1From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request I have written to Governor Hancock to call out the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston should the enemy threaten the Fleet under the command of the Marquis de Vaudreuil. I have the honor to be most sincerely yr Excellency’s obt and hble servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been honor’d with yours of this date, and will agreeable to your request, order a Detachment of Troops for the purpose of covering your Bake house in this place. I have the honor &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose (under a flying Seal for your perusal) a letter to Governor Greene, wch I hope will produce the effect your Excellency desires as it is my wish to give perfect security to the Fleet at Newport in the present critical moment. With sentiments of Attachmt & personal Regard—I have the honr to be Yr Excys most Ob. S. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s and the Chevalier des Touche’s joint letter of the 25th and your own of the 26th. The absence of your light Frigates renders the plan which Major Tallmadge proposed impracticable for the present. We will, however, keep the enterprise in view, and may, perhaps, at some future time, find an opportunity of carrying it into execution with...
5From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of the 10th Inst. I am extremely sorry to hear of the loss at the Diligente—The Chevalier Clonard appears to have done every thing that could have been expected from an active intelligent Officer. In a former Letter I expressed my approbation of the exchange of a number of the British Convalescents left a Gloucester for those taken in the...
6From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency was on the 16th inst. I have since that received information that an embarkation has taken place at New York—It is said to consist of three British Regiments and a detachment of Hessian Grenadiers. They may have sailed by this time, but of this I have no certain accounts. They are to be convoyed by two Ships of the Line and two or three Frigates. It is conjectured...
7From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my promise I now inclose to your Excellency the Route by Coriell’s Ferry—the particular Stages & Distances I have noted, from which you will form your own Estimation for each Days march. I was yesterday favored with a Philadelphia paper of the 30th of July, wch mentions the Arrival of 13 Ships of the Line 2 frigates & a Cat under Comd of Monr Va u dreuil at the Capes of...
8From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 28th ulto. I flatter myself the Count de Barras will meet with no interruption upon his passage, as I have reason to think the British Fleet are off the Hook. I have deferred writing to your Excellency, in hopes that I should have been able to have learnt, with certainty, whether there was any thing in the report which General St Clair forwarded...
9From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have looked with anxious impatience my dear count, for those dispatches from your court, the arrival of which to you was to be the moment of our interview at Phila. I have been in such dayly expectation of this event that I have not Ventured more than fifteen miles from this place Lest your summons should arrive here in my absence. the season of operating in this quarter is flying away...
10From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Excellency’s favor of the 27th announcing the return of the Squadron under the command of the Chevalier Des Touche to the Harbour of New-Port. A few minits before your Letter reached me, the inclosed, which His Excellency the Minister of France had the goodness to send under an open cover to me, informed me of the action which had happened on the 16th off the Capes...
11From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 22nd—The Packet for the Minister was immediately forwarded. We have yet no advices directly from Charles Town. I inclose your Excellency some of the latest New York and Philadelphia Papers. After you have read them be pleased to forward them to the Admiral—By the first it appears that Lord Howe’s Fleet had met with a severe gale of Wind,...
12From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I have this Day received from the Secretary at War, in the followg paragraph—"When our Troops retired from York Town in Virginia, a large Quantity of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores were left for the Use of the French Troops, who were to occupy that post—As the french Troops have left Virginia, I suppose our Artillery & Stores will be no longer wanted, if they are not, I think it...
13From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon a full consideration of all circumstances I am of opinion, that the march of the French Army under your command had better be by the following Route , and on the following days. Sunday. 19th to North Castle 14 Miles. Monday, 20th to Kings Ferry 18 Do. Allowing for the common chances of Winds and Weather, it may take ’till Thursday 22nd to cross the North River. Friday 23d to Suffrans 16...
14From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I ask you ten thousand pardons for breaking the Seal of the Inclosed Letter, to your Address. It was put into my hands with other dispatches, and was opened before I discovered the mistake—It happened too, in the moment I was expecting Letters from Sir Guy Carleton. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the most perfect esteem & regard Yr Excellys Most Obt Servt P.S. The Enemy were about...
15From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th instant—and thank you for the Communication of Genl Green’s of the 10th ulto—I think he need not be much alarmed on Account of the movement of the Legion—from the present Situation of the Enemy, I am persuaded no Reinforcement will be sent from N. York to Carolina. I am equally impatient with your Excellency, for Intelligence from...
16From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 8th and can assure you nothing on my part shall be wanting to induce Congress & the States to make as great preparations as possible for a combined operation & to improve every aid His Most Christian Majesty may be pleased to afford to the best advantage. It was with extreme Satisfaction I heard the joyful News of the birth of a...
17From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 12th and 22d ulto the last inclosing Copies of General Greene’s letter to you and your answer—After informing you, that I concur with you in opinion, that it would not be politic, at this moment, to move a detachment from your main Body to the southward, permit me to assure you that I very sensibly feel your goodness in determining to...
18From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite satisfaction I embrace the earliest opportunity of sending to Philadelphia the Cannon which Congress were pleased to present to your Excellency in testimony of their Sense of the illustrious part you bore in the capture of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis at York in Virginia. The Carriages will follow by another Conveyance; but as they were not quite ready, I could...
19From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my last I barely acknowledged the Rect of your Excellency’s favr of the 18th of Decemr. I have since been honored with that of the 24th. I am fearful that the Expresses between this place and Williamsburg are badly regulated, and I shall upon the return of the Quarter Master Genl from the North River endeavour to have things put in better train. I am extremely sorry to hear of the loss of...
20From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the head of Elk the Cavalry, Carriages & such Artillery as may be sent by Land, will proceed by the following Rout. Lower ferry on Susquehanna. Baltimore. Elk ridge Landing Bladensburg. George Town—on Potomack River. From hence a Rout must be pursued to Fredericksburg, that will avoid an inconvenient ferry over Occoquan and Rappahannock River at the Town of Fredericksburg. The former may,...
21From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose Your Excellency a Martinico Gazette of the 3rd of May which announces the Arrival of the Count de Grasse and gives an imperfect Account of the Action between the Fleets. This was sent me by the Minister with a Desire that it might be forwarded to You. But by Intelligence as late as the 8th of May it appears that the Count, unable to overtake Hood, had returned...
22From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st Ulto I informed Your Excellency, that there had been an Action between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th of March; the particulars of which had not then been received. I have now the honor of enclosing the Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene, in which he gives the circumstances of that Engagement in detail: from this, and other Accounts, I cannot...
23From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had, last Evening, the honor of receiving your favor of the 31st of May, by the Duke de Lauzun, who informs me, that he is authorised by your Excellency and the Count de Barras to enter into a free communciation with me, upon the subject of the Council of War held on board the Duke de Burgogne, and to request my opinion upon the propriety of their determination. I must confess to your...
24From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency Letter by Genll de Choisey inclosing Copies of your Correspondence with the Marquis de Vaudruiel on the subject of his proposed Expedition, and requesting my opinion upon that enterprize, to be transmitted to the Marquis on his arrival at Boston. A Copy of my Letter to the Marquis de Vaudruiel, which is inclosed, will shew your Excellency my...
25From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st: I have not received any intelligence from the Southward since the letter of the 15th from the Marquis de la Fayette, the substance of which I communicated to your Excellency in my last. I cannot but look upon this as very unaccountable; for, I think, had either Fleet reached the Chesapeak by the 20th, I should have heard of it,...
26From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 17 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing Your Excellency copies of two letters from Major General Greene, which it appears that an agreeable train of successes have attended our affairs in South Carolina. The consequences will be important, but they would be more so, had we a sufficient force in that quarter to pursue the advantages we have gained. I have heard nothing further from the Marquis de la...
27From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th instant, to which, my letters of the 9th and 12th of this month will have served for an answer. In my letters of the 14th of January and 9th of February, I requested the favor of your Excellency to negotiate the exchange of Brigr Genl Lord Rawdon for Brigr Genl Moultrie. I since find, that Gentleman has been exchanged, by composition,...
28From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your Excellency’s favor of the 8th. Give me leave most sincerely to congratulate you on the safe return of the Viscount de Rochambeau, who I hope is the Bearer of agreeable intelligences. A Copy of your letter has been instantly transmitted to His Excellency the Minister at Philadelphia. I will meet your Excellency at Weathersfield, at any time which you shall be...
29From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
It must, my dear Count, have been a pleasing event to you, to have landed on your native shore, crowned with Laurels after a perilous passage and the hazard of being taken—and to have received as I am perswaded you must have done the Smiles of a wise & generous Prince. On these happy events I sincerely congratulate you. To the generous aids of your Nation, & the bravery of its Sons, is to be...
30From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Intelligence which I have received since my Arrival at this Place, I find that the Enemy have been throwing Troops upon Staten Island—This Circumstance, & a Desire to bring up the Rear of the two armies, will induce me to halt the Amercan Troops one Day at Springfield—as I pray your Excellency to do those of the French at Whippany. This Halt will occasion no Delay, as I could not, before...
31From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 15th and 18th instants. I am obliged by the care which you promise to take of my packet for Mr Laurens. Major Tallmadge, who your Excellency will have seen before this reaches you, has been upon Long Island, and there obtained intelligence that the British Fleet had returned to New York. From whence I conclude that the whole are there. I...
32From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was on the 10th Inst. Since that time nothing material has occurred. It is with pleasure I inform you that Congress shews every disposition to make the most vigorous preparations for the next Campaign—which I sincerely hope may prove, as honorable to the Allied Arms as the past. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration and sincere personal Regard Yr...
33From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 30th ulto from Hartford. In my last I informed your Excellency that 14 ships of the Line and 7 Frigates had sailed the 26th ulto from New York. I have not yet heard whether the remainder have sailed—neither have I received any intelligence respecting the evacuation of Charlestown—Your Excellency may be assured I shall give you instant information...
34From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday at Noon. Upon my return I found intelligence contradicting that which I gave your Excellency from Hartford. The British Transports, I suppose, had made some change of disposition, which gave rise to the report of their having sailed and returned again to New York. I believe it may now be depended on that they sailed from the Hook the 13th instant. I am in...
35From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit your Excellency a packet which I received under a flying Seal from Sir Henry Clinton. I took the liberty to mention to Colo. Ternant that his exchange was compleated. Captains Bert and le Brun are I believe at Charlottville with Colo. Armand. Should your Excellency incline to exchange Lord Rawdon for any American Officer, I would wish you to insist upon his...
36From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of receiving your Excellencys favor of the 7th from Princetown containing the agreeable intelligence of your approach. I have immediately forwarded your letter to Monsr de la Tombe by our Chain of Expresses. I have constantly kept the Marquis de Vaudreuil advised of Admiral Pigots motions, from the first information of his arrival upon these Coasts to his arrival...
37From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I assure your Excellency, that I feel extreme pain at the occasion of that part of your letter of the 26th Inst. which relates to an intercepted letter of mine published by the enemy. I am unhappy, that an accident should have put it in their power to give to the world any thing from me, which may contain an implication the least disagreeable to you or to the Chevalier Des-Touches. I assure...
38From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot, My dear Genl, permit you to depart from this Country without repeating to you the high sense I entertain of the Services you have rendered America by the constant attention which you have paid to the Interests of it. By the exact order & discipline of the Corps under your command—and your readiness, at all times, to give facility to every measure which the force of the Combined...
39From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 2 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favr of the 10th ulto—and am much obliged by your kind Condolence on the very heavy Loss which Mrs Washington & myself have suffered in the Death of the amiable youth Mr Custis. I arrived in this Town on the 27th ulto where, at the Request of Congress, I expect to remain some Weeks. I am glad to find that your Troops begin to find themselves...
40From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count Ferchin will do me the Favor to deliver this to your Excellency—The Operations of this Day are over—but I am not so happy as to inform you that our Success has been equal to our Wishes—altho I have Reason to think that every essential Benefit will Result to our future Operations from the Opportunity I have had in a very full manner to reconnoitre the Position & Strength of the Enemy...
41From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 23d ulto at this place, where the American Army took their Encampment on the 31st. I am perfectly satisfied with the Route your Excellency has resolved to take in marchg your Army to the North River—and wish you to pursue it in the Mode that is most agreeable to yourself. I am glad to find you mention nothing of Your Fever & Ague—I...
42From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving Your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th of April, and of forwarding the Dispatches for the Chevalier de la Luzerne, which were transmitted to my care. I will expect the pleasure of Mr De Menonville’s Company in his route to Philadelphia. Nothing Material has occurred since my last Letter. With the highest esteem & respect I have the honor to be Sir Your...
43From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th—Being fully persuaded of your active Zeal & Wish to join the Army under my Command, I have only to intimate to you my Desire that you will not hurry your Troops by too rapid a March—but suffer them to make such Halts on their Rout, as you shall find convenient & necessary. By Information received from the Enemy at N. York, It seems they...
44From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 11th. As you request me to name the time of meeting, I appoint Monday the 21st of this month at Weathersfeild which I think is as soon as will be possible for you, with convenience. General Knox and General du portail will accompany me. I will endeavour to be at Weathersfeild on saturday afternoon myself, and have made...
45From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Admiral Digby that the Ship New Blessing Capt. Thomas Craven will be dispatched as a Cartel from New York to Virginia with American prisoners and with Stores—Medicines and cloathing for the British seamen in Hospital at Gloucester or else where—Your Excellency as the Commanding Officer of his Most Christian Majesty’s ships of War will be pleased to point out the most...
46From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment the Honor of your Letter ⅌ Monsr Blanchard—I am very sorry for the Difficultys & Impediments which fall in the Way of your march—& hope they will decrease as you proceed. I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that My Troops arrived at the Ferry Yesterday & began to pass the River at 10 oClock in the morng & by Sunrise of this Day, they were all compleatly on this...
47From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received a Letter from Colo. Dayton, (an officer of intelligence in the American army, near Elizabeth town) which contain the inclosed paragraph. His informant must, I conceive, have magnified the enemy’s force, both in ships of the line, and in the strength of the detachment—nor do I conceive that the fleet could have sailed on the 8th, as he mentions, on account of the...
48From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the forc e upon Staten Island is large—or thrown over for any other purpose than that of defence—for which reason it is submited to your Excellencys judgment to march your Troops in one or two division’s as shall be most easy & convenient to them—there moving in two divisions succeeding days, will occasion no delay, as the Second will be up by the time the first will have...
49From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
At the moment of sending off the inclosed Letter to you of this same date, Your favor of the 8th of this Month, which had been long on the way came to hand. Your Idea of not moving the French Troops, in our present state of anxious uncertainty, is quite coincident with mine; but it is left entirely to your Judgment to maintain or alter that opinion as you may find necessary on further...
50From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The french corps having staid at Williamsburgh, untill the first of July, without any plan of campaign being received from France, and none of the officers who had been sent to take his majesty’s orders being returned, and the time fit for the operations being so much advanced, it has been necessary to put the french corps in motion, having beforehand consulted the conjectures and the greatest...