Henry Knox

" Henry Knox was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 25, 1750. He was created a freeman and nobly fulfilled the design of his creation. In early life, he became familiar with the engineering department of military tactics. He was among the first Major Generals appointed by Congress and directed the ordnance operations during the whole period of the Revolution. The practiced veterans of Mother Britain were often compelled to admit that he had no superiority in the management of artillery. His skill was effectually illustrated on every battlefield where he was present. The enemy attributed the victory at Monmouth over superior numbers to the artillery of General Knox. Washington referred to the fact in his report to Congress. From the commencement of his useful military career at Cambridge to its brilliant close at Yorktown, this brave and accomplished General stood on a lofty eminence of fame, admired and beloved by the commander-in-chief, the whole Army, Congress, and our nation. He succeeded General Lincoln in the War Department after the close of the Revolution and was the first Secretary of War under the Federal Constitution. On retiring from public life, he settled at Thomastown, Maine, where his death was occasioned by a chicken bone lodging in his throat on the 25th of October 1806. In the private walks of life, he exemplified those virtues most prominently that best adorn the man and assimilate him to his Creator."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson

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