William Heath A.L.S., Newport, August 14, 1780 : to Major [Willilam ?] Perkins, [Providence?]

William Heath A.L.S., Newport, August 14, 1780 : to Major [Willilam ?] Perkins, [Providence?]

Receipt

Newport 1780

[2] p. ; 13 x 18 cm.

MSS L1989.1.148 M

"Please to deliver to Colo Greene on his order twelve thousand sporting musket carteridges [sic].|A Major William Perkins, apparently this one, belonged to the 3d Continental Artillery Regiment in 1778, but according to Heitman was discharged on 1 November 1779. Metcalf, however, states he served to the close of the war. In a addition, a letter from George Washington to Governor Greene dated 2 June, 1781, refers to Major Perkins: Major Perkins of the artillery, who is at Providence, will receive the cannon and superintend the transportation of them to camp. The situation of the Quarter Master General's department, for want of money, will probably oblige him to apply to the State for assistance, which I hope will be given to him, to ensure the transportation of these and other articles which Major Perkins will have orders to bring on from Rhode Island...." Also, Massachusetts soldier and sailors in the American Revolution, vol. XII, p. 172, referring to pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1780 to Dec. 21, 1780, includes this William Perkins in "the same regiment."|Major General (not Col.) Nathanael Greene was the quartermaster general of the Continental Army at the time of this order and is a possible subject mentioned. Another candidate is Gov. (not. Col.) William Greene of R.I. The most likely subject, however, is Col Christopher Greene of the 1st. Rhode Island Regiment, who was killed in action the next year.|On verso: Providence 19th Aug.t 1780: Re.d of [Major? obscured by tape] Perkins twelve thousand musket cartridges in full for the within order / signed John Coxwell|Both Heath and Nathanael Greene were original members of the Society of the Cincinnati: Heath, of the Massachusetts Society, Greene, of the Rhode Island Society.|Vertical chain lines

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