George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 April 1781

Elk April the 10th 1781

Dear General

Agreably to Your Excellency’s permission Major Troop Has My Leave to Return to the Army. The Commanding officers Have Represented that He was under Indispensable Necessity to go, and we can very well do without Him untill the aArrival of an other Major.

Colonel Vose is, I am told, Very Desirous to Return to the Army. He has there a Regiment, and Before we join general greene our Bataïllons will be very small. But other Business Recall Him, and I Beg leave to Represent to Your Excellency that Col Smith would be Very Well Calculated for such A Command.

When Appointed to the Adjutant generalcy of this Small Corps, Col Smith Had the Hope that we would either operate Against Arnold, or be a Van guard to Your Army as they Had been Last year. But the Corps Being thrown into the Line of the Southern Army Col Smith would act as an Inspector Under Officers who are inferior to Him in Rank of Commission. He is for the present Unwell at this place where your letter would find Him, and untill I Receive Your Answer I will differ Hearing the Reasons of Col Vose. With the Highest and Most affectionate Respect I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant

Lafayette

By a gentleman just from Philadelphia I am assured that the Pennsylvania line is Ready to March to the southward, and that Congress Have Received to the official intelligence of an Embarcation having taken place at Newyork destined to New Castle. In that case we would Be upon the spot. But Unless I receive Contrary orders from you, or I see the ennemy in the River I will not delay the E

xecution of your orders.

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

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