121To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 11 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
We find ourselves exceedingly distressed for want of Waggoners. Mr Thomson Waggon Master General informs me there are a number of Soldiers now in the Hospital that are incapable of doing the duty of Soldiers any more. Who are about to be discharged from the service. Mr Thomson thinks they may be usefully employed as Waggoners and as they are enlisted during the War it will be a public loss to...
122To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Colo. Biddles Letter to me upon the distressed state of the Forage Department. Our Cattle for this ten days past have not had one half the necessary allowance of Forage. The Resolution of Congress prohibiting the use of Wheat and the Restrictive Laws in the several States, in the Neighbourhood of Camp, renders it impossible to subsist the Cattle, unless some further aid can be...
123To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wish when your Excellency gives your orders for the Troops to march from Fish Kills that those employed in transporting forage may continue in that service until the Troops that are to Winter there, arrive and furnish a party to releive them. There are also a few Masons now employed in building Chimneys to the Barracks. These I wish may be left for about a fortnight. There will be wanted for...
124To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The repeated instances of violence commited by Officers of inferior rank in the line, upon Waggon Masters, In direct violation of your Excellency orders render it necessary that some check should be given to this unwarrantable practice. The warrant Officers begin to think their situation so very disagreeable that they are determined one and all to quit the service unless they can find some...
125To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is Col. Biddles Letter to me upon the subject of Forage. I shall only add that a great number of our Horses for Ten days past have been falling away to such a degree for want of a sufficient supply that those which were in good order then are now almost unfit for duty. I am perswaded it will be impossible to subsist the Cattle belonging to the Army here unless there is a Press Warrant...
126To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is great complaints from Fish Kill and other Posts among the Waggoners and Artificers on account of the Commisarys, being directed to issue a Gill of Rice in lieu of half a pound of flour and being cut off of their usual allowance of Rum—Col. Hay writes me the Waggoners are actually leaveing the service on account of the Rice and the Country People refuse to work without the allowance of...
127To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I got to this place last night but too late to take a survey of any part of the Country. I waited upon Lord Sterling as I came through Elizabeth Town and to my great surprise found Col. Moylans Light Dragoons had not been sent off. I spoke to his Lordship upon the necessity of sending them away immediately, he refusd to let them go, and said he would not remain at the Post if they were order’d...
128To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 1 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Nathanael Greene, 1 Dec. 1778. On 4 Dec. , GW acknowledged receipt of a letter of the “1st Inst. which met me on the way to this place.”
129To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 4 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Nathanael Greene, 4 Dec. 1778. On 5 Dec., GW’s aide Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Greene that GW “desired me to acknowledge his receipt of your favor of yesterday” (see GW to Greene, 4 Dec. , source note).
130To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The little leisure I have dont afford me a sufficient opportunity to go largely into the subject your Excellency requested my opinion upon. I have been oblig’d to write for two Nights past until after one oClock in the morning, and am now writing before Sunrise. Therefore I hope your Excellency wont think me inattentive to your wishes or regardless of the Subject. I think the fact is pretty...
131To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 18 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
It cannot be unknown to Congress that in the different Departments of the Army there are many Persons employed in the Character of Officers who have no other Commission than a kind of Warrant or Appointment from the Head of the Department in which they serve. They consequently have no Rank in the Army, but are left on the Footing of private Soldiers as to Arrests, and Modes of Trial. Amongst...
132To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 1 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
In the different Movements of the Army it frequently happens that the Inhabitants of the Country unavoidably suffer damages of various kinds for which Justice seems to demand that they should receive a Compensation from the Publick. There are two ways in which these damages usually happen one of which is the taking; of such Articles on sudden Emergencies as the Army may stand in need of, which...
133To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have carefully looked over the plan for a Resolve of Congress. There appears to me two defects in it. One is the Articls taken in the Commisarys & quarter masters line should pass through the principals of those departments instead of going to the Auditors as it must be supposd they are better judges of the necessity and proper application of the things taken than the Auditors can be. The...
134To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] February 23, 1779 . States that the work on “batteaux” will be continued in case it is decided to revive expedition against Canada. LS , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
135To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find from experience in the Quarter Master’s department, the greatest difficulty in procuring waggoners—These are a class of men that are difficult to be found; and are so essential to the movements of the army that there is nothing to be done without them. The encouragement that was given last campaign appeared to be very high, and the pains that was taken to enlist men for the waggon...
136To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is your Excellencys queries with the Answers; they are not so particular as I could wish; but are pretty explicit to the most capital points. Should be glad to know whether you will want to see Col. Hooper again, or have any orders to give for preparations in his district. If the Troops should March from Easton to Wyoming the Col. should have some previous notice of it. I was...
137To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 17–24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have carefully looked over General Schuylers plan for an Indian expedition; and tho I think many of his observations are just, yet I am perswaded it will be attended with more risque and expence and be less certain of success, than if the Expedition is carryed on by the way of the Susquehannah. There is six great objects to be taken into consideration in the plan of the expedition—The force...
138To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote Your Excellency the 24th Feby, pointing out the necessity as well as utility for Enlisting Waggoners dureing the War. I have received a Resolution of Congress upon that subject, Dated the 16th of this instant. The Resolve directs Your Excellency to take the necessary measures for carrying it into execution. As the Object is important, I wish to receive your instructions upon the...
139To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Letter receivd last Evening from Mr Patterson. The contents are not the most agreeable; and how it comes directed through me to your Excellency I cannot imagin. He mentions there being a greater number of Boats upon the Susquehannah then he gave an account of when at Camp. Will it not be best to lessen the number orderd to be built; if the proper sizd ones can be had already fit...
140Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
141To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote Your Excellency the 24th of February upon the necessity of enlisting a Corps of Waggoners for the War. There is almost two Months elapsed, and nothing decided upon the question. The season is now almost past for engaging this Class of people; the operations of the Campaign near at hand; and the army without Waggoners. What is to be done in this case? is the question. I must beg your...
142To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receivd a Letter from Col. Mitchel, informing me of the Minister of France haveing postpond his visit to Camp. On my arrival at Philadelphia I shall wait upon the Minister; and will indeavor to learn the precise time he sets out; and give your Excellency the earliest information. By several Letters I have receivd on the Road I find the preparations for the Indian expedition...
143To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I waited upon the Minister of France this morning; and find he sets out for Camp on Tuesday next. He has recoverd a tolerable share of health, and seems in perfect good humour. It is said he has been detaind by Congress for some days past; but on what account is a matter of speculation. There is a report secretly whisperd about Town that there has some overtures of Peace been made by Great...
144To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 22d was deliverd me this afternoon. I am happy to find you have wrote so fully to Congress upon the disagreeable consequences that may follow from starveing the quarter Masters Department at this critical season. I wish it may have the desird effect and rouse their attention; but I must confess I am afraid the stupor is so great that nothing can alarm their fears...
145To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 24th I had the honor of receiving last Evening. I dind yesterday with the Minister of France and find him still determind to set out for Camp to morrow. He sets out at seven in the morning and intends lodging at Trenton. On Wednesday he will be in Camp, if no accident attends him; but at what hour cannot be assertaind as the place he dines at, is not yet determind...
146To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Ambassador is now at this place. He sets off for Camp at 7 oClock in the morning and intends dining with your Excellency. I have this moment arrivd here I left Philadelphia between two & three this afternoon. Before I left Town an Express arrivd from Georgia that brought dispaches from General Lincoln—He says there has been two little skirmishes lately in both which we gaind...
147To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just receivd a Letter from Governor Greene upon the recall of Glovers brigade from the State of Rhode Island. I shall make no comments upon it. The weak and distressed condition of the State your Excellency is as well acquainted with as I am. You are also equally as well acquainted with the Enemies force being greatly superior to that of ours all this was known at the time the order was...
148To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 19 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Nathanael Greene, 19 May 1779. GW wrote to Greene on this date enclosing a letter from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan complaining about the shortage of wagons and other supplies. GW then wrote to Sullivan on this date enclosing Greene’s “answer,” which he had just received.
149To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of what your Excellency said to me yesterday morning I had given orders for distributeing the Camp Equipage before the receipt of yours to day. The business is now executing as fast as possible. I dispached the orders to Col. Cox for ordering in the Teams Saturday Evening past. I have now repeated the orders, to hasten them in as soon as possible: with such additional Stores as...
150To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
A few days since I was mentioning to your Excellency the impossibility of subsisting the Cattle of the Army in the way now pursued by applying to the Magestrate for pasture ground. The slow progress of the business in this way is totally inadequate to our wants. The necessity for changing positions and Sudden Marches that frequently take place in the Army, will not admit of the present mode of...