LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER, Marquis de . Letter signed ("Lafayette"), in the hand of JAMES MCHENRY (later Washington's Secretary of War), to Col. William Davie, Commissary General for the North Carolina Board of War, "Camp, Ruffins Ferry" [on the James River, Virginia], 30 August 1781. 2 pages, folio, 326 x 210 mm. (12 3/4 x 8 1/4), slight fold tears at top edges, recipient's docket on page 2; brown morocco protective chemise lined with watered silk, red quarter morocco gilt folding box. SETTING THE TRAP FOR CORNWALLIS: LAFAYETTE REVEALS WASHINGTON'S SECRET STRATEGY A rare war-date letter of General Lafayette, written at a crucial time during the Virginia campaigns while plans were under way to trap Cornwallis. Lafayette writes to requisition military ordnance from North Carolina and alludes excitedly to Washington's daring strategy, which had only recently been communicated to the American commanders: "You will find in the letter which the Executive will lay before you a piece of confidential intelligence [the news that Washington and Rochambeau had begun their march south in hopes of trapping Cornwallis and his army on the Yorktown peninsula]. It is of a most important nature and you will use it accordingly. You can now see, my dear Sir, the full extent, of the necessity of our most instant and active proceedings: Why we should hurry forward our arms, and ammunition: Why collect our cannons and mortars, and augment by all possible means and endeavours, our magazines of provisions, especially on the James River. I will not ask for what I know you will give, your personal and public exertions. "We may expect the armament daily. In the meantime, to bring together a large force in militia, on the South side of the James River, is of the last consequence, either, to be in readiness to be employed in the operation; or what is no less essential, to assist in preventing his Lordships [Lord Cornwallis's] march to Carolina. The other militia are not less necessary....." Cornwallis had tried repeatedly to destroy Lafayette (whom he referred to derisively as "the boy") and his relatively small army in the Virginia area, and Washington feared the British force would move south into the Carolinas, escaping the trap. By August 22, though, Cornwallis had unwisely concentrated his forces at Yorktown and Gloucester, on the York River. About a week earlier, Washington had received confirmation that the long-awaited French fleet under De Grasse was sailing to the Chesapeake area and could be used to protect an American force sent against Cornwallis. On August 20, his strategy fully planned, Washington's armies began their precipitous overland march, reaching Philadelphia by September 2 and assembling in the Yorktown area by the 26th. One week later the French and Americans commenced the siege which resulted in the surrender of Cornwallis and his army (estimated at one-fourth of the British military strength in America) on 18 October, virtually ending the military phase of the American Revolution. In December, Lafayette returned to France.
LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER, Marquis de . Letter signed ("Lafayette"), in the hand of JAMES MCHENRY (later Washington's Secretary of War), to Col. William Davie, Commissary General for the North Carolina Board of War, "Camp, Ruffins Ferry" [on the James River, Virginia], 30 August 1781. 2 pages, folio, 326 x 210 mm. (12 3/4 x 8 1/4), slight fold tears at top edges, recipient's docket on page 2; brown morocco protective chemise lined with watered silk, red quarter morocco gilt folding box. SETTING THE TRAP FOR CORNWALLIS: LAFAYETTE REVEALS WASHINGTON'S SECRET STRATEGY A rare war-date letter of General Lafayette, written at a crucial time during the Virginia campaigns while plans were under way to trap Cornwallis. Lafayette writes to requisition military ordnance from North Carolina and alludes excitedly to Washington's daring strategy, which had only recently been communicated to the American commanders: "You will find in the letter which the Executive will lay before you a piece of confidential intelligence [the news that Washington and Rochambeau had begun their march south in hopes of trapping Cornwallis and his army on the Yorktown peninsula]. It is of a most important nature and you will use it accordingly. You can now see, my dear Sir, the full extent, of the necessity of our most instant and active proceedings: Why we should hurry forward our arms, and ammunition: Why collect our cannons and mortars, and augment by all possible means and endeavours, our magazines of provisions, especially on the James River. I will not ask for what I know you will give, your personal and public exertions. "We may expect the armament daily. In the meantime, to bring together a large force in militia, on the South side of the James River, is of the last consequence, either, to be in readiness to be employed in the operation; or what is no less essential, to assist in preventing his Lordships [Lord Cornwallis's] march to Carolina. The other militia are not less necessary....." Cornwallis had tried repeatedly to destroy Lafayette (whom he referred to derisively as "the boy") and his relatively small army in the Virginia area, and Washington feared the British force would move south into the Carolinas, escaping the trap. By August 22, though, Cornwallis had unwisely concentrated his forces at Yorktown and Gloucester, on the York River. About a week earlier, Washington had received confirmation that the long-awaited French fleet under De Grasse was sailing to the Chesapeake area and could be used to protect an American force sent against Cornwallis. On August 20, his strategy fully planned, Washington's armies began their precipitous overland march, reaching Philadelphia by September 2 and assembling in the Yorktown area by the 26th. One week later the French and Americans commenced the siege which resulted in the surrender of Cornwallis and his army (estimated at one-fourth of the British military strength in America) on 18 October, virtually ending the military phase of the American Revolution. In December, Lafayette returned to France.
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
Testen Sie LotSearch und seine Premium-Features 7 Tage - ohne Kosten!
Lassen Sie sich automatisch über neue Objekte in kommenden Auktionen benachrichtigen.
Suchauftrag anlegen
