Introduction
I have just read the wonderful book, 1776. Written by David McCullough, it inspired me to learn more about this pivotal year in the Revolutionary War, and what happened in it. One of the characters in it that intrigued me most was Henry Knox. Born in Boston, he had been a bookseller for the majority of his life before joining the army in 1775 at age 25. As the summer of 1775 ended, though, the army began to need guns, but with no place to get a lot of them, they were stuck. Suddenly, Henry Knox proposed the idea to travel 300 miles north and collect the fifty-nine guns there. Many of Washington’s advisers thought the idea was preposterous, but the general agreed. Henry Knox set off for Ticonderoga on December first, and was able to get to the fort within four days. He packed up all the guns, and then set off on the 300-mile trek back. Knox finally got back on the 25th of January without losing a single gun, providing the edge the Continental Army needed to force the British out of Boston and end the siege. Below is what I think he might have written in his journal during the pivotal journey...
The Selected Journals of Henry Knox
4/19/1775 – 3/17/1776
4/19/1775 – 3/17/1776
4/19/75- Having captured the British towns surrounding the Boston Peninsula, we marched forwards towards Boston and began to besiege them. The weather is steadily getting warmer, and the redcoats did not retaliate to our siege yet.
6/17/75- The British have just stormed Bunker hill, fighting back on the siege. It was a frightening battle to watch, and many redcoats got slaughtered even though they were victorious. The battle did not last longer than a day, though, and
10/11/75- No fighting has broke out since Bunker Hill, but tensions rise as winter looms. Our army is in an even more severe position with little guns, but Fort Ticonderoga, which is 300 miles Northeast, has a lot of guns left from the British in our control. Maybe propose the idea to Washington to go to Fort Ticonderoga?
11/18/75- Proposed idea of Ticonderoga to Washington; he agreed! I am to set off to Ticonderoga, 300 miles North, on December First. I am extremely excited at Washington’s trust. I must not fail.
12/1/75- Have set off to Fort Ticonderoga. I am very nervous about getting to Fort Ticonderoga and back soon enough, what if the British launch an attack if I’m gone and we didn’t have the firepower to defend?
12/5/75- Arrived at Fort Ticonderoga in four days, and started disassembling the firepower immediately. There are fifty-nine guns: forty-three heavy cannons, six cohorns, eight mortars, and two howitzers. I have many thanks to my men for the tedious packing.
12/12/75- Have assembled all fifty-nine guns and cannons but need transportation for them. I immediately asked a man to go to Fort George to get 42 sleds and oxen to pull them.
12/17/75- I have acquired, for the overland travel, 42 sleds and 80 yoke of oxen to pull them. The only problem now is that for our sleds, we need snow. At the moment, snow has not come for days upon days, and the ground is totally bare.
12/25/75- I awoke today to a blanketing of snow! Providence blessed us with the best Christmas gift. Immediately we set off south and are making good progress with sleds and oxen. Hope to make it to Cambridge, then Boston, soon.
1/5/76- Reached Albany but lost one cannon to the Hudson river in two attempts to cross it. Am worried about the ice on it thawing before we can cross it, it is deeply troubling. Temperatures continuing to rise.
1/8/76- Went on the ice at about 8 O’clock in the morning and proceeded so carefully that before night we were so lucky as to get the cannon out of the river, owing assistance the good people of the city of Albany gave.1
1/20/76- Weather improved for the sleds after Springfield, and am proceeding quickly, passing town after town. Have not lost or left a single gun so far from passing the Hudson.
1/25/76- Arrived outside Boston today, and am extremely happy with myself! Our great general is also pleased, and we will get the cannons to Boston tomorrow. In our entire 600-mile mission, we have not lost a single cannon or gun.
3/17/76- From Dorchester Heights, watched the redcoats and their families slowly evacuate to the sea. Along with me on Dorchester Heights are all of the Fifty-Nine cannons from Ticonderoga. I cannot help but think that I have, if just a little bit, helped our army in this great cause for freedom and liberty.
AUTHORS NOTE
Most feelings and entries are fictional, but please note that the numbers, dates, and places are correct. General Henry Knox was Captain of the Artillery, and served as the first United States Secretary of War from 1789 to 1794. He was 56 years old when he died from an infection. The Revolutionary War lasted for seven years, ending in the Treaty of Paris.
General George Washington commanded it always.
Most feelings and entries are fictional, but please note that the numbers, dates, and places are correct. General Henry Knox was Captain of the Artillery, and served as the first United States Secretary of War from 1789 to 1794. He was 56 years old when he died from an infection. The Revolutionary War lasted for seven years, ending in the Treaty of Paris.
General George Washington commanded it always.
1. This entire entry is taken directly from Henry Knox’s Journal.