Lieutenant Colonel Ternant to George Washington, 30 May 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel Ternant
Philadelphia May the 30th 1781
Sir
As I am flattered with the hopes of a speedy exchange, by the kind exertions of Count de Rochambeau & Chevr de Barras, & wish most earnestly to return to activity immediately after, I shall beg your Excellency to honor me with your orders about my future destination in the army1—Col: Armand wrote me before he sailed for Europe, that your Excellency intended I should be arranged to his legion: but I have not heard, since, what had been ultimately determined about it2—The Baron steuben, before leaving Philadelphia—expressed also, his wish, to me, that I might continue in the department of the Inspection & was to propose it to your Excellency3—My knowledge of the southern States, on the other hand, & certain readyness, in speaking & writing the foreign languages, might perhaps, under the present circumstances, of combined armies & fleets, render me of Some further utility near your Excellency’s person; & this I can assure you, would be a most flattering thing to me—But your Excellency knows best, from my past services, in what line I can be most usefull, & I shall always be disposed & happy, to do whatever you may think proper to order.4 I am with the greatest respect & attachment, your Excellency’s most obedient & humble servant
Jn Ternant
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Ternant had been taken prisoner when Charleston fell to the British in May 1780, and he was not exchanged until January 1782 (see John Laurens to GW, 25 May 1780, and n.1).
2. For Colonel Armand’s return to France on furlough to procure supplies for his corps, and for GW’s approbation of Armand’s request to have Ternant as his lieutenant colonel, see Armand to GW, 11 Jan. 1781, and GW to Armand, 12 Jan., and notes 1–2 to that document. Armand’s letter to Ternant has not been identified.
3. No letter from Major General Steuben to GW on this subject has been found.
4. GW replied to Ternant from headquarters at New Windsor on 8 June: “I have been favored with your Letter of the 30th of May, and sincerely felicitate you, in the prospect, of your being speedily exchanged. Your desire of entering into activity of service immediately upon your release from captivity, is truly laudable, & like your former conduct, merits approbation.
“From the opinion I entertain of your abilities & zeal for the cause of America, I am persuaded essential aid might be derived from your service in either of the different employments which have been suggested; but I know that Colonel Armand is in full expectation that you would be arranged to his Legion, as the Board of War had made such a Report to Congress, which was referred to me & received my approbation in January last: I am sensible, he would be greatly disappointed, should you when exchanged go into any other department; and indeed it appears to me, that while Col. Armand is abroad attempting to procure Cloathing & Equipage for his Corps, it will be highly necessary for a Gentleman of your Rank, Ability, and attention, to superintend, and keep together the remains of it. I should therefore advise, that upon your liberation from captivity, & appointment to this command, you would proceed & take charge of it accordingly. If at the same time (as Virginia is now the theatre of War) you can be more active or useful in the inspection or any other line; you have my entire consent, and wish for your success & glory” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).