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

That Mr De Castaing appears from the arrangement of the army to be at this time a Lieutenant in Colonel Jackson’s Regiment and to take rank as such from the 24 day of April 1779. There is no doubt but that he is a deserving officer and has done his duty; but unless some very particular circumstance appear so as to distinguish him from the other officers of the army or the regiment in point of merit, uneasiness will be created by giving the Brevet requested, and the accidental circumstance of his having served in General Duportail’s family will not be deemed sufficient by those who are affected by the promotion. It will too no doubt introduce similar claims from other officers who have served in the like capacity, and with equal merit with Mr De Castaing. Congress will be pleased to recollect that there are several valuable officers, who have served as Aids and have now the same Rank they had the Beginning of the War. True it is that in the early period of the War when rank was more easily obtained and duty not so clearly designated, those gentlemen procured commissions of higher grades than they were entitled to. But it is as true, that if many of them had continued in the line they would now have commanded regiments, and under this idea some of them complain that their promotion is stopped, and would be glad of a precedent whereupon to found their claims to advancement. I have troubled Congress so far on this subject as I would not wish to appear on slight grounds to contravene the recommendation of General Duportail, for which I have the greatest respect. If however Congress should not consider these observations as having any weight and that the recommendation of General Duportail should be attended to as sufficiently evidencing the particular merit of Mr De Castaing, they will please to resolve,

That Lieutenant De Castaing receive the Brevet of Captain in consideration of his services at the defence of Charlestown in South Carolina, and the siege of York in Virginia.66

Resolved, That the request respecting the promotion of Lieutenant de Castaing, cannot be complied with.67

Duportail had one more request for Congress. It probably would not have entered the mind of any delegate to propose such a request, considering the circumstances, but they were willing to grant it when made aware of the facts. Duportail understood the newness of that body and its limited experience in the use of the amenities of diplomatic communication, so he did not hesitate to instruct them regarding the proper procedure in his case. He wrote to the president of Congress on November 23,

Considering that I am to appear in France under the character of an American general officer, it seems to me to be indispensable to be addressed and recommended to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. . . . I and the two officers of the Corps of Engineers (Cols. de Laumoy and de Gouvion) who came to this country with me . . . [feel] it would be much more satisfactory to us if Doctor Franklin was particularly authorized and desired to express to our Court the sentiments they entertain of our services; this seems all the more proper as Dr. Franklin having been charged by Congress to demand us to the Court of France and having treated with us for engaging in your service, we dare think that he will be flattered to see that we have answered his Expectations & justified his choice. . . .

I have the honour to be etc.

DUPORTAIL68

Congress prepared the following letter the next day:

Philadelphia, November 24, 1781

Sir:

Major-General du Portail will have the honor to present this. Congress, in consideration of their long and faithful services in this country, have granted permission to him and Colonels de Laumoy de Gouvion to revisit their friends in Europe for the winter.

As the merits of these gentlemen have Procured for them peculiar marks of the esteem of Congress, they wish to be distinguished by the notice of their sovereign, and for that purpose have directed that they be recommended to you, and that you be requested to present them at court in such manner as will bespeak for them the attention they justly merit.69

Congress also granted a furlough to Colonel Laumoy to return to France with his companions, but his exchange had not been effected, so he was obliged to remain behind. Before leaving America, General Duportail wrote the commander in chief, recommending that Colonel Laumoy be put in command of the engineering corps and of the sappers and miners as soon as released, “for the good of the service.”70 In case this could not be arranged for some reason, then the next choice would fall on Lieutenant Colonel Cambray.

Duportail specially recommended Weibert (lieutenant colonel of engineers) in this letter. This officer, who had been exchanged, had served under John Paul Jones and had proven himself a very brave man. As he lacked experience in the corps, Duportail suggested that he be sent to Fort Pitt or Albany.71 In closing, Duportail spoke of some changes in the organization of the Corps of Sappers and Miners that experience showed would be necessary to make. However, he would attend to this matter after his return. Having made the observation, he was ready to begin his leave of absence and turn his mind toward France.

9

PEACE

Major General Duportail and Colonel Gouvion received permission in the fall of 1781 to remain in Europe six months. They returned to France after serving five years in the armies of the United States. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Robert Livingston wrote to John Jay from Passy on February 2, 1782, that “by their military skill, bravery, and good conduct, [they have] done honor to their own country and great service to ours” and that “if his majesty should think fit to bestow on these gentlemen