Major General in the Continental Army (1742–1786). He entered the army as a private and rose to become one of Washington’s most able and dependable general officers. He is best known for his exploits in the Southern Theater where he single-handedly reversed the tide of the war from 1780 to 1781. His actions set the stage for Cornwallis’ defeat at Yorktown. Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed “Nath Greene QMG,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, no date, but circa June 1780. Letter to Colonel James Abale. In part: “The General has just received Intelligence which induces him to believe that the Enemy still mean to penetrate the country. He has given order therefore for the removal of all the most valuable public stores from Morris to Succasunna. Please to find a person there immediately to prepare Stores for their reception. Let them be deposited as near together as possible; and put as many on the Continental store as it will contain. You will send off the most valuable Stores first, and then the others in order. Major Claborne is fully entrusted in this…The order for moving the stores is to leave the Army at full liberty to make the most of every opening the Enemy may give to attack them to advantage. I beg you’ll take care of Mrs. Greene’s Phaeton until further orders and provide for its safety should the Enemy penetrate as far as Morris which by the by I have no idea of.” Reverse of second integral page bears an address panel to Abale at Morristown; later docketed incorrectly as “Camp Springfield Jun 1779.”. Letter is suede-matted and framed, with glass on both sides, to an overall size of 19 x 14. This frame is in turn affixed by a hinge on its left edge to a larger suede-matted display with an engraved portrait of Greene and an informational plaque to an overall size of 33 x 23. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, a few chips of paper loss to edges, and some scattered light toning.
After failing to reach the Continental Army encampment at Morristown, New Jersey in early June of 1780, Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, in command of the British garrison at New York City, made a second attempt. Washington “received Intelligence which induce[d] him to believe that the Enemy still mean to penetrate the country,” and left Nathanael Greene, then serving as Quartermaster General, in charge. Not only did Greene successfully manage the Continental stores and supplies, he also organized a solid defense of the town. When Knyphausen and Henry Clinton attacked on June 23, he strongly resisted; though the British did take Elizabethtown and raze the village of Connecticut Farms, they were unable to reach their destination and returned defeated to Staten Island. One of the last major engagements of the war in the north, it effectively put and end to British ambitions in New Jersey. Written while preparing for the attack and providing significant battle-related content, this is an incredibly rare and desirable piece of early American history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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