1From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 22 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the second Instant has lain by me, I suppose these Eighteen days, but I fear I shall often have occasion to make Apologies for Such omissions, which will never happen from Want of Respect, but I fear very often for Want of Time. Your Reasoning, to prove the Equity, and the Policy of making Provision for the Unfortunate Officer, or soldier, is extreamly just, and cannot be...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
From your Brigade (& principally from the Riffle Regiment) detach as many Men as will be sufficient to effect the purpose mentioned in the following Resolution of the Provencial Congress of New York. “In Provencial Congress New York June 24. 1776 Whereas Information has been given to this Congress that Sundry Persons on Nassau Island disaffected & inimical to the American Cause are in Arms in...
3From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 4 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 14 of July is before me. I am happy to find your Sentiments concerning the Rewards of the Army, and the Promotion of Officers So nearly agreable to mine. I wish the general sense here was more nearly agreable to them. Time I hope will introduce a proper sense of Justice in those Cases where it may for Want of Knowledge and Experience be wanting. The New England Collonells,...
4From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 24 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 24 Oct. 1776. Greene’s letter to GW of this date is docketed: “Genl Greene 24th Octr 1776. Ansd same day.”
5From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 31 Oct. 1776. Greene’s first letter to GW of 29 Oct. is docketed “An[swere]d 31st.”
6From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy after having Incamp’d in full view of us, and reconnoitring our Situation for several days thought proper on Tuesday Morning to decamp. they have bent their course to Dob⟨bs⟩ Ferry Inclining towards Kings bridge. what their real designs are, we, as yet, are strangers to; but conjecturing that too little is yet done by General Howe to go into Winter Quarters, we conceive that Fort...
7From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late passage of the 3 Vessells up the North River (which we have just received Advice of) is so plain a proof of the inefficacy of all the Obstructions we have thrown into it that I cannot but think it will fully justify a Change in the Disposition which has been made. If we cannot prevent Vessells passing up, and the Enemy are possessed of the surrounding Country, what valuable purpose...
8From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letters of y⟨e⟩sterday two Deserters have got in from the Enemy (at Dobbs’s Ferry) who relate m⟨a⟩ny circumstances in proof of the Enemys Intention of crossing into the Jerseys at or near Dobbs’s Ferry under cover of a Cannonade from their Shipping. These Deserters say that Boats were to have been brought up (from New York they add, but possibly they may be brought from the Sound by...
9From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 18 Feb. 1777. In his letter of 20 Feb. Greene informed GW that “your favor of the 18th came to hand last Evening.”
10From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had, last Evening the Pleasure of yours of March 3. by your Brother, to whom in his Business to this Place I shall give all the Assistance in my Power. In whose favour the Ballance of Letters lies, I cant Say: but if I am in debt, in Point of Numbers it must be because Some of my Remittances have miscarried. I am not yet entirely convinced, that We are playing a desperate Game, tho I must...
11Instructions to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having the Congress well inform’d of many matters essential to the well being of this Army, and the Impracticability of doing this fully by Letter, have induced me to request you (who intimately know our Circumstances) to repair immediately to Philadelphia for this purpose. at the same time to know how we are to be supplied with Arms and many other Articles of wch we are...
12From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with a Letter from Congress of the 17th Inst. covering Sundry Resolutions. They have determined to adhere to those formed sometime ago respectg Lt Colo. Campbell & the Hessian Feild Officers; Yet I am not able to conclude certainly, whether they mean to hold them as Sureties for the future safety & good treatment of Genl Lee ’till his Exchange is really effected, or...
13From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am again called upon for another meeting between Colo. Walcott & Mr Harrison to negotiate the Cartel—so long the Subject of Correspondence between Genl Howe & myself & those two Gentn. Without incurring further charge of delay, I could not defer their interview longer than next Friday morning; I therefore request that you will transmit me by Express, who may arrive here early enough on...
14From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 13 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
In considering a Letter from the General, sometime ago, in the Board of War, it was agreed to report to Congress a Resolution, approving of the Laboratory at Sprin g field, and such a Report was made, but upon some Opposition to it, it was ordered to lye on the Table, where it has lain ever since. I will, move to have it taken up and determined. Some Gentlemen will oppose it, par ticularly...
15To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 7 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 27th of April I am to acknowledge. I cannot concur with you in Sentiment because the Enimy did not go to Philadelphia last December that they had no intention then or since of going there. I am of opinion if the Enemy could have got over the Delaware immediately after our Army crosd it, it would have been agreeable to their wishes. Had they effected it before the Junction of our...
16From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 9 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 2d Instant, came duly to hand. The Indifference of the People about recruiting the Army, is a Circumstance, which ought to make Us, consider what are the Causes of it. It is not, merely the Melancholly, arising from the unfortunate Events of the last Campaign, but the Small Pox, and above all the unhappy State of our Finances, which occasion this Evil. There are other...
17From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 7th. was brought me this Morning. My Meaning was that if the Conduct of our Army, had depended on me, I should have taken more Pains to have obtained exact Information of the Enemies Numbers, and our own, and should have considered every Indication of the Enemies Intentions of coming to Philadelphia more particularly. Altho, there is no doubt that Congress have Authority to direct...
18From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your ride to and from Peeks Kill, I would have you make the best observations that time and Circumstances will admit, upon the Country, and point out, at your return, such places for posts of Communication, as you shall conceive necessary. Determine upon the propriety of having a Post at Pompton, examine the Works throwing up at that place, and give such directions to General Heard or...
19From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777. Greene wrote GW on 24 May : “Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand.”
20From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
During the civil Wars in Rome, in the Time of Sylla, and young Marius, after the Death of the Elder Marius, Sylla commanded one Army against Mithridates King of Pontus, and Fimbria another. Both were in Arms against the Same foreign Enemy: but Sylla and Fimbria were equally Enemies to each other, commanding different Armies in the Service of different Parties at Rome, which were disputing...
21From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered the Assistant Commissary at this place, to repair immediately to Camp. It is the peculiar misfortune of this Army to have, generally speaking, the head[s] of the different departments always absent when they are most wanted—Two months was I labouring, as hard as a man could, to get the Comy Genl to this place, & had scarce accomplished it before the Congress ordered him to...
22From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 28 Ultimo is before me. It is certain that Religion and Morality, have no less obligation upon Armies, than upon Cities and contribute no less to the Happiness of Soldiers than of Citizens. There is one Principle of Religion, which has contributed vastly to the Excellence of Armies, who had very little else of Religion or Morality, the Principle I mean is the Sacred obligation of...
23From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 7 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I never before took hold of a Pen, to write to my Friend General Green, without Pleasure, but I think myself obliged to do it now upon a Subject that gives me a great deal of Pain. The Three Letters from, the Generals Sullivan, Green and Knox, have interrupted the Deliberations of Congress, and given many of the Members of it much Uneasiness. They thought themselves bound, in Honour and...
24George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Orders Greene to hold men in readiness to march and to give the necessary orders to quartermaster general and commissary general respecting provisions and forage. States that British fleet has departed from the Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although H’s crossed-out signature can be seen on the draft, this...
25From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have not recieved any certain intelligence that the Fleet have got within the Capes. By the last accounts they were beating in, the Wind unfavorable; It was supposed they would get in about three OClock yesterday Evening. I would wish you to collect and bring up your rear, as soon as may be, to German Town or to proper Grounds contiguous to it where the Troops are to remain untill further...
26From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received information by express that the enemys fleet have disappeared from the Capes yesterday morning about eight OClock. This unexpected event makes it necessary to reverse our disposition and I have accordingly sent orders to Sullivan’s division, and the two other brigades on the other side the Delaware to return and recross the North River. You are immediately to complete your...
27From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 Aug. 1777. In his letter to Lt. Col. Holtzendorff of 18 Aug. , GW says: “I inclose you a letter to General Greene, informing him, that I have attached you to his division.”
28From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of Yesterday Afternoon from Burlington. As you have crossed the River, an attack upon the Enemy’s detachment if it can be made with success, would be a most desirable object. But I must leave the propriety of it entirely to your own judgment. I have heard nothing more of Glovers Brigade than that they were advancing down the Road from Morris Town; I sent an Express to meet...
29From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of this days date—it does not appear from any account worthy of credit—that any part of the Detachment which cross’d the Delaware under Lord Cornwallis has return’d to Philadelphia. I am inclined therefore to wish that you would advance to meet it as much in force as possible—and that for this purpose you would use every means to hasten the junction of Glover’s...
30From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
If you have not moved from Mount Holley when this comes to hand, I wish you to wait there till you see Colo. Meade, who will set off immediately charged with some important matters which I thought it improper to commit to paper. This However you are to understand under this restriction—That I do not mean to prevent you a moment from prosecuting any Object you have immediately in view that...