251To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My public letters to Congress will inform your Excellency of our situation in this quarter. We fight get beat and fight again. We have so much to do and so little to do it with, that I am much afraid these States must fall never to rise again; and what is more I am perswaded they will lay a train to sap the foundation of all the rest. I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for ordering the...
252To 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.
253To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Post at this place surrendered to the advance of our Army under Lieut. Colo. See on the 15th the particulars are transmitted to Congress; and as I have not a moments time to lose being anxious to push for ninety six as soon as possible, I must beg leave to refer your Excellency to my letters to Congress. I am in distress and our Affairs are in the most critical situation the Cause I will...
254To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am so streightened in point of time and my family are so unwell that I have beged Congress to transmit your Excellency copies of my letters to them. As soon as I can get a liesure moment, I will give you a more full and particular account of matters in this quarter. In the mean time I beg your Excellency to believe me to be With the greatest respect Your Most Obedient Humble Servant DLC :...
255To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letters of the 19th & 21st see 22 of April, I have had the honor to receive. Nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to have it in my power to oblige Major McPherson; especially as it will afford me an opportunity of obliging your Excellency at the same time. Inclosed is a Copy of my last letter to Congress. Copies of my former Letters I desired the President of...
256To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 18th of April affords me peculear satisfaction. If my conduct meets your approbation it will console me amidst the hissing murmurs of ten thousand of the ignorant rabble. The honor you did me in the appointment is an additional motive to exert my self to the satisfaction of the public. My public letters will inform your Excellency of the situation of things here....
257To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency at little River near Ninety Six I have been favored with your dispatch of June the 1st. It affords me great pleasure to hear that an attack is meditating against New York. This measure no doubt will create a powerful diversion in favor of the Country; and I wish most ardently that the Northern States may enable you to compleat its reduction. But I confess this is...
258To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 28 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my Letter to Congress containing an account of the operations of the detachment mentioned in my last gone towards Charles Town for the purpose of attacking the Enemys lower Posts. The success was less than I expected or than the opportunity promised; however upon the whole many advantages have resulted from the manoeuvre. Major Hyrne our Commissary of Prisoners has...
259To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Governor Rutledge arrived in Camp a few Days since and informed me that a French fleet of 20 sail of the Line, besides Frigates were to be on the coast by the 25th of this month to co-operate with the American Army for disposessing the Enemy of the several posts they hold in the United States; and that there are to come with the fleet from five to ten thousand Troops to facilitate the...
260To 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...
261To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency by Colonel Morris nothing very material has taken place, except the hanging of Colonel Haynes one our militia Colonels, who the enemy hung in Charles Town a little time since, as a traytor as they call him. He was a man of a most amiable character, highly respected, and of a most extensive influence. This insult offered to the good people of this Country, and to...
262To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your very affectionate letter of the 30th of July; and your entire approbation of my conduct claims my warmest acknowledgments. I cannot help thinking it no less fortunate for the public than happy for ourselves that so perfect a good understanding subsists between your Excellency the Marquis and my self; and I beg leave to assure your Excellency that from duty and inclination I...
263To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th of July I have had the honor to receive. before the receipt of which I had sent off two of my aids to give your Excellency a very particular account of the state of the southern department. By Colonel Morris I wrote my opinion respecting the proper object to operate against should we be so happy as to be joined by our good ally. I presume he is with your...
264To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 29 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency by Captain Pierce, on the 17th inst. since which I am informed the Maryland troops which were expected to reinforce this Army, have been Ordered to join the Army in Virginia. our situation is truly distressing, and the want of a reinforcement very pressing; but if it will interfere with more important concerns, I am very willing to struggle with every difficulty &...
265To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 4 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Giles who served with General Morgan as an Aid in the battle of the Cowpens is desirous of serving as a volunteer Aid in your Excellencys family during the operations in Virginia. I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellencys notice as a young Gentleman of merit and good sense, adorned with a liberal education and of a good disposition accompanied with a degree of prudence and...
266To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th Sept. dated at Philadelphia I have had the honor to receive. but before the receipt of which I was informed of the arrival of Count de Grasse and since which I have had the pleasure to hear of your arrival in Virginia with a force sufficient to reduce the british army under Earl Cornwallis in a short time. I beg leave to congratulate you on your happy...
267To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 25 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last letter was dated at Charlotte & forwarded by Lieut. Coll Lee; since which I have received your Excellencys favor of the 28th of september. I am happy to find the army under your command ready to commence operations against Lord Cornwallis, but I am sorry to hear you think the Issue somewhat doubtful. And it gives me great pain to find that whatever may be our success in Virginia, the...
268To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Within a few days, I have received from General Smallwood, the arrangement of the Maryland line; by which I find that Colonel Hall has resigned, and that the regiments are fast forming, to compose two brigades; and as General Smallwoods promotion, creates a vacancy in the line of Brigadiers, to which Coll Williams stands in the line of promotion; I am to request, that your Excellency, will...
269To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon the glorious and important success of your Army. The news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his Army reached us the 27th in the evening; and it came so well warranted that we had a feu de joy upon it the 28th. The intelligence came away the 18th from Richmond; but I find by a letter I have since received from Col. Carrington that the...
270To 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...
271To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your very affectionate letter dated before York. Your approbation of my conduct affords me the highest satisfaction; and I flatter my self nothing on my part will ever be wanting to deserve a continuance of your esteem and regard. I may be unfortunate but I shall never be unfaithful to my friendships. My letter to Mrs Greene your Excellency will please to forward, if she is not on...
272To 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...
273To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my letter to Congress which contains all material matters of occurrence since I wrote your Excellency before. Capt. Shutrick, who transacts the business for Major Hyrne in the commissary of Prisoners department since his misfortune has transmitted a copy of the State of that business in this quarter and upon examination I found Major Hyrne had forwarded one a few days...
274To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency on the 9th of December, I have been favored with your dispatches of the 16th of Novemr 15th & 19th of December. My letter to Congress, a copy of which I inclose, will inform your Excellency of the arrival of General St Clair with the Pennsylvania and Maryland Troops. The Virginia Officers protested against marching until they got their pay, and are still in...
275To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Ecellency’s letter of the 29th of December, came to hand yesterday. The reinforcement you mention has not arrived, and I hope they are gone to another quarter. I got intelligence of the preparation making in New York, and of the opinion of their being destined to Charles Town. But whether they went to some other quarter, or the small reinforcement mentioned in my last was what gave rise...
276To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 8th of February since which I am without your favor. In my last I informed you that I had written to Count Rochambeau for reinforcements. Inclosed is his answer. I am persuaded he must have mistaken your intentions. I find nothing is to be expected from that quarter. I am sorry the Legion was put in motion as it may raise the enemy’s apprehensions, and bring upon us...
277To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Being informed by Major Burnet that the arrangement of the several Lines of the Southern States had not been made agreable to my order on that head, I have enclosed a Copy of all that have come to my hand, or that I have been able to procure. The distraction that has prevailed in these States, the great number of Officers belonging to the several Lines in captivity, and the great extent of...
278To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 13 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letters of the 26th of January, and 18th of February have both been received. But I am afraid some of the Northern dispatches have been taken by the Enemy, and carried into Charles town. It is certain they have taken a packet coming to me, but where from I cannot learn. I have represented my situation so fully in several former Letters, and as our difficulties rather increase...
279To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 15 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
General St Clair being on the return to the northward affords me an opportunity to inform your Excellency of the safe arrival of Mrs Greene and to return you my sinsere and grateful acknowledgements for your kindness to her. She spent some time at Mount Vernon and was most agreeably entertained. Her journey was disagreeable and beset with many difficulties; but the politeness and hospitality...
280To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured by your Excellency’s letter of the 2d Ulto two days since. The enemy continue in the same position as when M.Genl St Clair left this army; however from various circumstances I am led to believe they are making preparations for a forward movement, and am apprehensive for the consequences of such an event. Our force is inferior to the enemy and in a distressed situation the men...
281To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 19 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Fortune seems to smile upon the perseverence of Great Britain, Count de Grass’s defeat mentioned in my official letters appears to be much more important than I expected. Since I wrote I have seen Admiral Rodneys letter. Cout de Grass is a prisoner and has lost six Ships of the line; and I fear the rest of the fleet are so shattered as to be incapable of attempting any thing for a long time....
282To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 19 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with your Excellency’s letter of the 18th of March. I wrote you in my letter of the 22d April that a spirit of mutiny and discontent had got footing in the Army. hanging the serjeant and sending off five others belonging to the Pennsylvania and Maryland Line has happily put a check to it, and the troops appear now of quite a different temper, altho’ their sufferings still...
283To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of informing your Excellency in a letter of the 19th instant that a dangerous spirit of discontent had been discovered in the Army, and of the measures I took to suppress it. I am happy to inform you that this spirit seems intirely to have subsided, as the persons who fomented it are removed at a distance from the troops: and, as we have now a prospect of some cloathing and...
284To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 6 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency the monthly return of the Army under my command. I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & Most Humble Sert MiU-C : Nathanael Greene Papers.
285To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Benjamin Cattle Esquire an inhabitant of South Carolina lately in the Continental Army and one of the Governors privy Council has been in a declining state of health for a long time. It has been recommended to him by his physician, and friends to go to the Northward by winter to New York for the recovery of his health, and General Leslie has been polite enough to grant him the necessary...
286To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 11 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 7th Ulto covering the returns of the army, I hope has been safely delivered. Since which I have been duly honoured with your Excellencys favours of the 23d of April and 22d of May. The troops have been so badly cloathed and the season is so very hot that many of the soldiery have been seized with fevers which render them unfit for service although it has by no means proved...
287To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 12 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have great reason to believe as well from appearances as from the enemy’s declarations that they will evacuate Charlestown very soon. I hinted something of the kind in my letter of the 11th of July which I hope has been recieved. Appearances then were equivocal, they now seem to wear a face of certainty. They have left the Quarter-house, requested the inhabitants to hold themselves in...
288To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency a duplicate of my letter of the 12th Inst. As it is necessary you should be early and fully informed of what is going on in this quarter, and as conveyances are subject to interception I think this precaution requisite to guard against any evil which a circumstance of that kind might produce. Since I wrote you last two fleets have passed this latitude...
289To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 27 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
From present appearances and what is past one would be led to conclude the enemy mean to change the whole plan of the war for a time or that they are taking measures to bring about a peace. Which is their object or whether either, is what I could wish to have your sentiments on. I am much at a loss how to take some measures of a private nature and shall esteem it a particular mark of your...
290To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 29 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency a day or two ago Lt Colo. Laurens has been killed in an Action on the Combahee River about fifty miles south of our Camp. The Enemy made a detachment into that quarter with a number of armed Vessels, empty Sloops and Schooners with about 500 Infantry to collect Rice. General Gist with the Light Troops, in which Lt Colo. Laurens held a command, was detached to...
291To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 4 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by your Excellency’s long and communicative letters of the 9th of July and 6th of August. Since my letter of the 26th of August the evacuation of Charles Town is reduced to a certainty. The following disposition it is said is to be made of the troops in garrison. Lord Rawdon’s corps which is put upon the british establishment as the 105th Regt is going directly to Ireland....
292To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 11 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency the returns of this Army for the Month of October. In my next dispatch perhaps I may have the pleasure to congratulate you on the evacuation of Charles Town. This event I expected would have taken place long before this, but some particular circumstances have occurred to prevent it; and I believe they will not leave this Country untill about the 20th...
293To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 6 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency a Return for the Month of November of the infantry, cavalry, Artillery, and the Legion serving in the Southern Department. I am Your Excellency’s Most obedient Humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
294To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I doubt not your Excellency expected to hear of the evacuation of Charles Town long before this. The enemy are not yet gone altho’ now just upon the eve of this departure. In two days more the town will be free. Your letter of the 23d of Sepr I just acknowledged in Novr with a promise to give it a more full answer at a future day. The Minister at War sent me an order for incorporating &...
295To 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...
296To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 19 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency a copy of my letter to Congress containing an account of the evacuation of Charles Town, on which happy event I beg leave to congratulate you. It has been long in expectation, and for some time past seemed to hang in doubtful suspence. This, together with the liberation of all the militia on parole in the southern States, places them on the most...
297To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose your Excellency the returns of the Southern Army for the Month of January. With due respect and esteem, I have the honor to be your most obedient humble servant Not Assigned.
298To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 16 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellencys despatches of the 18th of December, and 29th of January. I am made happy by your full approbation of my conduct and the Army under my command, during the Southern operations. The evacuation of Charles Town, & the proposals of Peace, are matters highly interesting to this Country, whose finances, and political arrangements, are in the most deplorable...
299To 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...
300To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 4 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency a Return of the Army for the month of March. I am with great esteem Your Excellency’s Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.