George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 29 June 1781
To Major General Lafayette
Head Quarters near Peekskill
29th June 1781.
My dear Marquis
The last letter I have had the pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 3d instant1—I have since that heard a thousand vague reports of your situation and that of the enemy, but none of them satisfactory. I fear some of your letters have miscarried—as from your usual punctuality, I am certain you must have written in that time.2 I hope your next will confirm the accounts which I have this day recd from Genl St Clair, which are that Lord Cornwallis had retreated to the south side of James River.3
The Army moved out of their quarters a few days ago and have taken their first position upon this Ground4—Count Rochambeau with the Van of the French Army will be at Newtown, 42 Miles from hence, this Night5—You are acquainted with our general plan6—particulars I dare not enter into before I am assured from yourself that there is no danger of my letters falling among those Clouds of Light Troops which you tell me in your last surround Lord Cornwallis’s Army.
I inclose you a paper containing some very agreeable accounts from India. I hope from part of them being published by the East India House in London that they are well founded.7
Be assured My dear Marquis that my anxiety to hear from you is increased by my sincere regard for you and by the interest I take in every thing which concerns you. Beleive me to be most Affectionately Yours.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See Lafayette to GW, 3 June.
2. GW wrote Lafayette on 13 July that he had received the latter’s letters of 10, 18, and 28 June (DLC:GW).
3. See Arthur St. Clair to GW, 24 June, and n.3.
4. See General Orders, 19 June.
5. See Rochambeau to GW, 23 and 28–29 June.
7. The enclosed newspaper has not been identified, but see William Heath to GW, 18 June, and n.18.