To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, 5 July 1780
From Lieutenant Colonel Fleury
on board the felicity. 66° longitude.
off chesapeak bay 5th july 1780.
sir
Employed as a field officer in the french army, which as I believe, is to Cooperate with the american forces;1 I think it my duty, to express to your Excellency, the sense I shall allways entertain of your kindness for me; and how happy I should think myself, to find me under your Command, again.
My intention when I left america Last december, was to come back before the beginning of this Campaign; but my Country having been pleased to Require my services, I have obey’d.2
I hope in this new station, to justify your kindness for me when in the american army, & find opportunitys to deserve your Esteeme. I have the honor to be with great Respect your Excellency’s the most obedient humble servant.
L. Fleury
ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection. GW mistakenly docketed the letter 4 July.
1. Fleury was major of the Saintonge Regiment, one of four infantry regiments in the French expeditionary army then bound for the United States.
2. In late September 1779, GW had granted Fleury permission to return to France, and he took leave of GW on 25 Oct. (see GW to La Luzerne, 23 Sept. 1779, n.3).
3. For Congress’s award of this medal to Fleury for gallantry in leading an attacking column during the assault on Stony Point, N.Y., in July 1779, see GW to John Jay, 21 July 1779, and n.23. The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, a dynastic order of chivalry, was awarded by the French king to military officers for exceptional merit and distinguished service.
4. See Fleury to Benjamin Franklin, 29 Jan. and March 1780, in , 31:422–23, 32:200–201; see also Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 4 March 1780, in , 32:36–42.