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...
81To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Inclose your Excellency two letters—one from Mr Oleney—and one from General Parsons—upon the most proper mode for getting on the cloathing and arms from New-London. Has your Excellency any orders to give thereon? Is the cloathing all to come on to this army, or any part of it to stop at Westpoint; and if any, how many suits, and to whom is it to be delivered? the same of the arms. And if the...
82To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Varnum this moment acquaints me that fort Mercer was evacuated last evening. Comodore Hasselwood informs me also that the greater part if not all the fleet except the thirteen Gallies were burnt this morning; one or two of the smallest vessels attempted to pass the city and could not effect it, one was set on fire and one other fell into the enemies hands owing to the matches going...
83To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured by your Excellency’s letter of the 2d Ulto two days since. The enemy continue in the same position as when M.Genl St Clair left this army; however from various circumstances I am led to believe they are making preparations for a forward movement, and am apprehensive for the consequences of such an event. Our force is inferior to the enemy and in a distressed situation the men...
84To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellency’s letter to me of this morning I am about to dispatch Mr Brown and Mr Durie below the mountains to the forage Officers with orders for the removal of the public forage. I have also written to the forage Officers and inclosed them copies of your Excellency’s letter on this occasion, urging them to exert themselves to give success and dispatch to the business....
85To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 17 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th of July I have had the honor to receive. before the receipt of which I had sent off two of my aids to give your Excellency a very particular account of the state of the southern department. By Colonel Morris I wrote my opinion respecting the proper object to operate against should we be so happy as to be joined by our good ally. I presume he is with your...
86To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellencies answer by Col. Hambleton to mine of yesterday morning —I wrote you again last Evening proposing the burning the Hay on the Jersey Shore, also another forage in Buck County—upon revolving the matter over in my mind I think the following would be the best plan to execute it upon—Waggons cannot be got in this Country and to attempt to collect them in Bucks County will...
87To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Governor Rutledge has arrivd in Camp and brings me such flattering accounts of large reinforcment expected from the West Indies as induces me to send for a farther explanation; and also to forward the present situation of the Southern department. I hope the fleet will stay to compleat the reduction of Charlestown as well as New York. But if this is not to be expected I could wish to know it as...
88To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose to your Excellencys care a number of family letters from Mrs Greene and my self to our friends in Rhode Island; the whole under cover to Governor Greene. I am not informed whether letters go to the Governors free from postage. If they do not, I beg you will be kind enough to give them a private conveyance by the first safe opportunity. I should not have...
89To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 2 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hand reports nothing worthy your Excellencys notice this morning. I was at the Narrows last Evening and find the fleet that came in yesterday consisted of 36 Ships 4 Briggs & five Sloops—One Ship and a Sloop still at the Hook. I could not learn with any degree of certainty who they are. But I believe from their Uniforms they must be the Guards & Artillery. If your Excellency has leisure,...
90To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The much greater part of the Enimy march’t off from Fort Washington and above Kings Bridge this morning—their rout appeard to be towards New York—One of the Train of Artillery came across the River last Night on a Raft by his account the Enimy must have sufferd greatly on the Northside of Fort Washington—Col. Rollings Regiment was Posted there, and behaved with great spirit—Col. Magaw could...