41To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency, an Extract from the Ministerial Letters which I have received by the Frigate commanded by Mr De La Perouse. You will see that my son has staid, by orders of his Majesty to wait for the result of a definitive project. By Private Letters of the 20th [Decem]ber all from Versailles, We Learn that the Pce de Montbarey has given his resignation, that he...
42To 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...
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, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this last night, your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th instant dated from hartford; The Intelligence your Excellency gives me of the return of the fleet of Transports on the 11th makes me believe that this convoy will wait for Arbuthnot’s fleet to sail afterwards under its protection, I hope that this will occasion a delay long enough to give our Expedition a great advance. I wait...
45To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this Evening your Excellency’s favor of the 21st and 22d instant. I am exceeding glad to hear that your Excellency is returned in good health at head quarters. The advices that your Excellency has received from the Marquis de La Fayette, bearing date of the 15th from York, saying that he had not heard of the French fleet, give me a good deal of uneasiness. The going out of the...
46To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our fleet entered yesternight and the Chevalier Destouches has the honor to give your Excellency an account of his engagement, by duplicata, as he already wrote to your Excellency the Hermoine which he sent to Philadelphy, I join here a copy of the Letter which I received from the Baron de Viomenil, and a return of the Loss of our detachment of Land forces. All that has yet reached my...
47To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Last engagement of the Chevalier Destouches has shewn to your Excellency the uncertainty of success in naval fights and of combined operations upon that element. We must not flatter ourselves that our successes will be greater, as Long as we have not a decided Superiority. Our Squadron had run great risks by a Separation and the bad weather and united again only 24. hours before the fight...
48To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th ulto by which I see that you could receive only the day after, the intelligence of the return of our fleet. Your Excellency must have received since a Letter of mine, under date of the 31st in which I told you, (After having resumed all that had been said here in your presence) the motion which it would be possible for the french army to...
49To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received this instant your Excellencys Letter of the 31st ulto. Our Land forces and naval troops I am sure, will look on your Excellency’s approbation as the most flattering reward of the courage which they shewed in the engagement of the 16th Ulto. It is of the highest importance to be thoroughly informed if the Troops on board at New york have set sail, and if the British design rigorous...
50To 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...
51To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday Your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th instant. I am exceeding glad that the affairs to the Southward should permit the defering the junction of my small corps of troops to yours, and I had only had the honor of writing to your Excellency to ask your Leave for making all my preparations for the moment that the movement should become necessary. The hope I had of a naval...
52To 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...
53To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre de Votre Excellence du 10. de ce mois, au Sujet de l’expedition proposée par L’Etat de Boston,à laquelle vous Vouliez bien donner Votre approbation sous dèux restrictioun, La p remi ere qui regarde la Marine, concerne Mr le ch evalie r Destouches qui a l’honneur d’y repondre par la Lettre cy jointe. quant à la seconde qui regarde la terre, j’avois éte assez heureux pour...
54To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th instt concerning the Expedition proposed by the State of Boston, and to which you had given your Approbation, under two restrictions. The first concerns Mr Destouches, as it is relative to the Navy. He has the honor to send your Excellency his answer in the Letter herein included. As to the Second, which relates to the Land forces, I had...
55To 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...
56To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Tallmadge has delivered us the Letter of the 8th instant that your Excellency has favored us with. We have conjointly with him examined the plan of Loed’s neck fort, and he has given us all the intelligences which his zeal and sagacity which he has shewn in several actions, have procured him. By his report, it appears that there are 750. men garrisoned in that itshmus; that the fort is...
57To 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...
58To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency a Letter which I write to the Ch. de La Luzerne concerning some propositions from Congress for the Supplying the French corps with provisions. This Letter will be followed by Mr De Menonville, first Deputy Adjutant General who shall receive your Excellency’s orders, as he passes thro’ New Windsor, that none of these operations may cross those which...
59To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr De Menonville, first Deputy-Adjutant-General, whom I have announced in my Last to your Excellency, will have the honor of delivering you this Letter. he shall receive your Excellency’s orders and instructions about the Letter of credit of Mr Franklin which We have upon Congress, and about the offers which we have had made to us by Congress for the Supplying with provisions the French corps....
60To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this moment have received by a way which is known to your Excellency, intelligences of the 29th ulto from New york which report that the English ships will, as they say, be repaired in ten days, and that they work very hard on them; that in the mean time they are very uneasy least the french fleet be ready before them; that the garrison at Lloyd’s neck does not consist of more than 400. or...
61To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received Last night your Excellency’s two Letters of the 30th Ulto. Till now, that article of the New york Gazette which mentions the Letter to Mr Laud Washington has been known by no body but me. I have not spoken of it to the Chevalier Destouches. I did what I thought most consistent with a sincere heart, I wrote about it to your Excellency with candor, being fully persuaded your...
62To 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...
63To 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...
64To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My son is arrived the day before Yesterday, and Commodore De Barras yesternight. I have decyphered my dispatches and the Commodore’s orders were not to open his, till the 15th of May, at his arrival in rhode island. But I have seen enough by mine to perceive that it is indispensable that we should have a conference with your Excellency as soon as possible. I wait for your answer to my first...
65To 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...
66Conference at Wethersfield with Rochambeau, 23 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having given communication to the Count de Barras of my instructions, I have observed to him 1 st Rochambeau That General Washington in the last conference we had here six Weeks ago, desired earnestly that the Squadron should transport all the French Corps, with all its Artillery, Baggage, and munitions to Chesapeake Bay, and that I did not doubt but His Excellency would desire it again as the...
67To 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...
68To 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...
69To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Barras has the honor to send to your Excellency the result of a 2d council of war that he has held, at your request. The Council has persisted in his resolution of the 31st ulto and sends you the reasons of it shewn in a manner which I make no doubt, will be agreeable to your Excellency. of my corps of Troops, one half imbarks to morrow for Providence and I expect that the other...
70To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à V. E. la copie de la lettre que je reçois de M. le Cte de Grasse apportée par le Vaisseau de 50. qui a escorté notre convoi, il est arrivé aux deux tiers, le reste dispersé prés de la côte par un coup de vent. V. E. sent toute la consequence du Secret absolu qu’il faut garder sur cette lettre, et la necessité en même temps de faire tous nos preparatifs en...
71To 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...
72To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Of my recruits that have been Landed to day, at Boston, there are 400. men, in a condition to do duty and 260 attacked by the Scurvy. These 400. men will arrive here on Saturday, they shall be incorporated on Sunday, and Monday 18 I shall set off with the Regiment of Bourbounois. The horses for the artillery and the Waggons are arriving from different places and I hope that the movement of...
73To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 20 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am now at my third day’s march with the 1st regiment, having experienced a great inconvenience from the ox teams which bring the tents at the camp only at Night and very Long after the arrival of the Troops, many waggons of all kinds broken, and the artillery horses are very weak considering the badness of the roads. However, I expect to arrive at Hartford on the Fifth day but as the same...
74To 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,...
75To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 June 1781 to 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency of my arrival here to day with the first regiment, I shall stay three days to mend the Broken waggons and to assemble my corps into Brigades. I shall set off On the 2d next month with the two first regiments united, and on the 3d, the 2d Brigade consisting of the two Last regiments will follow, by which means the Last regiment will stay one day. On...
76To 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...
77To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
In this moment, I have received your Excellency’s Letter of this day in the morning. The Duke de Lauzun shall certainly be to morrow at noon at Bedford, ready to receive your orders. I hope to be there myself at the same hour and my 1st Brigade will arrive in the afternoon. The 2d Brigade cannot join me at soonest before after to morrow. To morrow in the evening, I shall expect at Bedford your...
78To 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,...
79To 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...
80To 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.
81To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I expect with great impatience and uneasiness the convoy of Bread that falls due to night to the troops, The Commissary of Provisions tells me that the heavy rains that fell the Day before yesterday have occasioned a delay, because the Bakers as yet are not under cover at Fish kill Landing, however, boats have been seen at Tarrytown coming down the river; Chariots are just gone to fetch it...
82To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 17 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I Send to your Excellency the order from the Commander of the artillery, to have fifteen thousand sand bags delivered at Providence, on your Excellency’s Command. it is the half of what we have, and we’ll Share them together, as we Will the Champaign, of which I send to your Excellency a Basket, just arrived. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
83To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Questions by Genl Rochambeau The Count de Barras in his Letter of the 13th instt and Mr De Choisy in his Letter of the 15th, demand both of them, Mr D. Choisy by the Desire of Mr D. Barras, what is to be the definitive Plan of operations that His Excellcy General Washington has fixed on, that they may make it known to the Count de Grasse on his arrival in these Seas, & so enable him to concur...
84To 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...
85To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the Last Letter that I have received from Mr De Choisy, it appears that the Boston Militia are very slow in their moving down to Rhode island. I beg of your Excellency to write again to his Excellency Governor Hancock, to desire him to make them be in a greater hurry. We are now in a time very decisive and Interesting ! In a month’s time, the Superiority of the seas will be decided between...
86To 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...
87From George Washington to François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the dispatches received from your Excellency by the Frigate La Concorde it has been judged expedient to give up for the present the enterprise against New York and to turn our attention towards the South, with a view, if we should not be able to attempt Charles town itself, to recover and secure the States of Virginia—North Carolina—and the Country of South Carolina and...
88To 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...
89To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Je reçois dans ce moment la lettre de V.E. Je ferai un sejour ici Selon Vos ordres avec la 1ère division qui sera jointe par le 2de demain dans l’après midi. J’attendrai Vos ordres pour faire marcher le tout après demain. Quant à moi, je joindrai V.E. dans l’endroit que vous jujerer à propos de fixer, pour preceder nos troupes à Philadelphie, et faire les preparatifs necessaires. Je Suis &c....
90To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was on my way to go and see your Excellency, when Cl Smith has given me your letter, I go back to Whipe nn y to brake all preparations to be able to go this afternoon and ride sixteen or 20 miles, I beg of your Excellency to be so good as to leave at Spring field or at Chatham a detachment to cover the Bake house that is to furnish with bredd during Some days to Send some Convoys of Bredd...