1From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esqr. General & Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States. Whereas Colonel Gouvion of the Corps of Engineers hath served in the American Army with great reputation from an early period of the War, until the happy termination of it in the acknowledgment of the Independence of the United States—And whereas his services have been principally...
2To George Washington from George Clinton, September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I begg you to accept of my grateful Acknowledgment for the kind concern you are pleased to express for my ill State of Health, My disorder has been extreamly painful & of long duration; but I flatter myself I am now recovering, tho’ very slowly—Mrs Clinton and my Family join in best Respects to you & Mrs Washington with Dear Sir your sincere and Affectionate Humble Servant NHi : Vail Collection.
3Extracts from Correspondence of British Officers, 1781 (Washington Papers)
Sir Hry Clinton to Ld G. Germain 9th & 12th of June 1781. Informs of the reinforcement of 1500 Men under the Comd of Colo. Marsh of the 43d Regt going to join Ld Cornwallis in the Chesapeake at that time. Sir Hry Clinton to Ld G. Germain 7th Sepr 1781—had embarked 4000 Troops with which he shd proceed to relieve his Lordship, as soon as he new the passage was open. that instead of 3 Battns...
4Questions and Answers about York Island, 1781 (Washington Papers)
Questions: 1 How many Batteries are there between Laurel hill & Fort Tryon, along the line of Pallisades? Answers: Only one which is commanded by the Work on Laurel Hill—it has four 18 pounders in it. 2 Are they all open Batteries? It is open in the Rear. 3 Are they under the command of the close redoubts?—and could the men allotted for their defence remain in them if an Enemy was possessed of...
5Washington’s Observation Respecting the 1781 Campaign, 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the Count de Grass should arrive before the expected reinforcement reaches New York—more especially if he brings a land force of 2000 Men—or can possess himself of the harbor of New York. We ought to prosecute the operation against New York with the Men we have & the chance of obtaining more. If on the other hand a reinforcement of 2000 Men should come from Virginia before the French fleet...
6Duportail’s Observations on the 1781 Campaign 1781-03, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
General observations upon the different operations which Can be undertaken according to the different Cases at the arrival of Count de grasse at the hook . I will Consider first what is relative to Newyork and I will suppose that Count de grasse arrives at the hook before admiral Rodney, admiral graves being with his Squadron in the hook. it is asked what Count de grasse must do? the first...
7To George Washington from Heman Swift, March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Warrant McDowall was executed the 21st Inst. The Evening before his Execution he inform’dMessrs Strong & Prud oin Ministers of Hartford that Lee the man your Excellency sent from Newport and ordered confin’d in Goal at Hartford had given him a particular account of his intentions when he left New York, that he was employ’d by Sir Henry Clinton to pass through the...
8To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 7 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to Address you on the 20th of January last, in Answer to Your Acceptable favor of the 8th of Novr & gave you an Acct of the Proceedings of Our Assembly to that time—We Afterwards Pass’d Several Bills, Viz. to Accede to the Confederation—to Confiscate Brittish Property, & to raise recruits for the Army, By Classing Property, Every £16.000 to find a Man & on Failure, a Draught to...
9From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 7 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you for the answer to the address as soon as it is convenient to you. if we do not ride to the point to See the fleet pass out, I am to have a conference with Count De Rochambeau & the Engineer directly after Breakfast, at which I wish you to be present. I am sincerely and affectly Yr DLC : Alexander Hamilton Papers.
10To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 7 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
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...