Humpday History Highlight
By Wyatt Earp | February 2, 2011
February 2, 1781 – Nathaniel Greene Helped At Steele’s Tavern
American General Nathanael Greene received two bags of specie (coin currency) from Elizabeth Maxwell Steele at her tavern in Salisbury, North Carolina. Greene spent the night of February 1 until midnight awaiting the remaining militia from the previous day’s encounter at Cowan’s Ford in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. But the militia never arrived at the meeting spot, David Carr’s house on the road to Salisbury.
Greene rode overnight and arrived at Steele’s Tavern for breakfast on the morning of February 2. Once there, Greene told his physician, who was also at the tavern, that he was hungry and penniless. After overhearing their conversation, Mrs. Steele saw first to Greene’s hunger with breakfast and then gave him the much-needed money to supply both him and his army. With his mood boosted, Greene inscribed the back of Mrs. Steele’s portrait of George III, “O George, Hide thy face and mourn”, before turning it to face the wall.
Greene’s circumstances improved greatly while in Salisbury. First, he garnered Mrs. Steele’s aid. Second, he discovered a collection of more than 1,700 Continental arms stashed away for the militia.
Remember Elizabeth Maxwell Steele: She was a true American patriot.
Topics: HHH | 37 Comments »
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Outstanding bit of American history I never knew about.
In a related theme, just a few days ago at Ace of Spades, you commented about a case you were on where someone tried to kill someone with bleach in the toilett bowl and ammonia in the toilett tank.
It sounds like a facinating story. If you were to write about it, I’m sure it’d make a great post. (With all the redactions that are necessary to comply with privacy statues and whatnot)
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:43 pm
“…he was hungry and penniless.”
Sounds like most of the deadbeats I dated in my twenties. Nice to know that some things never change.
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for the history lesson.
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Ed – I would, but it’s still described as an open investigation. No can do until charges are either filed or dropped.
Mrs. Crankipants – Except Greene had courage and purpose. The deadbeats? Not so much. Well, they probably had a purpose . . .
Rick – No worries. I love stories about The Revolution.
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
I wasn’t making fun of her.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Dang those inconvienient regulations. Dang them to heck!
Are you saying you are making fun of American General Nathanael Greene? Are you???!!!111???!!!! Eleventy!!!
Just a little snark Ms. Crankipants. No harm intended.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Yes, thanks for the history lesson, Wyatt.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Mrs. C – did you ever give any of them 2 bags of specie ?
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Yes JT, and it was good gold.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Mrs. Crankipants – I know. I was making fun of your dates.
Ed – Sadly, Greene died penniless and in debt. George Washington was distraught about that.
JT – It’s a great story, and Greene is one of America’s least-known heroes. Elizabeth Maxwell Steele should be more well-known, too.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Ed – would that have worked ?
Because, when you flush the toilet, the bowl contents go down the drain and THEN the tank fills the bowl.
While there may be some simultaneous intermixing, if it’s diluted by water, I don’t know how effective it would be.
And if it’s NOT diluted by water, the fumes (from the tank AND the bowl) alone would alert dang near anybody even with the door closed.
And, even if it could be proven that it wouldn’t have worked, that doesn’t exempt the bum that tried it.
I (think) the example given in law school is if someone sneaks into a home with the intent of murdering the resident and the resident has already died of a heart attack, if the perp shoots him, he will still be charged with moider because the resident didn’t say Simon sez.
Or something like that.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:18 pm
As opposed to iron pyrite ?
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Whoa dude, that sucks. Man…they say only the good die younge. I guess we’ll have to add “Only the good die in the red.”
Seriously though, that sucks. I mean it seems to indicate he wasn’t corrupt, but man, its like hearing about someone being buriend and no one comes to his funeral, not even his family, and then the pastor reveals that he was a WWII vet who saved the day in a critical battle or something.
Man…
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
JT – I can only say this. It worked, but not fatally. No charges filed yet because lack of proof on the doer.
Ed – I’m currently reading a bio of Washington called, “His Excellency.” It’s fantastic, and I just read about the specifics of Greene’s passing last night. He was one of Washington’s most trusted generals and most loyal friends. He was distraught that Greene died in that fashion.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:23 pm
JT Says:
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Ed – would that have worked ?
JT, I’m just going off of memory from a comment Wyatt made at a different blog. You’d have to ask him for further details, but because this is an open investigation, he is restricted in what he can stay about this.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Ed – Oh, and Greene’s cause of death? Sunstroke.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I had an uncle that mixed bleach and ammonia while cleaning something that he wanted to get REALLY clean.
He survived…..and now…..he’s my last living uncle.
But I wouldn’t recommend that as a health elixir.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Hey Wyatt, I came to this blog from Ace. I’m guessing that your comment policy is about PG-13, meaning no raunchy cussing or content, but innuendo is OK, right?
I’d call Ace’s blog comments R rated for purpose of comparison.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Well, if there is any justice in this wolrd, he had an umbrella drink and a crazy naked freak next to him when this happened…
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 pm
The crazy naked freak was Benedict Arnold trying to borrow a dime, hopefully.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 pm
JT – As did the person in the story. Survived, but got very sick.
Ed – I try not to be a comment Nazi. I try to limit my swearing here because I swear like a drunken sailor at work. Innuendo is more than fine, though. As far as Greene, put Betsy Ross in his lap, too.
JT – The shame of Arnold is that he was a true American hero before he turned.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I swear like a drunken sailor at work.
Is that before or after they open the window ?
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:38 pm
JT – Sadly, both.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:41 pm
JT Says:
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 pm
The crazy naked freak was Benedict Arnold trying to borrow a dime, hopefully.
Absolutely. Benedict Arnold naked next to Greene would be totally awesome…
Wait… what????? That’s not the imagry I’m going for here…
What the hell are you talking about JT? (snark)
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:42 pm
That’s true, Wyatt. He was a brilliant general, and (if I remember correctly) he was miffed about not getting a command and thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.
So, poop on him.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Ed- speaking of imagery, in the pic, it looks like Elizabeth is giving Nathaniel a backrub.
And the dog knows what’s goin’ on.
February 2nd, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Bow-chicka-bow!
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Ed – now that I think about it, maybe that’s how Elvis died.
Maybe Tom Jones rigged the toilet.
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:06 pm
JT – It’s not unusual for that to happen.
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
LOL !
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Dude,
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Well done, Wyatt. Many thanks again. I really enjoy the Humpday History entries.
While I am more of a WWII history buff, I enjoy reading about our past regardless of era. I’ll see what I can dig up for you and pass it on.
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Ed – I just threw my panties at my computer monitor!
Robert B. – I love WWII stories as well, but living in the Cradle of Liberty, the Revolution is at the forefront for me.
February 2nd, 2011 at 11:06 pm
That’s a cool story!
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:38 am
It truly comes down to the ‘little’ things… Thankfully Mrs. Steele had the money to ‘spare’…
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Wyatt:
Thanks for the “behind the scenes” of our Revolutionary War.
Nathaniel Greene (and Daniel Morgan) did MORE in battle (and to WIN battles) than many people give them credit for.
Well presented.
Stay safe.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Terrific story. I remember learning about General Greene in elementary school, but I went to a school that taught a lot about the founding of our nation. Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence that were not killed during the war died in poverty after spending their fortunes to fight the British. Can you imagine our political leaders now not only serving in the military, but spending their own money on supplies and salary for other troops.