My dear general,--Contrary winds, heavy rains, disappointments of
vessels, and every inconvenience to which we had no remedy, have been,
from the day of my arrival, combined against our embarkation. I hope,
however, we will be on board to-morrow morning, and as nothing certain
has been heard from the French ships, no time will be lost on our part
for the celerity of the expedition.
The troops will embark five miles below this place, and three miles
higher up than the Point where General Howe landed. There will be more
room for the arrangements of our vessels, and the shallowness of the
water insures us against the enterprise of any vessel of force. In this
situation we may wait for intelligence from our friends. The State of
Maryland have made to me every offer in their power. I will improve this
opportunity of making up some deficiencies in the Quarter-Master and
Engineer's Department, of insuring to us a good stock of provisions, and
upon the intelligence received that Baron de Steubens was gone with
a large detachment to the Southward, I had hinted the possibility of
getting some Militia from the lower countries, and repairing some cannon
at Baltimore; but having read the inclosed from the Baron, I will write
again to Governor Lee, (as my letter has been gone but two days,)
and save the State from any expence of that kind. To the obtaining of
vessels has been joined the difficulty of getting them up the river, as
they were taking every opportunity to slip them off. All the vessels,
three excepted, are only bay craft, and our Admiral's ship mounts twelve
guns. I have prepared some kind of orders for that fleet, but hope to be
relieved from my Naval command by the arrival of a French frigate, and
have, at all events, sent for Commodore Nicholson of Baltimore. Mr.
McHenry has been very active in accelerating the measures of his State.
By a letter from Colonel Gouvion, dated Yucomico River, I find
that after many adventures, he had landed there on the 4th, and was
proceeding by land to his destination. The wind is fair enough to come
up the Bay, and hope soon to hear from our friends.
The enclosed letter from the Baron having first come into my hand, and
being on public service, as it was waited upon _to be forwarded with
dispatch_, I took the liberty to open it, but was very sorry to have
done it after a letter of the same date had came also to hand; both say
the same thing (at least in every material point,) and I am happy to
find that the Baron's preparations are going on rapidly.
Whatever may be the Baron's opinion upon the facility of taking, sword
in hand, the fortifications of Portsmouth, I will not hazard any thing
before I have considered the matter with my own eyes. Arnold had so much
time to prepare, and plays so deep a game; nature has made the position
so respectable, and some of the troops under his orders have been in so
many actions that I don't flatter myself to succeed so easily as it may
be thought. The prospect of preserving Naval superiority must, I think,
decide if we are to save bloodshed by regular approaches, or to risk
our men into the dangers of an assault; but I would like to destroy the
works in some measure before we attempt to storm them. A conversation
with the Baron, with Colonel Gouvion, and some other officers, joined to
what I can see myself, will better fix my mind on the matter than it can
be at present. When I left Philadelphia General Wayne was not far from
hoping he could soon collect a thousand men; but I am not so sanguine
in my expectations; I am, however, trying to prepare matters for this
number of men, but I think that a sufficiency of vessels, (unless ours
are sent back,) will not be obtained in a few days. Let General Wayne
arrive in time or not, when he comes under my directions I wish to know
if in case we succeed, he must be sent to Genl. Greene. Supposing he is
to go there, would your Excellency think of selecting some riflemen for
the grand army? It seems to me that I heard you once mentioning this
matter. The State of Virginia, I am told, finds difficulties in the
keeping of prisoners. Suppose something of the kind was stated to me, am
I to alter any thing in what you said to me on the subject?
I am in a great hurry to go, my dear General; but let us succeed or fall
in the object we have in view, I shan't be less hurried to return with
the detachment to head-quarters, where I hope to be again as soon as
you may possibly expect. I beg you will present my respects to Mrs.
Washington, and Mrs. Hamilton, and compliments to the family. I have
received Mr. Washington's answer, he is waiting for me at the Baron's
quarters.
With the highest respect and most tender affection I have the honor to
be, your's, &c.~[1]
Footnote:
1. See Washington's letter in Sparks' Writ. in Wash, vol. 8, p. 449.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Off Turkey Point, March the 9th.
My dear general,--Commodore Nicholson has joined us sooner than I
expected; he answers to conduct the detachment to Annapolis without the
least danger, there he will wait for intelligence from me, but says that
if the French fleet are below be might go with safety (if not for
the vessels at least for the troops) to the point of our destination.
Nicholson will be very useful to the French fleet as he knows well the
bay.
I will be at Hampton to-morrow night or the day after, and three days
after my arrival, if the French (whose arrival has not been heard of)
consent to send a Frigate, the detachment may come in two days from
Annapolis.
Most respectfully, my dear General, your's &c.
P.S.--I have written to the State of Maryland to tell them we don't
want any of their Militia. I have left to the Navy Board to judge of the
propriety to send out the Ariel adding that it was no more essential.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
York, March 15th, 1781.
My Dear General,--The number of small frigates and privateers that are
in the bay, made it impossible for me to carry the detachment farther
down than Annapolis, and I have requested the Governor of Maryland as
well as the principal officers of the detachment, to give out that we
are going to join General Greene; but the object of the expedition is
so perfectly well known every where, that our sole dependence to keep
Arnold must be upon the apprehension he has of a French fleet being
cruizing off the capes.
For my part, I came in a barge from Annapolis, and very luckily escaped
the dangers that were in the way. Colonel Harrison will have given to
your Excellency a minute detail of the reasons which have prompted me to
this measure. I have taken his advice on the matter, and have no doubt
but that your Excellency (considering the probability that no frigate
would have been sent) will approve of the step I have taken to forward
as much as possible both the advantage of the expedition and the honor
of the American arms.
On my arrival, (yesterday afternoon) I have found that Baron de Stuben
had been very active in making preparations, and agreeable to what he
tells me, we shall have five thousand militia ready to operate. This,
with the Continental detachment, is equal to the business, and we might
very well do without any land force from Newport.
By papers found in the baggage of a British officer, (taken in a boat)
it seems that General Gregory had a correspondence with the enemy. The
Baron has suspended him, but he is still with the troops.
Arnold is so well acquainted with the coming of the detachment, and his
object is so well known, that, as I said before, our only chance to
keep him must be the idea of a French fleet being off the capes; he is
fortifying at Portsmouth, and trying to get provisions. There has been
some trifling skirmishes with the militia.
To my great disappointment the French fleet have not yet appeared. If
the project has not been given up they must be expected every minute;
they had double the time which they wanted, and such winds as ought have
brought them in four days.
I wanted to hold up the idea of my going to the Southward; but the Baron
says that if the detachment is not announced, the militia will desert.
He wanted me to take the command immediately, but I thought it more
polite not to do it until the detachment arrives or operations are
begun.
In your first letter to the Baron, I wish my dear General, you will
write to him that I have been much satisfied with his preparations.
I want to please him, and harmony shall be my first object. As in all
cases, (even this of my going to the Southward and coming here to make
arrangements with the Baron) I would reconnoitre the enemies; I will
take an opportunity of doing it as soon as possible. They have not
as yet been reconnoitred by the Baron, and I think it therefore more
necessary for me to see with my own eyes.
As I have just arrived, my dear General, I cannot give you a very exact
account of matters.
This letter I send by duplicate, and have the honor to be with the
highest respect and most tender affection, yours, &c.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Elk, April the 10th, 1751.
Dear general,--By my letter of the 8th your Excellency will have known
of my arrival at this place, and the preparations I was making to
proceed Southward. I took at the same time the liberty to inform you
that the great want of money, baggage, clothing, under which both
officers and men are suffering, and the hope they had of being furnished
with a part of these articles from their States, would render it very
inconvenient for the troops to proceed immediately by land; they begin
to be sensible of the reason which detains them here, and are uneasy
about it, as they are so unprovided for the journey. I have, however,
hurried on preparations, and will be able to set off to-morrow morning.
The circumstances of my being ready sooner than I expected, and a letter
from the Governor of Maryland telling that six ships, whom I take to be
plundering vessels, were coming up the Potomac, induces me not to wait
for your Excellency's answer. Not that I pretend to defend the towns
of Alexandria, Baltimore and Annapolis, at a time, or to stop the
depredations of the enemy's parties in a country where their naval
superiority renders it impossible; but because I don't think any
consideration must delay the execution of superior orders, and because,
if the corps was not sent to Southward they would with alacrity march
back thirty or forty miles more to rejoin the grand army.
Having received no particulars of your Excellency's journey to Rhode
Island, but by the paper, a letter from you to Mr. Lund Washington, and
private letters from some friends, I cannot know what change has taken
place in your plans, and am not able to account for the inactivity which
you foresee for the grand army. Letters from Ministers, letters from my
friends, intelligences from other quarters, every thing was combined to
flatter me with the hope that our grand and decisive object would be in
contemplation. I then was not displeased with the dispositions of the
enemy that weakened that place. It is probable that your Excellency's
plans have changed, and you intend to prosecute the war to the
Southward.
I had yesterday the pleasure of dining on board the Hermione, and left
her under sail to go to Rhode Island, where she will probably be the day
after to-morrow. Mr. Delatouche, uncle to captain Latouche, will, it is
said, command the squadron of the second division. I was conversing
with his nephew, on whom he has an entire confidence on the expedition
against New York, and he assured me that his Uncle's plan would
certainly be to take possession of the harbour, and send a force up the
North River, which you know is entirely the thing that you wanted M. de
Vernay to do.
Mr. Delatouche having confidentially told me that he had a great
influence over Mr. Destouches, I observed to him how important it was
for the common cause that the French fleet might have the greatest
possible activity. We were also conversing of the difficulties we
laboured under for transportation, and he told me that the next day
after his arrival at Rhode Island, unless such obstacles occurred as he
could not foresee; Mr. Destouches would make you an offer of the ship
l'Eveillé, and the four frigates to carry twelve hundred men to any part
of` continent you might think proper. Those ships are too strong to be
afraid of frigates, and too fast sailers to be in the least concerned by
the fear of a squadron. Thinking that (particularly as Lord Cornwallis
has retreated) our march would take us forty days, where desertion and
sickness, occasioned by want of shoes and every other necessary, as well
as by the heat of the season, would much reduce our numbers, and that
these ships, with the addition of the two frigates at Philadelphia,
armed _en flute_, would in sailing on the 4th or 5th of May, carry
1500 men to Wilmington, Georgetown, or any place in the rear of Lord
Cornwallis or the neighborhood of General Greene, I thought it my duty
to encourage this idea, which would bring us to the point of operations
sooner than we could arrive by land. It would also give you the time of
forming at Morristown or Trenton, a detachment well provided, agreeably
to the project you had in contemplation after the return of this corps.
The appointment of officers could be made without affecting the delicacy
of the regimental officers, nor the honor of those already employed.
While we would be operating, Mr. Destouches might keep cruizers off
Charleston. These ideas, my dear General, are only thrown out in
consequence of the freedom you have often ordered me to take. What Mr.
Destouches may do is uncertain, and I did not think myself authorised to
express to him the least wish on that head. It was my duty to relate our
difficulties to you, and the chances I foresaw to see them relieved
in some measure; but unless the bad weather, of which there is now a
prospect, makes it impossible, I will be to-morrow at the ferry at the
Susquehannah.
You may have known from Mr. de La Luzerne, that two millions and a half
had been given to Mr. Franklin, and that Marquis de Castries and Count
de Vergennes, were trying to obtain a sum more adequate to our wants.
This, however, the Minister of France has requested me not to mention,
as it was as yet an uncertainty, and would perhaps give ill-grounded
hopes, destructive of the internal efforts we ought to make. I am told
that just before the departure of Mr. Dela Peyrouse, some dispatches
were sent to Brest; but do not think they contain any thing relating to
our operations, as Marquis de Castries writes me that the determination
of the Council upon our letters will be sent by the ships who is to
convoy the expected vessels.
I am very sorry I have not seen the Aid de Camp who had a verbal message
from General Greene. Inclosed I send to your Excellency the letter
I have received on the occasion. Perhaps, did he mean to propose an
expedition towards Cape-fear or Georgetown, which might be made with
the light squadron above mentioned. An additional circumstance is, that
l'Eveillé will now be commanded by Mr. de Lombard, captain Latouche's
uncle, who is entirely under that Gentleman's influence.
I write to the board of war to get some shoes and other parts of
clothing. I will this morning speak to the commanding officers of
battalions on our intended journey; but have not yet said any thing
to Colonel Gimat and Major Galvan, because it is possible that new
circumstances may engage you to change your dispositions. Going by
water, if possible, would level most all difficulties; but if I don't
hear from you, I will always proceed on. I have the honor to be, yours
&c.~[1]
Footnote:
1. See Washington's Letters of 21st of March and 5th and 6th of
April. Sparks' Writ. of Wash. volume 7. pp. 449 and 468, 8469. See
also--Sparks' Writ. of Wash. vol. 8. Appendix No. 1.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Susquehannah ferry April 13th, 1751.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--I received your Excellency's letter relating to
Colonel Gouvion. It would have been very agreeable to me to keep this
officer, your orders have been sent to Philadelphia where he is for the
present. However distant I may be from the scene, I am happy to find
that your Excellency hopes to undertake the grand object we have had in
contemplation.
By a letter just received from the board of War, it seems that
representations of wants have been made which they have mistaken
for objections from me to our journey southward. I have said to some
officers that our proximity to the southern states was the reason which
had induced your Excellency to send this detachment, but I hope I need
not assure you that I never thought of intimating the least idea of
alteration to your Excellency's projects, but such as you would think
of making yourself after your own ideas and intelligences. Perhaps my
letter to the board of War may appear disrespectful or impolite, but
nothing could stop me in an instance where it might be suspected I
objected to your plans, or even differed in opinion. You know me too
perfectly not to think an explanation useless.
It is confidently reported that the second division is arrived in the
capes of Delaware, consisting of nine sail of the line, this was the
number mentioned to me by the Marquis de Castries to be in harbour,
your Excellency would in that case have a brilliant Campaign to the
northward.
With the highest and most affectionate respect Yours &c.~[1]
Footnote:
1. See Letters of Wash. of the 11th April. Sparks' Writ. of Wash. vol.
8, p. 11.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Susquehannah ferry April 13th, 1781.
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Had your Excellency's answer to my letter of the 8th,
been forwarded with an equal celerity that your favor of the 6th, I
would have received it before this time, but whatever change my new
situation could make in your Excellency's dispositions, I thought it my
duty in the mean while to obey the positive orders I had received,
the Troops are now crossing the ferry and will with all possible speed
proceed to Richmond.
By a letter received from General Green I find that he is, strongly of
opinion that I must go to the southward, his intention is to carry the
seat of war into South Carolina, there by preventing a junction between
Arnold and Cornwallis, he gives me many excellent reasons to justify
the movement and requests me to make to Richmond, and they will, if
possible, increase my zeal to execute your Excellency's orders.
General Green's opinion is that Lord Cornwallis will fall down towards
Wilmington, his own project is to carry the war into South Carolina.
Under these circumstances a corps of Light Infantry embarked at
Philadelphia on board a light squadron might have been upon the seat of
war in a very short passage.
I cannot help fearing, my dear General, that our campaign will take
a defensive turn which is far from answering our first plans and
expectations. Major McPherson is with me as a volunteer, that officer
has most zealously employed himself and has been most dangerously
exposed in the discovery of a plot made to furnish the enemy with
provisions, he has managed this matter with infinite address, being for
two days and one night with six soldiers who, as well as himself, put
on the air of British, and, in company with a spy who thought them to
be enemy and by a most violent gale of wind, crossed the bay in a small
boat, by which means he was made sensible that a trade of flour is
carried with the enemy from the western shore of Maryland, and saved a
magazine of 800 barrels of continental flour which would otherwise have
fallen into the hands of the enemy. In case we proceed southerly perhaps
will it be possible for General Green to give Mayor McPherson a command
in some detachment; I would be happy if he was recommended to him by
your Excellency. My determination being to go on with rapidity, unless
I am recalled, your Excellency may easily judge of my movements from
the answer I will probably receive in a few hours. Was I to assure your
Excellency that this journey is perfectly agreeable to the Troops, I
would not use that candor which you have so much right to expect, but
their zeal and discipline insure their readiness to obey. I shall do my
utmost to prevent desertion, and unless I was recalled, I shall proceed
with celerity. But I beg your Excellency to remember that experience has
often taught us how much reduced has ever been the number of our
troops from the time of their departure to that of their arrival at the
Southern army.
With the highest and most affectionate respect,
Yours &c.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Susquehannah ferry April 14th, 1781.
MY DEAR GENERAL--Your Excellency's letter of the 11th, has overtaken
me at this place, and having given to you an account of every measure
I thought proper to take, I will only add that I am still at the ferry
where the troops have crossed the river; but the wind blows so high that
it has been impossible to take the waggons over, and I am obliged to
have others impressed on the southern side of the Susquehannah. Your
Excellency mentions the propriety of remaining at the head off Elk until
shoes can be collected, but the prospect I have from the board of war
are not flattering enough to encourage this measure. On the other side
General Green is pressing in his advices, and will soon be so in his
orders to me. I cannot obtain any good account of Phillip's motions, nor
oppose the schemes he may have formed, until I am much farther advanced;
and dissatisfaction and desertion being two greater evils than any other
we have to fear; I am anxious to have rivers, other countries, and every
kind of barrier to stop the inclination of the men to return home. Many
men have already deserted, many more will I am afraid take the same
course, whatever sense of duties, ties of affection, and severity of
discipline may operate, shall be employed by me, and I wish we might
come near the enemy, which is the only means to put a stop to the spirit
of desertion.
Many articles, and indeed every one which compose the apparatus of
a soldier, will be wanting for this detachment. But shoes, linen,
overalls, hunting shirts, shirts, and ammunition will be the necessary
supplies for which I request your Excellency's most pressing orders to
people concerned, and most warm entreaties to the board of war. I wish
it was possible to have the men equiped at once, and this would be a
great saving of expense.
While I am writing to your Excellency the wind rises more and more,
which will much impede our passage for such stores as were to cross over
with the waggons, and the guard appointed to stay with them. At such a
distance from the enemy, I cannot give your Excellency any account of
their movements, but by the last intelligence General Phillips was still
at Portsmouth.
Should the French get a naval superiority, an expedition against
Portsmouth is very practible. These companies, filled up to their proper
number, and some other troops to increase the corps to two thousand,
would with a detachment of artillery from Philladelphia, be equal to
the attack of that post. 3000 militia can with the greatest ease be
collected. In case Duke de Lauzurn's legion arrives, that corps could
come in the fleet; but should the French become superior at sea the
British fleet in Chesapeak would be in danger, and in every case, if
your Excellency thinks of sending any reinforcement this way, (let it
be the Jersey troops or recruits) their coming by water to James or York
river may save an immense trouble and expense.
My heart and every faculty of my mind, have been these last years so
much concerned in the plan of an expedition against * * * that I am very
desirous to hear, by the very first safe opportunity what reasons can
have overthrown the project.
Some disputes that have at first happened between the Jersey and
New-England troops, make me think that these last must be as much as
possible separated from the Pensylvanians.