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

Whereas Brigadier General du Portail and Colonel Laumoy, and Lieutenant Colonel de Gouvion, have continued in the service of the United States pursuant to a resolution of Congress of the 1st day of January, 1779, and under a permission from the Minister Plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty, and have obtained from the Commander-in-Chief ample testimonials of honorable and useful services rendered during the last campaign:

Resolved, That Brigadier General du Portail and Messieurs Laumoy and Gouvion be retained in the service of the United States (if permission can be obtained for that purpose from his most Christian Majesty or his Minister Plenipotentiary) so long, during the present war, as shall be consistent with their inclinations and duty as officers to their King:

That the Board of War be directed to confer with the Minister of France on the subject, and inform General du Portail and Messieurs Laumoy and Gouvion of the result of such conference.3

Washington notified Colonel Moses Hazen on January 21 that General Duportail would leave for Newark the following day and proceed to reconnoiter Paulus Hook. He ordered Colonel Hazen to have two hundred men at Newark to take his orders, and they would return to camp the following day.4

DUPORTAIL WANTS TO GO TO THE CAROLINAS

Earlier in the season, in a letter dated simply “Samedi matin 1779” but probably written very soon after Duportail and Hamilton’s return to camp following the fruitless wait for the French fleet on the Jersey coast, Duportail asked Hamilton’s assistance to get authorization to go to the Carolinas. He seems to have had a persistent idea that it might be exceedingly useful to the allied cause if he were to spend the winter in the Carolinas to make preparations for the ensuing campaign. He noted several reasons that made it unwise for him to ask on his own behalf to be sent down. The request or order must come from the commander in chief or from Congress. He wanted Hamilton to direct matters tactfully to successful completion. He ended by saying, “However the affair turns, let this letter be a secret between us; but I absolutely desire to be gratified in this respect. Adieu.”5

It cannot be verified whether it was because of Colonel Hamilton’s assistance, but Congress resolved on March 6 “That Genl. Du Portail be directed to repair to the State of South Carolina with all possible expedition, and join the southern army, and act either With the main army or in the immediate defence of Charlestown, as shall appear to him to be conducive to the public service.”6 The resolution, however, was postponed.

Meanwhile, Washington took up the matter directly with Congress and wrote the following letter to General Duportail on March 27:

Notwithstanding the occasion we should have of your services in this quarter should any active operations [be] commenced, the critical situation of Charles Town and the importance of that place induce me to wish you were there.

I am doubtful whether you can arrive in time; but I have submitted the matter to Congress to determine according to the advices they have received. The letter to them is inclosed, which after reading you will be pleased to deliver to the President. Should you go to the Southward I request you will favour me with a detail as frequently as circumstances will permit, of the military operations in that quarter; and I entreat you to believe that I shall at all times take great pleasure in hearing of your success and glory.7

His letter to the president of Congress is as follows:

Head Quarters, Morristown, 27 March 1780

Sir,

In the present situation of Southern affairs much will depend on having an able Engineer in that quarter. I have a very good opinion of the Gentleman there in this line [Colonel Laumoy], but the confidence I have in General Duportail’s abilities makes me think his presence would be of the greatest utility. Though we may sensibly feel the want of him here should any active operation commence; yet upon the whole I would be willing to spare him were there a probability of his arriving in time. I have no doubt from the season and from every other circumstance that General Clinton will press the enterprise with all the vigor and dispatch in his power; but the loss of his horses may necessarily retard his progress. I beg leave to submit to Congress the propriety of sending General Duportail, which they will be best able to determine from the general complexion of the advices they have received. As he is in Philadelphia their orders immediately to him will prevent delay. In case of his going it will be of course necessary to bear his expenses and furnish him with the means of expedition, and it were to be wished he may receive his orders as soon as possible.

I have the honor to be etc.

Go. WASHINGTON.8

General Washington was under intense pressure at this time. Things were going badly in the South, and the country was gradually becoming disillusioned with the war. The commander in chief’s will to succeed sustained the patriots during this long and difficult time. In this case, his desire to have General Duportail render what service was still possible at Charleston coincided with the wishes of Congress, so that the order was immediately given following the reading of the letter from the commander in chief. Two days later, on March 31, he was voted to receive $20,000, and a further sum of $8,000 was added on April 5 “in consequence of a letter from the Board of War” that Duportail took with him to General Lincoln, along with the following letter of introduction:

Morristown, March 30, 1780

Dear Sir,

This will be delivered to you by Brigadier-General Duportail, chief engineer; a gentleman of whose abilities and merit I have the highest opinion, and who, if he arrives in time will be of essential utility to you. The delay that will probably attend General Clinton’s operations, in consequence of the losses