The life of Nathanael Greene : major-general in the army of the revolution
• VoIV. p, «u s 5- N 5 i ^'>< -ft . ■ Ss t^ y > s s ■^ ^ fc 5 .? -^ : "^ 'i5 ri5 ■_ .t ' S-s S ^ : ^ .t >^ s ^k; J: ■S f^ "S := S,~; S 5^ ^ ~> "^^ ^ ■f :-N :* s s ^ •§ 5 ;- s ■! :-s". J ,* ^ S ^ L.C; ^ .:j > J^ ,C ;- ,^, <^ r c ct' i., --jN: '^ )• pi ry ' ; ^ 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. 87 be protected ; and if in doing so an engagement should become unavoidable, it would be necessary to fight." 1 On the next day he wrote to Colonel Pettit : — " Intelligence has been broua-ht this moment from Phil- adelphia, that the enemy have evacuated it. Pai't of our army begins their march towards the Delaware this after- noon, and the whole will be in motion to-morrow morning. Various are the opinions of the general officers respecting the further designs of the enemy. General Lee seems to think they are' going towards Maryland. But I am fully of opinion they are going to New York. The balance of evidence at present is much in favor of this conjecture. " I hope you have brought your business to some issufr before this. The sooner you can join us the better. Col- onel Cox is going into the city immediately, and I, poor soul, shall be left all alone to do both the field and family duty. " Stop Colonel Davis from getting any more portman- teaus made, as the officers don't like to pay the cost thereof. I hope you will collect the intention of Congress fully on this point, and the horses and saddles." Clinton moved slowly, with the intention, as Washington and some of his officers thought, of drawing the Americans " into the lower country, in order, by a rapid movement, to gain their right, and take possession of the strong grounds above them."^ The Americans moved slowly too, for the weather was oppressive, and the roads heavy with frequent rains and deep sand. On the 21st they crossed the Delaware of happy omen, at Co- ryell's Ferry, Greene marking out the route and 1 Marshall, vol. i. p. 249. gress. Sparks, Writings of Wash 2 Washington to President of Con- ington, vol. v. p. 423. 88 LIFE OF NATHAN AEL GEEENE. [1T?8. order of marcti and places of encampment ; a duty that kept him more than half the time in the sad- dle. Pood it was still difficult to obtain, and, in spite of all his exertions, Wayne's detachment suf- fered greatly for want of it.^ At Hopewell, on the 24th, another council was called, and Lee, sup- ported by a majority, still opposed an attack. After a long discussion it was decided " that a de- tachment of fifteen hundred men be immediately sent to act, as occasion may serve, on the enemy's left flank and rear, in conjunction with the other Continental troops and militia, who are already hanging about them, and that the main body pre- serve a relative position, so as to be able to act as circumstances may require." ^ Although Greene signed this resolve as the ut- most that could be obtained, yet with Steuben, Du- portail, Wayne, Paterson, and Lafayette, he was for raising the number to twenty-five hundred, or at least two thousand ;^ and still more dissatisfied, the more he reflected upon the subject, he addressed himself to Washington in writing, iirging an attack on the enemy's rear by a large detachment, and a general engagement, if the main body could be brought into a favorable position for it.* Tradition says that he went still further, and accompanied by Hamilton, repaired to Washington's tent to en- force his views in a personal interview. " I know what you have come for," said Yf ashington, rising 1 Sparks, Correspondence of the ^ Sparks, Writings of Washimjton, Revolution, vol. ii. p. 145. vol. v. p. 553. 2 Sparks, Writings of Washington, ' Sparks, ut sup. vol. V. p. 553. 1778.] LIFE OP NATHAN AEL GREENE. 89 as they approached, " you wish me to fight ;" and after a brief discussion, the orders were issued which led to the battle of Monmouth. This and another glimpse through a letter to his wife are all that we see of Greene till we meet him on the battle-field. " I have not received a single line from you since you left camp, only that by Mr. Lebrune," he writes to her from " Camp Hopewell, near Princeton, New Jersey, June 23, 1778," " I am afraid your letters are stopped -and opened by some impudent scoundrel. I have wrote you five or six times. I had the pleasure to hear of you on the road, and that you were well. I hope you got home safe.- " The enemy have evacuated Philadelphia, and are now on their march through the Jerseys ; they are at this time about fifteen or twenty miles distant from us at a place called Crossix ; we arrived here last night, and shall march for Princeton this afternoon. " Colonel Cox is at Philadelphia and Mr. Pettit at Con- gress, and I am left all alone, with business enough for ten men ; they both write and desire their compliments to you ; they are often paying you the highest compliments ; this tliey do by way of pleasing me, as well as paying a proper tribute to your merit and worth. They profess great friendship for you. " You. cannot conceive how the family at More Hall were distrest at my leaving them ; they expected every kind of insult and abuse after I was gone. You are their favorite ; they pray for you night and day. "Mrs. Knox has been in Philadelphia and is now gone to Morristown. She is fatter than ever, which is a great mortification to her. The General is equally fat, and therefore one cannot laugh at the other. They appear to be extravagantly fond of each other ; and, I think, are per- fectly happy. 90 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. Ll"8 " Pray write me the first opportunity of everything and particularly about the children and yourself : my love to all friends." With the first part of the battle of Monmouth Greene had nothing to do, and hence his name does not appear in Lee's trial. Neither has his own account of it been preserved, and I have noth- ing to add to Avhat Washington says of him in his report to the President of Congress : — " General Lee being detached with the advanced corps, the command of the right wing for the occasion was given to General Greene. For the expedition of the march, and to counteract any attempt to turn our right, I had ordered him to file oif by the new church, two miles from Eng- lishtown, and fall into the Monmouth road, a small distance in the rear of the Court House, while the rest of the col- umn moved directly on towards the Court House. On intelligence of the retreat, he marched up and took a very advantageous position on the right. The enemy by this time finding themselves warmly opposed in fi-ont, made an at- tempt to turn our left flank ; but they were bravely re- pulsed and driven back by detached parties of infantry. They also made a movement to our right with as little suc- cess, General Greene having advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of ground ; which not only disappointed their design of turning our right but severely enfiladed those in front of the left whig." ■'■ One of the cannon that did this good work was served by an Irishman, whose wife, Molly, already known throughout the army as having fired the last gun at Fort Clinton, kept him constantly sup- plied with fresh water from a neighboring spring. At last a shot struck him dead at his post, and no 1 Sparks, Writings of Washington, vol. v. p. 426." 1778.] LIFE OF NATHAN AEL GREENE. 91 fit person being at hand to take his place, the offi- cer in command ordered the piece to be with- drawn. Molly, seeing her husband fall and hear- ing the order, dropped her bucket, sprang to the gun, seized the rammer, and vowing vengeance upon the slayer of her husband, kept vip a con- stant fire till the enemy was driven from the field. Whether Greene saw this with his own eyes or not I do not know, but on the next day he presented her to Washington, who gave her a sergeant's commission and had her name put upon the half-pay list.'^ Greene's labors did not end with the battle ; when the fighting was over, the Quartermaster- general's department came back upon him with orders to give and provision to make for the mor- row ; and it was not till late in the night that he was able to wrap his cloak about him and stretch himself on the ground under the shelter of a tree. We next get a glimpse of him at Brunswick, try- ing to obtain a new supply of horses to make up for the heavy losses which the army had sustained in the field and on the march, in both of which large numbers had dropped dead from the heat. Then the army marches towards the Hudson, to secure the passes of the Highlands, and the first that we see of Greene is at " Captain Drake's, seven miles from the ferry," writing to Washing- ton on the 16 th of July. " General Varnum is at this place, and has very lately 1 Lossing, Field Book of the Revo- ^ Sparks, Writings oj Waihinglon, tution vol. ii. p. 155. vol. v. p. 430. 92 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. ["78. returned from Rhode Island ; lie says that there are fiftei-n hundred State troops, including the artillery regiments. There is the Continental Battalion, commanded by Colonel Greene, about one hundred and thirty strong. Besides these, 4,500 militia are ordered from Massachusetts, Con- necticut, and New Hampshire States, part of which are already arrived, and the others daily coming in. General Varnum thinks thei'e cannot be less than three thousand men already embodied under the command of General Sul- livan, that can be depended upon. " General Varnum thinks that there are not above three thousand of the enemy at Rhode Island and only six frig- ates. " I find no place for encamping the troops short of nine miles from the ferry tovs^ards Crompond." Thus the Rhode Ishxnd expedition was ah-eady taking shape and consistency in Washington's mind, and Greene was, as ever before, deep in his councils. The next day finds him on the Croton in West- chester, still thinking of Rhode Island, as a let- ter to his deputy at Providence, Col. Ephraim Bowen, shows, although he dares not yet speak openly. " Your request by Mr. Martin for cash is gone to the Treasury. I hear this day he has been successful ; you may, therefore, expect the money very soon. " I have written to my brother to furnish you with any articles you may want, that he has purchased, or may pur- chase for the public use. If you should want you will please to apply accordingly. " Let us hear the news from your quarter every week, by the post." On the same day he writes to his wife : — 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. 93 " I received your agreeable letter of the 8th of this in- stant, yesterday in the morning. " I am very sorry to find you are unwell. Why did you ride in the night ? What was your hurry ? Why do you expose yourself unnecessarily and risk any disagree- able consequences that might follow ? " Sensible of your anxiety, and desirous of giving you the earliest information after the battle of Monmouth, I sent oft' an express to Fishkill, with a line to Colonel Hay, desiring him to forward your letter by the first opportu- nity ; which I hope you have received long before this. " You express a strong desire to see the army on the east side of the North River, and urge you have political as well as private reasons for it. Your ■ private reasons I can interpret, but your political ones I cannot divine. You may rest assured that there must be something very un- common to prevent my coming home ; you cannot have a greater desire to see me than I have you and the chil- dren. I long to hear the little rogues' prattle. Besides which there are many other matters that I want to settle. " You write you are politely treated in Boston. I am exceeding happy to hear it. They cannot flatter me more agreeably than by their respect to you. What we love we wish to be regarded, and our partiality leads us to wish that others should feel the same attachment with our- selves, and whenever we find it it produces an agreeable train of sensation. " You' are envious then, I find ; why so, Caty ? (if) there are others more happy than you, are there not others less so ? Look around you, my dear, and see where there are not many whose conditions and prospects are far less eligible than. yours. It has ever been my study and ever shall be to render you as happy as possible. But I have been obliged in many instances to sacrifice the present pleasures to our future hopes, 'i'his, I am sensible, has done violence to your feelings at the time ; but I trust 94 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. [1778. the motives were so laudable and the consequences will be so salutary that I shall meet with no difficulty in ob- taining your forgiveness hereafter. At the close of the war I flatter myself I shall be able to return to your arms witli the same unspotted love and afFection as I took the field. Surfeited with the pomp and parade of public life I shall doubly relish domestic pleasures. To jjlease my love and educate my children will be a most happy em- ployment ; my fortune will be small ; but I trust by good economy we may live respectably."' It is well known, though not generally acknowl- edged, that Washington had a very quick temper, and was often led to sudden and violent manifesta- tions of it. Few of those who lived on an intimate footing with him were with him long without wit- nessing, even when they did not draw it upon themselves, some hasty expression of his irrita- tion ; and the more thoiightful of them, adopted for themselves from the beginning a method of deal- ing with it suited to their individual character and position. " I was always determined," writes Hamilton to Schuyler, "if there should ever hap- pen a breach between us, never to consent to an accommodation." ^ Greene's position was far from requiring or even justifying so decided a course. He loved and venerated Washington, looking up to him as the only man who could guide us safely through the dangers and perplexities of such a war, and grateful to him for the fullness with which he had given him his confidence from the begin- ning of their intercourse. When, therefore, Wash- ington gave way to a sudden ebullition of dis- 1 Hamilton's Republic of the United States, vol. ii. p. 174. 1778.] LIFE OP NATHANAEL GREENE. 95 content, Greene appealed to him in the language of respectful friendship. " Your Excellency has made me very unhappy. I can submit very patiently to deserved censure, but it wounds my feelings exceedingly to meet with a rebuke for doing what I conceived to be a proper part of my duty, and in the order of things. " When I left your Excellency at Haverstraw, you desired me to go forward and reconnoitre the country, and fix upon some proper position to draw the troops together at. I was a stranger to all this part of the country, and could form no judgment of a proper place until I had thoroughly examined the ground. " Croton River was the only place I could find suitable to the purpose, all circumstances being taken into consider- ation. I wrote your Excellency what I had done and where I was, that if you had anything in charge I might receive your orders. I wrote you the reasons for my not waiting upon you in person were I had my letters to answer and many matters to regulate in my department, which prevented me from returning. Besides which it was al- most half a day's ride, the weather exceeding hot, and myself not a little fatigued. And here I must observe that neither my constitution nor strength is equal to con- stant exercise. " I was a stranger to all the lower country. I thought it absolutely necessary for me to come forward. A thor- ough knowledge of the country is not easily obtained ; such a one, at least, as is necessary to fix upon the most eligible position for forming a camp. The security of the army, the ease and convenience of the troops, as well as to per- form the duties of my office with a degree of reputation, all conspired to make me wish to fix upon the proper ground for the purpose. This it was impossible for me to do unless I came on before the troops. And I must confess 96 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. [1778. I saw no objection, as your Excellency had wrote ms noth- ing to tlie contrary, and what I wrote naturally led to such a measure. "I expected you on every hour, and was impatient to get forward that I might be able to give some account of the country wlien you came up. Before I left Crompond I desired Mr. Pettit to wait upon you at your arrival, and take your orders, and if there was anything special, to for- ward it by express. " If I had neglected my duty in pursuit of pleasure, or if I had been wanting in respect to your Excellency, I would have put my hand upon my mouth and been silent upon the occasion ; but as I am not conscious of being chargeable with either the one or the other, I cannot lielp thinking I have been treated with a degree of severity I am in no respect deserving of. And I would just observe here that it is impossible for me ^o do my duty if I am always at head-quartei-s. I have ever given my attend- ance there as much as possible, both from a sense of duty and from inclination ; but constant attendance is out of my power, unless I neglect all other matters, the propriety of which and the consequences that will follow, I submit to your Excellencj'-'s consideration. " Your Excellency well knows how I came into this de- partment. It was by your special request, and you must be sensible there is no other man upon earth would have brought me into the business but you. The distress the department was in, the disgrace that must accompany your operations without a change, and the difficulty of engaging a person capable of conducting the business, together with the hopes of meeting your approbation and having your full aid and assistance, reconciled me to the undertaking. " I flatter myself when your Excellency takes a view of the state things were in when I first engaged, and con- siders the short time we had to make the preparations for the opening campaign, and reflects with what ease and 1778.] LIFE OF NATHAN AEL GREENE. 97 facility you began your march from Valley Forge and con- tinued it all through the country, notwithstanding we went great part of the way entirely out of the line of prepara- tion, you will do me the justice to say I have not been negligent or inattentive to my duty. " I have in every respect, since I had my appointment, strove to accommodate the business of the department to the plan of your Excellency's operations. And I can say with great truth that ever since I had the honor to serve under you I have been more attentive to the public in- terest, and more engaged in the support of your Excel- lency's character than ever I was to my own ease, interest, or reputation. " I have never solicited you for a furlough to go home to indulge in pleasure or to improve my interest, which, by the by, I have neglected going on four years. I have never confined myself to my particular line of duty only. Neither have I ever spared myself either by night or day where it has been necessary to promote the public service under your direction. I have never been troublesome to your Excellency to publish anything to my advantage, although I think myself as justly entitled as some others who have been much more fortunate, particularly in the action of the Brandywine. " I have never suffered my pleasures to interfere with my duty; and I am persuaded I have given too many une- quivocal proofs of my attachment to your person and in- terest to leave a doubt upon your mind to the contrary. I have always given you my opinion with great candor, and executed your orders with equal fidelity. I do not mean to arrogate to myself more merit than I deserve, or wish to exculpate myself from being chargeable with error, and, in some instances, neghgence. However I can speak with a becoming pride that I have always endeavored to deserve the public esteem and your Excellency's approbation. " As I came into the Quartermaster's department with 98 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. [1778. reluctance, so 1 shall leave it with pleasure. Your influence brought me in, and the want of your approbation will in- duce me to go out. " I am very sensible of many deficiencies, but this is not so justly chargeable to my intentions as to the difficult in circumstances attending the business. It is almost impos- sible to get good men for conducting all parts of so complex a business. It may, therefore, naturally be expected that many things will wear an unfavorable complexion, but let who will undertake the business, they will find it very dif- ficult, not to say impossible, to regulate it in such a manner as not to leave a door open for censure and furnish a handle of reproach." Washington's answer has not been preserved, but as the intercourse of the two friends continued upon the same intimate footing as before, it is evident that he acknowledged the force of the ap- peal. The French fleet under Count d'Estaing was now on the coast. How can it be employed to the best advantage ? " I would propose writing to the French admiral," writes Greene to Washington, " that there are two objects. One of the two may be improved as a blockade or an in- vestiture, as circumstances and the practicability of enter- ing the harbor of New York should be found. " The French fleet to take the station at Sandy Hook and block up the harbor. This army to take a position near the White Plains to cut off" the land communication, and to all appearances seem to design some serious opera- tions against New York and the troops there. " General Sullivan to be wrote to desiring to know what force he has that may be confided in in the character of regular troops. What force is from the neighboring States 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. 99 and expected in a few days and what militia can be brought together in eight days' time, and how the magazines are prepared for sucli a consumption and whether there is boats to make a landing upon Rhode Island ; to learn the strength of the enemy there and the number of their ships and what force. " In the mean while the admiral to make himself ac- quainted with the depth of water into New York and the ships and force there. " On the return of the express from General Sullivan, the admiral to determine, from the inquiry he shall make and the information General Sullivan give, which will be the most eligible object. But if it should be found the fleet can come in the harbor of New York, this army will be ready to cooperate with him as far as the nature of the country and the situation of the enemy will admit. " The fleet from Sandy Hook can run into Newport in three days' time ; that that station will be favorable for either the one or the other of the measures as should be found hereafter to be the most certain of success. " I would inform the admiral of the difficulty of ap- proaching New York by land ; of the enemy's strength there : send a verbal account of onr own strength and position. I would also send him a copy of the letter to General Sullivan, if it is not thought dangerous, as it is possible it may fall into the enemy's hands." The channel, as had been feared, was not deep enough for the larger ships of the French squadron, and it was resolved to turn the combined forces of the new allies agaiast Newport. " You are the most happy man in the world," Greene writes to Sullivan from the White Plains on the 23d of July. " What a child of fortune. The expedition going on against Newport, cannot, I think, fail of success. You are the first General that has ever had an opportunity of cooperat- 100 LIFE OP NATHi^AEL GREENE. [1778. ing with the French forces belonging to the United States. The character of the American soldiers, as well as of their ofScers, M'ill be formed from the conduct of the troops and the success of this expedition. I wish you success with all my soul, and intend, if possible, to come home to put things in a proper train in my department, and to take a command of part of the troops under you. I wish most ardently to be with you. " The battle of Monmouth and its consequences I sup- pose you have heard and seen the particulars of. General Lee is on trial; the event uncertain as to the determina- tion of the court. " A certain northern hero gave his Excellency several broad hints that if he was sent upon the Newport expedi- tion great things would be done. But the General did not think proper to supersede an officer of distinguished merit to gratify unjustly a doubtful friend. Had it been neces- sary my little influence would not have been wanting to have prevented such a piece of injustice from being done you. " The good agreement that has ever subsisted between us, and the prospect of a noble opportunity of acquiring reputation, together with the certainty of your doing justice to every man who distinguishes himself in any manner whatever, induces me to wish to join you upon this occasion, not as a northern hero to rob you of your laurels, but to share them under you. " I was an adviser of this expedition and therefore am deeply interested in the event. I wish a little more force had been sent. The Count d'Estaing will block up the harbor and you may wait until your plan is ripe for execu- tion. I hope you won't precipitate matters until your force gets together. Everything depends almost upon the success of this expedition. Your friends are anxious ; your enemies are watching. I charge you to he victorious. The Marquis de la Fayette is coming to join you. Trust to 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. lOJ your own judgment for forming the plan, as you have everything at stake; and pray give your orders positive for the execution. The late transactions at the battle of Mon- mouth make me drop these hints. You'll excuse the free- dom, I take, and believe me, &c." It is evident that Greene longs for a part in the expedition which is to free his native State from the presence of a cruel enemy, and afford American soldiers an occasion of proving themselves by the side of the disciplined and tried soldiers of France. It is equally evident that he finds it hard to rec- oncile himself to the silence in which his services at the Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth had been p^-ssed over. He had done too much and lived too long in the light of history not to feel that he had earned a place therein ; a secondary place indeed as yet, but still one of those pages, the hope of which fills the noblest minds with their highest and purest aspirations. " There is an expedition going on against Newport," he writes to Major Ephraim Bowen, his deputy at Providence. " The forces that will be collected for this purpose will be considerable. Great exertions, therefore, will be necessary in our department. You must get the most active men to assist you that you possibly can. " A great number of teams and boats will be wanted upon the occasion. Pray do not let the expedition suffer for want of anything in our line. If tents are likely to be wanted, get all that Mr. Chace, Mr. Andrews, and Mr. Greene have. I think you had better write them to send you all they have on hand. " I am in hopes to come and assist you myself and join the expedition ; but am afraid I cannot obtain the General's assent. 102 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. [1778. " There is a line of expresses established at the follow- ing places, to form an easy communication of intelligence from Providence to this camp. You must fix one at Mr. John Greene's in Coventry, to complete the communica- tion. It must be done immediately." This Major Bowen was one of the captors of the Gaspee, and it was from his lips, in the last days of his protracted and honorable life, that I received the assurance that General Greene, in spite of a current tradition, had no part in that first bold display of colonial daring. A letter of two days later to Henry Marchant gives us a side light for our picture. " I am informed the Congress have the appointment of all the agents to be employed for the disposal of British property captured by the French navy. If the information is true, and there is one to, be appointed for the State of Rhode Island, I would beg leave to nominate my brother Jacob. You know he has made no small sacrifices and devoted great part of his time to the public service for several years past. If you can procure him this appoint- ment you will lay both him and me under equal obligations. However, you will judge of the justice and propriety of the application and take your measures accordingly. " The expedition against Newport will be attempted. The French fleet is to block up the harbor, while Gen- eral Sullivan raises a land force to take off the garrison. I believe and hope I shall have an opportunity to go upon the expedition, first to put the business of my de- partment in a proper trim, and then to join in the exe- cution of the plan. " I am told you are making great preparations for the reception of the French ambassador. The public audi- ence will be a grand exhibition, the dignity and splendor 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. 103 will be new in America, and excites a curiosity in me to see the audience, as I never saw the like. " I hear General Arnold has rendered himself not a little unpopular with the officers of the army in Phila- delphia, by not giving them an invitation to a ball he gave the citizens. I am very sorry for this circumstance, as it will render his situation disagreeable, owing to the clamor and cabal of those who conceive themselves injured. " The great exertions that have been in the Quar- termaster-general's .department contributes greatly to the success of the army in the operations through New Jersey. It has been and will be very expensive ; but is unavoida- ble ; and although it is not possible to correct every impo- sition and stop all abuses in so complex a business, I am persuaded there has been as miich economy as the cir- cumstances of the department and the state of the times would admit. " I hope his Excellency will do me the justice to say I have done my duty. The army must have remained until this hour at the Valley Forge, had not some person under- taken the business with more spirit and activity than those formerly in it. However, his Excellency, for fear of be- ing chargeable with partiality, never says anything to the advantage of his friends. In the action of Brandywine last campaign, where I think both the public and the Gen- eral were as much indebted to me for saving the army from ruin as they have ever been to any one officer in the course of the war ; ^ but I was never mentioned upon the occasion. " I marched one brigade of my division, being upon the left wing, between three and four miles in forty-five min- utes. When I 'came upon the ground I found the^ whole of the troops routed and retreating precipitately, and in the most broken and confused manner. I was ordered .1 This sentence is irpperfect, but I should read — This appeared at tht let it stand as I find it. It probably action, Sfc. 104 LIFE OP NATHAN AEL GREENE. ["78. to cover the retreat, which I effected in such a manner as to save hundreds of our people from falling into the enemy's hands. Almost all of the park of artillery had an oppor- tunity to get off, which must have fallen into their hands ; and the left wing, posted at Chad's Ford, got off by the sea- sonable check I gave the enemy. We were engaged an hour and a quarter, and lost upwards of an hundred men killed and wounded. I maintained the ground until dark, and then drew off the men in good order. "We had the whole British force to contend with that had just before routed our whole right wing. This brigade was com- manded by General Weedon, and, unfortunately for their own interests, happened to be all Virginians. They be- ing the General's countrymen, and I thought to be one of his favorites, prevented his even mentioning a single cir- cumstance of the affair. " The battle of Germantown has been as little under- stood as the other by the public at large, especially the con- duct of the left wing of the army. Great pains has been taken to misrepresent the transactions of that day. I trust history will do justice to tlie reputations of individuals. I have the satisfaction of an approving conscience, and the confirming voice of as able a general as any we have in the service. General McDougall, who knows the report the troops were delayed unnecessarily to be as infamous a falsehood as ever was reported ; the troops were carried into action as soon as it was possible, and in good order. " However, as I said before, I trust history will do justice to those who have made every sacrifice for the public ser- vice. It is going on four yeai's since I have spent an hour at home save one that I stopt on my march from Boston to New York. There is no man gone throuo;h more fatigue or been more attentive to duty than I have since I belonged to the army. But men and actions have been so miscolored that little benefit is to be expected from a series of good actions. Refined policy is too prevalent for 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GfEEENE. 105 merit to be in much estimation. I expected when we were first formed into an army that we were going upon a truly repubhcan principle, that merit only was the criterion ; but I find a few friends at court is of much greater consequence than all the service a man can perform in the field." Such were some of the annoyances which were troubling Greene's mind at this moment, and certainly not without reason. Two days later we find him contending with another. " His Excellency, General Washington," he writes to the President of Congress on the 27th of July, " liaving been pleased to favor me with a sight of two papers which had been delivered to him by General Gates containing a list of persons employed in the northern department under the direction of the Deputy Quartermaster-general, a copy of which, I am informed, has been transmitted to Congress by General Gates ; the other a resolution of Congress thereon of the 23d of June, which seems to imply a censure on the Quartermaster-general or his deputy in, that depart- ment, I think it necessary to trouble Congress with the mention of a few facts which, I doubt not, will satisfy them that no part of that censure can justly fall on me. " In the month of May last, when General Gates was about to take the command on Hudson River, I made a journej' to Fishkill in order to examine into and regulate the business of the Quartermaster-general's department. In a conversation with General Gates, he proposed that this business in the northern district should be put under his direction, and offered to take the trouble of making the necessary arrangements, to which I readily consented, and thought myself happy in having committed it to a person I supposed in all respects so well qualified to direct the management of it. On my leaving Fishkill I left a letter for General Gates, informing him what I had done in that district, and referring that of Albany entirely to him, and 106 LIFE OF NATHANAEL GREENE. 11778. I never doubted that if any error or abuses were found, especially in the latter, they would have been immediately corrected, and that I should in due time have been favored with a state of the department. A copy of his letter I shall take the liberty to inclose herewith. Sometime afterwards I was honored with a letter from General Gates which contains all the official information I have been favored with on the subject, a copy of which will also be inclosed. By this letter you will observe there is not the most distant hint of any supernumerary officers being employed, or other abuses or irregularities committed in the Albany district, and I rested satisfied that everything there was properly regulated and going on well. It there- fore appeared to me not a little strange that the first in- timation I received of an undue number of officers being kept in pay in that quarter, should arise from a resolution of Congress for correcting the abuse, and that, too, founded on a complaint or report transmitted by the very person on whom I relied, at his own request, to remove all causes of complaint. A written statement of facts delivered me by Colonel Lewis, Deputy Quartermaster-general at Albany, of which a copy is inclosed, will make it appear the more extraordinary that sucli a complaint should be transmitted by General Gates. " The nature of the business requires that almost every Deputy Quartermaster-general should employ a number of assistants, clerks, and other subordinate officers, and as, from the movements of the army and other circumstances, the business at many posts and districts is fluctuating, and requires, in order to avoid unnecessary expense, that these subordinate officers should have but temporary appoint- ments, I have invariably given in charge to every deputy I have ap)pointed to take especial care to keep no such of- ficer on pay within his district longer than the public ser- vice should require it. Colonel Lewis having, as •! under- stood, been appointed immediately by Congress, and being 1778.] LIFE OF NATHANAEL GBEENE. 107 under the eye of the commanding officer of the northern department, I did not think it requisite, especially as I heard no complaints concerning him, and much other busi- ness claimed my attention, to send him any particular in- structions ; and indeed, as there was but little business ex- pected in his district, and from his character and standing in office, as well as for the reasons before mentioned, I did not consider it at all necessary." Greene might well feel surprised that the first indication of discontent should come to him in the form of a resolution of Congress : — " That General Gates be, and he is hereby authorized to dismiss all the supernumerary staff officers in the district under his command. That so much of General Gates' letter of the 17th and the papers inclosed as relates to the supernumerary officers of the staff, be referred to the committee of arrangement ; and that they be directed to report a plan for preventing the extraordinary expense arising from the appointment of such officers." ^ I would not rashly accuse Gates of malice ; yet when I consider his intimacy with Mifflin, whose hostility to Greene was well known, I find it dif- ficult to repress the suspicion that he was not un- willing to give a false direction to the censures of Congress, and thus prejoare the way for a future condemnation of the present Quartermaster-gen- eral, and a justification of his predecessor.^ 1 Journal of Congress, Tuesday, vide Washington to President of June 23, 1778. Congress, from Middlobroolc, April 2 That Gates was capable of doing 14, 1779. his conduct towards Washington; CHAPTER IV. Greene at Coventry. — Letter to Sullivan. — Lafayette. — General Greene to Governor Greene. — To Colonel Wadswortli. — Cheer- ing Prospects . — Greene at Tiverton. — The Americans cross to Ehode Island. — French Fleet in Narraganset Bay. — British Fleet off Point Judith. — French Fleet goes out to meet them. — Battle prevented by a Storm. — Storm on Shore. — Greene to Mrs. Greene. — Return of French Fleet. — Greene and Lafayette go on board. — D'Estaing refuses to join in the Siege. — American Pro- test. — Lafayette to Washington. — Greene to Colonel Pettit. — To Sulhvan. — To Mrs. Greene. — To General Heath. — To Washington. — Retreat and Battle. — Greene to his Wife. — ■ To Washington. — To John Brown. — To Sullivan . — Greene in Bos- ton. — R. I. Legislature. — Letters. — End of the R. I. Expedition. rfIHE letter wHch. we have just read was writr -^ ten on the 27th of July. On the 28th Greene set out for Rhode Island, a weary three days' ride over a space which we now cross in six hours. It is well-nigh three years since we have seen at the head of his letter, the date that we find there on the 31st. " COVENTEY IeON WOKKS. " I arrived at this place last evening about nine o'clock," he writes to General Sullivan, " and being a little fatigued, having rode from camp in three days, I propose to refresh myself to-day and wait upon you to-morrow, unless there should be something special that renders my attendance necessary immediately ; in which case I will set out without delay. You'll please to inform me by the return of the express. " Inclosed is a letter from his Excellency, General 1T78.] LIFE OP NATHANAEL GREENE. 109 Washington. I have forty ship-carpenters and boat -build- ers coming on to put things in readiness in the water de- partment for the expedition, and there is a most excellent fellow at the head of them, Major Eyres." That 31st of July was a happy day at Coventry. What a pleasure, with his strong local attachments, to walk down the green lane once more, and stand upon the bank of the beautiful stream, and hear the familiar sounds of the forge. What a de- hght to sit again at his own table, under his own roof, with his wife at the head of the board. What a rapture to take his two little ones, the second of whom he had never seen before, in his arms, and " listen to their prattle." Then friends and neighbors would come in with questions about the army and the ofl&cers ; Mon- mouth would be freely discussed ; for among those who had left limbs there, was a well-known citizen of East Greenwich, Captain Thomas Arnold, whose wooden leg, the only one in the town, was one of the wonders of my boyhood, when he was still known by the name of Monmouth Tom. Greene's brothers, too, came up from Potowomut ! What changes since they last met under that roof! And what a change in him, no longer asking only for means to buy books, and leisure to read them ; but with a place in history, and a name known through- out the length and breadth of the land. The book- shelf, too, we may be sure, was not the last place visited, nor was it without a sigh that he turned away from it for the grave duties of the hour. For after his single day of rest, he went back to 110 LIFE OP NATHAJSTjiJEL GREENE. [1778. all his cares again. It had been decided that he should have " a command in the troops to be em- ployed in the descent." ^ Lafayette, whose com- mand was divided by this new arrangement, ac- cepted it with a cheerful frankness, which, if other proof were wanting, would of itself prove what high and generous motives he was governed by. 