01/07/2026
250 years ago, Col. Henry Knox was in Albany, New York, attempting to purchase materials to move sixty tons of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, New York to Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army in Boston, who were struggling to relieve the besieged city from the British army. The route ahead cut through dense forests, frozen lakes, wild rivers, and steep mountain passes that could only proceed with oxen and horses to pull massive hand-built sleds.
Henry had made arrangements with a Mr. Palmer for the supplies which were not yet delivered. A meeting was held between them and Gen. Philip Schuyler, commander of the "Northern Department” of the Continental Army, whose headquarters were in Albany. When they could not agree on a price, Palmer was dismissed and Gen. Schuyler sent his wagon master to all parts of the county to find the materials needed. The people of New York delivered.
Soon Henry wrote in his diary "The Waggen master Return'd the Names of persons in the different parts of the County who had gone up to the lake (George) with their horses in the whole amounting to near 124 pairs, with slays which I'm afraid are not Strong enough for the heavy Cannon if I can Judge from the sample Shewn me by Genl Schuyler." Unfortunately, just then the weather turned warm again. Henry wrote to his wife, Lucy "The thaw has been so grave that I've trembled for the consequences, for without snow my very important charge cannot get along."
By the time sleds were built, the weather had turned cold, and the convoy began its move onward in their 300-mile journey.
