| Henry Knox | |
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| In office September 12, 1789 – December 31, 1794 |
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| President | George Washington |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Pickering |
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| Born | July 25, 1750 Boston, Massachusetts, British America |
| Died | October 25, 1806 (aged 56) near Thomaston, Maine, U.S. |
| Nationality | British (at birth) American (at death) |
| Spouse | Lucy Flucker |
| Profession | Bookseller, Soldier |
Henry Knox (July 25, 1750 – October 25, 1806) was an American bookseller from Boston who became the chief artillery officer of the Continental Army and later the nation's first Secretary of War. The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1794 ( MDCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Timothy Pickering ( July 17 1745 &ndash January 29 1829) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1750 ( MDCCL) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a For American people of British descent see British American. British America consisted of the British Empire in continental North America Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A soldier is a general English term that refers to a member of a land component of National Armed forces. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1750 ( MDCCL) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration
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Early life and marriage
Knox was born in Boston to parents of Scots-Irish origin, William Knox and Mary (nee Campbell). His father was a ship's captain who died in 1759 in part due to mental stress arising from financial trouble. Henry left school at the age of 12 and became a clerk in a bookstore to support his mother. He later opened his own bookshop, the London Book Store, in Boston. Largely self-educated, he began to concentrate on military subjects, particularly artillery. Knox joined a local military company at eighteen, was present at the Boston Massacre, and joined the Boston Grenadier Corps in 1772. This article is about the 1770 incident The Boston Massacre is also used colloquially to describe portions of a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. [1]
Henry married Lucy Fluker (1756–1824), the daughter of Boston Loyalists, on June 16, 1774. Year 1756 ( MDCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1824 ( MDCCCXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1774 ( MDCCLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a In spite of separations due to his military service, they remained a devoted couple for the rest of his life, and carried on an extensive correspondence. Since the couple fled Boston in 1775, she remained essentially homeless throughout the Revolutionary War. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Her parents left with the British during their withdrawal from Boston after the success of George Washington’s army on Dorchester Heights, which ironically hinged upon Knox’s cannons. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the She never saw them again.
Military career
Knox supported the American rebels, the Sons of Liberty, and was present at the Boston Massacre. The Sons of Liberty was a Secret organization of American Patriots which originated in the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution. This article is about the 1770 incident The Boston Massacre is also used colloquially to describe portions of a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. He volunteered as a member of the Boston Grenadier Corps in 1772 and served under General Artemas Ward at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Artemas Ward ( November 26, 1727 &ndash October 28, 1800) was an American Major general in the American Revolutionary The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775 on Breed's Hill, as part of the Siege of Boston during the American Revolutionary Being a member of the Army of Observation, Henry met and impressed General George Washington when he took command. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Knox offered his services to Washington, who had him commissioned a Colonel and gave him command of the Continental Regiment of Artillery. Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country [1] Washington and Knox soon became good friends.
As the Siege of Boston continued, he suggested that the cannon recently captured at Fort Ticonderoga could have a decisive impact. Background Prior to 1775 the British had imposed taxes onto the Americans which they did not take kindly to Fort Ticonderoga is a large Eighteenth-century Fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access Washington put him in charge of an expedition to retrieve them. [1] His force brought them by ox-drawn sled south along the west bank of the Hudson River from Fort Ticonderoga to Albany, then where they crossed the Hudson and then continued east through The Berkshires and finally to Boston. The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami Fort Ticonderoga is a large Eighteenth-century Fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County. Please note that this article on the Berkshires is about a geologic and cultural region in the United States for other uses see Berkshire (disambiguation There are 56 identical plaques on the trail from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts denoting the approximately 56 day length of the journey. Cambridge Massachusetts is a City in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts, United States. Knox and his men averaged approximately 5 ⅜ miles per day, completing the 300 mile trip in 56 days, between December 5, 1775, and January 24, 1776. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Cannon Train was composed of fifty-nine cannon and mortars, and weighed a total of 60 tons. Upon their arrival in Cambridge, when Washington's army took the Heights of Dorchester, the cannons were placed in a heavily fortified position overlooking Boston from which they threatened the British fleet in the harbor. As a result, the British were forced to withdraw to Halifax on March 17, 1776. The City of Halifax (est 1841 is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a [1] After the siege was lifted, Knox undertook the construction and improvement of defenses in Connecticut and Rhode Island to prepare for the British return. Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Rhode Island ( officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States He rejoined the main army later during their withdrawal from New York and across New Jersey. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.
During the Battle of Trenton, Colonel Knox was in charge of Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. Background In the time before the battle American morale was low Washington's crossing of the Delaware, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack against [1] Though hampered by ice and cold, with John Glover's Marbleheaders (14th Continental Regiment) manning the boats, he got the attack force of men, horses, and artillery across the river without loss. John Glover ( November 5, 1732 &ndash January 30, 1797) was an American fisherman merchant and military leader from Marblehead Following the battle, he returned the same force, along with hundreds of prisoners, captured supplies, and all the boats, back across river by the afternoon of December 26. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Knox was promoted to brigadier general for this accomplishment, and Chief of Artillery. Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. [1]
Knox stayed with the Main Army throughout most of the active war, and saw further action at Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown. Background In the night after the Second Battle of Trenton, General Washington led the roughly 6000 man main body of his army stealthily away from Lieutenant Background In late July 1777 after a distressing 34-day journey from Sandy Hook on the coast of New Jersey, an Armada of more than 260 ships carrying Prelude The campaign in Philadelphia had begun quite badly for the American forces Prelude In May of 1778 The British commander General Clinton in Philadelphia faced with a war with France decided it was prudent to protect New York City and Florida The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington [1] In 1777, while the Army was in winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey, he returned to Massachusetts to improve the Army's artillery capability. This article is about the Town of Morristown in New Jersey Other places in New Jersey with similar names are Morris Township, Morris Plains, and Moorestown He raised an additional battalion and established the Springfield Armory before his return in the spring. This is an article about the US Government Arsenal For the contemporary commercial manufacturer see Springfield Armory Inc That arsenal remained a valuable source of weapons and ammunition for the rest of the war. In early 1780 he was a member of the court-martial of Major John André. Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a Military court. These military courts can determine Punishments for members of the Military subject For other uses see John André (disambiguation. Major John André ( May 2, 1750 &ndash October 2 [1] Knox made several other trips to the Northern states as Washington's representative to increase the flow of men and supplies to the army.
After Yorktown, Knox was promoted to major general. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries In 1782 he was given command of the post at West Point. West Point is a federal military reservation (and a Census-designated place) located North of the Village of Highland Falls in Orange County New York [1] In 1783 he was one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati,[1] and led the American forces into New York City as the British withdrew. The Society of the Cincinnati is a historic organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the The City of New York He stood next to Washington during his farewell on December 4 at Fraunces Tavern. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Fraunces Tavern is a restaurant and museum in lower Manhattan, New York City. After Washington retired, Knox served as the senior officer of the Continental Army from December 1783 until he left it in June 1784. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the [1]
Secretary of War
The Continental Congress made Knox Secretary of War under the Articles of Confederation on March 8, 1785. The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, also the Articles of Confederation was the governing Constitution of the alliance of thirteen independent and Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. Year 1785 ( MDCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He held that position without interruption until September 12, 1789, when he assumed the same duties as the Secretary of War in Washington's first Cabinet. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
As secretary, Knox urged and presided over the creation of a regular Navy, was responsible for Indian policy and a plan for a national militia, and created a series of coastal fortifications. The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary Citizens to provide defense emergency law enforcement or Paramilitary service In 1789 President Washington urged Knox to send a bill to congress, to purchase Native lands for $25,394. This was a far cheaper price to pay than to once again battle the natives. He attempted to stop the eventual destruction of Native Americans by having the United States recognize them as a separate country, more specifically, "foreign entities. " The bill made it possible for only the federal government to control native lands, rather than the states administering territories. The natives were now considered foreigners, and forced to cooperate or leave. [1] He oversaw the inclusion of the Springfield Armory as one of two national facilities. In 1791, Congress, acting on a detailed proposal from Knox, created the short-lived Legion of the United States. The Legion of the United States was a reorganization and extension of the United States Army in 1792 under the command of Major General Anthony Wayne.
On 1795-01-02, Knox left the government and returned to his home at Thomaston, Maine to devote himself to caring for his growing family. Year 1795 ( MDCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. He was succeeded as Secretary of War by Timothy Picking.
Later life
Knox settled his family at Montpelier, an estate near Thomaston, Maine. He spent the rest of his life engaged in cattle farming, ship building and brick making. Although he had left national service, he represented his new community in the Massachusetts General Assembly (Maine then being part of Massachusetts). He also was industrious in lumbering, ship building, stock raising, and brick manufacturing. [1] In 1806, while visiting a friend in Union, Maine, he swallowed a chicken bone which punctured his intestine. Union is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2209 at the 2000 census He died of an infection (peritonitis) three days later on October 25, 1806 and was buried in Thomaston. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
Many incidents in Knox's career attest to his character. As one example, when he and Lucy were forced to leave Boston in 1775, his home was used to house British officers who looted his bookstore. In spite of personal financial hardships, he managed to make the last payment of 1,000 pounds to Longman Printers in London to cover the price of a shipment of books that he never received.
Two separate American forts, Fort Knox (Kentucky), and Fort Knox (Maine) were named after him. Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Fort Knox, now Fort Knox State Park, in Maine was built from 1844-1869 Knox Hall [1] at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, home of the Field Artillery Center and Field Artillery School, is also named after him. A Knox County has been named for him in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Knox County is a County located in the US state of Illinois. As of 2000 the population was 55836 Knox County is a County located in Indiana in the United States. Knox County is a County located in the US state of Kentucky. As of 2000 the population was 31795 Knox County is a County located in the US state of Maine. As of 2000 the population was 39618 Knox County is a County located in the US state of Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the population is 4361 Knox County is a County located in the US state of Nebraska. As of 2000 the population is 9374 Knox County is a County located in the state of Ohio, United States. Knox County is a county in the US state of Tennessee. Its 2007 population was estimated at 423874 by the United States Census Bureau Knox County is a County located in the US state of Texas. In 2000 its population was 4253 Knoxville, Tennessee, is also named for him.
References
- North Callahan, Henry Knox: General Washington's General. North Callahan ( August 7, 1908 - December 28, 2004) was an American Historian and Scholar. New York: A. S. Barnes and Co. Alfred Smith Barnes ( January 28, 1817 in New Haven Connecticut – February 17, 1888 in Brooklyn New York) was an American , 1958. ISBN 0-15-216435-9.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bell, William Gardner; COMMANDING GENERALS AND CHIEFS OF STAFF: 1775-2005; Portraits & Biographical Sketches of the United States Army's Senior Officer: 1983, CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY; UNITED STATES ARMY; WASHINGTON, D. C. :p. 54
ISBN 0–16–072376–0
External links
- His Montpelier Home Museum
- The Historical Society of The Somerset Hills Vanderveer House
- The Jacobus Vanderveer House Official Website
- The Knox Cannon Trail
- Find-A-Grave profile for Henry Knox
- US Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, KY
- Fort Knox Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by George Washington |
Senior Officer of the United States Army 1783-1784 |
Succeeded by Joseph Doughty |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by none |
United States Secretary of War 1785-1794 |
Succeeded by Timothy Pickering |
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