To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 July 1780
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Camp Precaness 9th July 1780.
Sir
Inclos’d I send your Excellency a copy of a letter from Mr Thompson, Waggon Master General, respecting Waggoners.1 His plan and reasons you will judge of, and give your directions accordingly. This, or some similar mode, is indispensibly necessary to promote the service; and however inconvenient it may be to the line of the army, Congress have put things upon such a footing, that there is no alternative: In the first place, we cannot engage Waggoners without money or credit; and in the second place, we have no order to attempt it.
If your Excellency approves of Mr Thompson’s plan, I beg a general order may be given to the Adjutant Genl to detach, from time to time, for this service, as calls may arise, and applications are made by the Waggon Master Genl, and approved of by the Quarter Master General.2 I am, with great respect, Your Excellency’s Most Hume Servt
Nath. Greene Q.M.G.
LS, DLC:GW.
1. James Thompson’s letter to Greene, dated 5 July at Morristown, N.J., reads: “Since my last I have receiv’d Sixty four Horses from Colo. Davis’s district; out of which I made up fourteen Teams; and this moment came to hand the inclos’d with thirteen Waggons and Teams from Lebanon [Pa.]; but not one Waggoner to continue longer than their arrival here. The whole of the Horses are in very bad order. I shall, if possible, detain the Waggoners untill the Tents are forwarded to Camp: Colo. [James] Abeel expects them this evening.
“I have not receiv’d any Horses or Waggons from this State. Believe they go on very slowly in purchasing, having no Money, and full as little credit as ourselves.
“There are a number of drafts now here that are to join the Pennsylva. line; many of them good Waggoners, and little appearance of making good Soldiers: if any drafts are made for the Waggon Service, should be glad to have them from these, as our Cattle this year are very poor, and consequently will require good careful Waggoners” (DLC:GW).
2. For a draft of wagoners from the brigades, see General Orders, 16 July; see also General Orders, 14 August.