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Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 3
Contents:
U.S. History
From Major-General Greene.
Head-Quarters, 21 November, 1781.
SIR,
Your Excellency’s letters of the 16th, 24th, and 30th of October, containing an account of the operations of the combined army, afford me the highest satisfaction; and I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency again upon this important and happy event. I contemplate its advantages with infinite satisfaction, and feel a relief upon the occasion that is difficult to express. Count Rochambeau’s stay in Virginia, and the march of General St. Clair, if he arrives speedily, I am in hopes will place us upon an eligible footing. The reduction of Charleston is an event much to be wished; but to be able to cover the country and confine the enemy to that place, will be a great object. However, I am not without; my apprehensions that Sir Henry Clinton will endeavour to push some vigorous operations in this quarter this winter, to efface, if possible, their late losses, both here and in Virginia. General Leslie is arrived to take command here, and it is said reënforcements are expected. I have sent one of my Aids to hasten the march of General St. Clair; and, as Wilmington is evacuated, there is nothing to prevent an immediate junction. After which, if the enemy’s reënforcements are not very large, they shall purchase their advantages at an expensive rate.
I would have made a return immediately of the prisoners of war in this department, but Major Hyrne, the Commissary of Prisoners, has lately met with an unhappy fall, which has disqualified him for business by disordering his understanding, from which I am not a little apprehensive he will never recover. As soon as it can be done by another hand, it shall be forwarded. But, before a general exchange is gone fully into, I wish something decisive may be done respecting Colonel Hayne. As retaliation necessarily involves the whole Continent, I wish your Excellency’s order, and the order of Congress, thereon. The latter have signified their approbation of the measures I took. But, as retaliation did not take place immediately, nor did I think myself at liberty on a matter of such magnitude, but from the most pressing necessity, and as the enemy did not repeat the offence, I have been at a loss how to act with respect to the original, not having any officer of equal rank with Colonel Hayne in my possession. I am ready to execute whatever may be thought advisable. It would be happy for America if something could be done to put a stop to the practice of burning, both in the Northern States and here also; and to prevent it here, I wrote the enemy a letter ca the subject, a copy of which I here inclose; and, if they do not desist, I will put the war on the footing I mention.
We are on our march for Four Holes. Colonel Mblark brought off upwards of eighty convalescent prisoners from one of the enemy’s hospitals near Fair Lawn. These, and some small skirmishes of little consequence, and a few other prisoners, are all the changes which have taken place since my letters by Captain Pierce. I am happy that Wilmington is evacuated, as it leaves North Carolina perfectly at liberty to support this army and fill up their line. I am, with great respect and attachment,
Your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,
NATHANAEL GREENE.
Contents:
Chicago: Nathanael Greene, "From Major-General Greene.," Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 3 in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. Jared Sparks (Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1853), 447–449. Original Sources, accessed October 13, 2024, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=GLIQB5MGQDFK1PP.
MLA: Greene, Nathanael. "From Major-General Greene." Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 3, in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, edited by Jared Sparks, Vol. 3, Freeport, NY, Books for Libraries Press, 1853, pp. 447–449. Original Sources. 13 Oct. 2024. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=GLIQB5MGQDFK1PP.
Harvard: Greene, N, 'From Major-General Greene.' in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 3. cited in 1853, Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. , Books for Libraries Press, Freeport, NY, pp.447–449. Original Sources, retrieved 13 October 2024, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=GLIQB5MGQDFK1PP.
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