101To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment receivd intelligence the enemy are embarking from Glouster and [c]rossing over to Philadelphia Col. Comstock sends this intelligence and sais it may be depended upon —I have orderd General Varnums & General Huntingtons brigade to advance immediately to fall upon the enemies rear and prevent their geting off their stock—I wait your Excellencies Orders to march where you may think...
102To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this afternoon that the enemy were crossing from the Jerseys to Philadelphia and that the intelligen[c]es came from Col. Comstock—he is stationd at Haddenfield to collect intelligence—I have receivd two letters from the Col. to day the first dated at 12 oClock the last at three both of which I have inclosd —It appears to me the enemy are crossing their Cattle but I much...
103To 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...
104To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday I receivd last Night about 12 OClock—The greater part of the troops returnd to this place last Night and marched early this morning to cross the Delaware—I staid at Haddenfield my self with General McDougals division to give the necessary Orders to the Militia—I have left the riffle Corps at Haddenfield and Capt. Lees troop of light Horse to encourage the Militia and...
105To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Three Brigades are now on their march for Head Quarters my division & Glovers brigade —General MDougalls division is not yet come to town—they had orders to march at four this morning and I was in hopes they would have been in town by the time Glovers brigade got over the River—I am afraid the want of provision has detaind them this morning—It is with the utmost difficulty we can get bread to...
106To 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...
107To 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...
108To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Gibson of the Virgina State regiment sais there are a great number of his men left behind in Virgina and on the road—he wishes to send Lt Col. Brent and two Captains to collect the Straglers deserters and recruits that may be recruited for the Regiment. There will remain a sufficient number of Officers to command the men belonging to the Regiment after these Officers are gone. Col. Gibson...
109To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the greatest pain to hear the murmurs and complaints among the officers for the want of spirits—they say they are exposd to the severity of the weather subject to hard duty and nothing but bread and beef to eat morning, noon, and night, without vegetables or any thing to drink but cold water—this is hard fare for people that have been accustomd to live tolerable—The officers...
110To 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...