To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 28 July 1776
From Brigadier General Nathanael Greene
Camp on Long Island Sunday [28 July 1776] 12 OClock
Colo. Hands morning Report contained nothing material. Lt Colo. Chambers reports this moment that he saw at Ten this morning ten Sail of Vessels standing in for the Hook, but at too great a distance to discover what they were. Mrs Grant applies again for Permision to go on board the fleet. Should be glad to know your Excellencys Pleasure in the matter. she pleads great distress. but it can amount only to a family matter, make the best of it.
The new levies that come in hanker after Milk & Vegetables, I should think it would benefit the service to allow all the Regiments to draw one third the Value of the Animal food in money to purchase milk & so and direct in the most positive terms the Quarter Masters to provide it for the men.1 I am with all due respect your Excellencys most Obedient humble Servant
N. Greene
ALS, DLC:GW.
Although Robert Hanson Harrison docketed this letter “from B. Genl Greene July 20. 1776,” that date was a Saturday rather than a Sunday. Greene’s reference in the text to Mrs. Grant’s applying again for permission to go aboard the British fleet, a matter that he had brought to GW’s attention in his second letter to GW of 27 July, indicates that this letter was probably written the following day, 28 July, which was a Sunday. In addition, Lt. Col. Chambers’s report of “ten Sail of vessels” approaching Sandy Hook mentioned in this letter seems to be confirmed by Greene’s letter to GW of 29 July, which says that “Colo. Hand Reports Nine Ships, four Briggs & two Sloops at the Hook that came in last Evening.” George Washington Greene’s transcript of this letter in CSmH is dated “12 o’clock July 28. 1776.”
1. For Greene’s earlier views on rations, see his letter to GW of 11 July. See also General Orders, 22, 24 July.