1To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 13 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Captain Segond Requested me lately to appoint him an aide de Camp: although I should be glad to do something agreeable to that officer I declared him I had Rather a disclination to it because it appears to me improper when the war is over, when the army is almost separating and when I myself I am very near going home. but he Represents that his situation is extraordinary that the Court martial...
2To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 19 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to find by the answer which you have favoured me with that your excellency approves of the demand of major villefranche. but I am sorry that gentleman Has no means of letting the Congress know that approbation. I had hopes that your excellency would be so good as to write it on the memorial it self. I know, sir, that in general you have very little inclination to do such thing. but...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 7 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is by no means doubtful that the addition of a few Redouts will increase the strength of our position—but in my opinion they may be regarded as a superfluous exertion of Strength—if in order to make a proper estimation of the advantages of our position, we take notice that the Enemy begins to be subject to our fire at the extreme range of Musket and Case-Shot—that in order to join us; they...
4To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene and Brigadier General Duportail, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
To locate the army to any particular spots, may facilitate the Enemies getting possession of advantageous grounds, either upon one or the other of our flanks. It appears to us more proper therefore, that we move the troops upon the high and advantageous grounds, according as the motions of the enemy may indicate an intention to make an impression at particular places. Having examined the...
5To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 14 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
i take the opportunity of major l’enfant going to Camp to present my Respects to your Excellency. that officer informed me in the Conversation of the journey which he is to undertake with baron de Stuben. i don’t presume Certainly to penetrate into the wiews of your excellency or to direct your Confidence, but i beg leave to observe to you that i have not received yet any orders from france,...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
We are honored with two letters from Your Excellency of the 10th and 21st; to the contents of which we beg leave to assure you of our strictest attention—That of the 18th is not yet come to hand—it is not improbable it has gone round by Lewis Town, which has occasioned the delay. Col. Hamilton wrote to Your Excellency from Philadelphia acquainti⟨ng⟩ you with our arrival there and our intention...
7To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 22 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
i have been just now a Resolved of Congress about the exchange of prisonners by which the matter if Referred to your excellency. in this Circumstance i take the liberty to Recall to your mind Colonel laumoy and lieutenant Colonel Cambray. as my Countrymen, my friend i wish extremely to see them in liberty, but in this moment, i may add that the public advantage if joined to their private and...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
West Point being to us a point which it is of the greatest importance to preserve and to put once for all in a state of defence, I think that we ought not to touch the fund of troops necessary to the defence of this post, in its present state, and to the construction of the works already undertaken. According to what his Excellency has been pleased to submit to our view, it appears that we...
9To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
after the superb operation which we have just terminated, I think it my duty in quality of command of the Corps of the engineers to draw your excellency’s attention to the officers of the Corps who have had the good fortune to be employed in it and who having served well, appear to me at least according to the usages established in the european service to have an indisputable title to the...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think we ought not to quit our position of Valley forge—before the enemy has evacuated Philadelphia—he must have lost his reason, to remain in that city without being in a condition to defend it. Thus either the intelligence which says there are no more than 2 or 3000 men there, is false—or the English have it in their power by the measures which they have taken, Signals agreed upon, number...