Washington's Engineer by Norman Desmarais (speed reading book TXT) 📕

But it includes questions of finance and considerations of policy the most extensive and important; of which Congress alone can form a competent judgment. I shall therefore only say, that considered merely in a military point of view, the plan appears to me worthy of very serious attention. It is but justice to General Du Portail to observe, that I have a high opinion of his merit and abilities; and esteem him not only well acquainted with the particular branch he professes, but a man of sound judgment and real knowledge in military science in general. I have also a very favorable opinion of the other Gentlemen.—I will take the liberty to add, that it appears to me, they will be extremely necessary and useful to our future operations, whether directed to offence or defence—whether to dispossess the enemy of posts in our frontier—to assist in carrying on the proposed expedition into Canada—or any other on a less extensive plan, which may be substituted in its stead, for the mere security of our frontier.

M. de Murnan has served in quality of Engineer under General Du Portail since the first of March last with the Promise of a majority from the Committee of arrangement at Valley Forge. He has never yet received his commission.

This, I promise has been forgotten in a crowd of more important matters. With the greatest respect and esteem—I have the honor to be

Sir, Your most Obed. Serv.

G. WASHINGTON.20

DUPORTAIL SENT TO BOSTON

General Washington ordered General Duportail on September 29 to go to Boston to examine the state of the fortifications and to form a plan to protect the town and the French fleet against a possible attack, especially on Dorchester Heights and at Roxbury. He was to concentrate on defense by land, while the Comte d’Estaing would focus on defense by water, thereby ensuring mutual support. He also wrote to Admiral d’Estaing and Major General William Heath, who commanded Boston, to inform them of his orders.21

Duportail reported his findings to Washington and Major General William Heath on October 20. He considered the possibilities of both sea and land attacks on Boston, made both with and without the French fleet present in the harbor, and he described fortifications that might be constructed on Boston Neck; the Dorchester, Charlestown, and Nantasket Peninsulas; and various harbor islands. He recommended the immediate construction of a redoubt for 50 men and an entrenchment on Boston Neck, two redans with batteries on Dorchester Heights, one work for 250 men on Noddles Island, and a fort on Peddocks Island. He noted that he learned the previous day the British had embarked five thousand or six thousand troops at New York. He feared they were on their way to Boston but didn’t think they would attack with that number of troops. He then thought that either they would embark more troops or would come to seize Newport. He decided to stay in Boston until he could ascertain British intentions.22

DEFENSE OF THE DELAWARE

General Washington’s first care in June 1778, after the British had evacuated Philadelphia and Congress had returned to that city, was to provide for the defense of the Delaware River. To this end, he ordered General Duportail there immediately after the Battle of Monmouth. Washington wrote to Benedict Arnold, then in command at Philadelphia,

I have sent General Duportail to examine what defences may be essential for its security and to make me a report as soon as the nature of the business will admit. In order to facilitate this, I am to request that you will give every aid in your power which he may consider material for informing his judgment and making a well digested plan. For particulars I refer you to General Duportail’s instructions.23

He then sent the following letter to the president of Congress on October 22:

Immediately after the action at Monmouth, I sent General Duportail to form a plan of fortification for the Delaware. While he was in the execution of this task, he was called away at General Lee’s insistence as witness in his trial. After this was over, I thought it was necessary he should turn his attention to the Highland posts; and lately the possibility of an enterprise against the French fleet and the town of Boston determined me to send him to that place, to take measures for their common security. Previous to this, however, he had sent Colonel Laumoy to prepare the way, by taking plans of the river and the country adjacent to Philadelphia; these points I deemed it material to mention; and I submit to Congress the propriety, as Colonel Laumoy is not yet returned, of their directing a number of men to prosecute the defences.24

Washington didn’t get Duportail’s report until the end of October and concurred with General Heath that it was too late in the season to undertake a large construction project. He referred consideration of his proposal to General Gates, who was appointed by Congress to take command in Boston, which he did on November 6. Washington approved of Duportail’s decision to remain in Boston but expressed his ardent desire for him to come to Philadelphia as soon as possible to make that city secure.25 Congress took no action on the plan of fortification, probably because it was too expensive.26

Two factions divided Congress in the fall and winter of 1778–1779. One supported Silas Deane and his transactions in France, and the other was bitterly opposed to him and his work there. Consequently, the important business of the country was delayed, and the French engineers found themselves practically ignored by Congress. Duportail and his companions decided they would return home. Washington’s pleading induced them to defer their decision. The French minister, Conrad Alexandre Gérard, understood the situation in Congress and urged them to be patient, assuring General Duportail that everything would come right in the end.

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THE CAMPAIGN OF 1779

General Duportail delivered his plan for fortifying Boston in October 1778 and requested clarification of his