Virginia, and the establishment of the British power in this state,
not having succeeded to the expectation of the British court, a lesser
number might be sufficient for the present purpose, and two thousand men
easily spared. So that I do not believe the present embarkation is under
that number; so far as a land force can oppose naval operations and
naval superiority, I think the position now occupied by the main body of
our small army affords the best chance to support the several parts of
Virginia.
Malvan Hill, July 30th.
Some expressions in your last favour will, if possible, augment my
vigilance in keeping you well apprised of the enemy's movements.~[2]
There are in Hampton-road thirty transport ships full of troops, most
of them red coats. There are eight or ten brigs which have cavalry on
board, they had excellent winds and yet they are not gone. Some say
they have received advices from New York in a row boat: the escort, as
I mentioned before, is the _Charon_, and several frigates, the last
account says seven. I cannot be positive, and do not even think Lord
Cornwallis has been fully determined.
I have sent, by a safe hand, to call out some militia, mount some cannon
at the passes, and take out of the way every boat which might serve the
enemy to go to North Carolina. You know, my dear general, that, with a
very trifling transportation, they may go by water from Portsmouth to
Wilmington. The only way to shut up that passage is, to have an army
before Portsmouth, and possess the heads of these rivers, a movement
which, unless I was certain of a naval superiority, might prove ruinous.
But should a fleet come in Hampton-road, and should I get some days'
notice, our situation would be very agreeable.
Malvan Hill, July 31.
A correspondent of mine, servant to Lord Cornwallis, writes on the 26th
of July, at Portsmouth, and says his master, Tarleton, and Simcoe, are
still in town, but expect to move. The greatest part of the army is
embarked. My lord's baggage is yet in town. His lordship is so shy of
his papers that my honest friend says he cannot get at them. There is a
large quantity of negroes, but, it seems, no vessels to take them off.
What garrison they leave I do not know: I shall take care at least to
keep them within bounds. . . . Should a French fleet now come in Hampton
Road, the British army would, I think, be ours.
Camp on Pamunkey, August 6.
The embarkation which I thought, and do still think, to have been
destined for New York, was reported to have sailed up the bay, and to be
bound for Baltimore; in consequence of which I wrote to your excellency,
and as I had not indulged myself too near Portsmouth, I was able to cut
across towards Fredericksburg. But, instead of continuing his voyage up
the bay, my lord entered York River, and landed at York and Gloucester.
To the former vessels were added a number of flat-bottomed boats.
Our movements have not been precipitate. We were in time to take our
course down Pamunkey River, and shall move to some position where the
several parts of the army will unite. I have some militia in Gloucester
county, some about York. We shall act agreeably to circumstances, but
avoid drawing ourselves into a false movement, which, if cavalry had
command of the rivers, would give the enemy the advantage of us. His
lordship plays so well, that no blunder can be hoped from him to recover
a bad step of ours.
York is surrounded by the river and a morass; the entrance is but
narrow. There is, however, a commanding hill, (at least, I am so
informed,) which, if occupied by the enemy, would much extend their
works. Gloucester is a neck of land projected into the river, and
opposite to York. Their vessels, the biggest of whom is a forty-four,
are between the two towns. Should a fleet come in at this moment, our
affairs would take a very happy turn.
New Kent Mountain, August 11.
Be sure, my dear general, that the pleasure of being with you will make
me happy in any command you may think proper to give me; but for the
present I am of opinion, with you, I had better remain in Virginia,
the more so, as Lord Cornwallis does not choose to leave us, and
circumstances may happen that will furnish me agreeable opportunities in
the command of the Virginian army. I have pretty well understood you,
my dear general, but would be happy in a more minute detail, which, I am
sensible, cannot be entrusted to letters. Would not Gouvion be a proper
ambassador? indeed, at all events, I should be happy to have him with
me; but I think he would perfectly well answer your purpose; a gentleman
in your family could with difficulty be spared. Should something be
ascertained, Count Damas might come, under pretence to serve with me;
it is known he is very much my friend. But, to return to operations
in Virginia, I will tell you, my dear general, that Lord Cornwallis is
entrenching at York and at Gloucester. The sooner we disturb him, the
better; but unless our maritime friends give us help, we cannot much
venture below.
Forks of York River, August 21.
The greater part of the enemy are at York, which they do not as yet
fortify, but are very busy upon Gloucester neck, where they have a
pretty large corps under Colonel Dundas. They have at York a forty-four
gun ship; frigates and vessels are scattered lower down. There is still
a small garrison at Portsmouth. Should they intend to evacuate, they
at least are proceeding with amazing slowness. From the enemy's
preparations, I should infer that they are working for the protection
of one fleet, and for a defence against another; that in case they hold
Portsmouth, the main body would be at York, and a detached corps upon
Gloucester neck to protect the water battery. Their fortifications
are much contracted. From the enemy's caution and partial movements, I
should conclude their intelligence is not very good, and that they wish
to come at an explanation of my intentions and prospects.
We have hitherto occupied the forks of York River, thereby looking both
ways. Some militia have prevented the enemy's parties from remaining any
time at or near Williamsburg, and false accounts have given them some
alarms. Another body of militia, under Colonel Ennis, has kept them
pretty close in Gloucester Town, and foraged in their vicinity. Upon the
receipt of your orders, I wrote to the governor, that intelligence of
some plans of the enemy rendered it proper to have some six hundred
militia collected upon Blackwater. I wrote to General Gregory, near
Portsmouth, that I had an account that the enemy intended to push a
detachment to Carolina, which would greatly defeat a scheme we had
there. I have requested General Wayne to move towards the southward,
to be ready to cross James River at Westover. A battalion of light
infantry, and our only hundred dragoons, being in Gloucester county, I
call them my vanguard, and will take my quarters there for one or two
days, while the troops are filing off towards James River. Our
little army will consequently assemble again upon the waters of the
Chickahonimy; and should Jamestown Island thought to be a good place to
junction, we will be in a situation to form it, while we render it more
difficult for the enemy to render a journey to Carolina.~[3]
In the present state of affairs, my dear general, I hope you will come
yourself to Virginia, and that, if the French army moves this way, I
will have, at least, the satisfaction of beholding you myself at the
head of the combined armies. In two days I will write again to your
excellency, and keep you particularly and constantly informed, unless
something is done the very moment (and it will probably be difficult).
Lord Cornwallis must be attacked with pretty great apparatus. But when a
French fleet takes possession of the bay and rivers, and we form a land
force superior to his, that army must, sooner or later, be forced to
surrender, as we may get what reinforcements we please.
Adieu, my dear general; I heartily thank you for having ordered me to
remain in Virginia; it is to your goodness that I am indebted for the
most beautiful prospect which I may ever behold.
Footnotes:
1. From Williamsburg, the English retreated towards Portsmouth, near the
mouth of James River, and consequently not far from Chesapeak Bay. The
sea was open to them, and those repeated retrograde movements seemed to
indicate the project of evacuating Virginia. M. de Lafayette, therefore,
when he learnt that they were embarking on board their ships, never
doubted but that their intention was to leave that part of the country,
to repair, in all probability, to New York. But it became evident, at
the same time, that if those naval forces appeared upon the coast, they
would be blockaded without any means of escape. This is what occasioned
their inexplicable and unhoped for retreat upon Yorktown and Gloucester.
2. The 13th, Washington, who was then at Dobb's Ferry, while
congratulating M. de Lafayette on his success, announced to him the
junction of his army with that of Rochambeau, and that very important
information would be carried to him by a confidential officer. He
recommended to him to concentrate his forces, and obtain means of
corresponding with him. The 15th, he apprised him that the Count de
Grasse intended quitting St. Domingo on the 3rd, with his fleet, to
proceed to the Chesapeak, and prescribed to him to shut out from Lord
Cornwallis all retreat on North Carolina. He added, "You shall hear
further from me." The 30th, he no longer concealed his intention of
marching to the south. But he only announced on the 21st of August
that his troops were actually on their march. While recurring to the
necessity of inclosing the enemy on every side, he ended by saying, "The
particular mode I shall not at this distance attempt to dictate; your
own knowledge of the country, from your long continuance in it, and
the various and extended movements you have made, have given you great
opportunities for observation; of which I am persuaded your
military genius and judgment will lead you to make the best
improvement."--(Letters of Washington, vol. viii.)
3. After the arrival of Lord Cornwallis at York, General Lafayette asked
Colonel Barber for a faithful and intelligent soldier, whom he could
send as a spy into the English camp. Morgan, of the New Jersey line,
was pointed out to him. The general sent for him and proposed to him the
difficult task of going over to the enemy as a deserter and enrolling
in their army. Morgan answered that he was ready to everything for his
country and his general, but to act the part of a spy was repugnant to
all his feelings; he did not fear for his life but for his name which
might be blotted with an eternal stain. He ended, however, by yielding
but on condition, that in case of any misfortune, the general would make
the truth known, and publish all the particulars of the case in the New
Jersey papers. M. de Lafayette promised this should be done. Morgan then
proceeded to the English camp. His mission was to give advice of
the movements of the enemy, and deceive them as to the projects and
resources of the Americans. He had not been long with the English,
when Cornwallis sent for him, and questioned him, in the presence of
Tarleton, upon the means General Lafayette might have of crossing south
of James River. Morgan replied, according to his private instructions,
that he had a sufficient number of boats, on the first signal, to cross
the river, with his whole army. "In that case," said Cornwallis
to Tarleton, "what I said to you cannot be done;" alluding, in all
probability, to an intended march upon North Carolina. After the arrival
of the French fleet, M. de Lafayette, on his return from a reconnoitring
party, found in his quarters six men dressed in the English uniform, and
a Hessian dressed in green: Morgan was amongst them, bringing back five
deserters and a prisoner: he no longer thought his services as a spy
could be of any use to his country. The next day, the general offered
him, as a recompence, the rank of sergeant. Morgan thanked him, but
declined the offer, saying that he thought himself a good soldier,
but was not certain of being a good sergeant. Other offers were also
refused. "What can I then do for you?" inquired the general. "I have
only one favour to ask," replied Morgan. "During my absence, my gun has
been taken from me; I value it very much, and I should like to have it
back again." Orders were given that the gun should be found and restored
to him: this was the only thing he could be prevailed on to receive. Mr.
Sparks, who published this anecdote, "says he heard it related, fifty
years after it had occurred, by General Lafayette, who still expressed
great admiration for that soldier's noble feelings and disinterested
conduct."--(Washington's Writings, vol. viii., p. 152.)
TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.
Camp, between the branches of York River, August 24, 1781.
The residence of Virginia is anything but favourable to my
correspondence. I do not accuse public affairs of this evil; and as I
find so much time to think of my affection for you, I could doubtless
find some, also, to assure you of it; but there are no opportunities
here of sending letters, and we are obliged to despatch them to
Philadelphia and expose them to many hazards; these dangers, in addition
to those of the sea, and the increased delay they occasion, must
necessarily render the arrival of letters far more difficult. If you
receive a greater number from the French than from the Virginian army,
it would be unjust to imagine that I have been to blame.
Your self-love has, perhaps, been gratified by the part I have been
obliged to act: you may have hoped that I could not be equally awkward
on every theatre; but I should accuse you of an egregious degree of
vanity (for all things being in common between us, there is vanity in
rating me too highly) if you have not trembled for the perils to which
I have been exposed. I am not speaking of cannon balls, but of the more
dangerous master-strokes with which I was threatened by Lord Cornwallis.
It was not prudent in the general to confide to me such a command. If
I had been unfortunate, the public would have called that partiality an
error in his judgment.
To begin, even from the deluge, I must speak to you of that miserable
Portsmouth expedition. General Rochambeau had intended sending a
thousand Frenchmen there, under the Baron de Viomenil. You must have
heard that the French squadron gained a great deal of glory, whilst the
English attained their desired end. Admiral Arbuthnot will since have
informed you that I was blockaded; but, although we were not sailors,
that blockade did not detain us four hours. You will have learnt,
afterwards, that General Phillips having made some preparations at
Portsmouth, we marched in all haste to Richmond, where we arrived nearly
at the same time; but I arrived first. They then came from New York and
Carolina to unite with the Virginian troops; the whole was commanded
by the formidable Lord Cornwallis, who abandoned his first conquests
to fulfil the ministerial plan by the conquest of Virginia. It was not
without some difficulty that we avoided the battle he wished for; but,
after many marches, we became stronger than we were at the commencement,
and we pretended to be stronger than we were; we regained what we had
lost without risking a battle, and, after two trifling affairs, the
hostile army proceeded to Portsmouth, which it has since evacuated, and
whose fortifications we have destroyed. That army is now in York River,
whither they repaired by water. If the naval superiority which we are so
fully expecting should arrive, I shall rejoice at the campaign closing
by the English army's assuming that position.
The French and American troops before New York are under the orders of
the generalissimo. My friend Greene has had great success in Carolina,
and that campaign has taken a far better turn than we had any reason to
expect or hope. _It may perhaps end in a very favourable manner_. It
is said that the British ministry are sending here the Governor of
Virginia; I fancy they have founded rather too many hopes upon the
success of their army. The Pennsylvanians, who were to have joined them,
are at present here with us. But for the virtue, zeal, and courage of
the regular troops who were with me, it would have been impossible for
me to have saved myself. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude to
those with whom I have undertaken this fatiguing campaign. The militia
have done all they could. I have been well pleased, with our little
army, and only hope it may have been also pleased with me.
I must speak of my health, which is a monotonous subject,--for I need
only repeat favourable accounts of my own constitution: the sun of
Virginia has a very bad character, and I had received many alarming
predictions; many persons, in truth, have had fevers; but this climate
agrees with me as well as any other, and the only effect fatigue has
upon me is to increase my appetite.
TO M. DE VERGENNES.
Camp, between the branches of York River, August 24th, 1781.
When a person, sir, has Lord Cornwallis in front and is flying through
the sands of Virginia, he must depend upon others to give circumstantial
news of America. Ever since the guidance of this army has been entrusted
to me, I have found myself five hundred miles from any other troops, and
all accounts of the war, of General Washington, and of congress, are an
immense time in reaching me; but you have the Chevalier de la Luzerne,
and you could not have a better informer. There is only one point on
which I cannot depend on any person to speak for me,--and that is when I
am assuring you of the affectionate and devoted attachment I shall feel
for you during the remainder of my life.
To execute the gigantic project which his court has planned, Lord
Cornwallis was obliged to leave exposed both the Carolinas. General
Greene took ample advantage of this circumstance. It is true that the
hostile army bore on every point upon us, and all depended upon our
having the good luck to avoid a battle: fortune served us well, and
after a few junctions, our little army regained all the ground whose
conquest had occasioned so many sacrifices. In the other states we
manoeuvred rather than fought. Lord Cornwallis has left us Portsmouth,
from whence he communicated with Carolina, and finds himself at present
at York, which would be a very advantageous station for us, if we
possessed a naval superiority: if that should by chance arrive, our
little army would enjoy successes which would amply compensate for this
long and fatiguing campaign: I should not, in that case, regret our last
movements having placed us in our present situation.
I can only speak to you of myself, sir, or of the English army, for all
other accounts will reach you at Versailles almost as soon as they do me
in this remote corner of Virginia. It is reported that you are going to
make peace, but I am not very credulous on this point, and I fancy that
they will at least await the end of this campaign.
This is a large packet, sir, but I do not fear taking advantage of your
kindness, as I well know the full extent; I flatter myself I merit it
as much as it is possible for any person to do so, by the feelings of
confidence and respectful affection with which I remain, &c.
I beg you to present my kind compliments to the Countess de Vergennes,
and to your sons.
TO M. DE MAUREPAS.
Camp, between the branches of the York River, August 24th, 1781.
Whilst I am thus, sir, more than ever separated from the rest of the
world, I am not less occupied with the persons I love, and who honour me
with their kindness and attention. I owe you so much gratitude, and
feel so much attached to you, that I wish to recal sometimes to
your recollection the rebel commander of the little Virginian army.
Interested for me, sir, as I know you are, you would have been alarmed
by the important part my youth has been called upon to act: five hundred
miles from any other corps, and without any resources whatever, I was
placed to oppose the projects of the court of St. James's and the good
fortune of Lord Cornwallis. Until the present moment, we have not met
with any disasters; but, in a time of war, no person can tell what
events may occur on the following day. Lord Cornwallis pursued us
without succeeding in taking us, and after a variety of movements, he is
now in the good York harbour; who knows whether his manoeuvres may not
end by making us prisoners of war?
As I do not know what vessel may bear this despatch, I will neither
dwell upon our projects nor our hopes; the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who
knows every opportunity for France, will inform you of all that passes
here; for my part, I am lost in the sands of Virginia, living only by my
wits, and corresponding with Lord Cornwallis only. This letter, sir, is
merely intended to recal me to your remembrance, and to offer you the
assurance of my respectful and affectionate regard.
Will you permit me, sir, to present my respects to the Countess de
Maurepas and Madame de Flamarens?
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~[1]
(ORIGINAL.)
Holt's Forge, 1st Sept., 1781.
My dear General,--From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you upon
the arrival of the French fleet. Some rumours had been spread, and spy
accounts sent out, but no certainty until the admiral's despatches came
to hand. Inclosed I send you his letter, and that of M. de St. Simon,
both of whom I request you will have translated by Tilghman or Gouvion
alone, as there are parts of them personal, which I do not choose to
shew to others. Thanks to you, my dear general, I am in a very charming
situation, and find myself at the head of a beautiful body of troops;
but am not so hasty as the Count de Grasse, and think that, having so
sure a game to play, it would be madness, by the risk of an attack, to
give anything to chance.
It appears Count de Grasse is in a great hurry to return; he makes it
a point to put upon my expressions such constructions as may favour his
plan. They have been pleased to adopt my ideas, as to the sending of
vessels into James River, and forming a junction at Jamestown. I wish
they may also force the passage at York, because then his lordship has
no possibility of escape.
The delay of Count de Grasse's arrival, the movement of the grand army,
and the alarm there was at York, have forced me, for greater security,
to send a part of the troops to the south side, of James River.
To-morrow and the day after will be employed in making dispositions for
covering a landing, which will be done with continentals discumbered
of baggage; and on the 5th, agreeable to the count's desire, a junction
will be made of our troops. I shall then propose to the French general
the taking of a safe position, within ten or twelve miles of York; such
a one as cannot be forced without a much greater loss than we could
suffer.
And, unless matters are very different from what I think they are, my
opinion is, that we ought to be contented with preventing the enemy's
forages, and fatiguing them by alarming their picquets with militia,
without committing our regulars. Whatever readiness the Marquis de St.
Simon has been pleased to express to Colonel Gimat, respecting his being
under me, I shall do nothing without paying that deference which is
due to age, talents, and experience; but would rather incline to the
cautious line of conduct I have of late adopted. General Portail must be
now with Count de Grasse. He knows your intentions, and our course will
be consulted in our movements.
Lord Cornwallis has still one way to escape; he may land at West Point,
and cross James River, some miles below Point of Fork; but I thought
this part was the most important, as the other route is big with
obstacles. However, to prevent even a _possibility_, I would wish some
ships were above York.
The governor~[2] was with me when the letters came; he jumped upon a
horse, and posted off to his council. I gave him a memorandum, demanding
provisions of every kind for the fleet and the combined army. We may
depend upon a quantity of cattle, but flour ought to be sent from
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Chevalier d'Annemours, the French consul,
is here, and will take a method to have his countrymen supplied without
starving us.