251To 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...
252To 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,...
253To 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...
254To 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...
255To 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,...
256To 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...
257To 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...
258To 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...
259To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lord Sterling will write by the same express that this comes by and inclose to your Excellency several peices of intelligence obtaind of different People Yesterday —His Lordship thinks the enemy are makeing a disposition to advance for my part I am at a loss to determin whether their disposition is to advance, or for defence—the Enemy have got a party Advanced about Seven Miles this side...
260To 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 &...
261To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Governor Clinton which will accompany this, will give your Excellency an account of the Inroads of the enemy upon our Frontiers, of the surrender of Forts George & Ann, and that prepera-tions were making for the Investiture of Fort Schuyler. The enclosed paper containing the examination of Serjeant Ceely who came here last night being forwarded by General Bayley may give your...
262To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Major Howel you will receive 119000 Musket Cartridges. Part arrived today and part last Night. as soon as the remainder comes up from Amboy & Philadelphia they shall be sent forward. I have been to view the roads again; and fixt upon Aquacanack, Springfield Bownsbrook [Bound Brook], Prince Town & Trenttown to establish the Magezines at. Trent Town and Equacanack, to be the principal ones,...
263To 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...
264To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent on to Camp yesterday near fifty Head of Cattle—I wish it had been in my power to have sent more, but the Inhabitants have taken the alarm, and conceal their stock in such a manner that it is very difficult finding any—they have done the same with their Waggons and Harness—Our poor fellows are obligd to search all the Woods and swamps after them—and often without success—I have given...
265To 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...
266To 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...
267To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Lasher burnt the Barracks yesterday morning three oClock. he left all the Cannon in the Fort. I went out to examin the ground and found between two and three hundred Stand of small Arms (that were out of repair) about two miles beyound Kings Bridge, a great number of Spears, Shot Shells & so, too numerous to mention. I directed all the Waggons on the other side to be employd in geting...
268To 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...
269To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys Letter containing a list of the Counties in Virgina where Waggons might be got and the properest persons to employ to make the purchases. We shall send one Mr Johnston Smith—I shall be much oblige to your Excellency for a Letter to the Inhabitants of Virgina by Mr Smith requesting their aid in forwarding the business of the departmt. I shall also be oblige to your...
270To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Nothing could mark my folly in stronger colours than to be guilty of either want of respect or attention to General Washington: nor can I upon a review of my past conduct think myself justly chargable with either one or the other. Your Excellencys reproof therefore this morning gave me the most sensible pain. When I first came to this place, after Head quarters was agreed on, I gave Coll...
271To 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...
272To 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...
273To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The growing extravagance of the people and the increasing demand for the Article of forage in this quarter, has become a very alarming affair. Hay is from 60 to 80 Dollars ⅌ tun and upon the rise. Corn is 10 Dollars a bushel and oats 4 and every thing else that will answer for forage in that propo[r]tion. Carting is 9/ ⅌ mile by the tun and People much dissatisfied with the price. I have...
274To 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...
275To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have frequently mention’d to Your Excellency the great difficulty—delay and embarrassments I have met with in endeavoring to quarter the Officers of the Army in convenient and suitable quarters, agreable to their respective ranks and conditions. The business has been persued with industry—patience and attention, equal to the importance of the object, or end in view; but such are the...
276To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s favor of the 19th containing an account of the arrival of the French Fleet—their Force, and the time they will be ready for a co-operation with the American Army—and requiring my opinion of the practicability of conveying the supplies to the seat of action, altogether by a land-transportation, except a contingent one by Water, thro’ the Sound. Inclosed I send your...
277To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had a long conversation with General Schuyler this morning, and have seen the powers and appointments upon the present business entrusted to the direction of the Committee, as well as their powers to act under: From all which I am fully of opinion that the plan is altogether incompetent to the purpose and end proposd. Time will not permit me to enter into the detail of objections, nor...
278To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to recommend to your consideration the establishing a certain Guard at Red Hook. tis undoubtedly a Post of vast importance, detach’t Guards never defend a place equal to troops stationd at a particular Post. both Officers and men contract an Affection for a post after being there some time, they will be more industrious to have every thing in readiness and Obstinate in defence. The...
279To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The commencement of the American war was so singular—it’s duration so uncertain—the hopes of reconciliation so strong, that our defence began, and has been continued rather by temporary expedients, than from any proper and fixed establishment. In the early stages of the dispute, the novelty of war was so great—the spirit of patriotism so high, and the abhorrence of slavery such that the people...
280To 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...
281To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency a copy of my last letter to Congress, to which they have given no answer and which necessarily involves very important consequences. The affairs of the Quarter Master’s Department are so intimately connected with the operations of the Army: and the security, support and movements of the latter so dependant on the former, that I think it my duty to give your...
282To 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...
283To 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,...
284To 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...
285To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th reached me at this place—I halted the troops on the reciept of it those that had not got into the town—Genl Varnums & Huntington’s Brigades got to this place before the letter came to hand—I am sorry our march will prove a fruitless one—the enemy have drawn themselves down upon the Peninsula of Gloucester—the Ships are drawn up to cover the Troops—there is...
286To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have possession of Fort Independance on the Heights above Kings Bridge, they made their appearance the night before last. We had got every thing of Value away, The Bridges are cut down and I gave Colonel Magaw Orders to stop the Road between the Mountains. I should be glad to know your Excellency’s mind about holding all the ground from Kings Bridge to the lower lines—If we attempt...
287To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The loss of the garrison of Charles Town, and the return of part of the troops from the Southward to join the Enemy’s force at New York, mate[r]ially change the face and state of things laid before the General Officers at a Council of War held at Morris Town the sixth Ulto; in which your Excellency demanded their opinions on the several questions laid before them in Council. I have frequently...
288To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28–31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 21st came to hand the evening of the 25th. In my last I communicated to your Excellency the departure of the Count de Estainge with his fleet for Boston. This disagreeable event, has as I apprehended ruined all our operations. It struck such a panic among the Militia and Volunteers that they began to desert by Shoals. The fleet no sooner set sail than they began...
289To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be accompanyed with a letter in answer to that of your Excellencys of the 26th Ultimo. Your Excellencys letter to me and the Answer I have given are both laid before Congress, with a request if they have any prospect of giving me such supplies of money, as will enable me to provide for the march of the Troops to the Southward, or to put the Army in motion, that they give me notice...
290To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your favor by Col. Mead who has communicated to me the design of an attack upo[n] Philadelphia, the consequences if successful are so desireable that I wish it appeard to me more practicable—In war there must be always some thing left to chance and I would always recommend to trust some consequences to the Spirit and bravery of the troops—An excess of caution which councils of War...
291To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I shall set out early in the morning for Philadelphia; but can plainly see, little is to be expected from it; unless it is dismissing my self from the Department; which I most devoutly wish, as well from what I discover from General Schuylers letter to your Excellency, as from what he relates to Doctor Cochran. I am very confident there is a party business going on again; and as Mifflin is...
292To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s command I shall in a few words give my Sentiments with respect to the necessity of puting the troops into Winter quarters and the properest place to canton them in. Every one that views the Condition of the army and is acquainted with the severe duty they have gone through will readily agree that good warm comfortable quarters are necessary to supply the defect...
293To 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...
294To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The critical situation in which the Army are in, will I hope sufficiently Apologize for my troubleing your Excellency with this Letter. The Sentiments are dictated I am sure by an honest mind, A mind who feels deeply Interested in the Salvation of his Country; and for the honnor and Reputation of the General under whom he serves. The Object under consideration, is whether a General and speedy...
295To 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...
296To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys letter of the 28th and have carefully read and considerd the several subjects therein addressed to me. The whole matter seems to be resolvd into two points whether we shall act offensively or defensively. If the first the force and plan to opperate upon and if the latter the disposition to be made and the position to be taken. There could not be a moments...
297To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this Evening receiv’d several Letters from Colo. Hay: copies of two of which I inclose to Your Excellency for your perusal. They contain representations of the encreasing difficulties, in the Quarter Master’s Department, at the Post of Fish Kill. It is nothing more than I expected; but only things are drawing to a crisis a little earlier than I had conceived of. I am confident no Man in...
298To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your letter of the 21st I was with a Committee of Congress who had the business of the Cartel and other matters under consideration when your Excellencies letter was deliverd me—I had explaind the matter fully to the Congress & Committee I was two hours before the former and two Evenings with the latter—I believe the business of the Cartel will be settled agreeable to your...
299To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find a great want of Tents in several Brigades—General Maxwell sais he has none neither has he had it in his power to get any. I shall endeavor to get a more particular state today and will notify your Excellency upon the subject. A small detachment of Col. Lewis Regiment came in last Evening without Blankets or Tents and sais there were none to be had at Philadelphia. If that be true we...
300To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Subject under Consideration before the board is whether a plan to draw together a large Body of militia in aid of the continental Troops in the dead of winter to attack General Howe in his winter quarters is eligible or not. However desireable the destruction of General Howe’s army may be & however impatient the public may be for this desireable event; I cannot recommend the measure. I...