General Nathanael Greene Homestead

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

After being out of stock since the end of last season, we have finally been able to restock "Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution" by Gerald Carbone in our giftshop.

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1780
To Major General Nathanael Greene
Head Quarters Morris Town 31st May 1780
Dear Sir
Although I am convinced, from your late frequent representations and my own knowledge, of the distress in which your department is involved for want of money, and consequently of your inability to make almost any new provision of the many articles necessary for the operations of this Campaign,1 yet there are some matters which may be put in a state of readiness, through the means of the Artificers whom we have in service, aided by the materials on hand. Of these are our Carriages—old Camp Equipage and Boats—To the latter I would wish you to pay a particular attention, directing them to be completely provided with Oars—Boat Hooks and setting Poles.
We shall probably have occasion for the materials necessary for laying Bridges of Boats—as Cables—Anchors—Plank and Scantlin—Should it not be in your power to engage these Articles, it may not be amiss to be enquiring where they may be most readily procured, that you may, in case you should either be furnished with the means of purchase by the treasury or by the authority of the States, know where to apply for them without loss of time2—This mode may perhaps be extended, with advantage, to many other Articles in your line—for should the States comply with the specific demands made upon them by the Committee of Congress, they will in all likelyhood be obliged to seek for assistance and information from the Heads of the several departments.3
There is a matter which I would wish you seemingly to turn your attention to, with a view of distracting the enemy by an appearance of making preparations for an embarkation of troops—To this end, be pleased to give your deputies in Philada, Boston, and other considerable ports, directions to enquire what quantity of shipping can be procured and upon what terms—This they may do in an open manner, and as the owners, will naturally want to know the destination they may hint at Penobscot—Hallifax or Newfound-land.4
Inclosed you have an estimate of sundry Articles in the Artillery and Engineering line which will be wanted in the ex*****on of the intended cooperation.5 Should it not be in your power, circumstanced as you are, to procure or make Contracts for the Timber, you had best deliver in an estimate to the Committee, with the whole quantity apportioned on the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which from their convenience of Water Carriage can easily send it to the places where it will be wanted6—I think you have the greater part of the tools already provided—The Sand Bags are very essential, and must be procured in considerable quantities if possible.7
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For the most recent representation of the difficulties facing the quartermaster department, see Greene to GW, 21 May, and n.1.
2. GW needed such materials for a potential assault on New York City with the expected French expeditionary force (see Greene to GW, 23 May, and GW to Robert Howe, 15 May, and n.4 to that document; see also GW’s first letter to Howe, 25 May, and n.5 to that document).
3. GW is referring to the first circular from the Committee at Headquarters to the states on 25 May (see GW to the Committee at Headquarters, that date, n.1).
4. No correspondence from Greene on this deception operation has been identified.
5. GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote the undated draft of the enclosed “Articles wanted in General Greenes department towards the intended cooperation, in the Artillery and Engineering line” (DLC:GW). Articles requested included 500 18-foot “Sleepers” for cannon platforms; 200 12-foot sleepers for mortar platforms; 3,200 planks; 500 mallets to drive pickets; 10,000 spades and shovels; 5,000 pickaxes; 2,000 axes; 2,000 “Bill-Hooks to make fascines and Gabions”; and sandbags, “as many as possible to be made of the tents unfit for service if they are not otherwise more necessary.”
Writing at Morristown on 30 May, Lieutenant Colonel Gouvion had identified articles and their quantities in a “Return of the preparations to be Made,” which GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade docketed: “Colo. Gouvions Estimate of Gabions &c.” (DLC:GW). In addition to the articles named in the above paragraph, Gouvion’s return listed 60,000 fascines, 300,000 pickets (pointed stakes), 11,000 gabions, and 500 “Moles to Ramm the earth of the Batteries.” A note reads: “if in the Begining of the attack we had on hand the third part of the preparations here mentioned it should so Sufficient because 400 fatigue men Keept constantly at work Could make the fascines and gabions faster than we could employ them” (DLC:GW).
Another return dated 8 June of “platform plank on the North River” also is in DLC:GW.
6. No estimates from Greene to the Committee at Headquarters have been identified, but he later wrote GW on 8 July with an estimate “of the number of Tents and other articles wanted for the Army” (DLC:GW; see also Greene Papers, 6:72–73).
7. GW wrote Greene on 4 July for information on the “prospects of procuring the several Articles mentioned in my letter of the 31st May” (DLC:GW). Greene replied on 6 July that he had given orders “for repairing the Boats, and having them in readiness,” but he expressed uncertainty regarding the means of procuring “Oars and Boat-Hooks” (DLC:GW).

05/30/2026

General Order
No. 11

Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.

By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.

N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General.

05/30/2026

To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 May 1779
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Camp [Middlebrook] May 30th 1779
Sir
I have read your Excellencys letter to Col. Biddle upon the subject of procureing forage; and cannot help thinking my letter must have been mistaken both with respect to the nature of the application and the powers solicited.1
The letter of instruction seems to breath and enjoin a strict conformity to the laws of the State save in particular cases and under pressing circumstances.
In my letter to your Excellency on this subject I represented the impossibility of subsisting the Cattle of the Army in the way enjoind by the Law. For that neither the nature of the service or the oeconomy of the Army would admit it. It was upon this principle that I wished your orders and instructions to be grounded.
Was it practicable to subsist the Cattle of the Army in any respect in the way the Law enjoins; or was the deviation to take place only in particular instances. I should think the spirit of the letter well adapted to the occasion; but when the nature of the service will require so general a deviation, it will mark out a line of conduct opposd to the spirit of the orders and lead to a belief that it is not of necessity but a wanton abuse of power; and consequently must lead to many disagreeable consequences.
The forage Master for his own security will think himself bound to literally follow your Excellencys instructions. The consequence of which will be the loss of one half the Cattle of your Army in a few Weeks; and perhaps the Troops surprisd and the baggage lost, by disperseing the Horses in the manner practiced, by the Justices of the Peace.
I am perswaded that if the people were convinced that the Nature of the service and the security of the Army were totally incompatable with the modes which have been practiced that they would be far more easily reconcild to the measure of inconvenience, than if they supposd it originated either from the Negligence or abuse of power in the Staff.
I am confident that a more general deviation from the Law of the State will be found necessary than the letter appears to warrant; or that the Cattle of the Army must perish for want of forage.
It is not to be expected that Legislation will give a latitude for invading private property, even if they saw the necessity and wished the measure: on account of the Precedent it would establish. However it must be obvious to every decerning mind that there must be a partial suspension of the opperations of civil Law with respect to forage and quarters necessary for the accomodation of the Army and the subsistence of the Cattle where ever we march in force. The good of the service ever has, and ever will, justify the measure, altho none but the Commander in chief can sanctify it. The general interest must be supposd, to be his object, and every deviation from Law will be considerd as the result of necessity.
I would wish the most severe threats to be denounced in your Excellencys instructions against every abuse of power or improper attack upon private property. This will serve to restrain the under staff from wantonly distressing the Inhabitants; and your Excellency may rest assurd that my best endeavors shall not be wanting to bring to justice every person that shall dare to depart from the line of his duty.2 I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient humble Sert
Nath. Greene Q.M.G.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Clement Biddle, 29 May, which GW wrote in response to a letter from Biddle to Greene that Greene had enclosed in his letter to GW of 27 May.
2. GW replied on 3 June (first letter), substantially agreeing with Greene’s position and authorizing Biddle to move outside the civil law in order to procure forage for the army (DLC:GW).

05/28/2026

Circular to General Officers, 28 May 1779
Circular to General Officers
Head Quarters Middle Brook 28th May 1779
Sir,
The knowledge you have of the general situation of the enemy makes it unnecessary I should enter into any further detail than barely to inform you.

That their number at New York Staten and Long Island—supposing the detachment which went to Virginia1 to consist of two thousand men, agreeable to the accounts I have received—amounts according to the best estimate I have been able to form to about 9000 Men. At Rhode Island their strength is about 5 or 6000. Their remaining force in these States is in Georgia and Virginia—In addition to these, their whole influence is exerted to stimulate the Indians from one end of the Western frontier to the other against us, and reinforcements are expected from Europe. But what may be their precise destination or amount is uncertain—The current of intelligence points to New York and to at least 5000 Men.2

Our own force and present disposition are pretty well known to you; but to give you a more exact idea, I shall observe, that, besides the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia troops now in this Camp and the North Carolina troops at Paramus—there are three Brigades of Massachusetts troops and one of Connecticut on the North River—one of the latter at Danbury and about 2500 Continental troops at Rhode Island. You will be able to form a sufficiently accurate judgment of the collective strength of these corps; but if you should wish for more precise information, you can obtain it by applying to me.3 The rest of our force except about 6 or 700 on the Ohio will be employed to the Westward against the Indians.4

I can say scarcely any thing of the reinforcements we have reason to expect—The measures persuing by the several States to augment their battalions and the success with which they are attended have as yet come but partially to my knowledge. I fear our prospects are very inconsiderable.

Under this concise account of matters and taking a comprehensive view of our affairs in general—particularly the state of our supplies and the depreciation of our currency—I am to request you will favor me with your opinion of the plan of conduct which it will be proper for us to persue at this juncture for the advancement of the common cause and for the honor & interest of the American Arms; in doing which, I shall be obliged by a very free and full communication of your sentiments.5 I am Sir Your Most Obet servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, addressed to William Smallwood, CSmH; LS, addressed to Nathanael Greene, NjP:De Coppet Collection; LS, addressed to William Irvine, PHi: Papers of William Irvine; LS, addressed to Henry Knox, NjP:De Coppet Collection; LS (photostat), addressed to Arthur St. Clair, NjP: Armstrong Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS to Irvine and the LS to Smallwood. A note on the draft indicates that copies were sent to major generals Nathanael Greene, Arthur St. Clair, Johann Kalb, Robert Howe, and Steuben; and to brigadier generals William Smallwood, Henry Knox, Peter Muhlenberg, Duportail, and William Irvine.

1. See William Maxwell to GW, 3 May, n.2.

2. For the promise and delayed arrival of British reinforcements to North America, see GW to William Livingston, 4 May, n.2.

3. A table of “Troops as they stood in Spring 1779,” in GW’s hand, breaks down these forces by unit and location, in columns headed “prest for Duty,” “Sick prest,” “Sick absent,” “On Comd,” and “on furlough.” GW calculates a total of 15,960 troops, with 8,045 of those present for duty. Adding two-thirds of the men on furlough and on command, GW arrives at a total of 11,800 troops at his disposal (DLC:GW).

4. See John Sullivan to GW, 16 April.

5. For the known responses to this circular letter, see Greene to GW, 31 May (first letter); Johann Kalb to GW, 2 June (DLC:GW); and William Irvine to GW, this date.