George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 3 July 1781
To Lieutenant General Rochambeau
Head Quarters Valentines Hill [N.Y.] 3d July 1781
8 oClock at Evening
sir
The Count Ferchin will do me the Favor to deliver this to your Excellency1—The Operations of this Day are over—but I am not so happy as to inform you that our Success has been equal to our Wishes—altho I have Reason to think that very essential Benefit will Result to our future Operations from the Opportunity I have had in a very full Manner to reconnoitre the Position & Strength2 of the Enemy on the North End of York Island. The particular Events of the Day I shall do myself the Honor to communicate, when I shall have the Pleasure to see your Excellency.3
The American Army, and the Legion of the Duke de Lauzun will march Tomorrow from this to White Plains4—if it will be convenient to your Excellency, I shall be happy to receive you with your Troops at that Place on the Day after Tomorrow.5
When I shall have an Opportunity to converse with your Excellency, I think I shall be able to give you such Reasons for formg our Junction at the White Plains in the first Instance, as will fully satisfy your Excellency of the Utility & fitness of this Position for commencing the Preparation for Our intended Operations of the Campaign6—I have the Honor to be With perfect Regard ⟨&⟩ Consideration sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & very humble Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.’s writing, CtY-BR:R; Df, DLC:GW; Rochambeau’s French translation, CtY-BR:R; LB, in French, DLC: Rochambeau Papers, vol. 12; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which is addressed to Rochambeau at North Castle Church, New York.
1. Col. Axel von Fersen was one of Rochambeau’s aides-de-camp.
2. The draft, which Trumbull also penned, has “Works” instead of this word.
3. GW met Rochambeau on 5 July (see his letter to Rochambeau, 4 July, n.1). For the operations and GW’s reconnaissance, see GW to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 July, source note, and General Orders, this date, n.3.
4. The army marched to the vicinity of White Plains, N.Y., on 4 July. The Continentals camped on high ground behind Dobbs Ferry, New York. GW ordered a camp laid out for the French army just to the east. Brigadier General Lauzun marched his legion further east to a position at White Plains. Brig. Gen. David Waterbury’s Connecticut state troops marched to Horseneck, Conn. (see the entry for 4 July in , 3:389, and General Orders, 4 July, source note).
5. GW modified these instructions (see GW to Rochambeau, 4 July).