The Papers of General Nathanael Greene, vol. 11, 7 April-30 September 1782; vol. 12, 1 October 1782-21 May 1783 (review)

While reading volumes eleven and twelve of The Papers of General Nathanael Greene, one is quite conscious of how Greene recognized the global dimensions of the Revolutionary War. Nathanael Greene and his correspondents followed the news regarding George III and his ministers closely and wondered whether they were truly willing to abandon their efforts to subdue America. The transition from war to peace was not an easy one for Greene and his comrades in arms. In retrospect, we know Yorktown and Eutaw Springs decisively ended British plans to subdue the southern colonies, but American military and political leaders in early 1782 remained uncertain of the enemy's intentions. Even a gesture, such as General Alexander Leslie's efforts in May of that year to negotiate a cease fire, was rejected by Greene out of fear that his opponents were using this offer of a truce as a ruse to lull the Americans into complacency and to divide them from their European Allies.

Greene's forces continued to shadow British garrisons in Savannah and Charleston and tried to stem the illicit trade between civilians with these two enemy held cities. His forces were also needed to deal with the continuing problem of general lawlessness often sparked by Loyalist irregulars. Since Greene would not allow the British to purchase supplies in American held areas, occasional skirmishes occurred and men on both sides still died in battle. But malaria took the greatest toll on Greene's forces, especially in the summer of 1782. So many deaths and illnesses were caused by this disease that Greene on 26 August, 1782 issued a general order that observed that the "custom of beating the dead march at Soldiers funerals, has a tendency to depress the Spirits of the Sick in camp" and ordered that the "practice be discontinued" (11:576).

Keeping Greene's army together proved difficult, especially as men saw the war coming to a close. Soldiers threatened mutiny and were deserting in such great numbers that exhortations were not enough. In April 1782 Greene confirmed the death sentence by firing squad of one attempted mutineer, Sergeant George Gosnell, and transferred several others to a post in North Carolina. It was not just the enlisted men who were restless. Officers over the course of 1782 and early 1783 were tendering their resignations in increasing numbers. Those who remained quarreled over rank and status, especially after a congressionally mandated reduction in forces. It was not just the southern army which faced problems in cohesion; in this same period Washington faced the Newburgh Conspiracy and increasing dissension in the enlisted ranks. In a letter to Washington on 16 March 1783, Greene inquired about "the Nature and extent of the discontent prevailing in the Northern Troops. Matters are represented here in dark Colours. The report spreads among our Troops, & threatens a convulsion" (12:529).

Greene's worst fears regarding British intentions were not realized: in July 1782, the enemy evacuated Savannah, and in December 1782 they left Charleston. By March of 1783, Congress sent word to Greene that a preliminary peace treaty with Britain had been signed. Although final victory by early 1783 was on the horizon, Greene's efforts to supply his army became even more difficult. The southern legislatures balked at either sending sufficient supplies to the Army or providing the Confederation Congress with the necessary funds. In a move that would saddle him with debt, Greene personally guaranteed the bonds of one private contractor, John Banks. Despite these efforts, as volume twelve closes, Greene is...