251To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival at this place I laid your Excellency’s letter before Congress and addressed them on the business of the Southern department. I am happy to inform you that my appointment is perfectly agreeable to their views and wishes. But I am sorry to acquaint you that from the best account I can get of the state and condition of the troops in that quarter, nothing is to be expected from them,...
252To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colonel John Laurence is very anxious to join the southern Army, as soon as he gets exchanged. His knowledge of the southern States and of the customs and manners of the people will render his services very necessary in that quarter. Congress have passed a resolution authorizing me to make exchanges. I could wish to know your Excellency’s intentions in this business, as it is my wish to...
253To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrivd here yesterday about noon; and met with a kind and hospitable reception by Mrs Washington and all the family. Mrs Washington, Mr and Mrs Custis, (who are here) and Mr Lund Washington and his Lady are all well. We set out this morning for Richmond, and it is now so early that I am oblige to write by candle light. Nothing but the absolute necessity of my being with my command as soon as...
254To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here on the 16th in the evening, and found things in such a train as will unavoidably detain me for several days to make some necessary arrangements, which I shall leave Baron Steuben to complete. The Enemy below after making every preparation for establishing a permanent post at Portsmouth by fortifying the place strongly, suddenly drew in their advanced parties, evacuated the Town,...
255To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am happy in the opportunity of assuring your Excellency that I am receivd and treated with all the marks of respect and attention that I can wish. Your letters has been of singular service; and I am exceedingly obligd to you for the warm manner in which you recommended me to the notice of your friends. Among whom Mr Carey has been very polite and obliging. Your weight and influence both with...
256To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 20 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
My Appointment to the Command of the Southern Army, with Powers to call upon the southern States for Supplies and Support, Your Excellency is already Acquainted with. The Present state of the southern department and the future Operations that must Necessarily be carried on in that Quarter induces me to lay before You the Inclosed Requisitions for men and Supplies of different kinds. Uninformed...
257General Greene’s Requisition for the Southern Army, [20 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Requisitions made to the State of Virginia by Genl. Greene for the Establishment and Supplying the Southern Army. 1. That the State immediately furnish its quota of Troops agreable to the new Establishment, and that the Men be supplied with cloathing Blankets, Arms, and every Accoutrement necessary for equipping them for a Winters Campaign, and that Lawsons Corps, and Stephens’s Brigade of...
258To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 2d instant, to which place General Gates had advanced with the army some days before I overtook him. I find the troops under his command in a wretched condition, destitute of anything necessary either to the comfort or convenience of soldiers. It is impossible that men can render any service, if they are ever so well disposed, whilst they are starving with cold...
259To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 2d this Instant. General Gates having reached this some days before me with a part of the troops under his command, the rest being on their march to Hillsborough. General Smallwood was below this about fifteen miles towards the Waxhaws, where he had been for a considerable time before General Gates marched from Hillsborough. On my arrival I sent for him; but he...
260To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 14 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 26th I have had the honor to recieve but not till within a few days. Lieut. Read who commands Major Nelsons corps of horse in the Majors absence; and who will have the honor to deliver this has orders to proceed to Virginia with his command: it being the opinion of Col. Washington that they are altogether unfit for further service until they are cloathed. General...
261To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last dispatches of the 7th Instant I informed your Excellency of my arrival at Camp, and of the condition and situation of the Army. I was apprehensive on my first arrival, that the Country around Charlotte was too much exhausted to afford subsistance for the Army at that place for any considerable time. Upon a little further enquiry I was fully convinced; and immediately dispatched Col....
262To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency last, I have taken an entire new position with the Army. One part is with me on this river about 80 Miles from Charlotte, and the other is with Genl. Morgan on Broad river, on the West side of the Catawba about 60 Miles from Charlotte. The State of the provisions as well as many other reasons rendered this measure necessary. Lord Cornwallis continues in the...
263To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed your Excellency by Capt. Walton who is ordered to Virginia to recruit for the first Regiment of Light Dragoons. Cavalry is of great importance to the service in this department and I must beg your Excellency to give every aid in your power to fill the Regiment as soon as possible and that immediate measures may be taken for compleating the compliment of horse required of...
264To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Nathanael Greene, 10 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
General du Portail being on his way to the Northward gives me an opportunity to write you; which I should have done before, had not my letters to his Excellency contained as full information of the state of things, as I was able to give from the little time I had been in the department. When I was appointed to this command I expected to meet with many new and singular difficulties; but they...
265To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose your Excellency an extract of a letter from Brigr Genl Morgan, the authenticity of which depends solely on the report of the Baron Glaub⟨uc⟩. The memorandum which your Excellency will recieve herewith of the Corps under the command of Lord Cornwallis in S. Carolina, is the best I have been enabled to obtain, and I believe their strength is well ascertained....
266To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 13 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 13th of Decemr, this day came to hand. It is true, I came to the Southward in expectation of meeting with difficulties but they far exceed what I had any Idea of. This Country is so extensive and supplies are so difficult to obtain that it is impossible to carry on the war any length of time with the Militia. The waste of stores & consumption of provision and...
267To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Camp on the Pedee, 15 Jan. 1781. Requests credit in the amount of £2,000 for Dr. Brownson , newly appointed purveyor general to the hospital of the southern department, who is on his way to Virginia. RC ( MiU-C ); 1 p.; endorsed. Tr ( CSmH ). Dr. Brownson : Nathan Brownson, M.D., formerly a Georgia delegate to Congress; governor of Georgia, 1782 ( Biog. Dir. Cong. Biographical Directory of the...
268To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my despatches of the 29th Ultimo, I did myself the honor to acquaint your Excellency with the disposition I had made to counteract the movements of the enemy, and to protect the Country from their depredations. Lord Cornwallis continued at Weymissbury, making every preparation, and compleatly equiping his troops for the most active operations, untill the 9th Instant; when having been joined...
269To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My public letter will inform your Excellency of the success of the troops under the command of General Morgan. The event is glorious; and I am exceeding unhappy that our wretched condition will not permit our improving it to the best advantage. I shall do all I can but our prospects are gloomy. Our force is small and dayly declining. We have no cloathing or provisions but what we collect from...
270To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you on the success of the detachment under Genl. Morgan. They were attacked by 1100 British troops under Lt. Col. Tarlton on the 17th. Inst. whom they defeated entirely and with very little loss. I must beg you will permit me to refer you to Major Genl. The Baron de Steuben for the particulars. I have appointed Major Hyrne of the S. Carolina line Deputy Commissary General of...
271To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed by Lt. Colonel White who I have ordered to Virginia to compleat his Regiment. I must entreat your Excellency to give every possible assistance to forward so important a piece of business. General Stephens [Stevens] marched his Militia yesterday for Virginia. I cannot do justice to my own feelings without mentioning to your Excellency the good order and regularity which was...
272To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency by Major Giles, Lord Cornwallis has been constantly in pursuit of the Light Infantry and the prisoners, and is now between the shallow ford upon the Yadkin and Salem, one of the Moravian towns; and still pushing into the country with great rapidity. The moment I was informed of the movements of Lord Cornwallis I put the army in motion on Pedee and left it under...
273To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 16h Ulto. is before me. The enemy are in the vicinity of Moravian towns and are advancing with great rapidity. Our force is so inferior that every exertion in the State of Virginia is necessary to support us. I have taken the liberty to write Mr. Henery to collect 14 or 1500 Volunteers to aid us. I must refer your Excellency to the Honble. the Baron de Steuben...
274To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency at Guilford Court House, giving you an account of our situation and of the measures devised by The Council of War. Since which we have been manouvring constantly in the face of the enemy, who pressed our rear every day. Finding our numbers and condition so unequal to the enemy that it would be too hazardous to risque a general action, and being pressed in point of time...
275To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote your Excellency a short letter at Guilford Court house, and referd you to my letter to Baron Stuben respecting the movements of the enimy. Since then the enimy have been pressing our rear every day. We have crossed the Dan, and I am apprehensive they will cross it above us, at the horse ford. If they should they will oblige us to cross the Stanton branch of the Roanoke. Our Army is so...
276To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to write your Excellency on the 15th Inst., when I was endeavouring to collect a body of Militia to reinforce this Army. But the enemy early on the 19th filed off to Hillsborough, where Lord Cornwallis issued a proclamation, a copy of which is enclosed, and made use of every art to induce the people to join him. To prevent his success in the execution of this business,...
277To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 2[8] February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a Letter from your Excellency by Major Maggill, dated the [18]th, inst. It would give me satisfaction to furnish the Gentleman with such intelligence as might be interesting to you, but there is such a necessity for secrecy to forward the operations of an Army that it will be utterly impossible to furnish him with facts in time to make them important. Should any...
278To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 10 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing your Excellency last, there have been some changes in our circumstances. On the 2d Lieutt Colo. Lee with a detachment of Rifle-Men attacked the advanced of the British Army under Colo. Tarlton near Alamance, and killed and wounded, by report, about thirty of them. On the 6th the British moved down towards high Rock, either with a view to intercept our...
279To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the honor to address your Excellency on the 28th of February. We were soon obliged to change our possition after the departure of my letter by a sudden Manæuvre of the Enemy towards this place. A small skirmish happened in consequence of it near Whitesyls Mill; and as they were chiefly rifle-men who engaged them in it, I make no doubt but the Enemy suffered considerably, tho’ our...
280To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Having formed a junction on the 8th with Colonel Campbells detachment of 18 Months Men and a Body of Carolina Militia under the command of General Butler, I determined to advance towards the Enemy and give them Battle upon the first favorable opportunity. On the 14th, we marched to Gilford Court House and took a position within 8 Miles of the Enemies encampment, with a view to attack them the...