From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 March 1778
To Major General Alexander McDougall
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 21st March 1778.
Dear Sir.
This will be delivered to you by Colonel de la Radiere of the Corps of Engineers, who was employed to superintend the fortifications on the North River—but from some misunderstanding between him and the late commanding Officer, in which he thought his own honour and the public interest were committed, he determined to renounce the work, and return to Camp1—I can safely recommend him to you as an Officer who understands his profession, and make no doubt of his giving you satisfaction both in projecting and executing the works required for the defence of the River.
I have given instructions to Major General de la fayette to order Van Schoiks Regiment to march and join you without loss of time.2 With great regard I am Dear Sir Your most obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in John Laurens’s writing, NNGL; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS.
1. For La Radière’s initial appointment to superintend the Hudson River defenses, see GW to La Radière, 8 Oct. 1777. For his dissatisfaction with the construction of the fortifications, see La Radière to GW, 13 Jan., Israel Putnam to GW, 13 Jan., and Samuel Holden Parsons to GW, 7 March.
2. See GW to Lafayette, 20 March.