Lieutenant Colonel David Cobb to George Washington, 30 June 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel David Cobb
Newtown [Conn.] June 30th 1781
Sir
I was at Count Rochambeau’s this evening when I receiv’d your Excellency’s dispatches; Genel Chatteleaux was immediately sent for, and the Heads of Departments consulted on the new intended rout of the Army1—The Count inquir’d whether your Excellency was acquainted with the removal of the Yaugers and some other Troops from Long Island to New York;2 I assur’d him that your Excellency was perfectly acquainted with it, & all the other movements of the Enemy at New York, and that your Excellency wou’d never undertake a matter of this kind but upon certain intelligence & the surest grounds of success—The Count was perfectly satisfy’d with the plan propos’d & assur’d me that Duty as well as inclination prompted him to comply with your Excellency’s wishes. Orders are accordingly given for the March of the first Brigade in the morning, & the Duke’s Legion, which is now at New Stratford, will undoubtedly march at the same time; it will be at the place of destination by the time propos’d, 12 o’clock; the rest of the Army will follow when the other divission arrives, which comes up to morrow.3
The Count in his Letter wishes an answer from your Excellency by tomorow night; it wou’d be more agreeable if it comes sooner.4 I am with every sentiment of affection & esteem Your Excellency’s Obedt Servant
David Cobb
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Cobb and to Rochambeau, both this date.
2. British major Frederick Mackenzie, stationed at New York City, wrote in his diary entry for 28 June: “The Jagers crossed this Morning at Hellgate from Long Island, and marched to Kingsbridge, where they encamped” (, 2:555; see also John Pray to GW, this date).
3. Rochambeau’s aide-de-camp Ludwig von Closen, then at Newtown, recorded in his journal entry for this date: “On the 30th, after ten o’clock in the evening, a dragoon sent by General Washington arrived and told M. de Rochambeau that the General had embarked part of his army (under General Lincoln’s orders) on the North River, as he had had sure news that the enemy was sending a foraging party to the continent. General Washington was marching with the rest of his army by the road along the river, in order to surprise the enemy, who could not know of his approach. Hence M. de Rochambeau sent me at once, since I was on duty, to all the heads of the different administrations to inform them that the First Brigade must leave the next day” (, 87). Closen wrote in his journal entry for 1–2 July about the march “on the 2nd to Bedford. Lauzun’s legion … joined us there, and we took up a very military position. The legion camped a mile ahead of us” (, 88).
4. See Rochambeau to GW, this date, and GW to Rochambeau, 1 July.