51To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene and Brigadier General Duportail, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
To locate the army to any particular spots, may facilitate the Enemies getting possession of advantageous grounds, either upon one or the other of our flanks. It appears to us more proper therefore, that we move the troops upon the high and advantageous grounds, according as the motions of the enemy may indicate an intention to make an impression at particular places. Having examined the...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand Reports thirty Sail of Ships standing in for the Hook. Perhaps this may be part of the foreign Troops. I detacht for the Galleys between forty & fifty men yesterday. Two Companies that have been with Col. Foremans Regiment are gone from this post to Join their Regiment under General Heard. The Troops in general are exceeding Sickly, great numbers taken down every day. If the state...
53To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am inform’d a large body of the Enemies Troop have landed at Froggs point. If so I suppose the Troops here will be wanted there. I have three Brigades in readiness to reinforce you; General Clintons Brigade will march first. General Nixons next and then the Troops under the command of General Roberdeau. I dont Apprehend any danger from this quarter at present[.] if the force on your side are...
54To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Colo. Biddles Letter to me upon the distressed state of the Forage Department. Our Cattle for this ten days past have not had one half the necessary allowance of Forage. The Resolution of Congress prohibiting the use of Wheat and the Restrictive Laws in the several States, in the Neighbourhood of Camp, renders it impossible to subsist the Cattle, unless some further aid can be...
55To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 5 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am now sick with a fever and almost blind with sore Eyes. I only write this Leter to apoligize for not writing. Mrs Greene who will have the pleasure of delivering this letter embarks to day for Philadelphia. Her health is so much improved I am anxious to get her to the Northward notwithstanding my own situation. Mrs Greene will deliver your Excellency a Green silk embroidered pattern for a...
56To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
A new dispisition of the Army going to be made, and an Officer appointed to the command of West Point and the district on the East side of the North River; I take the liberty just to intimate my inclinations for the appointment. Your Excellency will judge of the propriety and determin as the honor of the Army and the good of service may require. I hope there is nothing indelicate or improper...
57To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday that I was afraid we had lost one of our small parties, but they came in a few minutes after I sent the Letter off—Has there been any great desertions from Camp, or any report of prisoners made on the other side of the Schuylkill—I am perswaded, there was some of our prisoners paraded for some purpose—If there has been no report of any being lately taken they...
58To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 14th, appointing me to the command of the Southern Army, was delivered me last evening. I beg your Excellency to be perswaded that I am fully sensible of the honor you do me; and will indeavor to manifest my gratitude by a conduct that will not disgrace the appointment. I only lament that my abilities are not more competent to the duties that will be required of...
59I. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are out and on their march towards this place in full force, having receivd a considerable reinforcement last night, as Capt. Dayton says he was desird by Major Lee to inform me. Col. Dayton this moment sends me intelligence, that the Enemy’s Artillery and baggage are on the Newark Road, and the Troops pushing out this way, are to cover them. If this is true we shall hear more about...
60To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 4 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Giles who served with General Morgan as an Aid in the battle of the Cowpens is desirous of serving as a volunteer Aid in your Excellencys family during the operations in Virginia. I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellencys notice as a young Gentleman of merit and good sense, adorned with a liberal education and of a good disposition accompanied with a degree of prudence and...
61To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My public letters to Congress will inform your Excellency of our situation in this quarter. We fight get beat and fight again. We have so much to do and so little to do it with, that I am much afraid these States must fall never to rise again; and what is more I am perswaded they will lay a train to sap the foundation of all the rest. I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for ordering the...
62To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Estimate made of the Provisions and Provinder, necessary to be laid in, at the different Posts, between this and Philadelphia, to form a communication; and for the support of the Troops, passing and repassing from the different States. Your Excellency will please to examine it, and signafy your Pleasure. Shoud the Estimate be larger than is necessary for the Consumption of the...
63To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will see, by the inclosed representation, that our stock of forage is nearly consumed, and that there is no probability of replenishing the magazines. A failure in this respect strikes as fatally at the subsistance of the army, as a more direct deficiency on the score of provisions. I am with great respect your Excellencys most obt hbe Sevt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed copy of...
64To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
All that I can say, in answer to your Excellency’s letter of the 4th, is, that I see not the remotest prospect of providing anything in the Quarter Master’s Department, but by requisitions to the States. Orders have been given for repairing the Boats, and having them in readiness: I have great hopes this will be effected; but how we are to get the Oars and Boat-hooks, is beyond my conception....
65To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 18th of April affords me peculear satisfaction. If my conduct meets your approbation it will console me amidst the hissing murmurs of ten thousand of the ignorant rabble. The honor you did me in the appointment is an additional motive to exert my self to the satisfaction of the public. My public letters will inform your Excellency of the situation of things here....
66To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 11 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency the returns of this Army for the Month of October. In my next dispatch perhaps I may have the pleasure to congratulate you on the evacuation of Charles Town. This event I expected would have taken place long before this, but some particular circumstances have occurred to prevent it; and I believe they will not leave this Country untill about the 20th...
67III. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I informed your Ex’y this morning that the enemy were on the advance in force. I now acquain⟨t⟩ you, that they proceeded with vigor until they had gaind Connecticut farms. They there were checked by Colo. Dayton’s regiment. They have since advanced in two formidable Columns on the springfield & Vox hall roads. After very obstinate resistance they are now in possession of Springfield with one...
68To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand. I am perfectly satisfied with the exchange of Hazens Regiment for the Barron Arends—I am by no means attach’t to any particular Regiment—nearly an equal distribution of the forces will be entirely satisfactory to me. I only wish to stand upon an equal footing with other Officers—then if I dont execute my duty as well I am willing...
69To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is all the most material matters which has occurd to me. I am not sufficently acquainted with the Enemies cantonment to determin with any certainty the exact mode of attack or of the proper strength of each party. I am your Exccellencys Most Obedt humble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . See Greene’s undated Recommendations for Attack on Staten Island , printed as an enclosure to this letter.
70To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency at little River near Ninety Six I have been favored with your dispatch of June the 1st. It affords me great pleasure to hear that an attack is meditating against New York. This measure no doubt will create a powerful diversion in favor of the Country; and I wish most ardently that the Northern States may enable you to compleat its reduction. But I confess this is...
71To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand reports this morning a twenty Gun Ship that came in last Evening fird as She past through the Narrows—and was Answerd by the Admiral—Four Ships went through the Narrows Yesterday—they are at Anchor along New Uttrect Shore. Twenty five Sail of ships are seen at a great distance at Sea coming in. If your Excellency think Col. Varnum deserveing promotion and another Brigadier is to be...
72To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys commands I have been in company with Colo. Putnam and examined all the Country from this place to Fish Kill from FishKill to Pecks Kill and from Pecks Kill to Crumpond, Croten and Bedford and from thence up through Salem to this Place and can find but one Tract of Woodland of sufficient extent to Hut the Army collectively. That is called the Furnace Lot and lies a...
73To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd you have a letter from Col. Magaw —the contents will require your Excellencys Attention[.] I have directed Col. Magaw to defend the place until he hears from me[.] I have order’d General Hands Brigade to hasten on—I shall go to the Island soon. I am dear Sir your Excell. Obedient Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Although this letter is not dated, it is docketed in GW’s writing: “Majr General...
74To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colonel John Laurence is very anxious to join the southern Army, as soon as he gets exchanged. His knowledge of the southern States and of the customs and manners of the people will render his services very necessary in that quarter. Congress have passed a resolution authorizing me to make exchanges. I could wish to know your Excellency’s intentions in this business, as it is my wish to...
75To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency letters of the 8 this moment came to hand—I shall forwa⟨r⟩d the letter to General Stevens by Express —The Stores at Dobbs ferry I had just given orders to the Quarter Master to prepare Waggons to remove them—I think the Enemy will meet with some difficulty in crossing the River at Dobbs ferry however tis not safe to trust too much to the expected difficulties they may meet...
76To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency by Colonel Morris nothing very material has taken place, except the hanging of Colonel Haynes one our militia Colonels, who the enemy hung in Charles Town a little time since, as a traytor as they call him. He was a man of a most amiable character, highly respected, and of a most extensive influence. This insult offered to the good people of this Country, and to...
77IX. To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I make use of the first moment to acquaint Your Excellency that the whole force of the Enemy which has been in Jersey went from Elizabeth Town Point between 12 and 1 OClock this morning; whether they crossed to Statten Island, or embarked on board their shipping I am not yet sufficiently inf⟨or⟩med, altho it is reported they have embark⟨e⟩d and proceeded up Hackensack River, to the latter I...
78To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Varnum is at this place and has very lately returnd from Rhode Island, he says that there are 1500 State troops including the Artillery Regiment. There is the Continental Battallion commanded by Col. Greene about 130 strong. Besides these 2500 Militia are orderd from the Massachusets, Conecticut, & New Hampshire States, part of which are already arrivd; and the others dayly coming in....
79To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 25 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Challenge I mentiond to your Excellency the other Evening I find is given and accepted and the parties have appointed tomorrow morning to fight. As I am made acquainted with the matter I beg your Excellencys direction in what manner I am to conduct myself. This moment Colo. Hand was with me and Acquaints me that I have mistaken his intentions respecting promotions. As he is coming to Head...
80To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Congress for your information respecting the operations in this department. The Marquis de la Fayette has arrived in Virginia; but I beleive his Troops are still in Maryland. some Days since I sent Colo. Morris to confer with the Marquis, and see if he has your Excellencys permission to go farther Southward. I received a Letter from him on...