Henry Knox Tells His Story as the Father of Artillery and One of Washington's Cabinet

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I’m Henry Knox, and you may know me as the “Father of American Artillery.” Now, that may sound like a fancy title, but it all started with a bookstore and a deep love for reading. You see, before I became a general in the Continental Army, I was just a young man working in my own bookstore in Boston. I spent countless hours reading about military tactics, history, and engineering. Books became my teachers, and they opened up a whole world of strategy and warfare that would later prove invaluable.

My journey took a turn when the American Revolution began. I was only 25 years old when I joined the fight for independence, and I found myself at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, witnessing the courage of the American forces. But I knew we were missing something crucial—we had no heavy artillery to match the British. That’s when General George Washington put his trust in me, despite my lack of formal military training. He assigned me a mission to retrieve cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York. These cannons would be the game-changer we needed to stand a chance against the British forces.

The journey to Ticonderoga and back was a grueling 300-mile trek through snow, ice, and rugged terrain in the middle of winter. Imagine dragging 60 tons of cannons on sledges, across frozen rivers and steep mountains. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. My men and I brought those cannons back to Boston, and we positioned them on Dorchester Heights. When the British woke up and saw those cannons pointed at them, they had no choice but to evacuate the city. That moment gave us a much-needed victory, and it was the start of my reputation as an artillery officer.

Throughout the war, I continued to work closely with Washington, becoming one of his most trusted generals. I was there at the famous crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, where we launched a surprise attack on the Hessian forces at Trenton. It was bitterly cold, and the men were exhausted, but we knew what was at stake. The victory at Trenton gave us renewed hope and helped rally the cause for independence. I saw how Washington inspired the troops, and I did my best to keep morale high, reminding everyone of why we fought.

After the war, my service to this country didn’t end. Washington appointed me as the first Secretary of War, where I helped to shape the foundations of the United States Army. We were a young nation, and I knew that a well-organized military would be essential to protect our newfound freedom. I worked to establish training and structure, and I focused on the importance of education within the ranks, just as books had educated me all those years ago.

My life took many twists and turns, from bookseller to general, and then to Secretary of War. I learned that sometimes, even if you don’t have formal training or an expected background, passion and hard work can lead you to accomplish great things. I may not have had the privilege of a military academy, but I never let that stop me. I hope my story shows that with determination, knowledge, and a bit of grit, you can rise to the occasion and make a difference when it matters most.

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