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...
2Questions 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...
3Washington’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...
4From 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.
5From George Washington to Christopher Ellery, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Among the distinguished honors which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival I have seen with peculiar satisfaction those effusions of esteem and attachment which have manifested themselves in the Citizens of this antient Town. My happiness is complete in a moment that unites the expressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our Allies. The conduct of the French...
6From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the whole Fleet went out with a fair Wind this Evening about sun set. You may possibly hear of their arrival in Chesapeak before this letter reaches you– Should you not– You will have every thing prepared for falling down the Bay at a moments warning– We have not yet heard of any more of the British in Gardeners Bay– Should we luckily meet with no...
7From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Fleet set sail this Evening about Sun Set, with a fair Wind—We have not yet heard of any movement of the British in Gardiners Bay—A few days must determine whether they intend to give us any interruption. I have the honor to be with the highest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and hble Servt AAE : Memoires et Documents, Etats-Unis.
8From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter begun on the 28th Ulto ended the first instant came to my hds at this place– I am conscious of being indebted to you for several other unacknowledged favors. I thank you for ascribing my omission to a multiplicity of other matters. I can with much truth assure you that my business has encreased with our difficulties, & kept equal pace with them. To what length these have arisen no...
9From George Washington to Massachusetts Continental Agent in Newburyport, 10 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Ulto from Newbury port came safe to hand as did one of an earlier date (I think) for when I requested you to purchase a pair of E pau lets for me at this place—it was on the presumption that there were French sutlers-- or shopkeepers who abounded in them—as this is not the case, It was not my meaning that you should and I am sorry you did give yourself any further...
10From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency that I arrived here on the 6th. In consequence of previous arrangements between the Count de Rochambeau and myself I found between eleven and twelve hundred of the French Grenadiers and Infantry already embarked and the Fleet nearly ready to sail. They however did not put to sea until the evening of the 8th. By advices from New London the...