his wife's letter dated 29 September 1781 (GLC02437.01199). Discusses investing Yorktown and General Cornwallis' evacuation of his outer works the day before writing this letter. Discusses the Continental Army's prospects to impress our haughty foe with a respect for the combined arms, (of the American and French forces). Asks his wife to give his compliments to Martha Washington.

Indicates that he has received an inaccurate (imprecise) report of the (captured) cannons and mortars at the lines during the siege of Yorktown, which he blames on the confusion there. Thought the report would still be useful, knowing Colonel Tench Tilghman's destination. Has not yet received word of the artillery captured at Gloucester. Tilghman, an aide-de-camp and military secretary to Washington, was on his way to Philadelphia to announce the formal surrender of Lord Cornwallis, which happened that day. See GLC02437.01245 for a related item.

Later copy. Knox writes to Adams, the Massachusetts representative to Continental Congress. Mentions obtaining cannon cast from the furnace at Salisbury, Massachusetts. Discusses a failed attempt by Colonel Stewart, aide-de-camp to General [Horatio] Gates, to obtain cannon for Ticonderoga, New York. Notes that Congress disapproved of the cannon price, thus Ticonderoga remains without the cannon. Writes, I sincerely wish that the spirit of enterprise may animate our army; but you well know, my Dear Sir, during the winter past and the most part of the spring, we have had no army to be animated. The time may shortly arrive when I hope we shall receive your approbation in this way. Argues for the establishment of United States currency. Mentions the Bank of England and discusses the worth of paper money compared to specie.