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Marquis de Lafayette to General Nathanael Greene, 29 April 1781
Manuscript letter
[page 1]
Richmond April 29th 1781
My Dear Sir
With an infinite trouble, and immense difficulties I am arrived at this place. Had it been possible to collect waggons and horses I might have been here sooner. But from Alexandria we could hardly get waggons enough to carry the packs of the men. At last we are arrived, and, I think, with greater celerity than General Philips had expected. Richmond, Manchester, Warwick, and the stores back of us will, I hope, be saved, but Petersburg, and the [battles?] down the river were lost before I could possibly arrive. The Continental troops will this day be in town. They are much fatigued, and our artillery having stayed behind with the baggage and at most our Continental force amounts to less than a thousand men officers included. The militia which will compose the Baron's division consist of about 1800 effective men. With this number we may, I hope, form an opposition to the progress of the enemy in this quarter.
We came in two days from Baltimore to Alexandria, in three from Alexandria to Frederisburg [sic], in three from Frederisburg [sic] to Richmond.
Major General Greene
[page 2]
Enclosed I send to you a letter that I wrote at Hanover Court House - the Baron having sent an official account to the Board of War which for the sake of intelligences I opposed. I thought this way of advising them was not proper, and Congress being, I am sure, very anxious to hear from this quarter I sent them a copy of my letter to you. I was glad of the opportunity of ranging myself under your banner as soon as possible. Be pleased to let me know if I am wrong or right but I thought I did for the best.
Gnl. Müllinsberg's [sic] brigade about 100 militia h[?] are on the other side, and General Nelson's with the Continental troops on this shore. The enemy lay still on Osborn's 13 miles below this. They have not yet [looked?], and as they have missed the opportunity to attack us last night, I am apprehensive they mean to embark again. I will today reconnoiter the grounds on this side of the river and tomorrow go over to the other side after which I will be able to see what can be done.
Untill [sic] I receive your orders my conduct shall be directed by what I know of your opinion. I will therefore endeavor to keep Philips as much separated of Cornwallis as I can, and as I cannot prevent his joining him by water
[page 3]
I will try to delay long missions that he may intend to perform before he joins the army of Lord Cornwallis.
I am however of opinion that Philips's vanity will keep him in a state which he knows and where he plays the Commander in chief. He is a friend to Clinton, and of course an enemy to my lord(?). In case he remains Virginia will not much exert themselves unless they are protected on one part, and hurried on the other by a Continental officer. But the defense of this state requires an army mounted upon race horses.
The Governor has again spoke to me of the disagreements of the executive with the Baron. I represented that allowances ought to be made for differences of temper in men differently educated, and that the Baron's oaths spring from the same principles that in the Governor would produce a patriotic speech. But I hope they will not dispute any more, and I am glad to see the executive and people at large impressed with this idea which I will try to [?] that your army must be the principal object. But when the danger comes home, the people at large think more of Philips than Cornwallis.
They say Ninety Six is taken. They say you are at Camden. I believe both, but deny believing it because I hate to raise expectations. Adieu, my dear general. I hope soon to receive your orders and with the highest respect and most sincere affection have the honor to be
Your most obedient humble servant,
Lafayette
[page 4]
[Annotation] From Marquis La Fayette
April 29 1781.
[Note in pencil] to General Nathanael Greene
Richmond April 29th 1781
My Dear Sir
With an infinite trouble, and immense difficulties I am arrived at this place. Had it been possible to collect waggons and horses I might have been here sooner. But from Alexandria we could hardly get waggons enough to carry the packs of the men. At last we are arrived, and, I think, with greater celerity than General Philips had expected. Richmond, Manchester, Warwick, and the stores back of us will, I hope, be saved, but Petersburg, and the [battles?] down the river were lost before I could possibly arrive. The Continental troops will this day be in town. They are much fatigued, and our artillery having stayed behind with the baggage and at most our Continental force amounts to less than a thousand men officers included. The militia which will compose the Baron's division consist of about 1800 effective men. With this number we may, I hope, form an opposition to the progress of the enemy in this quarter.
We came in two days from Baltimore to Alexandria, in three from Alexandria to Frederisburg [sic], in three from Frederisburg [sic] to Richmond.
Major General Greene
[page 2]
Enclosed I send to you a letter that I wrote at Hanover Court House - the Baron having sent an official account to the Board of War which for the sake of intelligences I opposed. I thought this way of advising them was not proper, and Congress being, I am sure, very anxious to hear from this quarter I sent them a copy of my letter to you. I was glad of the opportunity of ranging myself under your banner as soon as possible. Be pleased to let me know if I am wrong or right but I thought I did for the best.
Gnl. Müllinsberg's [sic] brigade about 100 militia h[?] are on the other side, and General Nelson's with the Continental troops on this shore. The enemy lay still on Osborn's 13 miles below this. They have not yet [looked?], and as they have missed the opportunity to attack us last night, I am apprehensive they mean to embark again. I will today reconnoiter the grounds on this side of the river and tomorrow go over to the other side after which I will be able to see what can be done.
Untill [sic] I receive your orders my conduct shall be directed by what I know of your opinion. I will therefore endeavor to keep Philips as much separated of Cornwallis as I can, and as I cannot prevent his joining him by water
[page 3]
I will try to delay long missions that he may intend to perform before he joins the army of Lord Cornwallis.
I am however of opinion that Philips's vanity will keep him in a state which he knows and where he plays the Commander in chief. He is a friend to Clinton, and of course an enemy to my lord(?). In case he remains Virginia will not much exert themselves unless they are protected on one part, and hurried on the other by a Continental officer. But the defense of this state requires an army mounted upon race horses.
The Governor has again spoke to me of the disagreements of the executive with the Baron. I represented that allowances ought to be made for differences of temper in men differently educated, and that the Baron's oaths spring from the same principles that in the Governor would produce a patriotic speech. But I hope they will not dispute any more, and I am glad to see the executive and people at large impressed with this idea which I will try to [?] that your army must be the principal object. But when the danger comes home, the people at large think more of Philips than Cornwallis.
They say Ninety Six is taken. They say you are at Camden. I believe both, but deny believing it because I hate to raise expectations. Adieu, my dear general. I hope soon to receive your orders and with the highest respect and most sincere affection have the honor to be
Your most obedient humble servant,
Lafayette
[page 4]
[Annotation] From Marquis La Fayette
April 29 1781.
[Note in pencil] to General Nathanael Greene
Archives Number: 1002/9.3-098#001
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site; Archives Number 1002/9.3-098#001
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Collected Materials (1002/009), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Lafayette, Marquis de (1757-1834), [1778?]-1781 (1002/009.003-098), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Lafayette, Marquis de (1757-1834), [1778?]-1781 (1002/009.003-098), (LONG-FileUnitName)
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Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Code: LONG
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Title: Finding Aid to the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Dana (1881-1950) Papers, 1744-1972 (bulk dated: 1850-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLD
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLD
2023/10/31
04/29/1781
Manuscript letter in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Dana Papers, Series IX. Collected Materials, C. Miscellaneous Famous People. (1002/9.3-098#001)
Organization: Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11:59:24 PM
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11:59:24 PM
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