Says he has received orders from the Council of this State to march my Independent Company Immediately to Providence. Rhode Island needs these men for defense until 2,000 militiamen can be raised, and Jackson worries that without him his men would not have gone. Also worries what will happen to his continental regiment while he is away, and hopes the general will not disapprove of his actions.

Replies to a letter from Henry from 21 June, in which Knox discussed British movement in detail. Agrees with Knox, that the British in the New York/New Jersey area will form a junction with the Northern [sic] Army. Worries that General George Washington had misleading information, believing William Howe intended to march to Philadelphia (Howe did not march to Philadelphia; refer to Knox's letter to Jackson from 21 June). Expresses misgivings regarding the loyalty of Native Americans near Fort Ticonderoga: These devils will let their Friendship be what it may- will always take up the hatchet on the strongest side. Declares that if Howe captures Philadelphia, Albany, and Ticonderoga, it may help the Continental cause: it would Brake up all our dam'd money makers, who are making their Fortunes on the ruin of their Country. Complains of the poor pay for soldiers and officers in the Continental Army. Discusses his regiment. Gives details of an Independence Day celebration held the previous Friday. Reports that a maritime prize landed in Marblehead [Massachusetts] with Jamaican Rum.

Received Knox's letter via Captain Shaw, and was pleased by Knox's good spirits. Hopes to defeat the British, but worries about the lack of manpower, hearing that Washington only has 4,000 men. If this is the case you must expect a whipping very soon. Hears that there are only 1,200 men and no field officers at Fort Ticonderoga, that Indian skirmishes there have cost many American lives, and that Colonel Baldwin the Engineer was taken prisoner. Unless action is taken he fears this most important post on the Continent may be lost. Colonel Crane lost his struggle to be permitted to use the town bounty in recruiting men. Without the bounty he will lose fine men he could otherwise recruit. Nothing has been done about raising their three battalions, and the legislature says nothing will be done until fifteen other battalions are raised first. Thinks this point will never come, and wishes Washington would order these battalions raised quickly. Worries his young officers will leave if the situation remains stagnant. Has a number of boys learning the drum and fife, but nothing for them to do.

Expresses surprise that the Continental Army has no knowledge of British General William Howe's location. Thinks it's possible, but unlikely, Howe intends to sail for Boston. Comments on the Battle of Bennington and the performance of General John Stark: Genl Starks Action I think view'g every circumstance stands first in the American War... before this the Enemy were Ravage'g, butcherg and Scalp'g all before them, not a prisoner fell in there Land but was Tomhawk't to Death- now all is quiet with them & we hear nothing of their Scalp'g & c. Relates that [Burgoyne] has possibly retracted back to Ticonderoga, and ponders why Howe would leave Burgoyne isolated. Reports that a naval prize bound for New York from Liverpool, England, was taken at Boston 3 September, and papers on board suggest the British look upon the affair to be up with us. Saw in one London paper a paragraph he had written to Knox the previous March in a letter. Asks Knox to speak to the General (George Washington) regarding his officers' commissions. Reports that he has not recruited many men recently, and his regiment consists of 160 men. Asks Henry to give his regards to Bill, Henry's brother William Knox.

Lengthy letter written at Camp Middlebrook. Replies to an earlier request from Colonel Jackson to enlist Hessians from a captured British ship: I have not mentioned to the General your request to be permitted to enlist some of [the Hessians], it is so repugnant to the good of the service and your own reputation... Discusses General William Howe's recent movements, and General John Sullivan's Continental force in Princeton, New Jersey. Is confused by the movements of the British. Assumed they intended to march to Philadelphia, but they instead fortified their position at Middlebrook, New Jersey. Notes that Mr. Howe, instead of marching to Philadelphia found himself almost blockaded in an open flat County. If Howe had attempted to march on Philadelphia, Knox asserts he should probably had twenty five thousand or thirty thousand militia upon his back... Describes Howe's retreat, at one a.m. the morning of 19 June. While Howe plundered on his way, he was intermittently followed and attacked by American militia. Predicts Howe to attack on the North River (the Hudson). Reports that General John Burgoyne is active near Fort Ticonderoga, and Genl Howe must make an attempt or push for a junction. Notes that the enemy, by all appearances, is leaving New Jersey.

Reports that Lucy Knox, Henry's wife, left for Newbury Port (possibly Massachusetts), the previous Monday. Mentions an express from General [Israel] Putnam to General [William] Heath, in which Putnam attested the British sailed from the Hook (possibly Paulus Hook, New Jersey), but did not know where they were bound. General George Washington assumed they are bound for Philadelphia, but a letter from General [Alexander] McDougal to Colonel Sears in Boston states they may be sailing toward Boston. Notes that Sears's behavior, including his intention to flee Boston, has fright'd all the old women in Town. Does not think the British will come to Boston, but instead expects them to sail up the North River (the Hudson), and attempt to lure Washington over the Delaware River. Reports on the capture and recapture of the Fox, a frigate. Complains of the difficulty of recruiting for his regiment. As in previous letters, expresses his wish that George Washington would write a letter to the State of Massachusetts to encourage assistance (possibly a draft). Expresses his disappointment that Knox might resign: the greatest inducement of my go'g into the Army was because you was in it.

Jackson had said that Crane could not get his battalion through the court, but says now he has got every bounty allow'd him and will soon have a full regiment. Believes that Lee's, Henley's, and his regiment will never be filled by the Honorble Court. The court says it will only fill their battalion once it has filled fifteen others, and at the current pace this will never happen. Colonel Lee is on the verge of resigning, and the other officers are distraught. Wishes Knox to advise him on how to handle the situation.