Letter

Clothing for the Southern Army

Lincoln is exceedingly oblidged by General Greene's attention to the arrangement and the manner in which Greene conducted it. He is equally pleased with Greene's care in procuring clothing for his troops which has relieved Lincoln's long anxiety about supplying the clothing. Mr. Morris will honor Greene's draughts and appears satisfied with the steps Greene has taken.

1782

12

16

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

Nathaniel Greene

Benjamin Lincoln

Greene's troops

Mr. Morris

British

Southern Army

Superintendent of Finance

Knox

Charleston

Virginia

arrangement

clothing

troops

relieved

anxiety

drafts

draughts

steps taken

sufferings

special contract

redress

losses

evacuated

warehouses

supplying clothing for troops

honoring draughts

1782121690101

1

B.

Extracts from the Secretary of War's letters to the late Major general green.

July 10th 1782

The suffering 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
335

difficulties... a very different fate,...is the unhappy station in which of must...complaints,without having it in my power to .. the grievances

September 30th 1782

"The moment you have taken your determinations,what hoop you will retain, I wish to be informed,within the came,or cannot be supplied with clothing,with you;of this,I suppose,they will be no doubt,in case Charleston should be evacuated indeed,we had almost better give any ...,than think of sending it from ...We have met with so many ...and delays,that we have little hops 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 unable 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
336.
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 equally so, by your care 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 satisfied with the steps, which you have taken."

"April 2nd 1783.

" The idle surmise, you mention, has not reached us - nor 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 from the Secretary at War to the Commander in Chief."

"January 22nd 1783.

"Clothing has 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 circumstance will enable us to order a quantity of clothing, which has been purchased in Virginia, to the main army.
Extracts from the Records in the War Office
"January 2th 17-- H Knox Sec at War