1783 Execution Order Signed by Major General Nathanael Greene for the Execution of Thomas Nicholson

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Dec 20, 2025

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• Lot Description
  Autographs
  Extraordinary Execution Order Signed by Major General Nathanael Greene for the Execution of Thomas Nicholson, One of His Soldiers Ordered "Shot to Death" for Desertion
  NATHANAEL GREENE (1742-1786). American Revolutionary War Major General; Appointed Quartermaster General of the Continental Army by Commanding General George Washington; was best known for his successful Command in the Southern Campaign in the Defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
  February 23, 1783-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, "Nath Greene" being a Warrant for the Execution of Thomas Nicholson, to be "Shot to
  Death" for Desertion, with Integral Transmittal Cover addressed to: "The Honble --- Major Genl. Greene -- Charles Town", Very Fine. This extremely rare and important document has 2 pages, bifolium, measuring 14.5" tall x 7.5" wide, well written in rich brown ink on clean "G R / British Crown" watermarked laid period paper. This Document reads, in full:
  South Carolina --- Sir --- Whereas at a General Court martial held by Order of Brigadier Genl. Gist in Camp at James Island on the 9th Ultimo, Whereof Lieut. Colonel Steward was President, and the following Soldier Was tried --- Thomas Nicholson of the first Pennsylvania Regiment for Desertion --- And was Sentenced to suffer Death (two thirds of the Court agreeing Thereto). --- Which said Trial and Sentence was approved by me and published in the General Orders the 14th Ultimo --- These are therefore to Charge and command you Lt. Jacob Whitzel --- to have the said sentence put in execution between the Hours of Ten and twelve O'Clock this Morning, by having the said Thomas Nicholson Shot to Death. ---
  for which this is your special Warrant Given in Charles Town this Twenty Third day of February, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Three and in the eighth Year of American Independence ------ (Signed) Nath. Greene"
  *Below General Greene's signature above, Lt. Jacob Weitzel endorses this document to confirm the Execution was carried out:
  ''I Do certify that according to the within Warrant to me Directed - Thos. Nicholson was Shot between the hours within mentioned. ---- Ja'b Weitzel Lt. Comman'g the Guard".
  Docket on the final page, above the Transmittal Cover Address, reads in full: "Warrant for the Execution of Tho's Nicholson - Feb'y 23rd, 1783"
  This Execution Order, is perhaps the only example extant Signed by Major General Nathanael Greene, this being dated in the final year of the Revolutionary War. Datelined at Charles Town, South Carolina on February 23rd, 1783, Greene orders one of his soldiers to be shot for Desertion. The timing proving to be just months before the War would end in April 1783. Although General Greene captured the City of Charleston in December 1782, thereby controlling the mid-Atlantic seaboard, provisions from the government were
  infrequent, and Greene used his own personal funds to help feed and clothe his troops. In this instance it appears, however, that he had to resort to to the Ultimate Capital Punishment measure, "Execution" to keep military order.
  We ship what we sell.
  Major General Nathanael Greene in the American Revolution was General George Washington's most trusted General. General Greene's dedication and service to this country was evident to his peers and fellow patriots during his lifetime.
  The Marquis de Lafayette proclaimed of him, "... in the very name of Greene are remembered all the virtues and talents which illustrate the patriot, the statesman, and the military leader...". The only men to have served all eight years of the American Revolution at the rank of General were George Washington and Nathanael Greene.
  The accomplishments of Nathanael Greene are far too numerous to catalogue here, however two essential assignments given him were decisive in the victorious outcome of the American Revolution: his assignment as "Quartermaster General" of the American Forces, and the assignment of Command of the Southern Campaign culminating in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
  Taking on the task of Quartermaster-General of the Army was daunting. Greene himself was not keen on the idea saying, "No one ever heard of a quartermaster in history." He finally consented to the assignment but insisted that he still retain some command and participate in battle.
  In spite of his reluctance to take the assignment he understood its vital importance to the cause and immersed himself to successfully carry out the task. The American forces were under funded, under supplied, and had little if any system of transportation of supplies. Greene's predecessor had not done well in allocating the scarce resources effectively.
  However, Nathanael Greene got to work and turned the situation around. Sometimes he even spent some of his own money, and at one time guaranteed personally expenses that would cost him all of his holdings in Rhode Island, and the money and lands given him by the state of North Carolina at the end of the Revolutionary War.
  However, the lessons he learned as Quartermaster-General would benefit him as a leader when he assumed command of the Southern Campaign. Allocation and distribution of scarce resources, transportation and mobility, as well as the crucial aspects of setting up and maintaining supply lines, would be lessons that he carried with him to the South.
  His strategy would evolve into a comprehensive plan to conserve his troops and supply lines, striking when essential while at the same time exhausting the enemy's troops and harassing and overextending the British supply lines.
  
  
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