In the winter of 1776, a 25-year-old bookseller, Col. Henry Knox, delivered a critical advantage to Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army: 60 tons of artillery hauled 300 miles through harsh winter conditions. This logistical feat broke the British siege of Boston and marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
An Impossible Task
By fall 1775, Washington’s forces had the British trapped in Boston, but lacked the heavy artillery to force their surrender. The Continental Army possessed few usable cannons. Knox, a former Boston bookseller who had educated himself in military science, proposed a daring solution: retrieve cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga.
Though many believed moving the artillery was impossible, Washington tasked Knox with the mission on November 16, 1775, with a clear directive: “No trouble or expense must be spared to obtain them.” Knox selected 59 pieces, including massive cannons like “Old Sow” weighing over 5,000 pounds, for a total of 120,000 pounds of artillery, plus ammunition.
The Grueling Journey
The expedition began on December 9, 1775, with artillery transported by boat on Lake George. Once ashore, the guns were loaded onto 42 sleds, pulled by horses and oxen, and secured with over half a mile of rope. The journey was fraught with peril. Knox’s men crossed the treacherous Hudson River four times, and one cannon even fell through the ice into the Mohawk River.
Knox himself faced extreme conditions, nearly freezing to death in a blizzard. He wrote that the difficulties were “not easy to conceive.” After reaching Albany, the expedition faced the Berkshire Mountains, where Knox secured additional oxen to continue the ascent. Crowds gathered to witness the remarkable procession, and Knox even fired a cannon in Westfield, Massachusetts, to the delight of onlookers.
Victory in Boston
On January 27, 1776, Knox’s “noble train of artillery” arrived in Cambridge. Washington immediately positioned the cannons to overlook Boston and its harbor. On March 4, 1776, Continental soldiers moved the artillery to Dorchester Heights.
The British General William Howe, observing the fortified position, exclaimed, “These fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months.” Faced with the threat of bombardment, Howe ordered the British evacuation of Boston on March 6, 1776, marking a significant victory for the Continental Army.
A Lasting Legacy
Knox’s success led to his promotion as Washington’s chief of artillery, a role he held throughout the war. He later became the nation’s first Secretary of War, serving from 1785 to 1794. The route Knox followed is now known as the Henry Knox Trail, marked by granite monuments commemorating his extraordinary achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original estimate for the journey?
Col. Henry Knox initially estimated the journey from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge would take 16 or 17 days, but it ultimately took 40 days to complete.
How much artillery did Knox transport?
Knox transported 59 artillery pieces, totaling 120,000 pounds of artillery, along with 2,300 pounds of bullet lead and 30,000 gunflints.
What happened after the British evacuated Boston?
After the British evacuation on March 17, 1776, Henry Knox was promoted to chief of artillery for the Continental Army and continued to serve throughout the war, becoming one of Washington’s closest friends and advisors.
Considering the immense challenges Knox faced, what other factors beyond logistics might have contributed to the success of this operation?
