“After the battle Washington marched northward, crossed the Hudson, and encamped in Westchester County, while Clinton continued his retreat to New York.
“And Greene, taking no rest, immediately attended to the numerous orders and dispositions required of him as quartermaster-general.
“On the coming of the French fleet it was decided to make a combined attack upon Newport. Greene wished to take part in it, and in August he took up his quarters with one division of the army at Tiverton.
“But the French had a variety of mishaps, chief among them the disablement of their fleet by a tremendous gale.
“Soon afterward Greene went to Philadelphia, at Washington’s request, to tell Congress of the late expedition and the causes of its failure, and there he was received with distinguished consideration.
“The winter of 1780 was one of great suffering to the American troops, for the lack of food and proper shelter. Congress seems to have been shamefully neglectful of them.
“Greene did so much for his country during the Revolutionary War that to tell of it all would make my story too long for to-night; but I shall try to give you some of the most interesting items.
“Greene was president of the board convened for Andre’s trial as a spy in connection with Arnold’s treason. With tears Greene signed the decree of the court condemning Andre to death.
“It has been asserted, but not confirmed, that Greene cast a deciding vote in the council against granting Andre’s prayer to be shot instead of hanged. The reason given was that if punished at all, Andre should receive the punishment meted to spies, according to the laws of war.
“Greene was given the post at West Point after it was left vacant by Arnold’s treason. Greene assumed the command early in October, 1780, but the failure of Gates in the southern field caused his recall in August, and by common consent Greene was considered the best man fit to retrieve the fortunes of the southern army.
“Congress empowered Washington to ask Greene to take Gates’ late command. Greene accepted the offered post and found a formidable task awaiting him. He took the command at Charlotte, 2d of December, 1780. In front of him was an army of three thousand two hundred and twenty-four men abundantly clothed and fed, well disciplined, elated with victory and led by an able general.