Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where about 1200 men were stationed by the British, and the late night march to Princeton. Admits we did not take them by surprise as at Trenton, because the British soldiers were already marching when the Continentals encountered them, whereas in Trenton they had been totally out of order. But still thinks the enemy were as much asstonish'd as if An Army had drop'd perpendicularly upon them, because the British thought the Americans were still coop'd up in Trenton. Describes the initial American victory, largely involving bayonets, in which the British lost nearly 800 men. Lists the American officers lost in the fight. The Americans then decide to pull out of Princeton to stay ahead of the main British forces which are advancing. Washington had hoped to move on to New Brunswick and strike again, but the men were too tired. If they had had 1,000 fresh men they could have moved on to New Brunswick and struck one of the most Brilliant strokes in all History. Knox writes that instead the Americans would have to settle for the fact that they drove the British away from Philadelphia and almost out of West Jersey. Mentions a few other minor skirmishes, and feels the Americans are doing well. Paraphrasing Shakespeare's Julius Caesar he says There is a tide in the affairs of men which if taken at the ford leads on to victory. Thanks God for what he sees as a positive turning of the tide and hopes this same feeling will so prevail on the hearts of the people as to induce them to be a people chosen of Heaven...never to dispair of the Commonwealth. Feels that New England and her hardy sons have a key role to play in this struggle. Despite his happiness Knox knows that the State of War is uncertain. Victorious to day defeated tomorrow. States that the Americans shall try to make another stroke or two upon them. Closes by expressing his love for her and his desire to see her.

Longs to be with her, and hopes that he will have a chance at the end of winter. The men are fighting on past their enlistment dates and have high spirits but want Rum and clothing. Informs her that he has been made Brigadier General over all artillery, which was unsolicited on my part, tho' I cannot say unexpected. Says that people are too lavish in their praise of him, and that he possesses nothing more than industry and love of country. War my Lucy is not a humane trade, and says the attack on Trenton damaged the residents there. Dated 1776, but written 1777.

Knox writes, the shortness of your two last letters were not very agreable [sic] to me... Discusses the Battle of Ticonderoga (2-6 July 1777): We have received... news of the evacuation of Ticonderoga pregnant in my opinion with the most disagreable [sic] consequences of any thing during the War... Mentions Generals John Burgoyne (British), Arthur St. Clair (American), and Philip Schuyler (American). Refers to a wagon of supplies Lucy sent to him. Wishes his brother William would not join the Army, but would instead remain in Boston, serving as a disinterested friend and protector for Lucy. Expects General William Howe to combine forces with Burgoyne at an unspecified point along the North River (the Hudson). Mentions that Mrs. Greene (Catherine Littlefield Greene, wife of General Nathanael Greene) arrived several days before. Discusses a letter he sent to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, inquiring if Congress intended to appoint Phillippe du Coudray in command of the Continental Artillery. Reports that Congress resolved that Knox's letter was an infringement on the Liberties of the people.

Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for the transport. Describes his travels. Comments favorably of the city of New York in comparison to Boston, but criticizes the people's pride, conceit, profaneness, and Toryism. Mentions the low population and poverty of the area between New York City and Albany. Favorably assesses Albany, New York and speculates that, because of its access to the western territories, it will one day be if not the Capital yet nearly to it of America. Criticizes treatment of American prisoners of war by the British, citing Richard Prescott's abuse of Ethan Allen. Prescott was captured by the Americans on 17 November 1775, and Knox remarks that he and other prisoners were being sent from Albany to Pennsylvania. Comments on letters between generals George Washington and William Howe in which Washington vows to treat Prescott as Allen was treated. Comments on his impression of the British prisoners.

Written from Artillery Park Camp, 25 miles from Philadelphia. Notes that he would have written more details earlier, but the success of the enterprise depended upon secrecy.... Gives an account of the Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777), in which a fog which was but moderate at first became so thick from the Continental firing of cannon... that it absolutely became impossible to see... Despite the conditions, reports, Our troops are in prodigious spirits at being able to drive nearly the whole collective force of the enemy so far- Relates that his brother, William Knox, behaved with Spirit. Also notes that General [Francis] Nash was injured by a cannon (Nash died from this wound). Forwarded from Hartford, Connecticut 18 October 1777 by Jonathan Trumbull and signed by Trumbull.

Written near Morristown, New Jersey. Laments his absence from Lucy. Writes ...had it not been for this cursed war I should have been one of the happi[est] of the human race as it is I am bound by every principle of honor and moral attachment to stand by the Country while I can do it any service- the instant I am convinc'd that I cannot I will retire from public to private life... Assures her that his absence is not due to lack of love. Addresses her concerns for future financial stability. Discusses business matters, mentioning his friend Harry (Henry Jackson). Urges her to agree to sell their phaeton. Mentions the loss of Ty [Ticonderoga] and General Arthur St. Clair, a reference to St. Clair's recent retreat in the Battle of Ticonderoga. Speculates whether British General William Howe sails for Philadelphia or Boston. Mentions a letter from Howe to General John Burgoyne that was recently intercepted by Continental forces. Howe informed Burgoyne that the expedition up the North River (the Hudson) has been abandoned in favor of a British operation against Boston. Knox notes, this letter was designed to fall in our hands in order to deceive- we suppose he will be at Philadelphia near as soon as we-