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Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794 to Nathanael Greene

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00140 Author/Creator: Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, 1730-1794 Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: February 3, 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; free frank; 33.2 x 20.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written by von Steuben as the senior Continental officer in Virginia to General Greene as commander in the Southern Department. References Greene's letter of 24 January 1781. Congratulates Greene on his army's recent victory at Cowpens and in the race to the Dan River. Says the traitorous General Benedict Arnold's incursions in Virginia were causing him problems and keeping him from reinforcing Greene's army. Says the troops he wanted to send off on 15 January 1781 will not be ready until 20 February 1781. Mentions changes in his command and says General Robert Lawson will relieve General Muhlenberg. Says he is to rendezvous with the calvary at Petersburg and will deliver the necessary recruits to them and make the arrangements with the government to equip them. Says number of recruits will be deficient. Mentions several other movements of troops from Fort Pitt and Bethany. Says enemy is moving toward Suffolk, Virginia. Repair where seal was removed has led to slight text loss. Address leaf is free franked by von Steuben.

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Muhlenberg, John Peter Gabriel, 1746-1807
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801
Lawson, Robert, -1802

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