To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 October 1780
From Major General Nathanael Greene
West Point Octo. 19th 1780
Sir
Your Excellencys favor of the 18th came to hand this afternoon.
I had given over the thoughts of going home even if I obtained your permision before I receivd your pleasure upon the subject. My affairs require it; but I am fully convinced that the time it will take and the state of the Southern department will not admit of the indulgance.1
When I marched from Tappan I wrote to Mrs Greene to come to Camp; and expect her here every hour. Should I set out before her arrival the disappointment of not seeing me added to the shock of my going to the Southard, I am very apprehensive will have some disagreeable effect upon her health; especially as her apprehensions have been all alive respecting my going to the southard before there was the least probability of it.2
My baggage sets out in the morning, if Col. Hughes dont disappoint me about the horses.3 And my stay shall not be more than a day longer whether Mrs Greene arrives or not.4 Your Excellency cannot be more anxious to have me come on, than I am of complying with your orders; especially since the two last articles of intelligence, the Sailing of the Troops at New York and the advance of Lord Cornwallis into the State of North Carolina. I am with great esteem & regard Your Excellencys Most Obedient humble Ser.
Nath. Green⟨e⟩ M.G.
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC: Nathanael Greene Papers.
1. Greene had written Jeremiah Wadsworth from West Point on 16 Oct.: “I have receivd a letter appointing me to the command of the Southern Army; and am obligd to set out in a few days; nay the Genl presses it immediately” (, 6:399; see also GW to Greene, 14 and 18 Oct.).
2. Greene had written his wife, Catharine, from West Point on 15 or 16 Oct.: “I have written to the General for permision to spend a few days here before I set out in order to prepare my self for the Journey; and shall wait his answer before I forward an Express to advertize you whether to come forward or return. In the mean time I wish you to come forward as fast as the state of the roads, the condition of your health, and the circumstances of the weather will permit” (, 6:397–98; see also Greene to his wife, 7 Oct., in , 6:350–51).
3. Greene anticipated “sixteen good Wagon Horses” (see Greene to Hugh Hughes, 17 Oct., and Hughes to Greene, same date, in , 6:402–3).
4. Greene missed his wife and wrote her from near West Point on 21 Oct. that he was “rendered unhappy beyond expression that fatal necessity obliges me to take my leave of you in this way. … Nothing should tear me from you but the Generals absolute orders to come on” (, 6:415–17, quotes on 415).