Longs to see her and expects to the following week. Expresses esteem for generals George Washington and Charles Lee. Of Washington, he writes: General Washington fills his place with vast ease and dignity & dispenses happiness all around him. Of Lee: Genl Lee will become very popular soon. Reports that he is going to visit Washington this evening.

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

Describes meeting generals George Washington and Charles Lee, who begged him to return to Roxbury and expressed great pleasure in the fortifications Knox had supervised the construction of. Tells a story about how General Lee tried to get a letter to General John Burgoyne during the battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775), to ask him to use his influence and endeavor to Heal this unnatural break. Criticizes and offers corrections to a widely published account of Bunker Hill by British General Thomas Gage that claimed only 170 redcoats were killed. The Revolutionary War began at the battle of Bunker Hill a few weeks earlier. Lucy was in Worcester, Massachusetts, away from the danger in Boston.

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his oppressed Country an essential service. Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of Browns House on Boston neck. Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in the Boston area on 3 July, for bringing order to the army. Asks Lucy to keep her spirits up.

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the regulars making a fine prize of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of cattle on Fishers Island, off Connecticut. Thinks he will see her Monday. The American Army got into a skirmish with British forces nearby at Plumb Island the day after this letter was written, the first reported clash between regulars in the Continental Army and the redcoats. Letter is dated Thursday morning 9 August 1775 but Thursday was actually 10 August 1775.

Indicates that he found an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot, for Lucy (see Lucy's request for one in GLC02437.00383) and has purchased three years of his labor. Mentions that Captain Sebastian Bauman's family have gone into the Jersies and asks why she inquired about them. Comments on Lucy's loyalist family. Tells the story of a formal visit of adjutant general of General William Howe's army in which he attempted to deliver a letter addressed to George Washington Esqr. The envoy failed for the same reason as an earlier attempt to deliver a letter to negotiate a truce: because it refused to expressly acknowledge George Washington as a general (see GLC02437.00375 and GLC02437.00378). The messenger also claimed that he came with powers to pardon and it was retorted that he came to the wrong place because the Americans had not offended. Knox praises how Washington dealt with the situation and remarks that Colonel Israel Putnam was awe struck by it. Relays news of General Charles Lee's recent victory over the British at Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina. Discusses the possibility of Lucy and their baby daughter going to Boston to contract the weak strain of smallpox circulating there in order to be inoculated, as was suggested by William Knox (see GLC02437.00382).