Worcester State University - Oak Leaf Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 10 text:

I V 6

Page 9 text:

met Henry Knox when the former had made his initial inspection of Cambridge. Knox’s interest in military engineering has so impressed others close to Washington that he eventually recommended Knox to Congress as the successor to Colonel Gridley, the aging commanding officer of Washington’s artillery regiment. In Revolutionary days, military engineers were required to have skill in both gunnery and fortification, and although Knox’s knowledge was gained essentially from books he obtained for British officers who patronized his bookstore, he had an interest to learn, a retentive memory, was quick thinking and, most importantly, dedicated to the cause. Ticonderoga, New York to Cambridge, Mass. The actual event took place during December and January 1775-76, and was prompted by a raid on Lechmere’s Point by British General Henry Clinton in early November 1775. General Washington, fearing that the attack was merely a test for future contemplated action by General Howe, decided to fortify several of the Cambridge hills close to Boston. However, such fortification would be ineffective unless the sites were buttressed with cannon, which were in short supply around Cambridge. Gunpowder was also desperately needed. Several months previously, Washington had 5

Page 11 text:

When Washington decided to adopt the plan to bring the cannon at Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, he Selected Henry Knox to exe- cute his orders. On November 16, 1775, he in- structed Knox to check all the artillery needs at Cambridge, then proceed to New York. Knox proceeded forthwith to New York, stopped in Worcester to see his wife Lucy (whom he had brought there at the outbreak of the war) and finally arrived at New York on November 25. Knox spent 4 days obtaining his selection, which consisted of 59 cannon mor- tars, howitzers, cohorns, 23 boxes of lead and two barrels of flints. The materials were moved along Lake George by boat, then by sled drawn by oxen and eventually by horse drawn sled and wa- gon. The group passed Albany, then crossed the Hudson River and moved along the old New York Post Road, entering Massachusetts near the present Berkshire town of Egremont. Knox and his teamsters labored over the Berkshire hills from Great Barrington to Blandford. When he arrived at Westfield, the townspeople gave a warm reception. Shortly, thereafter, the New York men returned home and Knox proceeded with horses on to Springfield, Brookfield, Worcester, Marlboro and eventually arrived in the Cambridge camp on January 18, 1776. At the outset of the trip, Knox was a civi- lian; but upon return he learned of his commis- sion as a colonel in the artillery. Obviously, Knox’s persistence was valued by Washington, and several years later, when Washington as- cended to the presidency, he appointed Henry Knox as his Secretary of War.