George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1781
To Major General Nathanael Greene
Head Quarters New Windsor 22d April 1781.
Dear Sir
Since mine to you of the 19th I have received your letter of the 29th of March, with the Copy of one to Congress of the 30th.1 The sequel of Cornwallis’s late movements do as much honor to you as discredit to him. He is so far baffled—’Tis deplorable that the composition of your force did not enable you to make it more.
The project you had adopted of endeavouring to transfer the War has many favorable sides—I am persuaded you have adopted it on sound principles.
My last letter informed you of the steps taken to succour you. I am sorry to inform you, that by a letter just received from General St Clair he was apprehensive the first detachment of the Pennsylvania line would not march in less than a fortnight from this time. A disappointment in procuring Money had occasioned the delay. The detachment would amount to near one thousand Rank & File, but he does not give a flattering account of those that are to follow. The methods adopted by the State for recruiting are feeble and ineffectual.2 I take it for granted General St Clair advises you punc⟨tu⟩ally of his operations.3
Major Mcpherson finding himself in no way of being employed here has accompanied the Marquis to the Southward. You are acquainted with him and know his merit. He has lately rendered an important peice of service by detecting a pretty extensive channel of supply to the enemy, which he performed with address and hazard. If you can employ him in a way that will suit him, I am sure you will be glad to do it.4 I am with the sincerest Regard Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MiU-C: Greene Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See Greene to GW, 29 March, and n.2 to that document; see also GW to Greene, 19 April.
2. See Arthur St. Clair to GW, 15 April.
3. St. Clair wrote Greene on 6 May (see , 8:216).
4. In his reply to GW on 22 June, Greene expressed his willingness “to oblige Major McPherson” (DLC:GW; see also Lafayette to GW, 8 and 13 [first letter] April).