Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Knox, Henry 1750-

Military officer; born in Boston, July 25, 1750; was of Scotch-

Henry Knox.

Irish stock. He became a thriving bookseller in Boston, and married Lucy, daughter of Secretary Flucker. He belonged to an artillery company when the Revolution began, and his skill as an engineer artillerist on the staff of Gen. Artemas Ward attracted the attention of Washington. In November (1775) he was placed in command of the artillery, and was employed successfully in bringing cannon from captured forts on Lake Champlain and on the Canadian frontier to Cambridge, for the use of the besieging army. Knox was made a brigadier-general in December, 1776, and was the chief commander of the artillery of the main army throughout the whole war, being conspicuous in all the principal actions. He was one of the court of inquiry in Major Andres case; was in command at West Point after hostilities had ceased, and arranged for the surrender of New York. At Knox's suggestion, the Society of the Cincinnati was established. He was Secretary of War before and after Washington became President of the United States (1781-95), and when he left office he settled at Thomaston, where he administered the most generous hospitality till his death, Oct. 25, 1806.