George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 8 April 1781
To Major General Lafayette
Head Quarters New Windsor 8th April 1781.
Dear Marquis.
It is General duportails desire that Colo. Gouvion may return to him.1 Independant of the occasion which there may be for him here,2 there is another reason which operates against his going with you, it is, that he would interfere with Colo. Kosiusko who has been considered as the commanding Engineer with the southern Army.3 I am with very great Regard Dear Marquis Yr &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW had spoken with Brigadier General Duportail on 7 April (see GW to Rochambeau, that date).
2. GW alludes to a possible allied siege of New York City (see Rochambeau to GW, 31 March).
3. Lafayette replied to GW on 13 April (second letter).