Physical Description:
1 letter (4 p.) ; 33 cm. Notes:
Autograph letter, signed by George Washington's secretary. At head
of letter: "Copy of a letter from General Washington to the Count
de Rochambeau dated from Head quarters, New Windsor. 15 Febry.
1781". Washington writes from Knox's Headquarters, New Windsor, New
York. Washington tells Rochambeau that he has received his letter
of the 3rd, and expects that Destouches will send a military
detachment to the Chesapeake Bay in quest of Benedict Arnold.
Washington discusses several of Arnold's tactics to keep his
vessels safe and to re-provision his men; Washington suspects
Arnold is in Portsmouth as of this writing, and thinks that
Arnold's troops have no prospect of success once they meet with
Destouches' ships and men. Washington encourages a cooperation of
land and naval forces in order to capture Arnold and his troops.
Washington writes that the capture of Arnold and his detachment
"will be an event particularly agreeable to this country, a great
relief to the Southern States and of important utility in our
future operations." Washington concludes his letter by stating that
he will postpone setting out for Rhode Island until he receives a
response to this letter. Title supplied by cataloger. Subjects:
Washington, George, 1732-1799. ; Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien
de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807. ; Destouches,
Charles-René-Dominique Sochet, 1727-1794. ; Arnold, Benedict,
1741-1801. ; New Windsor (N.Y. : Town) ; Knox's Headquarters State
Historic Site (N.Y.) ; United States -- History -- Revolution,
1775-1783 -- Participation, French. ; United States -- History --
Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Naval operations. Form/Genre:
Letters (correspondence) United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat)
; Military records United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat) Physical Collection:
Papers of Charles-René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, 1754-1804
(bulk 1780-1781) ; Orderly Books of the American Revolution. Provenance:
Purchased from the American Art Association, 1926. Cataloging Notes:
This letter also appears in: The writings of George Washington, by
Jared Sparks, vol. VII, p. 410.
Rights
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