Henry Knox

1 Pages 280 Words

Henry Knox was a soldier, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 25 July, 1750; died in
Thomaston, Maine, 25 October, 1806. He received a good education in the schools of
his native city, early exhibited a taste for military service. At twenty he began
business as a bookseller, he took sides warmly with the colonies in their controversy
with the mother country, and after the battles of Lexington and Concord
abandoned his business and hastened to join the army that was assembled at
Cambridge.
He fought gallantly in the battle of Bunker Hill, and when afterward joined
the army, he had the rank of colonel. While fighting in the city Washington found
himself embarrassed by the happiness of sufficient artillery, and young Knox
thought of the idea of obtaining a supply from Lake George and the forts on the
Canadian frontier. The long procession moved slowly, but at last it reached Boston,
and as it passed into the American lines it was received with shouts by the troops.
Knox was warmly complimented by Washington, and congress, as a reward for his
services, made him brigadier-general of the artillery. From this time Knox was the
constant companion of Washington throughout the war and his warm personal
friend and counselor.
In 1798, when war seemed probable with France, he was called
to take his place in the army. But the threatened danger passing by, he returned to
Thomaston. Maine. His death was caused by his accidentally swallowing a
chicken-bone, which caused internal inflammation. Knox was amiable, upright, and
pure in his private life, and though ardent, impulsive, and enthusiastic, he was vet
sound in judgment and cool in action. He had exhibited all of the traits that were
ideal for a man of war and also the family man of his time and place....