Guns for General Washington Read Online Free Page A

Between his reading and his long talks with army men, Henry had become something of an expert on artillery. His shop had also been a meeting-place for Boston’s Whigs—the party that wanted independence for the colonies. Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Nathaniel Greene, Paul Revere, and others all met at Henry’s to gossip, talk politics, and grumble about the stupidity of the British.
    But Henry liked action as well as talk, so he became a lieutenant in a militia company called the Grenadier Corps. At that time the British were closing in on “rebel troublemakers” and he was ordered not to leave the city without permission. Henry was now in great danger, so he and his wife, Lucy, decided to escape. Late at night (like many others) they slipped away from the city, leaving everything behind. Everything but Henry’s handsome militia sword, which Mrs. Knox managed to hide under her ample petticoats.
    Once Lucy was safe in the town of Worcester, Henry hurried to join the colonial army. His knowledge and experience were badly needed, and before long he was made colonel of artillery. Of course it was just the right job for him and he was delighted. But when he asked at headquarters where the artillery was kept, a young officer replied sheepishly, “Uh, well—I’m afraid, sir, there
isn’t
any.”
    Colonel Knox was shocked. And alarmed. And very angry. What good was an artillery colonel without artillery? And what good was an army without heavy weapons? If
this
army didn’t have cannons, he’d jolly well
find
some.
    Henry worried about the problem. He studied his maps and talked to the experts at headquarters. At last he came up with a wild plan that brought him to Washington’s War Council. And now these high officers were ready to hear what young Knox had in mind.
    While the men gathered around, Henry unrolled a large map that showed the colonies of New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. In northern New York, between two lakes, there was a black dot marked
Fort Ticonderoga
. Henry jabbed his finger at the dot. “Gentlemen,” he announced, “here are the guns we need.”
    The officers looked at him, a bit puzzled. They all knew about Fort Ticonderoga. Years earlier, during the French and Indian wars, this outpost had been seized by the British. They’d stayed in control until May of 1775, when Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, and Allen’s “Green Mountain Boys” captured it in a surprise attack. Now the huge fort was in the hands of the rebels, but it was far from any fighting areas.
    Colonel Knox read from a slip of paper. “According to Captain Arnold,” he said, “they found a lot of heavy artillery when they took Ticonderoga. There were one hundred eighty-three cannons, nineteen mortars, three howitzers, and fifty-one swivel guns—plus barrels of flints and crates of musket balls. Some of the big pieces may be in good condition. I propose, sirs, to go to the fort and bring them here to Cambridge.”
    A few of the officers frowned. Others just shook their heads in puzzlement. One old general growled, “How do you plan to do it, colonel? Will you fit your cannons with wings and fly them here?”
    The others laughed, but Henry stood his ground. “Wings won’t be necessary, sir. Give me a dozen men and authority to hire more if I have to, and we’ll handle it.”
    A major of infantry swept his hand over the map. “This is bad terrain, Knox. You’re talking about three hundred miles of mountain wilderness. No roads, no bridges, hardly any footpaths. How the devil are you going to move heavy guns?”
    â€œI’ll use everything,” Henry answered. “Boats, barges, sleds, ox teams. Whatever I can build, borrow, or buy. All I need are funds and men.”
    â€œWhat about the weather?” someone asked. “This time of year you’ll have ice storms, blizzards, heavy snow. Everything