51From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It was formerly usual to require from the Continental Staff Officers in this State warrants from Congress for all monies advanced to them. Since the war has been transferred to the Southward, the calls for money have been so apparently indispensible that we could not await warrants from Congress as had been before practised, or Drafts from yourself or Major General Gates to whom authority to...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Favor of the 27th. by Mr. Daniel. I informed you by Colo. Morris of the reinforcement of Militia ordered to you, but they will not be in Time to supply the place of those now with you, if they leave you so early. Certainly the knowledge that a Relief is coming in will induce them not to leave you in a State which may soon give us all to do over again. A Part of these...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Obliged in my public character to be the pipe of communication to the sentiments of others, I must beg leave once to address you as a private man on a subject which has given me uneasiness. My letter by Colo. Morris inclosed some resolutions of assembly requiring that all horses impressed and valued to more than £5000 should be returned to their owners. This was in fact requiring them all to...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the Receipt of your favors of the 16th and 23d instant and to congratulate you on the Effects of the Action of the 15th in which though the field could not be retained yet you have crippled your adversary in such a manner as to oblige him ultimately to retire, which best shows which party was worsted. We have ordered Militia from the Counties stated in the Margin, to releive...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 24 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honour of inclosing to you some resolutions of General Assembly on the Subject of the Horses procured and to be procured for the 1st and 3d Regiments of Cavalry, in the Execution of which I shall need your Assistance. Representations were made of the Conduct of the Persons who were or pretended to be entrusted with the Execution of the Impress Warrants which I had inclosed to...
56From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I returned the last Evening from Newport to which place I had been upon a visit to the Count de Rochambeau. I have, since my last of the 28th of Feby, received yours of the 9th 15th and 28th of the same month—the last releived me from much anxiety by informing me that you had saved all your Baggage—Artillery and Stores notwithstanding the hot pursuit of the Enemy and that you in turn were...
57George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 27, 1781 . Congratulates Greene on Brigadier General Daniel Morgan’s victory. Reaffirms confidence in Greene’s abilities. States that Pennsylvania line has been ordered South. Describes Virginia expedition. Reports supposed victory of Comte d’Estaing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
58From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since mine to you of the 2d instant I have duly received your several letters public and private of the 11th 13th 24th and 28th of January. The President of Congress, and Baron De Steuben have just transmitted me copies of your letters to them of subsequent date. I wish I had it in my power to congratulate you on the brilliant and important success of General Morgan, without the alloy, which...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, Enclosing Warrant to Impress Horses, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you in haste yesterday by the return of your express in answer to your letter of the 15th. Majr McGill not being able to set out till this morning, furnishes me with an opportunity of inclosing you regular blank powers of impress to be directed to such persons as you shall think proper for impressing horses for your dragoons. When we ordered out the militia from the several counties,...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The very interesting situation of Southern affairs with respect to our state at this crisis, and the multiplicity of your business which alone must forbid me to hope a very frequent communication from you, have induced me to send on the bearer Majr. McGill to give us from time to time notice of the movements of the two armies and other important occurrences that we may be able to adapt to them...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of the 15th. from Boyd’s ferry. I had heard yesterday of the approach of the Ld. Cornwallis, gave orders in consequence for embodying so many of the militia between this place and that as could be armed and of this gave you information in a letter of yesterday’s date. I hoped at the same time that the militia would not await my orders, and by the letters...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In the moment of receiving your letter of the 10th. I issued orders to the Counties of Washington, Montgomery, Botetourt and Bedford for seven hundred and odd riflemen and to those of Henry and Pittsylvania for four hundred and odd of their Militia. Yet my trust is that neither these nor the adjacent counties have awaited orders, but that they have turned out and will have joined you in...
63[From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 13 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 13 Feb. 1781. Minute in Va. Council Jour. , ii , 292: “Tuesday February 13th 1781 … Letters of this date from the Governor to General Greene, Colonel John Gibson, and Colonel Brodhead, on the Subject of the Western Expedition … being read, are approved, and ordered to be registered.” No such letter from TJ to Greene has been found and none of this date was acknowledged by Greene....
64From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I now do myself the pleasure of transmitting you information on the several heads of your requisitions . I am sorry that full compliance with them has appeared impracticable. Every moment however brings us new proofs that we must be aided by our Northern brethren. Perhaps they are aiding us, and we may be uninformed of it. I think near half the enemy’s force are now in Virginia and the states...
65From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the general idea I have been able to acquire of the Country by Maps, as well as from the description you give of it, & its resources, Your Position at the Cheraws, on the East Side of the Pedee seems to have been very judiciously chosen. The Motives for Detaching Brigadier Genl Morgan, And the objects given him in charge, appear also to be supported upon just Military Principles. It will...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 14th. and 31st. of December remain unanswered. I have been less attentive to the communication of our progress in preparing for the Southern war as Baron Steuben who knows all our movements, gives you no doubt full information from time to time. The present invasion of this State you have before been apprized of by the Baron. The very extraordinary and successful attempt of...
67From James Madison to Nathanael Greene, 13 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
Incomplete printed copy from Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 988 (29 January 1909), item 699. The original manuscript was sold in 1940 to a private collector by Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., of New York City (Catalogue No. 223 [30 October–1 November 1940], item 559). I enclose you an extract of a letter from General Washington of the 2d instant, giving a more precise account of the embarkation...
68From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 9-11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your Letters of the 7th and 8th of December, together with the Returns of the Army under Your command. It is impossible for any one to sympathize more feelingly with you, in the sufferings and distresses of the Troops than I do: and nothing could aggravate my unhappiness so much as the want of ability to remedy or even alleviate the calamities they suffer, and in...
69John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Address sheet missing. We are desired by Congress to transmit you the inclosed resolutions. Nothing new has transpired since we last wrote, informing you of the departure of the British fleet from New York, except that in less than forty eight hours after their sailing, there was a most violent storm, which we have the best reason to imagine they had to...
70John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 4 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts from Genl. Washingtons letter of the 13th & 27th. Ulto. and from Mr. Houston’s of the 30 Ulto. & newspapers will give you all the information from this quarter, worth communicating, except that the fleet from New York, is sailed; what it’s destination is, we are at present uninformed. ’tis said Portsmouth in...
71From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have gained information, thro’ the Channel upon which I most depend, that the embarkation which sailed from New York the 20th of last month, consisted of about sixteen hundred Men, chiefly detachments from the British—German and new Corps. I hear of no intire Corps but the Queens Rangers. Arnold commands. We have various reports, thro’ the New York papers and our own, of an...
72From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing to communicate, but that the detachment, which I mentioned in mine of the 13th, on board about twenty transports fell down to the Hook on the 19th and it is supposed went to sea the same day. The numbers in this detachment are variously reported—The Grenadiers and Light Infantry were once under orders, but they were countermanded and other Corps substituted. I have little doubt...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 27 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A Mr. Tatum of this state will have the honor of delivering you this. Being very anxious to take some station in or about the Southern army I thought it not amiss to make him known to you. He is represented to me as possessing in the fullest degree that spirit which is of the essence of a souldier. He has skill in draughts, of which you may form your own judgment on the samples he will shew...
74From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 13th & 19th of last month from Mount Vernon and Richmond. I wish your Business had permitted you to have staid longer at the former. It is happy for you, that you went to the Southward prepared to meet difficulties, which I fear will increase as you go forward. I know of nothing which can releive us in respect to Cloathing but the arrival of the quantity long...
75From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
It gives me much pleasure to hear, that my letters of introduction were serviceable to you —I am perswaded there is not wanting a disposition in Congress, or the individual States to the Southward to afford you every support the unhappy state of our finance (which seems to be the source from whence flows all our difficulties) will admit; but if any thing in my power can give a spring to their...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts appear as sufficiently interesting, to induce us to forward them to you. The reiterated information we have lately received from different quarters leave little room to doubt, that the Southern States, will be the grand theatre of war this ensuing winter and spring. The Waggons with stores for the army under your...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). On 23 October 1780 Congress added JM and William Sharpe to the standing committee, created 8 July 1779 “to correspond with the commanding officer of the southern department,” and prescribed that the committee should thereafter “keep a journal of their proceedings and correspondence” ( Journals of the Continental Congress , IV, 807;...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received advice that on the 22d. inst. the enemy’s fleet got all under way and were standing towards the Capes. As it still remained undecided whether they would leave the bay or turn up it I waited the next stage of information that you might so far be enabled to judge of their destination. This I hourly expected; but it did not come till this evening when I am informed they all got to sea...
79From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 31st of October, & am pleased to find your appointment so agreeable to the veiws and wishes of Congress. So fully sensible have I long been of the distressed situation not only of the Army in this quarter, but also at the southward, and of all our great departments, from the embarrassed state of our finances , that it has been not only a constant subject of...
80George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Orders Greene to assume the command of the southern army until an inquiry has been made into Major General Horatio Gates’s conduct in the southern campaign. Orders Greene to appoint the court of inquiry. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
81From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased by their Resolution of the 5th instant, to authorise me to appoint an Officer to the command of the southern Army in the room of Major Genl Gates ’till an enquiry can be had into his conduct as therein directed, I have thought proper to choose you for this purpose. You will therefore proceed without delay to the southern Army, now in North Carolina, and take the...
82George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] October 18, 1780 . Discusses Greene’s new command in the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
83From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th was delivered me an hour since—I am aware, that the command you are entering upon will be attended with peculiar difficulties and embarrassments; but the confidence I have in your abilities, which determined me to choose you for it, assures me you will do every thing the means in your power will permit to surmount them and stop the progress of the evils which have...
84From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene or Commanding Officer at West Point, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is represented to be indispensably necessary in the course of Smiths trial, that Col. Lamb, Col. Livingston, & Mr Kearse the Qr Master should attend the Court Martial as Witnesses—I have to request that you will Notify them, their presence will be necessary on thursday Next, and give them directions to attend accordingly if possible. I am Sir with great esteem Your Most Obedt Hble Servt LS...
85From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of yesterday, accompanied by a letter from His Excellency Governor Clinton, who gives me an account of the incursion upon the Frontiers. I am happy that you detached Gansevoorts Regiment immediately—You will be pleased to order either Weisenfelds or Willets, as you may judge proper, to follow, and to take orders from the Governor or the commanding Officer. This is all the...
86From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a letter received yesterday afternoon from His Excellency, the President of Congress, of the 6th Instt, inclosing the copy of a resolution of the preceeding day, I find it has been their pleasure, to direct me to order a Court of enquiry to be held on the conduct of Major General Gates, as Commander of the Southern Army; And also to direct me to appoint an Officer to command it in his room,...
87From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
There is no disposition that can be made of the Army at this time under our prest uncertainties that may not be subjected to material change (as you will be convinced by recurring to the conversation I held with you on Wednesday last) —It is as I observed to you on that occasion, a matter of great question with me, whether West point will not become the head quarters of the Army when we go...
88From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will take the command of the two divisions consisting of the Jersey and York Brigades, and Starkes and late Poors Brigades with which you will march by the directest route to West Point—The Troops will go all the way by Land, sending their baggage and Artillery by Water from Kings ferry for the security of which you will take effectual precautions. I wish the Troops to arrive at their...
89From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have concluded to send Major André of the British Army and Mr Joshua Smith who has had a great hand in carrying on the business between him & Arnold to Camp tomorrow. They will be under an escort of Horse and I wish You to have Separate Houses in Camp ready for their reception, in which they may be kept perfectly secure and also strong Trusty Guards trebly officered & that a part may be...
90From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
There has just been unfolded at this place a scene of the blackest treason, Arnold has fled to the Enemy. André the British Adjt Genl is in our possession as a Spy. This capture unravelled the mystery. West Point was to have been the Sacrifice, all the dispositions have been made for the purpose and ’tis possible, tho’ not probable to night may still see the execution. The wind is fair, I came...
91From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I request that You will put the Division on the left in motion as soon as possible, with orders to proceed to Kings ferry where or before they will be met by further Orders. The Division will come on light, leaving their heavy baggage to follow. You will also hold All the Troops in readiness to move on the shortest notice. Transactions of a most interesting nature & such as will astonish You...
92George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Peekskill [ New York ] September 18, 1780 . Reports arrival of Admiral Rodney. Directs Greene to move the Army to vicinity of Tappan and to send a Continental regiment to West Point. Df , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
93From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received New York papers confirm⟨ing⟩ the arrival of Rodney with 10 sail of the line. Major Jammison says 8 and adds that Clinton has ordered the whole flying army to New York and that 70 transpor⟨ts⟩ were ready to receive them —West Point I fou⟨nd⟩ is very weak. I would have you move the army to the vicinity of Tappan ⟨in order to⟩ be nearer all the points that interest us—The garrison...
94George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 16, 1780 . Is setting out for Hartford. States that Greene is to be in command of the Army. Sends instructions concerning post at Dobbs Ferry. Reports that Admiral Rodney is “at the Hook and that the Enemy are making an embarkation for Rhode Island.” States that if this information is true, Greene is to make preparations for attacking New York. Df , in...
95From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow I set out for Hartford, on an interview with The French General and Admiral. In my absence the command of the army devolves upon you. I have so intire confidence in your prudence and abilities, that I leave the conduct of it to your discretion, with only one observation, that with our present prospects, it is not our business to seek an action or accept it but on advantageous terms....
96From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are appointed to the command of the Light Infantry and four brigades from your own Wing to be employed upon a forage dow⟨n⟩ to Bergen and from thence up to the English neighbourhood. You will make the necessary disposition for your own security and the Waggons employed upon the occasion. Such are the necessities of the Army and such the situation of the Inhabitants being all within the...
97From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
As you are retiring from the Office of Quarter Master General, and have requested my sense of your conduct & Services while you acted in it, I shall give it to you with the greatest chearfulness & pleasure. You conducted the various & important duties of it with capacity & deligence—entirely to my satisfaction—and as far as I had an oppertunity of knowing—with the strictest integrity. When you...
98George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Orangetown, New York ] August 12, 1780 . Instructs Greene to retain the teams mentioned in Greene’s letter. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
99From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I shall adopt the order you recommend. Tomorrow if we are all ready to ma[r]ch we will begin to cross the River for Dobbs’s ferry. You will therefore discontinue your preparations for the object that brought us here as it has ceased, further than as they may promote the views of the campaign. Endeavour to have every thing in your department ready to day to move the Troops. I am &c. Df , in...
100George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Robinson’s, Highlands [ New York ] July 30, 1780 . Empowers Greene to impress in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as many teams as are necessary. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.