Letter

Procurement of Clothing for General Greene's Southern Army

If Greene's whole army is to remain before Charleston and the British do not leave the city, large supplies of clothing must be forwarded to Greene's army. Hopes that the necessary clothing can be procured in Charleston if it should be evacuated. Lincoln desires earliest information on these matters.

1782

11

05

Letter contained in document titled "Extracts from the Secretary of War's letters to the late Major General Greene"

Nathaniel Greene

Benjamin Lincoln

army

British

Charleston

South Carolina

army

large supplies

evacuated

articles of clothing

information

Revolutionary War

1782110590101

1

Extracts form the Secretary of Wars's letters to the late Major General Greene.
July 10th 1782.
"The sufferings of your troops have impressed me with the deepest concern, and the very painful sensations, which your relation of them excites, are powerfully enhanced, that these distresses should have been the lot of an army, not only entitled, by special contract, to better fare, but whose meritorious and gallant exertions under the most extreme difficulties
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difficulties, merited a very different fate; mine is the unhappy station, in which I must hear complaints, without having it in my power to redress the grievances."
"September 30th 1782.
"The moment you have taken your determinations, what troops you will retain, I wish to be informed, whither they can, or cannot be supplied with clothing, with you; of this, I suppose, there will be no doubt, in case Charleston should be evacuated-- indeed, we had almost better give any price, than think of sending it from here. We have met with so many losses and delays, that we have little hope of success, should it be again attempted; however; if the clothing cannot be had with you, it must go from hence."
"November 5th 1782.
"If the whole (the army) are to remain, and Charleston is not left by the British, large supplies must be immediately forwarded - if it should be evacuated, I hope, we shall have it in our power to procure the necessary articles of clothing in that town. On these matters, I wish for the earliest information."
"December 1st 1782.
"I trust, you will be enabled to furnish an ample supply of clothing for the troops, from the Warehouses in Charleston, as I mentioned to you in a former letter."
"If clothing cannot be supplied there, I hope, we shall be in a capacity to afford you a considerable supply from Virginia, which I think
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think, might be speedily forwarded, in coasting craft, to Charleston,"
"December 16th 1782
"I am exceedingly obliged by your attention to the arrangement, and by the manner, in which you have conducted it - I am equallyso, by your case in procuring clothing for the troops, which has happily relieved me from an anxiety, that has long oppressed me. Mr Morris will honor your draughts - he appears to be well satified with the steps, which you have taken."
April 2nd 1783
"the idle surmise, you mention, has not reached us not do I suppose it ever will, but should any one presume to echo the malicious whisper, you may be assured, that the most pointed contradiction shall suppress it."
Extract of a Letter form the Secretary at War to the Commander in Chief
"January 22nd 1783
"Clothing has now been purchased for the Southern Army, by General Greene, who advises the superintendant of Finance, that he has drawn bills on him for the amount. This curcumstance will eanble us to order a quantitity of clothing, which has been purchased in Virginia, to the main army".
Extracts from the Recirds in the War Office
(undecipherable)