Jeremiah Wadsworth to George Washington, 20 April 1781
From Jeremiah Wadsworth
Hartford April 20th 1781
Dear Sir
I took the Liberty yesterday to propose in a letter by General Beville that in case the french army marched to Head Quarters—thier rout shou’d be by the Sea Co[a]st.1 since which I have received a letter from General Rochambeau ordering some preparations which will if made put it out of my power to furnish them on that rout—I find he has an Idea of Marching soon in May2—the Country west of this will not afford forage enough before the Green forage is up and I fear an attempt to March sooner will be attended with bad consequences. no exertion of mine shall be wanting to facillitate thier March—but their great consumption of Forage will make it impossible to supply them on their March & at the Camp—before their is new Grass. I have the honor to be with great respect and Attachment Your Execeys most Obedient Hum. Sert
Jere. Wadsworth
P.S. The Sea Coast road from hence to Camp will yet be the most eligible unless the Troops are to be at West Point.3
J.W.
ALS, DLC:GW.
2. Lieutenant General Rochambeau wrote Wadsworth from Newport on 18 April that he would perform a great service to the common cause if he undertook preparations that would allow the French expeditionary force to march at the beginning of May to join GW’s army. Rochambeau indicated the number of hired ox and horse teams needed to transport important papers and other essentials. He also asked Wadsworth to enter contracts that left the option to pay in specie or paper at the proper rate of exchange although the arrival of money from France would enable payment in specie. Rochambeau expressed his confidence in Wadsworth, whose patriotism, honesty, and friendship with GW made him especially trustworthy (DLC: Rochambeau Papers, vol. 9).
The French expeditionary force marched to join GW’s army in June and formed a junction near Phillipsburg, N.Y., on 6 July (see , 3:382–90).
3. GW replied to Wadsworth on 30 April.