From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780
To Samuel Huntington
Head Quarters Prekaness 22d Octobr 1780
Sir
I have the honor to inform Congress, that in consequence of their resolution of the 5th instant, I have appointed Major General Greene to the command of the Southern Army, ’till the enquiry into the conduct of Major Genl Gates is completed.1 I inclose a Copy of my instructions to General Greene, by which and a Copy of my letter to Genl Gates, Congress will perceive the mode I have adopted for the enquiry:2 I did not perceive any other which could be substituted with equal propriety, but if Congress are of a different opinion, I submit it to them for their further directions.
I beg leave to mention General Greene, upon this occasion, to Congress as an Officer, in whose abilities, fortitude and integrity, from a long and intimate experience of them, I have the most intire confidence—In the command he is going into he will have every disadvantage to struggle with. The confidence and support of Congress, which it will be his ambition to merit, will be essential to his success. The defect of military resources in the southern department—the confusion in which the affairs of it must for sometime be, require that the Commanding Officer should be vested with extensive powers. I dare say Congress will take their measures in a manner suited to the exigency. General Greene waits upon them for their orders.3
As, in a great measure, a new Army is to be formed to the southward, the presence of the Baron de Steuben will in my opinion be of more essential utility in that quarter than here, where though the ensuing Campaign, we shall have the greatest part of our force raw Recruits, yet as we are organized and in some order, the sub-inspectors will suffice for the purposes of the department. I therefore submit to Congress the propriety of sending the Baron de Steuben to the southern Army. The sooner they are pleased to announce their pleasure on this head the better.4 I have the honor to be with perfect Respect Your Excellency’s most obedt and humble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress received this letter on 27 Oct. and referred it to a committee (, 18:982; see also n.3 below).
1. For this resolution, see Huntington to GW, 6 Oct., and n.2 to that document; see also GW to Nathanael Greene, 14 October.
2. For these enclosures, see GW to Greene, this date, source note and n.6.
3. Following a committee report, Congress resolved on 30 Oct. to “approve the appointment, by the Commander in Chief, of Major General Greene to the command of the southern army” (, 18:994–95; see the source note above). Congress also vested Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene with “all the powers heretofore given by Congress to Major General Gates” and granted him “power also to organize and employ the army under his command, in the manner he shall judge most proper, subject to the control of the Commander in Chief” (, 19:995).
4. Huntington informed GW in his reply on 1 Nov. that Congress adopted his recommendations relating to Greene and Major General Steuben (DLC:GW); see also GW to Steuben, this date.