101To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit your Excellency a copy of the Cartel settled for the exchange and relief of prisoners taken in this department, and shall be happy if it meets your approbation. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
102To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency undoubtedly has freequently had under consideration a proper position for Winter quarters. It is not always in the power of a General to take a position most favorable to his wishes on account of provision & forage, or to place himself in the most advantageous point of view, for covering the Country and securing his Capital Posts. A certainty with respect to Provision & forage...
103To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Governor Rutledge has arrivd in Camp and brings me such flattering accounts of large reinforcment expected from the West Indies as induces me to send for a farther explanation; and also to forward the present situation of the Southern department. I hope the fleet will stay to compleat the reduction of Charlestown as well as New York. But if this is not to be expected I could wish to know it as...
104To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose your Excellency a copy of a letter of resignation as Quarter Master General to Congress, and another upon the same subject to the Committee of Congress in Camp. I have only to lament that the measures of Administration have laid me under the necessity, at this critical moment. It is true, it has been my wish for a long time to get out of the Department; but as...
105To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose to your Excellencys care a number of family letters from Mrs Greene and my self to our friends in Rhode Island; the whole under cover to Governor Greene. I am not informed whether letters go to the Governors free from postage. If they do not, I beg you will be kind enough to give them a private conveyance by the first safe opportunity. I should not have...
106To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 2 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand reports nothing worthy your Excellencys notice this morning. I was at the Narrows last Evening and find the fleet that came in yesterday consisted of 36 Ships 4 Briggs & five Sloops—One Ship and a Sloop still at the Hook. I could not learn with any degree of certainty who they are. But I believe from their Uniforms they must be the Guards & Artillery. If your Excellency has leisure,...
107To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The much greater part of the Enimy march’t off from Fort Washington and above Kings Bridge this morning—their rout appeard to be towards New York—One of the Train of Artillery came across the River last Night on a Raft by his account the Enimy must have sufferd greatly on the Northside of Fort Washington—Col. Rollings Regiment was Posted there, and behaved with great spirit—Col. Magaw could...
108To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are returns of articles wanted for the use of Colo. Sheldon’s & Moylan’s Regiments of Dragoons which have been demanded of Mr Hubbard the Deputy Quarter Master General of the State of Connecticut who has written to me for instructions in the business. Will your Excellency please to give order in the matter. The Swords Pistols and Cartouch boxes, I should suppose ought to be provided...
109To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I have ever made it a rule, not to promise more, than I had the fairest prospect of performing. I would not wish to lead your Excellency into an expectation, of being in readiness to move, earlier than we shall; but from the letters I have receivd, since I came from Head quarters. I have great reason to think, the Infantry and the Artillery with them, may be ready to march next day after...
110To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the last accounts from Great Britain it appears absolutely necessary that there should be an augmentation of the American forces in consequence of which I suppose there will be several promotions—As I have no desire of quiting the service, I hope the Congress will take no measures that will lay me under the disagreeable necessity of doing it—I have ever found my self exceeding happy under...
111To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receivd your Excellencys letter of this day. Maxwells brigade & Lees Light Horse will march early in the morning. I have got no further intelligence but Col. Dayton expects some to Night. I shall be under the necessity to go by the way of Morris, and will join the Army as soon as I have put things in a proper train in the Quarter Masters Department at that place. Your...
112To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I herewith send your Excellency the Estimates which Colonel Hamilton requested me to furnish yesterday. The want of full information upon several points, from the deranged state of the Quarter Master’s department for some time past, prevents my being as exact as I could wish; but I believe the Estimates are sufficient to ground the applications upon for all such articles as the states are to...
113To 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...
114To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receivd a line from Col. Webb last Evening directing me to enquire how many Ships had past the Narrows. Colo. Hand reported one yesterday morning, which I thought was reported in my morning report, and if it is not reported there, it was an omision of mine, I beg your Excellency to examin it. Colo. Hand reported at four OClock in the Afternoon that a Brigantine had gone down towards the...
115To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday I receivd last Night about 12 OClock—The greater part of the troops returnd to this place last Night and marched early this morning to cross the Delaware—I staid at Haddenfield my self with General McDougals division to give the necessary Orders to the Militia—I have left the riffle Corps at Haddenfield and Capt. Lees troop of light Horse to encourage the Militia and...
116To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As the article of flour begins to grow scarce at West point; and as there is little probability of getting Teams without force, will it not be best to employ the Teams at Morris, in getting forward the flour from Hacket’s-town to New-windsor? The shott is not likely to be wanted so soon as the flour. I shall wait your Excellency’s directions before I give any order, how, or where to employ the...
117To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Gibson of the Virgina State regiment sais there are a great number of his men left behind in Virgina and on the road—he wishes to send Lt Col. Brent and two Captains to collect the Straglers deserters and recruits that may be recruited for the Regiment. There will remain a sufficient number of Officers to command the men belonging to the Regiment after these Officers are gone. Col. Gibson...
118To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I send your Excellency all the intelligence I have been able to get since my last. Colonel Dayton and Major Burnet are still at Elizabeth Town and New York. No intelligence can be got. by the way of Pawlas Hook. I am afraid the great difficulty is the want of encouragement to run hazards. The Minister of France stole a march upon us in Camp. He came in Cog: and is on his way to New...
119To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, c. 30 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Nathanael Greene, c. 30 Aug. 1779. On 31 Aug., GW wrote Greene: “I recd your favor respecting the state of the back road.”
120To 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...
121To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a copy of a letter from Colo. Biddle, containing a short state of the forage department; the train things are in; and the prospects that lay before us. This article is so necessary in all offensive operations, that nothing can be undertaken without it. I am sorry to find, that very few are impressed with its importance; and many entertain an opinion that it may be had...
122To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Harrison wrote me you were in great want [of] flour —tis attended with very great difficulty to bring it up from Fort Lee by land[.] Waggons cannot be got to transport a sufficient supp⟨ly⟩ for your Army—At Dobb’s ferry there is Eight or nine hundred Barrels brought from the other side. I have directed Col. Tupper to load a number of the Petty Augres and flat bottom Boats and send them up...
123To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd I send your Excellency a copy of a report from Mr Lewis, made in consequence of an order given him to provide a Team for transporting a quantity of Clothing to Albany. I am afraid the traveling is too bad to expect success if the Jorney is attempted. Several Horses have been ruined and some killed within a day or two only in attempting to bring loads from below the Mountains. Upon the...
124To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 3 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Persuaded that your Excellency, would wish to have good information upon every subject, before you take your ultimate determination upon a place of operations, I shall take the liberty of laying before you a slight sketch, of the political disorders, & military resources of the Southern States. As I am entrusted with the command here; the people will expect it of me, and as your Excellency...
125To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 21 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letters of the 16th, 24th and 30th of October containing an account of the operations of the combined Army afford me the highest satisfaction and I beg leave to congratulate Your Excellency again upon this important and happy event. I contemplate its advantages with infinite satisfaction and feel a relief upon the occasion that is difficult to express. Count Rochambeau’s stay...
126To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are landed at Powleys Hook, they came up this afternoon and began a Cannonade on the Battery; and after Cannonadeing for half an hour or a little more they landed a party from the Ships. General Mercer had orderd off, from the Hook all the Troops except a small Guard who had Orders to Evacuate the place from the first approach of the Enimy. General Mercer mentions no Troops but those...
127To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I came to this Place yesterday morning—the Difficulty of crossing the Baggage over the River prevented it’s coming up last night. The Boats & Scows at Burlington are under very bad Regulations—Gen. Varnum had retreated as I wrote your Excellency before to this place —He left a Party of Militia at Haddonfield; I am afraid there has a very considerable Quantity of Stores fallen into the Enemies...
128To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d I send your Excellency a copy of a letter this moment receiv’d from Colo. Biddle, respecting the forage Department. The inclos’d News Paper has the resolutions of Congress in it, which Colo. Biddle’s letter refers to. As the matter is altogether out of my power to remedy, I must refer it to your Excellency, and beg your advice and order thereon. I am with great respect and regard,...
129To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has made me very unhappy. I can submit very patiently to deserved censure; but it wounds my feelings exceedingly to meet with a rebuke, for doing what I conceivd to be a proper part of my duty; and in the order of things. When I left your Excellency at Haverstraw you desird me to go forward and reconnoiter the Country, and fix upon some proper position to draw the troops...
130To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency the estimates of the annual expence of the war; and the amount of what each State can pay towards the charge. Nothing more can be expected from them than to prove that our income is not equal to our expence. They are calculated upon as low or lower scale than the real cost will amount to. Besides these estimates there are several other matters not included in...
131To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have just returnd from reconnoitering the grounds about Darby, the Islands below and up to the middle ferry—we purpose to go out again in the morning—from the present view Darby appears the only eligible position for the Army for the purpose of their crossing the river—It is the opinion of several of the gentlemen that the enemy may be best dislodged from the Islands by detachment, others...
132To 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...
133To 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,...
134To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Being again destitute of Money, and the Expresses (who are in the same situation) having a considerable sum due to them, I am under the necessity of asking for another Warrant on the Military Chest for fifteen or twenty thousand Dollars: if this can be granted, the public service will be benefited, and I much obliged. With great Respect, I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & Hume Servt LS ,...
135To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. Chambers at Gravesend Reports Eight Sail of Shiping standing in for the Hook, but they are at too great a distance to discover what they are to a degree of certainty, but they have the appearance of Transports. I have the honnor to be your Excellencys most Obedient humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . This letter is docketed in Samuel Blachley Webb’s writing “Long-Island 26th July 1776.”...
136To 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...
137To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed there is a party of Indians in Sussex County, and that the Militia appointed to guard the Stores have left them; which may give the former an opening to destroy them. Will it not answer a good purpose to send into Sussex a party of Light horse both to secure the Stores and aid the Qr Master there in getting out teams? Unless there is a party sent I am afraid the flour will not be...
138To 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...
139To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand reports three Ships at the Hook. A large Schooner saild from the watering place late yesterday in the Afternoon. she seems to direct her course towards Amboy this morning. From the fireing heard at Sea last Evening tis supposd the remainder of the Hessian fleet is at hand. Every thing at the watering place remains quiet. Nothing remarkable has happened in this Camp since Yesterdays...
140To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de la fyette, and Monsieur de Cornie, have made several propositions to me, for furnishing for the use of the French Army expected, a certain number of Waggons, draft, and saddle Horses; and they wish me to employ the Continental Agents, and such others in the business as I may think necessary. I wish to know whether your Excellency will approve of my undertaking the business, as I...
141To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your affectionate letter of the 15th ultimo by Mr Mathews was this moment handed me. I thank you most cordially for the kind attention you pay to Mrs Greene. I did not expect she would have had the courage to engage in such a disagreeable journey and shall be extreme happy if she gets through it without meeting any capital misfortune. I sinserely condole with Mrs Washington on the loss of her...
142To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 22 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hand Reports this morning the Ships that came in yesterday have Troops on board, they appear to be drest in the high Land habit. nothing material has happend in this Camp since yesterday. I have the honnor to be your Excellencys most obedient humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW .
143To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The only hope that the Enemy can ever have of subjugating this Country is by possessing themselves of our Capital Cities , distressing our trade—destroying our Stores, and debauching one part of the Comunity to lend their Aid to subjugate the other. These appear to be the great out lines of their plan, upon which they have hitherto regulated all their Operations; and they have never varied...
144To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a return (as exact as I have been able to obtain) of the Artificers enlisted for three years or during the War, who belong to the eleven Companies ordered to be incorporated by the Resolution of Congress of the 12th of November last. The number is far short of what are absolutely necessary to do the duty of the Army. I think it would be of public advantage to have the companies...
145To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The delicate situation I am in prevents my speaking in councels of war with that openness I should if I was to take a part in the command. I must confess the opinion I subscribed to if it is to be considerd in confind sense does not perfectly coincide with my Sentiments I am not for hazzarding a general action unnecessarily but I am clearly of opinion for makeing a serious impression with the...
146To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Campaign being near a Close, the Cantoning of the Troops for the Winter is probably under Your Excellency’s Consideration. In the Choice of a Position I doubt not due Regard will be paid to the Practicability of obtaining Supplies of Provisions & Forage; But as the Means of furnishing these Capital Articles fall much within my Department, and I am apprehensive of some Difficulties which...
147To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is an Estimate of the number of Tents and other articles wanted for the Army intended to be employed, exclusive of what we have on hand. I have stated the cost, and proportioned the number of each article upon the Sea-port Towns. I am confident, if your Excellency will address the Merchants, they may be got by their interest and influence; and unless this or some similar mode is...
148To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have never had any general, or particular order from your Excellency for providing in the Quarter Master’s Department for the ensuing campaign; either with respect to the number of Troops to be provided for, or the places where they are to be employed. Is it not necessary for me to have your Excellency’s order on the subject that the provision may in some sort corrispond with the demand; and...
149To 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.
150To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
From every new conversation which I have with your Excellency upon the business of the Quarter Masters department, I am more and more convinced, that you are in a great measure a stranger to the difficulties and embarassments attending it; as well as to the mortification risque and injury those are exposd to who engage in it. However important our cause or valuable the blessings of liberty it...