George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1781
To Thomas Jefferson
Head Quarters New Windsor May 16: 1781
Dear Sir
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 23d Ulto.1 have since seen by the Prints that the enemy had reached Petersburgh, after being opposed in a spirited manner by the Militia under the command of the Baron Steuben.2 I hope that the advance of the Marquis de la Fayette with the choice Body of Continental Troops under his command would check the progress of General Philips.3
A variety of circumstances retarded the march of the first division of the Pennsylvania Line much beyond the time expected.4 I however hope that they have moved from the place of rendevous, before this day.5
I have very good reason to believe that another Detachment of between 1500 and 2000 Men sailed from New York last week—their particular destination I have not yet learned—I should suppose it is for Virginia or Carolina, ’tho they have industriously reported in New York, that it is for Delaware.6
I shall set out in a day or two to meet Count de Rochambeau, who has received late Dispatches from the Court of France. At that interview I shall be informed of the expectations from Europe, and we shall then probably settle a plan of Campaign7—I can only assure you at present, that every attention shall be paid to the releif and support of the southern States. I have the honor to be With great esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, NjP: De Coppet Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
2. GW may refer to an extract from Major General Steuben’s letter written on 25 April that appeared in The Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser (Philadelphia) for 12 May. The extract mirrors the first five paragraphs of Steuben’s letter to GW on 25 April (see also GW to Steuben, 16 May).
3. Major General Lafayette’s light infantry corps had arrived at Richmond and checked the raid led by Maj. Gen. William Phillips (see Lafayette to GW, 4 May, and n.2 to that document).
4. See Anthony Wayne to GW, 7 May.
5. The division marched on 26 May (see Wayne to GW, that date).
6. The detachment was bound for Virginia (see William Heath to GW, 1 May, n.1; see also GW to Rochambeau, 13 May, and n.4 to that document). GW had received reports that the destination was Delaware (see Samuel Huntington to GW, 7 April, n.2, and Elias Dayton to GW, 14 April).
7. GW departed on 18 May (see The Wethersfield Conference and Aftermath, 14 May–16 June, editorial note; see also Rochambeau to GW, 11 May, and n.2 to that document).