in columns to attack them with fixed bayonets. If this attack do not
succeed they will retire behind the lines, and take with them fifteen
hundred Militia, when with the few ones that may stay, I will retire to
Butt's Hill, and secure the communication with General Heath.
As you did not write to me, my dear General, I could not know what
you want me to do. If you think seriously of entering on the Island of
New-York, I am extremely sorry to stay here. If on the contrary you send
troops this way, (which, if the enemy land, would be fatal to them,)
I will not be to lament my being away from the army. I shall feel very
unhappy to be with some Militia while the Light Infantry is acting under
you, and had I been sent for, I would have joined you very fast; but
if you can take New-York I will heartily forget that I could have been
there, and feel nothing but joy; if, however, there was time enough, I'd
beg you will send for me. If you send troops this way I believe they may
strike a great blow.
The wind is against them, so that they won't be here before the day
after to-morrow. Adieu, my dear General, with the highest respect I have
the honor to be,
Your's, &c.~[2]
Footnotes:
1. See Spark's Writ. of Wash. vol. 7, p. 126.
2. For the answer to the above, approving the measures of Lafayette, See
Spark's Writ. of Wash. v.7, p.147.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Elizabeth Town, October the 27th, 1780.
My Dear General.--From what you have heard from Dr. Hagen about the
boats when on your way to head-quarters, I don't believe that you may
have kept any hope for our success. The boats have been, it seems,
reduced to five, and from the time when they were yet at the Little
Falls you may see that they could not be here at the appointed hour.
I will not permit myself to reflect on this moment upon the many
blunders committed on that affair by the Quarter-General's department.
I was too certain of some brilliant success, and military glory is too
much idolized by me; not to be rather severe on the occasion. I will
content myself to say that from the report and common agreement of
all the spies and guides collected together by Major Lee, from the
negligence of the enemy, the circumstances of the tide and a thick foggy
weather, not one of those whom I led into the matter had the least doubt
upon your success.
The only advantage I have got from it has been to convince myself that
our troops are particularly fit for such an expedition, on account of
their patience and silence; and that if the other business could be
supported upon a large scale, I would answer to carry it. I have written
upon both roads to the commanding officer of the brigade of the line
that our expedition was relinquished, and that I would advise him not to
give to his men the trouble of going farther. I have also requested him
to speak of this movement as if it had taken place on account of some
intelligence that the enemy meant to come out into the Jersey's to
attack us.
I have taken my position between Elizabethtown and Connecticut Farms.
General Clinton has not the time of making any disposition against us.
To-morrow at nine or ten I will march to our position of Crane's Town,
and the day after to-morrow to Cotawa, unless I receive contrary orders.
Newark Mountain was rather too far to march it this night, and too
near for to-morrow, because our men being in want of blankets will like
better to join their tents again.
If your Excellency approves of this arrangement, I beg, you will order
our baggage to wait for us on our position of Crane's Town; if you
dislike the disposition your orders may reach us on the road.
I beg, my dear General, you will please to communicate our ill success
and disgraceful disappointment to the Minister, who said he would not
leave Morris Town until he hears from me.
Had I any thing to reproach to myself on the occasion, I would be
inconsolable. I undertook the business because I thought myself equal
to it; I wish the people in the Quarter Master's Department had done the
same for their plans.
I am, my dear General, your's, &c.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Light Camp, October 27th, 1780.
My Dear General,--I am sorry to hear from Major Gibbs that my letter of
last night did not reach you before your departure from head quarters.
It had been written at one o'clock, as soon as I took my position for
the night, and intrusted to Colonel Ogden, who promised to send it by an
officer acquainted with the roads.
Depending upon your communication of the sad intelligence to Chevalier
de la Luzerne, I did not send to Morristown where he was to wait for the
news of the success.
Among the many blunders which have been committed, I shall extract from
that complete assortment some instances (not for this glorious occasion
that is forever lost) but on any future one.
You may remember that after a long time Colonel Pickering assured to you
that the boats were in complete readiness whilst they had no oars,--he
afterwards positively told that he had only three boats with him at
Camp when two hours before I had seen five of them with my own eyes.
The sending of those five boats two hours after that which you had
appointed, you have been early apprized of, but you don't perhaps know
that instead of being at Dod's the night before last the boats from
Suffrans arrived there last evening about sunset, to this report the
man who received them eight miles this side of Suffrans adds that they
wanted their double trees and spread chains, so that he was obliged to
lose about two hours in taking those things from Continental wagons
and the inhabitants; when our affairs will be thus managed your best
projects cannot fail of being defeated.
Had Mr. Pickering followed the example of General Knox, every thing
would have been here in proper time and proper order, as was the
artillery from the Park.--I confess, my dear General, that I cannot
reconcile my feelings to the idea that by this neglect I have lost a
most happy opportunity, blessed with all the little circumstances which
may insure success. Our expedition has taken the most foolish turn in
the eyes of any one who is unacquainted with this circumstance of the
boats.
When I was in hopes of seeing in time at least five of them, I gave up
the watering place to think only of Richmond; but when I saw that we
could not be there before the break of the day, I did not hesitate to
relinquish an expedition which on that footing would have occasioned a
great profusion of blood for little or no purpose, but you will easily
guess what I have felt on the occasion. I never have been so deeply
wounded by any disappointment.
By Mercereau and Colonel Ogden, I hear that the enemy are collecting
boats and intend a forage into the Jerseys. I would be very happy to
know if you have got the like intelligence. Suppose they were to come
out in force and at a distance from us, would not this be an opportunity
to execute your grand plan?
I beg you will let me know this evening if I am to march to-morrow to
our old ground to Cotawa; if the enemy were likely to come out, or if
you thought of a certain plan, I would advise to keep Major Lee for some
days, as in both cases he will be a capital man,--he is a most charming
officer.
Arnold has issued a second proclamation wherein he invites the officers
and soldiers of our army to join him, promising to them equal ranks to
those they hold in the American service.
I am told expresses were sent to me to acquaint me of the delay of the
boats; but excepting Doctor Pagen I have not seen one of them,--the
boats have been sent to the two bridges by Major Gibbs, I had brought
them up with me, and in passing by them both conductors and wagoners
have received the curses of every officer and soldier in the division.
The men marched last night very fast with such silence, good order and
desire of fighting as would have highly pleased you. The activity and
resources of Major Lee have been on that occasion displayed in such a
way as entitles him to my eternal esteem and gratitude. I felt not only
for me but for all the officers and men who had promised themselves so
much glory on the occasion.
With the most tender affection and high respect I have the honor to be,
my clear general, yours, &e,
Colonel Ogden has remained behind to get inteligences; so that being
uncertain if my first letter has reached you, I would be happy to know
in the course of the night if I am to march to-morrow morning to the old
ground.~[1]
Footnote:
1. The two preceding letters relate to a descent upon Staten Island,
which was projected, and was to be executed by Lafayette, who was now
in command of a Light Corps, consisting of battallions, stationed in
advance of the main army, and was anxious to effect some important
enterprise before the campaign should be brought to a close; but this
expedition, as well as an attack proposed in his letter of the 30th
October, ante upon the upper part of New York Island, was rendered
impracticable by the want of boats and other necessary preparations. See
Sparks' Writ. of Wash. v. 7, p. 280, and App. No. 9.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Philadelphia, December 4, 1780.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--I will for this time write a very short letter to
you and cannot be more particular either on public or private business,
until some few days stay in this city have enabled me to get further
information.
I have been greatly disappointed in my not meeting Mrs. Washington. I
have been very angry with my bad fate which led me into another road at
the only moment when I could miss her--this has been the more the case,
as I knew you was uneasy about her, and I wanted both to send you an
express and to advise her to the best way of meeting you as soon as
possible.
The southern news are expected this evening. Leslie has re-embarked and
will probably go to Charleston; the southern members are pleased to
like my going towards their country. However I cannot for the present be
determined, as I don't yet know if the campaign will be active, and if
succours are to be expected from France.
By a vessel from there who left Lorient before the middle of October,
we hear that nothing material had happened except the taking of the
merchant fleet. Both naval armies were in port. There was an expedition
of, I think, ten ships of the line and five thousand men ready to
sail--this vessel came in company with Jones, who is daily expected; but
a very little part of our clothing will be on board, some will come on
board the Serapis, Jones, who mounts the _Ariel_ had dispatches from the
French Court, for as he however might have been detained by a storm
off the French coast which separated the little convoy. In the vessel
arrived was a Mr. Ross, who, I hope will give me some account of the
clothing, and Baron d'Arent, who got rid of his rupture, has a star
with a cross and a ribbon, and is upon very good terms with the King of
Prussia.
Congress have debated a motion about your being desired to go to the
southward, but have determined that you would better know than they do
if it was more useful to go or to stay. I am more than ever of this last
opinion.
On my arrival I found one of the salt meat vessels sold and the other to
be sold to day. I have spoken on the subject to almost every member of
Congress, who promised that they would take the best measures in their
power to get these provisions.
Chevalier de la Luzerne has communicated to me in _the most confidential
way_ a Spanish plan against St. Augustine, upon which I am building a
letter for the Generals of this nation, and using the best arguments in
my power to engage them either to send twelve ships of the line to take
us and conduct us to Charleston, as to render their operations as useful
as possible to General Greene. To-morrow I will write you about it. If
I have time before the departure of the confederacy who is going to the
West Indies, I will send you the original, if not a copy of my
letter. This is entirely _confidential_, as I have not the Chevelier's
permission to mention it. Adieu, my dear General, your's, most
respectfully.
A letter dated Cadiz, September 23d, mentions that Count d'Estaing
commands the combined fleet, and is gone to sea. In this case his going
with sixteen ships could not be true. I will endeavour to ascertain this
matter.~[1]
Mr. Carmichael writes that Spain has sent a hundred and thirty thousand
dollas. It is not a great deal, the dispositions of that court are
very satisfactory. Portugal does every thing we want, letters are just
arrived from St. Domingo but not desciphered.
Footnote:
1. The Light Infantry corps which Lafayette had commanded was broken
up when the army went into winter quarters, and he now entertained the
desire of transferring his services to the southern army under General
Greene, and had applied to Washington for his advice. See Sparks' Writ.
of Wash. Vol. 7, p. 316.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
December the 5th, in the Evening, 1780.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--However acquainted I may be with your intentions, I
thought, upon the whole, that I should better wait for your approbation
before I present any opinion of yours to the Spanish and French
Generals in the West Indies. I will, I know, lose the opportunity of the
confederacy, but many vessels are going that way, and if my letters meet
with your approbation I shall send them by triplicates. I Impatiently
wait for your answer.
I will write to General Greene to let him know of this intended
expedition, which, tho' uncertain as all human events are, may be,
however, in a great measure depended upon.
I confess that I don't hope to prevail upon the Spaniards to come here;
but if you will, you, Count de Rochambeau, and Chevalier de Ternay,
may try. In that case I wish you would write to both of them. My letter
will, at all events, give some remote chance of their doing what I
wish, and insure their communicating with General Greene. For political
reasons I also wish to draw them into this correspondence.
Chevalier de la Luzerne wishes his packet to Count de Rochambeau to
be forward as soon as possible. Adieu, my dear General, yours most
respectfully and affectionately.~[1]
Footnote:
1. For the answer to this letter, See Sparks' Writ. of Wash. v. 7, p.
322.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Philadelphia, December the 16th, 1780.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Your favor of the 8th instant never came to hand
before last night. My former letters will have explained to you my
sentiments relating to a journey southward. I must heartily thank you,
my dear General, for the kind and friendly letters you have been pleased
to send me. I am so happy in your friendship that every mark of your
affection, for me gives me a degree of pleasure which far surpasses all
expressions.
As I have written to you before, my dear General, there is an
intelligence of some ships and troops having been put in readiness at
Brest; there is a possibility of a Spanish officer waiting on you for
the sake of a co-operation. We are also to expect news from my friend
the new Minister of the French Navy, and before they arrive you would
not like my departure.
Two other reasons have weight with me; the first that if the enemy
make this detachment, without which nothing material will happen in the
Southward, and if the intelligence is true about the fast recruiting of
six month men, there is (not a probability) but a possibility of some
thing to be done in this quarter. The second is, that for reasons I will
explain to you when we meet, a visit from you to the French army is to
be much wished, and in this case you will be glad that I may accompany
you.
Under these circumstances, to which is added a natural reluctance
to part from you and this army, and some idea that upon the whole my
staying will be more agreeable to you, I think, my dear General, that
unless new intelligence comes I will soon return.
Colonel Laurens persists in refusing to go, and hopes Hamilton may be
sent, whom he thinks better calculated for the purpose; but I don't
believe now that this plan may be effected, and in that case I should
advise Laurens to accept of the commission, provided he is merely a
_messenger_ and not an _envoy_, that would supersede the old Doctor.
The Assembly of Pennsylvania have passed a bill for their officers which
seems satisfactory to them. Before I go I will still intrigue for the
affair of filling up the battalions. Mifflin behaves perfectly well.
Adieu, my dear General, most affectionately and respectfully, Yours,
&c.~[1]
Footnote:
1. For the letter referred to in the commencement of this, See Sparks'
Writ. of Wash. v. 7, p. 316, and see also the letter of Washington to
Lafayette, ibid, p.322 & 339.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Philadelphia, March the 2nd, 1781.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Your letters of the 25th and 26th~[1] both came
yesterday to hand, which shows that the expresses have not made great
dispatch. I would have done myself the honour of writing to your
Excellency had I not every minute waited for intelligence from the
Southward.
Your Excellency remembers that our shortest calculation on the arrival
of the troops at the head of Elk was for the 6th of March; I am happy
to inform you that they will be there this day or to-morrow early, and
notwithstanding the depth of the mud, and the extreme badness of the
roads, this march, which I can call rapid, (as for example, they came
in two days from Morris Town to Princeton,) has been performed with such
order and alacrity, that agreeable to the report two men only have been
left behind; and yet these two men have embarked at Trenton with some
remains of baggage. At every place where the detachment have halted,
they have found covering and wood ready for them, and there has not been
the least complaint made to me from any inhabitant. Every third day they
have drawn their provisions; the clothing has also been distributed,
and having embarked yesterday at Trenton they passed the city about two
o'clock with a wind which was extremely favorable. Congress have given
to their troops the advance of one month's pay which will be distributed
at the head of Elk in new emission.
The Artillery, consisting of one 24, six 18, two brass 12, one 8 inch
howitzer, two 8 inch mortars, in all, 12 heavy pieces; four 6 pounders,
and two small howitzers, with a sufficient quantity of ammunition, will
be at the head of the Elk this day and to-morrow, so that by the 4th I
hope we shall be ready to sail. A quantity of medicines and instruments,
and fifteen hundred pairs of shoes will be at the head of Elk before
we embark. Vessels will be in readiness to receive us with thirty days
provision on board. I am also assured that we will have a sufficient
quantity of boats to land the detachment, and two heavy ones will be
added for the Artillery, the public, and some of the private armed
vessels in the Bay have been ordered to the head of Elk; two dispatch
boats are there, and four more have been asked for. As a farther
security to our subsistence, I have got the Minister's permission to
dispose of the French flour and salt meat along the Bay in case of
necessity.
On my arrival at this place I heard that M. de Tilly, the French
Commander, had conferred with the Virginians, but upon seeing that
nothing could be done immediately, he was undetermined whether to stay
or to return to Rhode Island. Fearing that our letters might miscarry,
and wishing to hurry the preparations of the Militia, I complied with
the earnest solicitations of the Minister of France to send on Colonel
Gouvion, and directed him to go either by land or water (as the state
of the Bay would permit) on board the French squadron, and afterwards
to Baron de Steuben's Camp, where he may apprise these Gentlemen of our
force, our intentions, and the time of our arrival. This minuted account
I give to your Excellency to show you that nothing on our part has been
wanting for the success of the expedition. Our preparations have in
every article fulfilled, and in the most important one, time, have
exceeded what had been expected.
Your letter was sent by express to General St. Clair, who immediately
came to town; but nothing having been done for the settling of the
accounts, none of the promises having been complied with, and the men
being much scattered, it has, (after much consideration,) been thought
impossible to embark any number with us, and General St. Clair promises
to make every exertion for the sending of two or three hundred in a few
days whom however I am not to depend upon.
I am myself going to the head of Elk and shall arrive there this
evening. It has not been possible for me to leave sooner the City, as
the three days I have remained here have been fully employed in making
and forwarding preparations.
Before I go I will wait on the Board of War Navy and propose the sending
of the frigates; but the Trumbull having not her compliment of men,
and those of the Ariel having mutinied at sea, I am afraid we will
find difficulties. The preparations made at New York; the return of the
Amarila; the remasting of the Bedfort; the impossibility Mr. Destouches
is under to give us any further assistance; the uncertainty of what Mr.
de Tilly may have determined before he had received your letter. Such
are, my dear General, the many reasons which from a pretty certain
expedition have lately made a precarious one. Under these circumstances,
indeed, there must always be more or less danger in going down the Bay,
and venturing the low country about Portsmouth. Being unacquainted
with the answer you have received from Count de Rochambeau and Mr.
Destouches, I am not able to judge how far I may depend upon the same
ship being ordered again to Chesapeake (in case before the reception
of your letter) she had thought proper to sail. Her coming was not
in consequence of your proposition; her going was relative to the
difficulties of an expedition very different from ours, and I wish I
might know if (tho' Mr. Destouches cannot give further assistance,) this
assistance at least may be depended upon, so as to hope for the return
of the ship should M. de Tilly have left the bay. The bottom of the
Bedfort is said to be damaged; the Amarila was said to have been
dismasted. Suppose those circumstances were true, they would be in our
favour. If a detachment was to go from New York to Portsmouth, Westpoint
would be less in danger. If Cornwallis continues advancing on, perhaps
our being in the neighbourhood of Arnold may be of service; I will,
however, confine myself literally to my instructions, and if Colonel
Gouvion writes me with certainty that M. de Tilly is gone; if I am not
led to suppose he will return, I will march back the detachment; for the
present I am going on because upon the increasing of the enemy's force
at Gardner's Bay, you recommended dispatch to me; I hope, however, that
I will hear from your Excellency. Now that the chain is established,
Colonel Dickering says, that in six days I may receive your answer at
the head of Elk. The hope of seeing the French ship again, or some other
reason, may detain me; but your answer will determine my movements, and
I can receive it by the 8th, which is about the time when it was thought
we would arrive at the head of Elk.
My expectations are not great, and I think we have but few chances for
us. I shall make all possible dispatch, and listen particularly to the
voice of prudence; however, some hazard might be ran, if we undertake
under these circumstances.
General Duportail having not left this place, I am led to hope that if
we don't go I may return in time for the journey to Rhode Island. I most
earnestly beg, my dear General, that you will favor me with an immediate
answer.
With the highest respect and most tender affection, I have the honor to
be, your's, &c.
P.S.--One of our transports from Trenton had got aground, but the
troops of her will still be in time for her at the head of Elk. Some new
difficulties have been made for the collecting of shoes, but I will try
to get over them. From the extraordinary motions of Lord Cornwallis,
whom we have not heard of these many days, and from the movements in
New-York, I am led to hope that I will hear from you respecting my
future conduct, and that I may be at head-quarters before you think it
prudent to leave New Windsor.~[2]
Footnotes:
1. For these, See Sparks' Writ. Wash. p. 430 & 439 The date of the
letter is there given as the 27th.
2. See the letters of Washington is Sparks' Writ. of Wash. Vol. 7, p.
444 & 447.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)