Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 to Nathanael Greene

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07675 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: New Windsor, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 2 January 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 33.8 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

Informs Greene of the size of a British expeditionary force of 1600 men under the command of traitor Benedict Arnold. Also mentions conflicting reports of the battle at Blackstock Plantation in South Carolina between Continental General Thomas Sumter and British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, 20 November 1780. He states, "The printers on both sides make it a victory." Wishes him a happy New Year. Postscript in Washington's hand comments that he heard word that Mrs. Greene and the children were well.

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801
Tarleton, Banastre, 1754-1833
Sumter, Thomas, 1734-1832

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources