Head Quarters, West Point, November 1, 1779.
Gentlemen:
I have this day been favored with yours of twenty-sixth ult.,
informing me of your removal to Great Egg Harbor. My letter of the
eighteenth, which had not reached you, went, as you supposed, by way of
Philadelphia; and, lest any accident may have happened to it, I inclose
you a duplicate. Mine of the thirtieth ultimo, which went through Major
Lee, informed you of the evacuation of Rhode Island. I have since
received a letter of the twenty-first ultimo, from my confidential
correspondent in New-York. He informs me that Rawdon’s corps, the 57th,
and some of the artillery, were then embarked: and it was said, and
generally believed, that they were bound to Halifax. That the Robuste,
of seventy-four guns, had arrived the twentieth, from Halifax; and that
a number of transports were taking in water and ballast. He gave me
nothing further worth communicating.
You will find, by the letter of the 18th, that a provision of
fascines and gabions was making; and I shall give directions to the
Quarter-Master-General, to provide a quantity of sand bags.
I am sorry to inform you, that Colonel La Rodiere died on Saturday
last. He is to be buried this day with the honors due to his rank.
I am, with great esteem, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.
P. S. Upon a presumption that Colonel Laurens will be on board the
fleet, the inclosed are sent to you.
Brigadier-General Du Portail.
Colonel Hamilton.