Henry Knox Gets Good News From Boston: The Capture of the Nancy

Posted on November 30, 2025

Henry Knox Gets Good News From Boston: The Capture of the Nancy

250 years ago today—November 30, 1775—Henry Knox was just south of Albany, traveling north towards Fort Ticonderoga. The mission with which he had been entrusted, transporting captured British artillery from Ticonderoga to Boston, was an urgent one. The instructions given to Knox by George Washington on November 16 stressed that “the want of them is so great, that no trouble or expence must be spared to obtain them”.

The Continental Army had corralled British troops into Boston, but the siege of the city was at a stalemate. If the Americans had the artillery and supplies they desperately needed, they might turn the tide. While the army in Boston hoped for news of Knox’s expedition, it had other news to celebrate. On November 30, 1775, Horatio Gates wrote to Knox, sharing the good news: “The General desires me to acquaint you That One of The Continental Arm’d Vessells, has taken a large Brigantine Loaded with Ordnance Stores”.

The brigantine, the British ship Nancy, had been captured by the American privateer Lee off Cape Ann the day before. The brig’s cargo was full of military supplies intended for the besieged British, including a 13-inch brass mortar, 30,000 cannonballs, 2,000 muskets, and 30 tons of musket shot. These were invaluable for the American army, which struggled to obtain enough weapons, ammunition, and gunpowder to function. Even one mortar made a difference to their tiny store of artillery.

While Gates suggested that Knox consult the inventory of the stores captured on the Nancy, he stressed that he should “let not that lessen your Zeal, to procure every thing else that you know to be Wanting, especially one More 13 Inch Mortar, with 2 Ten Inch, & Two Brass 8 Inch Howbitzers, if to be conviniently spared.” Much more was still needed, and Knox’s mission was still vital. Gates closed his letter by wishing Knox “a prosperous & pleaseant journey”. While perhaps not pleasant, Knox’s journey would be prosperous, providing a lifeline to the American artillery and the entire army.

Learn more about Gates’ letter (object ID 1999.1160.004) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database: https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/29397