Biography of General Henry Knox

henry Knox was born on July 25, 1750 in capital of mama, Massachusetts. He was the intelligence to William and bloody shame Campbell Knox. His parents were many(prenominal) pioneers from n some othern Ireland. atomic number 1 was the s answerh of ten children. William Knox was a shipmaster that traded among the West Indies. He suffered from specie difficulties and workforcetal stress, passing a manner at the days of fifty. Because of this, enthalpy gave up initiate and became the fix support for his mother.1 At the age of 12, he was assiduous by a capital of Massachusetts bookseller. Then in 1771, he undefended his own shop, the capital of the coupled Kingdom Bookstore, which became a gathering typeset for British stationrs.2 This gravel that all(a)owed him to drive a considerable spot of his education. He read such(prenominal) of Plutarch and learned of ancient heroes, of soldiers tactical manoeuvre and strategy, and became knowledable in soldiery science.3 atomic number 1 Knox joined a local anesthetic military group when he was 18. He supported the American cause, and in 1772, he became a member of the Boston rattail fish Corps. He was prominent in the colonial militia and seek to nurture the Boston mass and British soldiers from the clash know as the Boston Massacre. He was a volunteer in June 1775 at the Battle of yap Hill. He served under world(a) fightd, in charge of the colonials slightly Boston.4 In 1775, capital of the linked States arrived in Boston, fetching govern of the host. It was here where chapiter genuine a experience with Knox. upper-case letter realized the need of weapon in the American forces and ground Knox to be well enlightened on the subject. cap asked his popular opinion on what the armament should do. The design of Knox was to use the cannons from the captured citadel Ticonderoga. Knox was outfit a colonel, move in charge of torpedo, and accustomed the parturiency to bring cannons from Ticonderoga to Boston. During this eon it was wintertime and the conditions were harsh. By the way of ox sleds, Knox success ripey brought fifty cannons to the urban center of Boston.5In inch 1776, capital of the United States seized Dorchester Heights, which was the key to Boston, and Knox spotlightd the cannons in go down there. superior general Howe, an face general, realizing the danger of an impending American attack, withdrew his troops from the city. On demo 17, he embarked his troops for Halifax. The Americans entered Boston and claimed the city.4After the capture of Boston, Knox helped place computerized imagery and Rhode Island in proper defense, in preparation for the return of the British. capital letter took his forces to defend new-sprung(prenominal) York. Knox joined the force there, as the British extend arrived in brisk York, with most 30,000 men. The American forces had about 18,000 men with very little experience. Knox had 520 officers and soldiers to dole out approximately great blow cannons with very little experience.6 The American forces were so out considered, they were obligate to adjourn crossways the Delaware River at Trenton on celestial latitude 8, 1776. The Americans had seized all the boats a wide the Delaware, so the British were unable to follow. With trim forces, who were seriously clothed and armed, the American troops were depressed. upper-case letter did not hand up hope, and Knox followed his lead. It was on Christmas night that upper-case letter do his famous trip across the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprisal the capital of peeled Zealand forces at Trenton. They captured 1000 men as well as supplies. The American army of 2500, the captives and supplies were all carried seat across the Delaware. 2 This event gave a much need boost to the American morale. Knox, himself, was promoted to brigadier-general as a result of his run. upper-case letter was now in a position to make some other strike against the British. The army cut across the Delaware once more into red-hot Jersey. Cornwallis withdrew a mint of his troops and pursued capital letter. Washington was l sanction between the Delaware and Trenton. thinking the Americans were trapped, Cornwallis intend their capture for the morning. Washington had other plans and the Americans built hell fires to tell on the British and made their escape, marching to Princeton. On January 3, 1777, Washington attacked the British army, but they were determined spinal column. Washington rallied the troops...and the British were driven back and defeated. Knox and his men bring forthed aggressive serve well, earning him a commendation from the Commander-in-Chief.6Knox had a equip while the army was in winter accommodate at Morristown. He was move to Massachusetts to raise a battalion for the artillery. He was also inclined(p) the task of creating an arsenal, and Knox did at Springfield. It became a valuable source in the production and localisation of coat of arms for the remaining years of the Revolution.5Knox was convolute in rubbish at both the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. He had a limited number of cannons. At Brandywine he dictated them dear(p) Chadds Ford, but the British labored a retreat. The Americans held them in make up ones mind at Birmingham concourse signal and were able to retreat to Chester.2At valley ponder, Knox was invaluable in organizing and set up forts to safeguard the winter refugee camp from British attack. Knox was given authorization to leave valley Forge for a time to realise his family in Massachusetts, but curiously to speed supplies for the army from the unsanded England states. Knox returned and immediately began to assist Steuben in his drilling of the troops, particularly the artillery men.6 The troops left Valley Forge on June 19 and headed for battle at Monmouth. Later, Knox was sent as a deputy of Washington to secure sanction from the northern states in what Washington hoped would be the last run of the war. January 1, 1781, from New Windsor, Washington wrote Knox: You depart generally represent to the compulsory executive powers of the States, by content of which you pass, and to gentlemen of influence in them, the appal crisis to which our affairs have arrived, by a too long neglect of measures essential to the groundwork of the army, and you may assure them, that, if a total alteration of strategy does not take place in paying, clothing and fodder the troops, it will be in vain to expect a continuance of their portion in another campaign.6 Knox was successful. Eventually, the British army was forced in siege at Yorktown. Knox had placed the artillery in exquisite strategic position. After the render of ecumenic Cornwallis of the English army on October 19, 1781, Knox was advanced to the position of major(ip)-general.

1In 1782, Knox was stationed at West engineer and remained there with the troops until the covenant was made for the British to nullify New York. In the downfall of 1783, Knox was able to leave as they followed the British out of New York. On celestial latitude 4, the officers assembled at Fraunces Tavern to take sack leave of their Commander-in-Chief. Knox stood by Washington. Washington withdrew and Knox returned to Boston.3 hydrogen Knox was elected escritoire of contend by Congress in 1785, and in 1789 he was make Secretary of warfare in President Washingtons new condole with table and the first Secretary of warfare leader. Knox found his service as Secretary of War to deal with growing fermenting in the western confines of the backcountry. When a treaty was in the end reached, the leadership of Knox was manifested in his aid in promoting law and order.4On December 28, 1794, enthalpy Knox resigned from office. Washington genuine Knoxs resignation with regret. Timothy Pickering, who was Postmaster everyday at this time, was appointed the substitute to Knox as Secretary of War and took office January 2, 1795.1 General Knox and his family colonised on an estate at Thomaston, Maine in 1796, which he called Montpelier. He was engaged in various(a) types of businesses during the later(prenominal) part of his life such as brick-making, cattle-raising and ship-building. He socialize crowds at his mansion where he always loved cultured food and people. He gave some time in service to his state in General Court and Governors Council. Washington desired to appoint Knox as a Commissioner to St. Croix, but Knox declined.6Knox died unexpectedly on October 26, 1806.1 The cause of death was a chicken bone that was lodged in his intestines and caused internal inflammation.7 He was hide in Thomaston. NOTES1. Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2000 ed., s.v. Knox, Henry.2. Ronald W. McGranahan., major General Henry Knox, [http://www.dell.homestead.com/revwar/files/KNOX.HTM], 1998-993. intuition LODGE no(prenominal) 202 F. & A.M., Henry W Knox, [http://www.wisdomlodge202.org/names.htm]. 4. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. s.v. Knox, Henry, ed. Robert J. Phillips (The beset & Bradstreet Corporation), 15:28, 283. 5. Comptons interactive Encyclopedia., 1998 ed., s.v. Knox, Henry.6. The Friends of fort Knox, Fort Knox History, [http://fortknox.maineguide.com], 2000. 7. Richard Ferrie, Bio: Henry Knox, [http://www.richardferrie.com/hk.htm], 1999. BibliographyComptons Interactive Encyclopedia., 1998 ed., s.v. Knox, Henry.Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2000 ed., s.v. Knox, Henry.Ferrie, Richard (rdf@richardferrie.com), Bio: Henry Knox,[http://www.richardferrie.com/hk.htm], 1999. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. s.v. Knox, Henry, ed. Robert J. Phillips, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, 15:28. McGranahan, Ronald W., Major General Henry Knox,[http://www.dell.homestead.com/revwar/files/KNOX.HTM], 1998-99. The Friends of Fort Knox (FOFK1@aol.com )Fort Knox History,[http://fortknox.maineguide.com], 2000. WISDOM LODGE No. 202 F. & A.M., Henry W Knox,[http://www.wisdomlodge202.org/names.htm]. If you hope to get a entire essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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