21To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 22 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th instant, addressed to the Ch. de Ternay and me, I have received to day, by this time you must have had intelligence of his Death and I dare say you have sincerely lamented him, as well as I. Since the Epocha of time wherein Your Excellency has wrote me, you must have received several letters whether they be the news I sent you from Boston, or those that have...
22To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 21st instant, I just now received, together with advices from the Generals on this side Hudson’s river, opposite to the S[o]und, giving a sure intelligence of Mr Clinton’s imbarking a considerable number of Troops. I have another Letter from Stonington, advising the English fleet of the Line having been seen W.S.W. Moncton’s point on Sunday Last on its way to...
23To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
There is no more talk of the Evacuation of Charlestown and the thirty transports are returned empty to New York: It is assured that at first the order was given for it, and then Countermanded. I fancy that your Excellency having received these news before me has given no orders for the demolition of the works on Rhode Island but I Look upon it as a most essential point to keep a good little...
24To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I only received the day before yesterday, your Excellencys first Letter since your Departure, dated Decr 2d, together with a Letter of the Chevalier de la Luzerne of the 17th 9bre in which were inclosed all the Dispatches from my Court. as your Excellency writes me that you’ll stay for some weeks at Philadelphy, I beg to refer you to my Letter to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, to seek out a...
25To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received this moment your Excellency’s Letter. I will make a Stage here according to your orders with the first division which will be to morrow evening joined to the Second. I will Expect your orders to move the whole the day after to morrow, as to My Self I will go to meet your Excellency, at the place where you Will appoint a Rendezvous, that we may preceed our troops to...
26To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
j’ay deja eu lhonneur mon cher general, de vous ecrire pour bien des occasions, et nous n’avons aucune nouvelle de l’amerique depuis monne arrivée dans ce pais cy, je profite de l’occasion de Me. izova pour vous faire passer cette lettre cy. la fameuse coalition de fox et de north ragit l’angleterre. Schelburne et le pati de bedfort forment a present l’opposition; on dit que nous allons avoir...
27To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 11th instant. The report mentioning the number of ships in the British fleet, seems to me to be accurate and confirmed by the correspondance of M—— T—— and by the prisoners arrived on board a flag: they have 7. ships of the line 2. 50 gun ships and 4. 44 gun ships with some frigates. The Troops for the embarkation according to M—— T—— is only of...
28To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th instant, brought by Colonel Robert Dillon. The Legion de Lauzun by this time must be arrived at Charlotte court house, it will be needfull that it stay there some time, because the men are almost quite naked, and I shall forward them their cloathing which I expect from Boston, as well as that of all the army, as soon as possibly can be done...
29To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency a Letter for Sir Guy Carleton, which I beg you would forward to him by the first opportunity. I beg you will send with all possible speed to the chevalier de La Luzerne, the inclosed packett for business requiring great diligence. I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d inst. and I am going to send to Mr De Vaudreuil that which you write...
30To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 16th instant is just come to hand: Our Transports set sail this morning, but their Destination is not for France, they are bound to Hispaniola; the Surveillante convoys them and the Hermione is bound to Philadelphy. I’ll be obliged to keep your Excellency’s Letter for Mr Laurens, untill we have some occasion to send it from Boston or some of the Neighbouring...
31To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Chevalier DuBouchet is returned from New york with 48 men of the West indies Brigade taken on the Bonnetta. they are in a most miserable Situation both as to cloathing and to their health, Six are dead of the Scurvy, six more were too ill to be transported, that compleats the number of 60, who were taken. as We had sent 104. invalids from Glocester, the English commissary of prisoners has...
32To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de La Fayette has wrote to the Viscount de Noailles, his Brother-in-Law, and shows the Greatest desire to see him. I find his Demand so just, that tho’ I have given Leave to several of Our Colonels to go and wait on Your Excellency, I have added likewise the Viscount de Noailles, and the Marquis De Damas, If Your Excellency does not find a moment to come and see this part of your...
33To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
At the moment of my departure for Boston this morning, I received a Letter from Mr De Vaudreuil, saying that he is sorry to have appointed the 8th of next month for my arrival with my troops at Boston, because the men of war at Portsmouth are not yet ready and he does not believe that he will be in readiness to set sail before the 20th November. In consequence of which, I have resolved to stay...
34To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here with the first Brigade yesterday at 9 A.M. The 2d by a forced march joined me in the afternoon, and we are now all together ready to execute your orders. I wait with the greatest impatience to hear from you and the Duke de Lauzun. I have caused my march to be opened on White plains, in case circumstances should render it necessary. I am with Respect and personal attachment Sir,...
35To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai Reçu la lettre du 7. de ce mois dont votre excellence m’a honoré, je suis charmé que les affaires du Sud lui permettent de différer L’ordre de Se faire joindre par mon petit corps de troupes, et je n’avois eu l’honneur de lui écrire, que pour me permettre de faire mes preparatifs, pour le moment où la necessité l’exigera. L’esperance d’une entreprise maritime Sur New-yorck, et pour le...
36To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 29 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Frigates and the person you know, set sail yesterday under a very strong North East wind. May Almighty God conduct them, and may they arrive safe at their destination. I believe that the English fleet that was before us is returned to Sandy-hook; There is no appearanc[e] of its having got into Gardner’s Bay, because the Ships that were Left there, according to the reports from New London,...
37To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 22 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have been four days to perform the March that you had prescribed to be done in two. we have found roads very bad and impediments without number, almost fifty waggons which we cou’d not abandon having been broken the first day. the troops will this night for the first time lay in their tents. I have left them nearly arrived at tavern four miles this side of Pines Bridge and three miles...
38To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency a copy of a Letter that I received from the Count de Grasse and that has been brought by the 50. gun Ship, who escorted the convoy. The two thirds of the convoy only are arrived with the ship, the rest dispersed near the coast by a gale of wind. Your Excellency is conscious of the importance of the Secret on this Letter, and of the necessity we are...
39To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la Lettre de votre Excellence du 11. de ce mois, le raport du nombre de Vaisseaux de L’escadre ennemie me paroit juste et confirmé tant par la correspondance du major Talmadge que par le raport des prisonniers d’un flag, ils ont 9. gros Vaisseaux, 2 de 50. et 4. de 44. avec les fregates, l’embarquement n’est que de 2. mille hommes; et il Specifie les regimens. Je crois que leur...
40To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th instant. It seems very clear to me by the report which I have sent you from Newport and by the intelligence which you have given me from the Newyork papers of the 5th that the evacuation of Charlestown has been made on the 1st instant, and I expect that your Excellencys next Letter will bring me a confirmation of it. The Letter which Sir Guy...
41To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday with the first Regiment, which has been followed this day by the 2d and will be so to morrow by the 3d and the day after by the 4th. I stay here this day and to morrow to give time to our broken chariots to be mended, and our young artillery horses and oxen to refresh themselves. I will set off after to morrow with the 1st Regt for Newtown, upon 4. divisions as before,...
42To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to Your Excellency, the piece of news which I have received from Lieutenant Colonel Ledyard. his nephew’s report, after his arrival from Guadeloupe, seems to me related with so many particularities, that it has the greatest appearance of truth. We must wait for its confirmation; that piece of news has been productive of what I hope will please your Excellency. The...
43To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency the Letter which I write to Sir Henry Clinton, by the Chevalier Destouches’s desires, and I beg of your Excellency to send it to him, as quickly as possible, as our frigate and our Transports remaining here are in an absolute want of seamen, which is the reason that the Frigate La Gentille did not along with the other ships. Mr Hancock has desired Mr...
44To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British fleet is gone off, and our Squadron is preparing to put under sail by the first fair wind. I have been obliged to give to the Count de Barras 900. men to compleat his crews. As soon as the departure of the fleet will have given me Liberty to put into execution the plan We have agreed on, I shall not defer it Long. Our convoy is not yet arrived and I wait for it with great...
45To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing new to inform Your Excellency of. There are always cruizing before us, one Ship of the Line and two Frigates that at night go towards the place where the fleet is anchored, off Gardner’s Island. I am wholly ignorant if the marquis de La Fayette has communicated to Your Excellency an answer I made him to a very voluminous dispatch I had from him, in which there is not the Least...
46To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 22 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I beg of your Excellency to forward with speed to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, the inclosed packett containing Mr De Vaudreuils Letters and Mine. All our Artillery and heavy baggages are imbarked, the troops are here pretty well barracked, in expectation of the moment that Mr De Vaudreuil shall demand them, and then I’ll give up the command of them to the Barron de Viomenil to conduct them to...
47To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Letter of his Excellency and orders have been given in consequence of the intelligence therein contained. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
48To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has certainly by this time been informed of the death of the Ch. de Ternay by a Letter from the Baron de Viomenil The day of my departure for Boston, I had left him without fever, and I must confess I have cruelly surprised to Learn his death, there, after so short a sickness, that has become so tragical. It is a real loss for our Service, he was a very brave man, a very honest...
49To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr De Choisy writes me that 130. of the massachusetts’ militia are arrived at rhode island, and that the Colonel assures the rest will arrive soon, but he likewise writes that those of rhode island State want to go away, saying that their time is out, and that Governor Greene has wrote that he would not send others in their stead. I beg of your Excellency to write to Mr Greene to make him...
50To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d instant, and Letters from the Ch. de La Luzerne along with it. The intelligences given by the vessel arrived from L’Orient at Philadelphy, about the courts of St James, and St Petersborough calling back their Ambassadors, and about the capture of several English East Indiamen taken by the French, are very interesting and deserve to be...
51To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency, my Letter for the Mis de Vaudreuil. My sentiments I am happy to find perfectly coincide with yours, on the objects mentioned in the Letter. I beg of your Excellency to write to Gor hancock that he may give the proper directions for the Speedily assembling of the militia, in case of a signal from the Mis de Vaudreuil, that he sees the British fleet...
52To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 6 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have communicated to the chevalier Destouches some proposals made to me by the Council at Boston about an attack on Penobscot, together with the Answer made to me by your Excellency upon that subject. The chevalier Destouches Appeared to have a great mind to it. he ordered Mr DelaPerouse to ask a Plan of it which was brought to us yesterday by deputies from Boston; after examining it, he...
53To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 2 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d Last month. I cannot too much admire, on one part the wisdom of the means employed by your Excellency to Leave to congrés an affair in which the military Discipline could not interfere without using rigorous measures that would not have been Well timed. on the other part, all the Sentiments of Patriotism of Virtue, of reason, existing among a...
54To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Three days ago, there arrived at Bedford a vessel, that brought a piece of Intelligence, of which I expected the particulars and further confirmation, before I chose to send it to your Excellency. That Vessel coming from Mole St Nicholas, has brought Letters from Cape François, mentioning the arrival of a Frigate, sent by Mr D’Estaing, who had beaten Admiral Hood, taken Six men of War and 95....
55To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Transactions of the night 14 & 15th instant, at the French opened before York town. On the night between the 14th and l5th instant, The breach was mounted by the Regiments of Gatinois and Royal Deux ponts commanded by the Baron de Viomenil, to which were added four companies of auxiliary Grenadiers. We had resolved to attack as soon as dark, the two redoubts on the left of the Ennemy, that...
56To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
About an hour ago, I received your Excellency’s Letter, wrote this morning; The 3d french regiment is arrived this evening very Late. The 4th shall only arrive to morrow evening. The Troops and Specially those of the Artillery are very tired, however, I make no difficulty about setting off to morrow morning with the first Brigade, and I hope the 2d will follow the day after. I shall be at...
57To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 30 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr De La Fayette a rendu compte a votre Excellence de tous Les avis reiterés qui nous sont arrives par Le Gouverneur de Connecticut, Les Generaux detachés de votre armée sur La rive gauche de La riviere du Nord, a portee d’observer le Sund, enfin par votre adjudant de Confiance, que Clinton S’embarquoit avec un gros corps de Troupes pour venir nous visiter. La position de Leur flotte toujours...
58To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I just now received an answer from Mr De Choisy to my Letter of the 11th instant. I have already sent to your Excellency one from Mr De Barras. he seems to have resolved not to go out of the harbour, till his jonction with the grand fleet, But in his Last Letter and in that of Mr De Choisy I received to day, he asks that your Excellency would send him a definitive plan of your operations that...
59To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 22 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I send to your Excellency copies of a Letter I received from General Greene and of my answer. I have nothing to add to the reflections that they contain: Your Excellency knows that the french corps must not be divided, and I believe that the interest of the thirteen United States is to look on that corps as a reserve to be carried entire either to the right or the Left in the important...
60To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
There is arrived at Plymouth a Vessel, 300. Tons burden, that has been taken by our Frigates, on the night of the 28. Last month The same night that they set sail, It was from Portugal, bound to New york, its cargo consisting of Port wine, Brandy & Lemons. The Count de Custine, Brigadier, The marquis de Laval, The Count de Deux Ponts, Colonels & Major Fleury are the Bearers of this Letter, and...
61To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Before yesterday we have had a Cruizer that has been patrolling before our harbour, as usual, One of our Cutters is likewise just arrived from his cruize off gardner’s Bay, where he has seen nine ships of the Line at anchor, besides two others that are cruizing out at Large. The Intelligence from N. London assures me that Rodney is gone, which, I won’t believe till Your Excellency certifies it...
62To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency the request which Captain Richardson has presented to me, concerning the British Sick now at Glocester. What he advances is the exact truth, as, since three weeks, they being in need of every thing, I have ordered our Commissaries to furnish them with provisions. The Governor and Council of Virginia have made the same answer, as when applied to, for...
63To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
After a mature consideration, I have resolved to follow the same route with the army which We took Last year Thro’ Trenton Princeton &ca—We shall there have the convenience of our ovens and Establishments on that road with which The Troops are already acquainted. The Legion de Lauzun shall march on our right, the same way that the american Troops followed Last year and I hope by that means,...
64To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The New-york Gazette has published a Supposed intercepted Letter wrote, as it says by your Excellency to Mr Land Washington, and in which is this Paragraph. "It is very unlikely, I say it to you in confidence that the French fleet and detachment did not undertake this present expedition at the time I proposed it. The destruction of Arnold’s corps would have been unavoidable, and over before...
65To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency the Letter which I have received from General Greene and a copy of the answer which I have made according to your Excellency’s intentions, of the 19th of march. I wait with the greatest impatience for news from France and the Duke de Lauzun, who was said to be at Brest when the Last vessel which is arrived at Philadelphy set sail from L’orient. I...
66To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I receive this instant your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ulto. I don’t doubt but the embarkation which was to set sail from New york had its destination for Charlestown, I write to the Chevr de La Luzerne that the intelligence which I had sent him, of the arrival of a Squadron from France, to the Count de Grasse in the West indies, is either false or premature, because on the 29th 8bre that...
67To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this evening your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th instant. The Cartel The New Blessing after having unloaded its cargo at york has already set sail for New york, all the Loadings for that same place, that shall be adressed to me by Mr Ross will have the passports which your Excellency desires. I have Learnt by the common report, that your Excellencys seat has suffered by the fire....
68To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this minute received your Excellencys favor of the 24th inst. and I have directly sent to Mr Destouches the one which was inclosed for him, and I send you his answer. All that regards the Land forces will be ready in 24. hours hence, but the Navy may yet be eight days before every thing be ready on her part. I am very sorry that the News of Count d’Estaing’s success be not further confirmed...
69To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 8 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the Moment I was writing to your Excellency, I received a Confirmation of the Success of the Engagement on the 12th of April which by all the Reports from the Cape, Port au prince & all the Intelligences for N. York & Jamaica seem very bad for us. I was proposing to you that as there was not yet any plan for the Campaign decided at our Court and as I waited with the greatest Impatience for...
70To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received a billet from the Consul of France at Boston in the following words "The frigate La Concorde is arrived at Boston; Sunday at night, after a passage of 42. days; The Commodore De Barras is on board with the Viscount de Rochambeau" I expect they will arrive here to morrow and your Excellency may well think that I wait for them with great impatience. I believe it will be...