I. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 June 1780
I
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Spring field June 23d 1780
6 oClock A.M.
Sir
The Enemy are out and on their march towards this place in full force, having receivd a considerable reinforcement last night, as Capt. Dayton says he was desird by Major Lee to inform me.1
Col. Dayton this moment sends me intelligence, that the Enemy’s Artillery and baggage are on the Newark Road, and the Troops pushing out this way, are to cover them.2 If this is true we shall hear more about it soon. The Troops are all getting under Arms. The Enemy give out, that they are going to establish a Post in the Country. I am Your Excellencys most Obedient humble Sert
Nath. Greene M.G.
ALS, MHi: Guild Library. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote “no Ansr” on the docket.
1. British general Henry Clinton had reinforced Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen’s corps at Elizabethtown Point, N.J., with the infantry of the provincial Queen’s Rangers.
2. The Newark Road ran almost due north out of Elizabeth, N.J., beginning at the town’s stone bridge about a mile and a half above the fortified British post at Elizabethtown Point. The artillery eventually left the Newark Road and followed the infantry up the road to Connecticut Farms and Springfield.