From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [21 February 1781]
To Major General William Heath1
[New Windsor, New York, February 21, 1781]
Sir,
I am commanded by The General to inform you that Lt. Col Gouvion and Capt Rochefontaine2 will march with the detachment under the Marquis De la Fayette.3 Major Villefranche4 will shortly return to the post of West Point. I have the honor to be Sir Yr. most Obed ser
Alex Hamilton Aide De Camp
ALS, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
1. Heath was in command at West Point.
2. Etienne Nicolas Marie Béchet, Chevalier de Rochefontaine, actually was a major by brevet of the Corps of Engineers.
3. On January 20, 1781, Lafayette was given command of troops assembled at Peekskill, New York, and ordered to march to Virginia.
4. Jean Louis Ambroise de Genton, Chevalier de Villefranche, major of the Corps of Engineers.