The Papers of General Nathanael Greene Vol. III - Annotated

In this review of The Papers of General Nathanael Greene: Vol. III, the bottom line is clear: this volume is essential for historians and dedicated readers of the American Revolution who want direct access to Greene's correspondence during a critical period, 18 October 1778 to 10 May 1779. Compiled with the Rhode Island Historical Society, the editors present carefully edited and fully annotated documents that reveal Greene's duties as quartermaster general and his evolving military role, making this edition invaluable for research and serious reading.

Key Features

• Exhaustive archival search: The volume gathers letters and documents located across repositories, saving researchers time by centralizing material related to Greene's career.
• Edited and annotated texts: Each document is carefully edited and provided with annotation that clarifies references, dates, and military context for readers.
• Reproduction of significant items in full: Important letters and orders are reproduced verbatim so readers see Greene's original wording and tone.
• Abstracts of lesser papers: Material judged of lower significance is summarized, allowing readers to focus on primary sources without losing sight of context.
• Published with a historical society: The association with the Rhode Island Historical Society supports the edition's credibility and utility for scholarly use.

Who It's For

This volume is aimed at professional historians, graduate students, and informed enthusiasts who require primary source material on Revolutionary War leadership and logistics. Those researching military administration, quartermaster practices, or Greene's command in the southern theater will find this edition particularly useful.

Readers seeking a general narrative history of the Revolution or a light, popular biography should look elsewhere; this is a documentary edition focused on letters and documents rather than continuous storytelling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Primary documents are presented with careful editing, making them reliable for citation and study.
• Annotations provide context that helps decode military and period-specific references.
• Reproducing major items in full preserves original phrasing and intent for scholarly analysis.

Cons

• The format is documentary and may be dense for casual readers who prefer narrative histories.

Specifications

Title	The Papers of General Nathanael Greene: Vol. III
Coverage Dates	18 October 1778 - 10 May 1779
Editors	Richard K. Showman, Robert E. McCarthy, Elizabeth C. Stevens
Publisher Partnership	Published for the Rhode Island Historical Society
Content Type	Edited letters, documents, full reproductions and abstracts
Subject Focus	Nathanael Greene, quartermaster duties and southern command

Our Verdict

For scholars and serious students of the American Revolution, this annotated documentary edition is an excellent investment because it centralizes Greene's correspondence with careful editorial work and clear annotation. It delivers strong research value even if its documentary format is not suited to casual reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include original documents or transcriptions?
It presents edited transcriptions of originals, with many significant items reproduced in full and lesser papers abstracted.

Who edited this edition?
The volume is edited by Richard K. Showman, Robert E. McCarthy, and Elizabeth C. Stevens in conjunction with the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Is this book suitable for general readers?
Its documentary focus makes it best for researchers; general readers may prefer a narrative biography instead.