Details
GREENE, Nathanael. Autograph letter signed ("N. Greene M. General") to Quartermaster General Colonel Timothy Pickering (1745-1829), West Point, New York, 11 October 1780. 1½ pages, folio, discreetly silked, otherwise in fine condition.
GREENE TAKES COMMAND AT WEST POINT, JUST AFTER ARNOLD'S TREASON: "SO MUCH TO DO, AND SO LITTLE TIME TO DO IT IN"
A letter in which Greene, writing to his successor as Quartermaster to the Continental Aremy, gives clear expression to his dismay at the state of the Continental outposts at West Point and the Hudson Highlands and requests critical supplies. Greene had presided over Arnold's trial and execution (on 2 October) and then was ordered by Washington to succeed Arnold as Commander at West Point, arriving there three days before this letter. "On my arrival at this place I found every thing in so disagreeable strain, so much to do, and so little time to do it in, that I have stop[p]ed Capt. Seizers company of artillery from marching until I could have an opportunity to inform you of the Situation of the Garrison and the necessity for increasing the Artificiers here without which it will be impossible to go on with the fortification, agreeable to the order of the Commander in Chief. The Engineer requires double the number now employed here; and there is constant repairs of boats and so forth sufficient to employ fifty men; besides a great number of barracks to be built for the Winter; and as they are all to be framed, it will be a slow tedious business without a great number of hands. Instead of decreasing our present numbers we want strong reinforcement either to put the garrison in a proper state of defence or comply with his Excellency's order. I shall want your answer respecting Capt. Seizers company marching."
GREENE TAKES COMMAND AT WEST POINT, JUST AFTER ARNOLD'S TREASON: "SO MUCH TO DO, AND SO LITTLE TIME TO DO IT IN"
A letter in which Greene, writing to his successor as Quartermaster to the Continental Aremy, gives clear expression to his dismay at the state of the Continental outposts at West Point and the Hudson Highlands and requests critical supplies. Greene had presided over Arnold's trial and execution (on 2 October) and then was ordered by Washington to succeed Arnold as Commander at West Point, arriving there three days before this letter. "On my arrival at this place I found every thing in so disagreeable strain, so much to do, and so little time to do it in, that I have stop[p]ed Capt. Seizers company of artillery from marching until I could have an opportunity to inform you of the Situation of the Garrison and the necessity for increasing the Artificiers here without which it will be impossible to go on with the fortification, agreeable to the order of the Commander in Chief. The Engineer requires double the number now employed here; and there is constant repairs of boats and so forth sufficient to employ fifty men; besides a great number of barracks to be built for the Winter; and as they are all to be framed, it will be a slow tedious business without a great number of hands. Instead of decreasing our present numbers we want strong reinforcement either to put the garrison in a proper state of defence or comply with his Excellency's order. I shall want your answer respecting Capt. Seizers company marching."