Elk, April 10, 1781.
Where is, for the present, my dear Hamilton? This question is not a
mere affair of curiosity. It is not even wholly owing to the tender
sentiments of my friendship. But motives both of a public and private
nature conspire in making me wish that your woe be not accomplished.
Perhaps you are at head quarters--perhaps at Albany; at all events,
I’ll tell you my history. Had the French fleet come in, Arnold was
ours. The more certain it was, the greater my disappointment has been;
at last it has become necessary for them to return to Rhode Island. I
think they have exerted themselves for the common good, and this has
been a comfort in our misfortune.
Having luckily arrived at Elk by water, which at first I had no right
to expect, I have received the General’s letters. If you are at head
quarters, you will have seen my correspondence with the General; if
not, I tell you that I am ordered to the southern army, and the General
thinks that the army under his immediate command will remain inactive.
After a march of forty days, we will arrive at a time when the heat
of the season will put an end to operations. This detachment is so
circumstanced as to make it very inconvenient for officers and men to
proceed. Before we arrive, we shall perhaps be reduced to five or six
hundred men. There will be no light infantry formed--no attack against
New-York--none of those things which had flattered my mind. If a corps
is sent to the southward by land, it ought to have been the Jersey
line, because if we weaken ourselves, New-York will be out of the
question.
Monsieur Destouches will, I think, propose to the General to send to
Philadelphia l’Eveillé and all the frigates; these, with the frigates
now at Philadelphia, would carry fifteen hundred men to whatever
part of the continent the General would think proper. We could then
go to Morristown, there to form a new corps of light infantry upon
the principles at first intended, and embarking in the first days of
May, we could be at Wilmington, Georgetown, or any where else, sooner
than we can now be by land. I would have the battalions composed of
six companies; Colonels employed--Webb, Sprout, Huntington, Olney,
Hill, Barber, Gimat, _Laurens_; Majors Willet, Fish, Gibbes, Inspector
Smith, and another; Brigadier Generals Huntington and Scamell, and
a good corps of artillerists under * * * * * *. My good friend, you
would be more important at head quarters; but if you don’t stay there,
you know what you have promised to me. Adieu. Write often and long
letters. It is probable I will be in the southern wilderness until the
end of the war, far from head quarters, from the French army, from my
correspondence with France; but the whole good I could have operated,
in this last instance, must have taken place by this time. My best
respects and affectionate compliments wait on Mrs. Hamilton.
Most friendly yours,
La Fayette.