1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 30th ulto. I sincerely regret the disappointment of the Allies before Gibralter—more especially as it will serve to keep alive the spirits of the English. I enclose you the Copy of a letter which I recd last Night from the president of Congress—By this it appears that the evacuation of Charles town would take place as soon as the...
5From 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,...
6From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 9 t h 13 t h and 15 t h instants—We have yet no official accounts of the evacuation of Charles town, but there are a variety of reasons for believing that it has taken place. I never could learn that any troops embarked on board the Fleet that sailed the 26 t h of last month. By information from New York, the remainder of the British...
7From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter from Bolton in due time. The packet for the Minister of France which accompanied it was forwarded immediately. We have no intelligence of the actual evacuation of Charles town, but from some circumstances which have appeared in the New York Paper of the 5th instant, I think it probable that that event has taken place. The moment I receive...
8From 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...
9From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter to the Marquis De Vaudreiul is left under a flying Seal for your Excellency’s Inspection—Information from Genl For-man of 24th & 26th instants part of British fleet Sailed—It contains the Intelligence which I have received from N. York respecting the Movement of the British fleet, part of which sailed the 26th inst. I have the Honor to be. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
10From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The packet arrived at New York last Monday—Nothing has yet transpired but what is contained in the inclosed Paper—I likewise inclose your Excellency an extract from the latest intelligence which I have received from New York, but you will observe that it is prior to the arrival of the Packet—Accounts by Deserters confirm the intended division of the British Fleet. I beg the favor of your...
11From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to call at your Excellency’s Quarters this morning upon my return from an excursion as far as our old Camp at Philipsburg, but had not the pleasure of finding you at home—I wished to have communicated to you personally my observations upon the State of Forage in that part of the Country and the reasons which induce me to think a change of position may be attended with...
12From 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.
13From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Anticipating with much pleasure, your near Approach, I send Colo. Tilghman one of my Aides D. Camp, to meet & attend your Excellency to my Quarters, where, I presume you will be assured, that I shall embrace you with the highest Satisfaction. With much Regard & Esteem I am Dear Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obdt St DLC : Papers of George Washington.
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 13th by Mr Lauberdiere who made so much dispatch that he delivered it last night about 11 o’clock. Were we certain that a pacification had advanced so far as Your Excellency thinks it has, or could we be assured that the British Ministry were really sincere in their offers which have been communicated thro’ their Commander in Chief Sir...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Letter of the 13th of this Mo. Since the Information I conveyed to your Excellency, by the Baron Closen, the Amusement of peace held out by our Enemies has been much augmented by the Arrival of Sir Guy Carleton in N. York, who enounces himself as Commander in Chief in America—with powers of Conciliation to these States—pleasg as their first prospect might have been,...
25From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th of Apl by Baron Closen arrived at my Quarters last Evening. If the Enemy ever had an intention to evacuate Charles Town, that Idea, I believe is now given up—Great revolutions in the British Councils have lately taken place—the particulars which are brought by the March Packet, will be conveyed to you by the inclosed New York Gazette which I send for your...
26From 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...
27From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favor of the 27th ulto. Under present appearances I think Genl de Choissy should not move beyond Charlotte Court House—There are several reasons to induce a belief that the enemy mean to evacuate south Carolina and Georgia—If such an event is to take place we must soon know it. I requested His Excellency the Minister of France to inform you that...
28From 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...
29From 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,...
30From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my letter to your Excellency of the 10th of December last, I requested you to grant passports upon the application of David Ross Esqr. for any Vessells which might be laden with Tobacco for the payment of Goods purchased of the British Merchants at York Town. It has been since suggested, that Passports of Merchandize of every kind, if granted by any other power than that of Congress or...
31From 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...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From 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...
35From 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...
36From 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...
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From 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,...
40From 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...
41From 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.
42From 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...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Before Mr Morris left Camp he made a proposal which he desired might be communicated to your Excellency—He informed me that he understood Mr Tarlé had between two and three thousand Barrels of Flour upon the upper parts of the North River, and as he imagined it could not now be wanted in that quarter he made an offer of supplying you with an equal quantity to the southward, if that above...
45From 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...
46From 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.
47From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The officer by whom I sent my dispatch for Count de Grasse has returned from Monmouth and has brought me an answer from Genl Forman to whom it is entrusted, and who promises to take the greatest care of it—The following is an extract of a letter from that Gentleman, which your Excellency will be pleased to communicate to Count de Barras, if you think proper. "Saturday the 21st of this month...
48From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow Evening will answer very well for the movement I mentiond to your Excellency Yesterday. and I will arrange matters accordingly—2000 French Troops besides Lauzuns Legien with the Troops I shall order from the American line will be sufficient to make the reconnoitre out hazarding an Insult from the my. I shall have the honor of sp ing more in detail to your Excellen on this subject...
49From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Intelligence from Kings bridge, that the Refugees have been impressing some Horses this day from the Inhabitants, this used to be commonly an indication of their making an incursion, towards us—If they have any thing of the kind in view at present, it is, I am persuaded, a design to attack some of our Picquets, or drive off any Cattle which may be exposed to them—I...
50From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
A few minutes after my arrival upon this Ground, I received your Excellency’s favor of this morning. Were I to give way to the anxiety I feel to see the Union between your Army and that of mine, I should request you to march tomorrow morning from North Castle, but when I consider the fatigue which your troops have undergone from their long and rapid marches, at this very hot season, I am much...