George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Brigadier General Lauzun, 24 February 1781

To Brigadier General Lauzun

New Windsor 24th Feb. 1781

Sir

Dispatches equally unexpected & important prevented my following you the day after you left this as I intended1—They have been the cause of my detention since—and has placed me in circumstances which will render the hour of my departure for Rhode Island uncertain but the honor of doing it, & the pleasure I enjoy even by anticipation I cannot suffer myself to be deprived of.2

It was mortifying to the Marqs De la Fayette & me that his Servant did not overtake you as soon as we expected (at the Fish-kill landing) for in that case we flattered ourselves with the hope of having the pleasure of your company a few days longer.

The Marqs is in pursuit of glory—the particulars of which I shall relate when I have the honor to pay my respects to you at Lebanon3—in the meanwhile with much consideration & great personal attachment I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington

ALS (retained copy), DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1For the presence of Lauzun at New Windsor, see GW to Timothy Pickering, 14 Feb., source note.

2GW was planning to travel to Newport for a conference with Lieutenant General Rochambeau.

3Major General Lafayette was commanding the light infantry division marching to Virginia (see GW to Lafayette, 20 Feb., both letters [1 and 2]). For the winter encampment of Lauzun’s cavalry at Lebanon, Conn., see Rochambeau to GW, 29 Oct. 1780, n.6.

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