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

his domestic affairs, it is with the greatest satisfaction I embrace this opportunity of testifying the sense, which I entertain of his distinguished talents and services. His judgment in council, and well-conducted valor in the field claim the highest applause, and have secured to him the esteem and confidence of the army. His plan and conduct of the late attacks in the late important and successful seige of York where he commanded the corps of engineers, afford brilliant proofs of his military genius, and set the seal to his reputation; while they entitle him to my warmest thanks.

Given at Head-Quarters, 31st October, 1781.59

Washington’s letter to the president of Congress reads as follows,

Head Quarters near York 31st Octr. 1781

Sir,

I do myself the honor of transmitting to your Excellency, a letter from Genl. Duportail, in which he explains the motives of an intended application to Congress, for permission to go to France, & for the promotion of himself and the officers of his Corps.

I should conceal sentiments with which I am very strongly impressed, & do injustice to very conspicuous merit, if I did not upon the present occasion offer my Testimonies to the distinguished Abilities & services both of Genl. Duportail and of Lt. Col. Gouvion—their claim to the particular attention of Congress at this juncture, is founded upon the practise of Europe; a seige being considered as the particular province of the Corps of Engineers, and as entitling them, when attended with a success, important in itself and in its Consequences, to the greatest military Rewards—These officers besides are supported by a series of Conduct in the line of their Department, which makes them not depend merely upon the present Circumstances—For these reasons I am induced to recommend Genl. Duportail’s Memorial to Congress for the grades which he specifies—and the leave of absence—the latter being by no means incompatable with the good of the service at the present period, as I am reduced, notwithstanding all my efforts, to the Necessity of retiring into Winter Quarters.

The same principles as those above mentioned, forbid me to be silent on the subject of Genl. Knox who is closely united with Genl. Duportail in the merits of the seige; being at the head of the Artillery, which is the other principle instrument in conducting attacks—The resources of his genius on this and many other interesting occasions have supplied the defect of means; His Distinguished talents and Services equally important and indefatiguable entitle him to the same marks of approbation from Congress, as they may be pleased to grant to the chief engineer.

With sentiments of Respect and Esteem, I am etc.

GEO. WASHINGTON60

General Duportail’s efforts resulted in success for him and Colonel Gouvion. Congress promoted Duportail to the rank of major general on November 16, 1781. After the congressional delegates rejected a motion prohibiting promotions “on account of extraordinary merit or eminent services, contrary to the rule of succession,” adopted by Congress on May 25, 1781, they approved a resolution promoting Duportail. President of Congress John Hanson wrote to Duportail the next day to convey the news:

Sir, Philadelphia, 17th. Nov. 1781

I have the honor of enclosing you a copy of an Act of Congress of the 16th instant, by which you will observe that you are promoted to the rank of a Major General in the Armies of the United States.

This Act is so very explicit on the subject of your distinguished Merit, as to foreclose the Sentiments my feelings would prompt me to express. I will therefore only beg leave to congratulate you on the occasion, and to assure you that you have my best wishes for future prosperity and felicity.61

Hanson also wrote brief letters to Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion and the Chevalier de Rochefontaine of the Corps of Engineers, enclosing resolutions announcing their promotions by brevet to the ranks of colonel and major, respectively.62 France awarded Duportail the Cross of St. Louis and a pension, as well a pledge of promotion to the rank of brigadier general in the French service.63

Duportail thanked General Washington for the part he played in procuring this important mark of appreciation from Congress for the work of the Royal Engineers, but his letter is prefaced by words of sympathy for the sad personal loss that the commander in chief experienced shortly after the surrender at Yorktown: the death of his aide-de-camp and beloved stepson John Park Custis from illness. Duportail’s letter of November 24, 1781, says,

i heard with great concern the domestique misfortune which your Excellency had lately, and in the apprehension that sad event will retard your arrival here, i take the resolution to write to you.

i beg your Excellency to receive my most sincere thanks for the letters of recommendation which you have been so good as to give me for Congress. they have obtained to me the price of my demands. one thing yet is wanting to my satisfaction. i wish that your Excellency be pleased . . . to give me a letter to the marquis de Segur, Minister of war. . . . if you wish to see me again in this country it is perhaps necessary to mention it, because the Court could claim my services at home or send me in another part of the world. if your Excellency is so good as to grant me the favour which I beg and the Chv. de la Luzerne has been pleased to permit, to send the letter immediately.64

Permit me, my dear general, in taking leave of you to present to you my wishes for your health during my absence. Would to God that I come back with fleet and troops for some important expedition under your orders and direction. We must all expect success and glory.

i have the honour to be with the greatest respect and attachment etc.

Duportail.

Permit me dear general to present the assurance of my respect to Mrs. Washington.65

Major General Duportail requested the brevet of captain for his aide, Castaing, in a letter of November 19, 1781. The Board