Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-12
General Henry Knox.

by Congressman Littlefield. for the
erection Of n monument to the memory
Of General Henry Knox. is arousing
a new interest in the notable career Of
| this hero Of the Revolution. The bill
| appropriates the sum of $4,000. to
erect ut Thomaston in this State. which
| was the old home Of General Knox, q
suitable memorial to the gallant
| soldier. who was the trusted friend and
| counsellor of Washington. and who
| organized the artillery branch of the
american army of the Revolutionary
| war. The country has been too tardy
/ In honoring the memory of this brave
soldier. and the bill which Congressman
LittleGeld has introduced deserves the
warnest support of those who revere
the memory Of The man who gave us
national independence. and who wish to
see their names and deeds perpetuated
for the benefit Of coming generations.
The bill provided that the sum OF
se5. 900 be appropriated for the erection
Of n monument to the memory Of Maj
Gen. Henry Knox at Thomaston. Maine,
and for grading and inclosing with
stone curding and iron fencing the lot
upon which said monument shall be
erected. which sum shall be expended
under the direction of the secretary of
war or such officer rs he may desig-
nate" with the proviso that mo part
Of the sum shall be SO expended until
d suitable lot Of land at Thornaston,
Maine for the erection Of the monu-
ment shall be conveyed to the United
States and the town of Thomaston
shall have provided for public use an
open highway thereto"
General Henry Knox was born in
Boston in 1850. He began service in the
Revolution rs m aide on the staff of
Washington, and. as We have said,
organized and commanded the artillery
of the patriot army throughout that
OIL uS5ACs 4AC NAS IA
the battles of Trenton, jamestown.
BrandyWine and Monmouth. Hell
passed the winter with Washington at
Valley Forge. and was at the
surrender OF CORVALLIS. He was one
of the founders of the famous Society
of Cincinnati. and was one of thatl
little band of generals 10 take leave Of
Washington, their beloved commander.
at New York, when the war was ended.
An historian of the time records that
Knox was first to advance from the
group and receive the Generals parting
embrace and. they wept on each
others necks." 1t is evident that the
Father of his Country was more APP
prcciatiye Of the great artilleryman 5
worth and services than the country
has been. When the war was over,
Knox came to Thonaston. where his
wife had large tract of land. and here
he resided until his death. October -,
1906.
The country Of Knox is named in his
honor, and the old Knox mansion.
which is no longer standing. Was long
4 historical landmark of that section.
lis, estate was carried on In true
baronial style, on n scale never seen
before or since in this part of the
country. At the close Of the war,
General Knox was given the rank of
ma ,ior general by Congress. and was
made one OF the commissioners to-
arrange for the exchange of prisoners.
He served in the first cabinet Of Wash
ineton as secretary of war, and in
peace. as he lad been during the great
struggle itself, he was the close friend
and trusted adviser of the great Wash
ineton. When nc died, In 1906. he was
buried in Thomaston near the stately
mansion, which he occupied in his later
wears. and there his dust Still sleeps.
Almost 4 century has passed since his
death and it is earnestly hoped that
the memorial, which is now proposed,
will be completed and dedicated by the
tire half q century has elapsed in 1876.