Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

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Footnote:

1. M. de Lafayette had become very intimate with him in England: he is
the same General Fitz-Patrick, who made two famous motions in the House
of Commons; the one March 17th, 1794, for the prisoners of Magdebourg,
and the other, December 16th, 1796, for the prisoners of Olmutz.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Valley Forge Camp, the 19th May, 1778.

MY DEAR GENERAL,--Agreeable to your excellency's orders, I have taken
the oath of the gentlemen officers in General Woodford's brigade, and
their certificates have been sent to the adjutant-general's office.
Give me leave, now, to present you with some observations delivered to
me by many officers in that brigade, who desire me to submit them to
your perusal. I know, sir, (besides I am not of their opinion in the
fact itself) that I should not accept for you the objections those
gentlemen could have had, as a body, to any order from congress; but I
confess the desire of being agreeable to them, of giving them any mark
of friendship and affection which is in my power and acknowledging the
kind sentiments they honour me with, have been my first and dearest
considerations. Besides that, be pleased to consider that they began by
obeying orders, and want only to let their beloved general know which
were the reasons of their being rather reluctant (as far as reluctance
may comply with their duty and honour) to an oath, the meaning and
spirit of which was, I believe, misunderstood by them. I may add, sir,
with a perfect conviction, that there is not one among them but would
be thrice happy were occasions offered to them of distinguishing yet,
by new exertions, their love for their country, their zeal for their
duty as officers, their consideration for the civil superior power, and
their love for your excellency.

With the greatest respect and most tender affection, I have the honour
to be, &c.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL.)

Camp, 17th May, 1778.

DEAR SIR,--I received yesterday your favour of the 15th instant,
enclosing a paper subscribed by sundry officers of General Woodford's
brigade, setting forth the reasons for not taking the oath of
abjuration, allegiance, and office; and I thank you much for the
cautious delicacy used in communicating the matter to me. As every oath
should be a free act of the mind, founded on the conviction of its
propriety, I would not wish, in any instance, that there should be the
least degree of compulsion exercised; nor to interpose my opinion, in
order to induce any to make it of whom it is required. The gentlemen,
therefore, who signed the paper, will use their own discretion in the
matter, and swear, or not swear, as their conscience and feelings
dictate.

At the same time, I cannot but consider it as a circumstance of some
singularity, that the scruples against the oath should be peculiar to
the officers of one brigade, and so very extensive. The oath in itself
is not new. It is substantially the same with that required in all
governments, and, therefore, does not imply any indignity; and it is
perfectly consistent with the professions, actions, and implied
engagements of every officer. The objection founded on the supposed
unsettled rank of the officers, is of no validity, rank being only
mentioned as a further designation of the party swearing; nor can it be
seriously thought that the oath is either intended to prevent, or can
prevent, their being promoted, or their resignation.

The fourth objection, stated by the gentlemen, serves as a key to their
scruples; and I would willingly persuade myself, that their own
reflections will point out to them the impropriety of the whole
proceeding, and not suffer them to be betrayed in future into a similar
conduct. I have a regard for them all, and cannot but regret that they
were ever engaged in the measure. I am certain they will regret it
themselves;--sure I am that they ought. I am, my dear marquis, your
affectionate friend and servant.

TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL--INSTRUCTION.)~[1]

SIR,--The detachment under your command, with which you will
immediately march towards the enemy's lines, is designed to answer the
following purposes; namely, to be a security to this camp, and a cover
to the country, between the Delaware and the Schuylkill, to interrupt
the communication with Philadelphia, to obstruct the incursions of the
enemy's parties, and to obtain intelligence of their motions and
designs. This last is a matter of very interesting moment, and ought to
claim your particular attention. You will endeavour to procure trusty
and intelligent spies, who will advise you faithfully of whatever may
be passing in the city, and you will, without delay, communicate to me
every piece of material information you obtain. A variety of concurring
accounts make it probable that the enemy are preparing to evacuate
Philadelphia; this is a point of the utmost importance to ascertain,
and, if possible, the place of their future destination. Should you be
able to gain certain intelligence of the time of their intended
embarkation, so that you may be able to take advantage of it, and fall
upon the rear of the enemy in the act of withdrawing, it will be a very
desirable event; but this will be a matter of no small difficulty, and
will require the greatest caution and prudence in the execution. Any
deception or precipitation may be attended with the most disastrous
consequences. You will remember that your detachment is a very valuable
one, and that any accident happening to it would be a severe blow, to
this army; you will, therefore, use every possible precaution for its
security, and to guard against a surprise. No attempt should be made,
nor anything risked, without the greatest prospect of success, and with
every reasonable advantage on your side. I shall not point out any
precise position to you, but shall leave it to your discretion to take
such posts occasionally, as shall appear to you best adapted to the
purposes of your detachment. In general, I would observe, that a
stationary post is unadvisable, as it gives the enemy an opportunity of
knowing your situation, and concerting plans successfully against you.
In case of any offensive movement against this army, you will keep
yourself in such a state as to have an easy communication with it, and,
at the same time, harass the enemy's advance.

Our parties of horse and foot, between the rivers, are to be under your
command, and to form part of your detachment. As great complaints have
been made of the disorderly conduct of the parties which have been sent
towards the enemy's lines, it is expected that you will be very
attentive in preventing abuses of the like nature, and will inquire how
far complaints already made are founded in justice.

Given under my hand, at head quarters, this 18th May, 1778.

Footnote:

1. This instruction has been inserted as the one which M. de Lafayette
received to repair, as a detached body, betwixt the Delaware and
Schuylkill. It was after this movement that he made the retreat of
Barren Hill, which was praised by General Washington. (See the Memoirs,
in Mr. Spark's collection, the letter Of Washington, May 24th, 1778.)

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Valley Forge Camp, June 16, 1778.

Chance has furnished me, my dearest love, with a very uncertain
opportunity of writing to you, but, such as it is, I shall take
advantage of it, for I cannot resist the wish of saying a few words to
you. You must have received many letters from me lately, if my writing
unceasingly, at least, may justify this hope. Several vessels have
sailed, all laden with my letters. My expressions of heartfelt grief
must even have added to your distress. What a dreadful thing is
absence! I never experienced before all the horrors of separation. My
own deep sorrow is aggravated by the feeling that I am not able to
share and sympathize in your anguish. The length of time that elapsed
before I heard of this event had also increased my misery. Consider, my
love, how dreadful it must be to weep for what I have lost, and tremble
for what remains. The distance between Europe and America appears to me
more enormous than ever. The loss of our poor child is almost
constantly in my thoughts: this sad news followed immediately that of
the treaty; and whilst my heart was torn by grief, I was obliged to
receive and take part in expressions of public joy. I learnt, at the
same time, the loss of our little Adrien, for I always considered that
child as my own, and I regretted him as I should have done a son. I
have written twice to the viscount and viscountess, to express to them
my deep regret, and I hope my letters will reach them safely. I am
writing only to you at present, because I neither know when the vessel
sails, nor when she will arrive, and I am told that a packet will soon
set out which will probably reach Europe first.

I received letters from M. de Cambrai and M. Carmichael. The first one
will be employed, I hope, in an advantageous and agreeable manner; the
second, whom I am expecting with great impatience, has not yet arrived
at the army: how delighted I shall be to see him, and talk to him about
you!--he will come to the camp as soon as possible. We are expecting
every day news from Europe; they will be deeply interesting, especially
to me, who offer up such earnest prayers for the success and glory of
my country. The King of Prussia, it is said, has entered into Bohemia,
and has forgotten to declare war. If a conflict were to take place
between France and England, I should prefer our being left completely
to ourselves, and that the rest of Europe should content herself with
looking on; we should, in that case, have a glorious war, and our
successes would be of a kind to please and gratify the nation.

If the, unfortunate news had reached me sooner, I should have set out
immediately to rejoin you; but the account of the treaty, which we
received the first of May, prevented my leaving this country. The
opening campaign does not allow me to retire. I have always been
perfectly convinced that by serving the cause of humanity, and that of
America, I serve also the interest of France. Another motive for
remaining longer is, that the commissioners have arrived, and that I am
well pleased to be within reach of the negotiations. To be useful in
any way to my country will always be agreeable to me. I do not
understand why a minister plenipotentiary, or something of that kind,
has not been already sent to America; I am most anxious to see one,
provided always it may not be myself, for I am but little disposed to
quit the military career to enter into the diplomatic corps.

There is no news here; the only topic of conversation is the news from
Europe, and to that many idle tales are always prefixed: there has been
little action on either side; the only important affair was the one
which fell to my share the 20th of last month, and there was not any
blood shed even there.

General Washington had entrusted me to conduct a detachment of two
thousand four hundred chosen men to the vicinity of Philadelphia. It
would be too long to explain to you the cause, but it will suffice to
tell you, that, in spite of all my precautions, I could not prevent the
hostile army from making a nocturnal march, and I found myself the next
morning with part of the army in front, and seven thousand men in my
rear. These gentlemen were so obliging as to take measures for sending
to New York those who should not be killed; but they were so kind,
also, as to permit us to retire quietly, without doing us any injury.
We had about six or seven killed or wounded, and they
twenty-five or thirty, which did not make them amends for a march, in
which one part of the army had been obliged to make forty miles.

Some days afterwards, our situation having altered, I returned to the
camp, and no events of importance have occurred since. We are expecting
the evacuation of Philadelphia, which must, we fancy, soon take place.
I have been told that on the 10th of April they were thinking of
negotiating rather than of fighting, and that England was becoming each
day more humble.

If this letter ever reaches you, my dearest love, present my respects
to the Duke d'Ayen, the Marshal de Noailles, and Madame de Tesse, to
whom I have written by every vessel, although she accuses me of having
neglected her, which my heart is incapable of doing. I have also
written to Madame d'Ayen by the two last ships, and by several previous
ones. Embrace a thousand times the dear viscountess, and tell her how
well I love her. A thousand tender regards to my sisters; a thousand
affectionate ones to the viscount, M. de Poix, to Coigny,~[1] Segur,
his brother, Etienne,~[2] and all my other friends. Embrace, a million
of times, our little Anastasia;--alas! she alone remains to us! I feel
that she has engrossed the affection that was once divided between my
two children: take great care of her. Adieu; I know not when this may
reach you, and I even doubt its ever reaching you.

Footnotes:

1. Probably the Marquis de Coigny.

2. The Count Etienne de Durfort, now peer of France.

TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL--INSTRUCTIONS.)

Sir,--You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by
General Poor, and form a junction, as expeditiously as possible, with
that under the command of General Scott. You are to use the most
effectual means for gaining the enemy's left flank and rear, and giving
them every degree of annoyance. All continental parties that are
already on the lines, will be under your command, and you will take
such measures, in concert with General Dickinson, as will cause the
enemy the greatest impediment and loss in their march. For these
purposes you will attack them, as occasion may require, by detachment,
and if a proper opening could be given, by operating against them with
the whole force of your command. You will naturally take such
precautions as will secure you against surprise, and maintain your
communications with this army.

Given at Kingston, this 25th day of June, 1778.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON

(ORIGINAL.)

Ice Town, 26th June, 1778, at a quarter after seven.

Dear General,--I hope you have received my letter from Cranberry, where
I acquaint you that I am going to Ice Town, though we are short of
provisions. When I got there, I was sorry to hear that Mr. Hamilton,
who had been riding all the night, had not been able to find anybody
who could give him certain intelligence; but by a party who came back,
I hear the enemy are in motion, and their rear about one mile off the
place they had occupied last night, which is seven or eight miles from
here. I immediately put Generals Maxwell and Wayne's brigades in
motion, and I will fall lower down, with General Scott's, with
Jackson's regiment, and some militia. I should be very happy if we
could attack them before they halt, for I have no notion of taking one
other moment but this of the march. If I cannot overtake them, we could
lay at some distance, and attack tomorrow morning, provided they don't
escape in the night, which I much fear, as our intelligences are not
the best ones. I have sent some parties out, and I will get some more
light by them.

I fancy your excellency will move down with the army, and if we are at
a convenient distance from you, I have nothing to fear in striking a
blow if opportunity is offered. I believe that, in our present
strength, _provided they do not escape_, we may do something.

General Forman says that, on account of the nature of the country, it
is impossible for me to be turned by the right or left, but that I
shall not quite depend upon.

An officer just from the lines confirms the account of the enemy
moving. An intelligence from General Dickinson says that they hear a
very heavy fire in the front of the enemy's column. I apprehend it is
Morgan, who had not received my letter, but it will have the good
effect of stopping them, and if we attack, he may begin again.

Sir, I want to repeat you in writing what I have told to you, which is,
that if you believe it, or if it is believed necessary or useful to the
good of the service and the honour of General Lee, to send him down
with a couple of thousand men, or any greater force; I will cheerfully
obey and serve him, not only out of duty, but out of what I owe to that
gentleman's character.

I hope to receive, soon, your orders as to what I am to do this day or
to-morrow, to know where you are and what you intend, and would be very
happy to furnish you with the opportunity of completing some little
advantage of ours.

LAFAYETTE.

The road I understand the enemy are moving by, is the straight road to
Monmouth.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL.)

Cranberry, 26th June, 1778.

My Dear Marquis,--General Lee's uneasiness, on accouut of yesterday's
transaction, rather increasing than abating, and your politeness in
wishing to ease him of it, have induced me to detach him from this army
with a part of it, to reinforce, or at least cover, the several
detachments at present under your command. At the same time, that I
felt for General Lee's distress of mind, I have had an eye to your
wishes and the delicacy of your situation; and have, therefore,
obtained a promise from him, that when he gives you notice of his
approach and command, he will request you to prosecute any plan you may
have already concerted for the purpose of attacking, or otherwise
annoying the enemy; this is the only expedient I could think of to
answer the views of both. General Lee seems satisfied with the measure,
and I wish it may prove agreeable to you, as I am, with the warmest
wishes for your honour and glory, and with the sincerest esteem and
affection, yours, &c.~[1]

Footnote:

1. The combination offered by M. de Lafayette, and desired by General
Washington, did not prove successful. In spite of the happy issue of
the battle of Monmouth, the results were not such as might have been
expected, on account of the conduct of General Lee, who was summoned
before a court martial, and condemned to be suspended for one year.
(See on this subject the Memoirs of the Life of Washington, by
Marshall, and the Appendix No. 8, of the 5th vol. of the Letters of
Washington.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~[1]

(ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, 22nd July, 1778.

Sir,--You are to have the immediate command of that detachment from
this army, which consists of Glover's and Varnum's brigades, and the
detachment under the command of Colonel Henry Jackson. You are to march
them, with all convenient expedition, and by the best routes, to
Providence, in the state of Rhode Island. When there, you are to
subject yourself to the orders of Major-General Sullivan, who will have
the command of the expedition against Newport, and the British and
other troops in their pay, on that and the Islands adjacent.

If, on your march, you should receive certain intelligence of the
evacuation of Rhode Island, by the enemy, you are immediately to
counter march for this place, giving me the earliest advice thereof.
Having the most perfect reliance on your activity and zeal, and wishing
you all the success, honour, and glory, that your heart can wish, I am,
with the most perfect regard, yours, &c.

Footnote:

1. Order for the expedition of Rhode Island.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE

(ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, White Plains, 27th July, 1778.

DEAR MARQUIS,--This will be delivered to you by Major-General Greene,
whose thorough knowledge of Rhode Island, of which he is a native, and
the influence he will have with the people, put it in his power to be
particularly useful in the expedition against that place, as well in
providing necessaries for carrying it on, as in assisting to form and
execute a plan of operations proper for the occasion. The honour and
interest of the common cause are so deeply concerned in the success of
this enterprise, that it appears to me of the greatest importance to
omit no step which may conduce to it; and General Greene, on several
accounts, will be able to render very essential service.

These considerations have determined me to send him on the expedition,
in which, as he could not with propriety act, nor be equally useful
merely in his official capacity as quartermaster-general, I have
concluded to give him a command in the troops to be employed in the
descent. I have, therefore, directed General Sullivan to throw all the
American troops, both continental, state, and militia, into two
divisions, making an equal distribution of each, to be under the
immediate command of General Greene and yourself. The continental
troops being divided in this manner, with the militia, will serve to
give them confidence, and probably make them act better than they would
alone. Though this arrangement will diminish the number of continental
troops under you, yet this diminution will be more than compensated by
the addition of militia; and I persuade myself your command will not be
less agreeable, or less honourable, from this change in the
disposition. I am, with great esteem and affection, dear marquis, your
most obedient servant.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Providence, 6th August, 1778.

DEAR GENERAL,--I have received your excellency's favour by General
Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who,
not only on account of his merit, and the justness of his views, but
also by his knowledge of the country, and his popularity in this state,
may be very serviceable to the expedition. I willingly part with the
half of my detachment, though I had a great dependence upon them, as
you find it convenient to the good of the service. Any thing, my dear
General, you will order, or even wish, shall always be infinitely
agreeable to me, and I will always feel happy in doing any thing which
may please you, or forward the public good. I am of the same opinion as
your excellency, that dividing our continental troops among the
militia, will have a better effect than if we were to keep them
together in one wing.

You will receive, by General Sullivan, an account of his dispositions,
preparations, &c.; I, therefore, have nothing to add, but that I have
been on board of the Admiral~[1] the day before yesterday. I saw among
the fleet an ardour and a desire of doing something, which would soon
turn into impatience, if we don't give them a speedy occasion of
fighting. The officers cannot contain their soldiers and sailors, who
are complaining that they have been these four months running after the
British, without getting at them; but I hope they will be soon
satisfied.

The Count d'Estaing was very glad of my arrival, as he could open
freely his mind to me. He expressed the greatest anxiety on account of
his wants of every kind, provisions, water, &c.; he hopes the taking of
Rhode Island will enable him to get some of the two above mentioned
articles. The admiral wants me to join the French troops to these I
command, as soon as possible. I confess I feel very happy to think of
my co-operating with them, and, had I contrived in my mind an agreeable
dream, I could not have wished a more pleasing event than my joining my
countrymen with my brothers of America, under my command, and the same
standards. When I left Europe, I was very far from hoping such an
agreeable turn of our business in the American glorious revolution.

Though I have no account, neither observations, to give to your
excellency, as I am here _a man of war of the third rate_, I will,
after the expedition, scribble some lines to you, and join to the
account of General Sullivan, the assurance that I have all my limbs,
and that I am, with the most tender affection, and entire confidence,
yours, with high respect.

Footnote:

1. Admiral d'Estaing. It was the 8th July that the French fleet
appeared at the entrance of the Delaware. It was at this period
stationed before Newport, below the passage, betwixt Rhode Island and
Long Island.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, 10th August, 1778.

My Dear Marquis,--Your favour of the 6th instant, which came to my
hands yesterday, afforded a fresh proof of the noble principles on
which you act, and has a just claim to my sincere and hearty thanks.
The common cause, of which you have been a zealous supporter, would, I
knew, be benefitted by General Greene's presence at Rhode Island, as he
is a native of that state, has an interest with the people, and a
thorough knowledge of the country, and, therefore, I accepted his
proffered services; but I was a little uneasy, lest you should conceive
that it was intended to lessen your command. General Greene did not
incline to act in a detached part of the army, merely as quartermaster-
general; nor was it to be expected. It became necessary, therefore, to
give him a detached command, and consequently to divide the continental
troops. Your cheerful acquiescence in the measure, after being
appointed to the command of the brigades which marched from this army,
obviated every difficulty, and gave me singular pleasure.

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