53781To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 21 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill, 21 February 1776 . Mr Davids has been chosen chaplain for Varnum’s and Bond’s regiments, and Mr Noble chosen chaplain for Hitchcock’s and Little’s regiments. ALS , DLC:GW . Ebenezer David (c.1752–1778), who was ordained by the Sabbatarian Church of Newport on 31 May 1775, began serving as a chaplain in January 1776. It is said that he returned his commission to GW and acted as a...
53782To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency last, I have taken an entire new position with the Army. One part is with me on this river about 80 Miles from Charlotte, and the other is with Genl. Morgan on Broad river, on the West side of the Catawba about 60 Miles from Charlotte. The State of the provisions as well as many other reasons rendered this measure necessary. Lord Cornwallis continues in the...
53783To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrivd here yesterday about noon; and met with a kind and hospitable reception by Mrs Washington and all the family. Mrs Washington, Mr and Mrs Custis, (who are here) and Mr Lund Washington and his Lady are all well. We set out this morning for Richmond, and it is now so early that I am oblige to write by candle light. Nothing but the absolute necessity of my being with my command as soon as...
53784To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 2 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
2 March 1776 . “I visited the . . . Guards in the left and Center Division and . . . found all the Guards in Good Order—Capt. Lewis reported Eight oClock this Morning Five sail of Ships were Coming into Boston. . . . N.B. Joel Hewit of Col. Sargeants Regiment & Francis Offy of Col. Greytons Regt confined in the Main Guard at Cambridge for Mutiny & Disobedience of Orders.” ADS , DNA : RG 93,...
53785To 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...
53786To 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...
53787To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have taken into consideration, as far as my health would permit, the several matters stated to the General Officers in the Council held the 6th Inst.; and am of opinion that as the second division of the French fleet has not arrived, and there being little probability that it will be here in season to attempt any thing to the Northward, it would be a folly to persevere further upon our...
53788To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have fifty eight private property teams now in public service with the army. What shall be done with them? The new regulation says that none shall be kept in public service that are the property either of military or staff officers. These are all under this predicament. The owners apply to have their teams discharged or some special assurances given that they shall be paid for their future...
53789To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By an Express from Major Clarke stationed at Dobbs ferry I find the Enemy are encampt right opposite, to the number of between three and five thousand—and the Major adds from their disposition and search after Boats they design to cross the River—A frigate and two Transports or Provision Ships past the Cheveau de frize Night before last—they were prodigiously shatterd from the fire of our...
53790To 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...
53791To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the answer of Major Brewan respecting erecting a Gallery for the review. In better days it would have been thought a disgrace and reproach to these States not to have had either Money or credit necessary to purchase Lumber for the Army. However so it is. Many things equally necessary in the order of business as these boards are left unprovided from mere poverty. The Affairs of the...
53792To 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...
53793To 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.
53794To 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.
53795To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last dispatches of the 7th Instant I informed your Excellency of my arrival at Camp, and of the condition and situation of the Army. I was apprehensive on my first arrival, that the Country around Charlotte was too much exhausted to afford subsistance for the Army at that place for any considerable time. Upon a little further enquiry I was fully convinced; and immediately dispatched Col....
53796To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry it has not been in my power to give your Excellency an earlier answer to your letter of the 26th Ulto. The subject is a matter of such moment, that although it required dispatch, yet the delay must be Less injurious than a want of full information to decide with certainty. It is not less mortifying to me than unhappy for the public interest and national security that circumstances...
53797To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has mentioned the necessity several times of establishing expresses between this and Providence; and enquired with respect to the practicability of the thing; but never have given any order upon the matter. The Marquis was requesting this day that the Expresses might be fixed without loss of time. Please to let me know your pleasure in the matter. Colo. Mead also was mentioning...
53798To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Varnum Reports from Red Hook about sun set and after as many as One hundred Boats were seen coming from Statten Island to the Ships full of Men. Three Ships went towards the Narrows previous to which about thirty Boats with Soldiers went on board them. From the best Observations made by Capt. Foster and others there is a general Imbarcation. I have inclosd a Report from the Officer of one...
53799To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, [28 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency in answer to the resolutions of your Assembly relative to the conduct of the Cavalry Officers, and the measures pointed out to supply this Army in future with Horses, I have been considering more fully the tendency and consequences that would attend it. It is to be lamented that Officers will not exercise more discretion and prudence when entrusted with the...
53800To 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...
53801To 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...
53802To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
A late law has been passed by the legislature of the state of New Jersey, for the express purpose of taxing the Assistant and Deputy Quarter Masters General, which I am afraid will be productive of the most disagreeable consequences— This law appears so arbitrary and unprecedented upon any free principles of taxation, that I am surprized it ever had the sanction of a deliberative body— Such a...
53803To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 28 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hands morning Report contained nothing material. Lt Colo. Chambers reports this moment that he saw at Ten this morning ten Sail of Vessels standing in for the Hook, but at too great a distance to discover what they were. Mrs Grant applies again for Permision to go on board the fleet. Should be glad to know your Excellencys Pleasure in the matter. she pleads great distress. but it can...
53804To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my despatches of the 29th Ultimo, I did myself the honor to acquaint your Excellency with the disposition I had made to counteract the movements of the enemy, and to protect the Country from their depredations. Lord Cornwallis continued at Weymissbury, making every preparation, and compleatly equiping his troops for the most active operations, untill the 9th Instant; when having been joined...
53805To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
One of the Connecticut brigade quarter Masters was with me this afternoon; and says many of the Officers are apprehensive there will be a scarcity of timber on the Mountain where it is proposd for six brigades to hut. Altho I can hardly suppose their fears are well grounded, yet as it will be almost impossible to get wood to them should it fail, on account of the make of the ground, and from...
53806To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 8 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you last I did not expect to address you from this place again; but Col. Carrington has detained me upwards of a week to complete the business of his department. On Thursday next we set off by land for the Northward. The Assembly of this State have rejected the impost Act recommended by Congress. Had your circular letter been printed a fortnight earlier I am persuaded it would...
53807To 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...
53808To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do my self the honor to inclose your Excellency a piece of intelligence given by Col. Abeel, who seems to be very positive that the facts stated, are well grounded. Great allowances are to be made for the natural credulity of his temper, and his general inclination to deal in the marvellous; yet I think the information ought not be altogether neglected. It is natural to suppose the Enemy...
53809To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th came to hand last Evening—I shall pay due attention to its contents—but I fear my situation is too remote to carry on a communication of intelligence to advantage—Ever since I have been here I have been revolving the matter over and over in my mind respecting the subject of intelligence Nothing more elligible has occurd than the plan your Excellency suggests—but I hope...
53810To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From the Situation in which I found the Quarter Master General’s Department on my entering upon the Office, which is not unknown to your Excellency, it appeared to be absolutely necessary to make very extensive & speedy Preparations for the ensuing Campaign, especially in Horses, Teams, Tents, and other Articles of high Price. In Consequence of this apparent Necessity, I have given extensive...