Colonel Henry Kox

Colonel Henry Knox

In the American revolution there were many important men one of them was Colonel Henry Knox he contributed in the army and served as secretary of war. He was born in Boston on 1750 his parents came from North Ireland. He first was a shipmaster who carried on trade in the West Indies. He had some financial problems so he started working on a bookstore he learned a lot so he opened his own shop. Since the beginning he supported the American causes he was part of the sons of liberty  some years later he join the Boston Grenadier Corps their he started using his knowledge on wars and artillery. The first big war he served was in the Battle of Bunker Hill which take place in 1775. When Washington became the general he had a close relationship with Knox. He gave great advices to Washington one of them was to use the cannon from the captured Fort Ticonderoga. Then Knox became a colonel and he was in charge of artillery and  successfully he brought fifty cannons to the city.

When the time passed he was contributing more with the american army he became colonel in the Continental Army. And Washington immediately sent him north as winter was rapidly approaching. And he had a rough time with his soldiers in winter but he made it and  succeed to evacuated the British out of Boston. Knox was sent to Rhode Island and Connecticut to check the construction of fortification. He was succeeding and every time getting more power he became Washington's chief of artillery. In the Christmas attack on Trenton, Knox was given the key role of overseeing the army's crossing of the Delaware River. With the assistance of Colonel John Glover Knox succeeded in getting the attack force across the river. For his service he was promoted to brigadier general.

In March 1776, Washington seized Dorchester Heights (the key to Boston) and Knox placed the cannon in position there. Howe realizing the danger of an impending American bombardment, withdrew his troops from the city. On March 17, he embarked his troops for Halifax. Boston was entered the following day by triumphant Americans. He played a very important role with all his techniques and weapon construction. But he finally retired in June 1784 but he continued helping as Secretary of War until January 2, 1795 when he finally retired. And he dedicate time to his family and special interest until he died on October 25, 1806.

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/army/p/knox.htm

• Website Title: About.com Military History
• Article Title: American Revolution: Major General Henry Knox
• Date Accessed: February 08, 2014

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/knox.html

• Website Title: ushistory.org
• Article Title: General Henry Knox
• Publisher: Independence Hall Association
• Date Accessed: February 06, 2014