Washington's Engineer

by Norman Desmarais

  The memorial is developed under the headings “Fleets,” “Land Troops,” “Siege of Charlestown,” “Siege of New York,” “Finance,” “Clothing,” and “Military Equipment.” He begins with general principles, then treats each division of the subject from personal knowledge of the American situation. Thus, regarding the fleet, he says in the beginning, “The necessity of constantly having a superior fleet to that of the English is so generally recognized as to need no comment.”2 He goes into great detail, showing ways and means by which successful sieges of the two most important points in the possession of the British, Charlestown and New York, can be effected. He then describes the depressed condition of the country, the depreciated currency, and the lack of clothing and supplies: “It is undoubtedly unfortunate that France must bother herself with such questions, but it is necessary that she do so.” He concludes forcefully,

  [I]n recapitulating all that I ask of France for America, it may seem exhorbitant—but is it not true that it is only so because we have accustomed ourselves from the beginning to think that the Americans could carry on the war with only slight help from us and so drive out the English? Moreover it is not a question of whether or not America is doing all she can on her side—if it is thought France should not be obliged to make such great efforts we must start from the actual state of things. It is here a question of finishing with honor a thing which is as much ours as the Americans. I do not go far enough; it is more so from certain points of view. The Americans with less shame than we, can yield and return to the domination of the British. They will always be received with open arms. They [the English] are preparing now to receive them as brothers who with good will become reconciled—but for France—who in the face of the Universe has recognized the independence of America—she has irrevocably attached her honor to that independence and its annihilation would be for the nation an affront that could never be effaced.3

  Some of the prisoners were exchanged for British prisoners of equal rank. Others took longer for a variety of reasons. Laumoy and Cambray were in this latter category. The delay in the exchange of these men was not due to neglect either on the part of Congress or of their friends in America. Special efforts were made during the summer of 1781 to exchange all the prisoners and to secure, while waiting, the release on parole of those whose exchange could not be procured immediately. Many prisoners of war taken at Charlestown and elsewhere reached Philadelphia in July 1781. Congress recognized their pitiable condition and passed several resolutions regarding them:

  [C]onsiderable numbers lately relieved from loathsome confinement of prisonships and dungeons . . . are arrived in this city . . . having been subjected to every evil which their faithful adherence to our righteous cause could prompt a vindictive and disappointed enemy to inflict upon them. . . . Resolved that, for the purpose of administering a suitable relief . . . a recommendation [be made] to promote a loan of money . . . of which Congress will guaranty the repayment. . . . Your committee further recommends . . . the encouragement of benevolent contributions by way of free gifts.4

  LAUMOY AND CAMBRAY

  General Duportail heard of the arrival of the members of his corps from the prison camps of the South. On his way to meet Grasse in the Chesapeake in late August 1781, he took occasion, in his busy passage through Philadelphia, to confer with the Chevalier de La Luzerne, the French minister, regarding measures to be taken for the release of the prisoners. It was decided to make a special appeal to the commander in chief. The Chevalier de La Luzerne wrote a note to Washington and forwarded three letters given to him by General Duportail, Laumoy, and Cambray. The French minister wrote,

  Philadelphia, 24 August 1781,

  Monsieur

  I have the honor of sending you three letters which have been given me by Genl Duportail, Mrs. de Laumoy and de Cambray. These officers desire infinitely to be exchanged and they have hardly any other hope than the goodness of your Excellency. I implore your Excellency to consider that their services in the Southern States might be useful in the present circumstances; their knowledge of the country which they have acquired during the three last campaigns gives them some right to expect to be preferred. At least this is what the South Carolina delegation expressed, who seemed disposed to for their exchange if it met with the approval of your Excellency.

  LA LUZERNE

  Duportail wrote,

  philadelphia 22 august 1781

  Dear general

  i have seen just now a resolve of Congress about the exchange of prisoners by which the matter is referred to your Excellency. in this circumstance i take the liberty to recall to your mind Colonel Laumoy and Lt. Col. Cambray. as my countrymen, my friends, i wish extremely to see them at liberty, but in this moment i may add that the public advantage is joined to their private and my own satisfaction. the acquaintance they have with the southern states may render them very useful. i shall have, dear general, the greatest gratitude of what your Excellency will be pleased to do for them in this opportunity and i shall consider it as a great favor for myself.

  there are besides in my department Captaine schreiber and Captaine l’enfant who are also prisoners. but if the exchange is a general one they shall probably be exchanged of course. nothinstanding i recommend them to your excellency’s goodness.

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

  DuPORTAIL.5

  Colonel Laumoy wrote,

  philadelphia august the ( ? ) 1781

  Sir.

  I have the honor to forward to your Excellency a letter from Genl. Du Portail by which he shows his Desire of my being exchanged. Your Excellency can easily imagine how extremely anxious I am to be in activity; how painful it is to me to be a prisoner, when I could show, at least by my good will, my strong attachment at the Cause of America.

  The particular situation I am in gives me the greatest uneasiness; the British having none or a very few Colonels, we, of that rank, have no Hopes but either in an exchange settled by Tariff or in a partial one. As to the first, your Excellency knows what terms of an exchange are more advantageous to the United States and will certainly regulate his conduct upon that consideration alone. Happy those that so wise a plan will favor. But if I could not be one of that Number I should ardently wish and beg that your Excellency would, if practicable, propose a partial one for me, or recommend it to Congress. It would be presuming too much of my own talents to think them equal to so great a favor; but your Excellency may be sure that, what little I have, will be exerted to the utmost of my power to promote the good of the Country and convince your Excellency that I was not unworthy of his kindness. And my gratitude for it will be equally Boundless.

  I am with the greatest Respect

  Your Excellency’s etc.

  LAUMOY, Col. of Engres.

  Although I was taken to the southern I hope that will not be an impediment to my being exchanged here.6

  Lieutenant Colonel Cambray appealed,

  Philad. 23 August 1781

  Sir

  Having heard of a resolution of the Hon. Congress for exchanging the officers of the Convention [of Saratoga], I take this opportunity to recommend myself to your Excellency, being extremely anxious to go into the field and to show my good will in being useful.

  I would even [?] the invasion of Gl. Prevost in the southern department—the different events of which [I was in] that part of the continent gave me an opportunity of acquiring some knowledge of the southern states, which induces me to believe my services may be of some utility.

  As I apprehend that the delays of a negotiation and the length of the journey, should make me take the southern army too late, I beg your Excellency be so good as to have my certificate of exchange sent to me without delay, with an order for being furnished with horses that I may repair to the army with the utmost speediness.

  I am your Excellency’s etc.

  CAMBRAY, Lt. Col. Eng. taken prisoner at Charlestown.7

  Washington wrote to
the president of Congress on September 1, reporting that General Duportail had “very earnestly solicited the exchange of Colos. Laumois and Cambray,” but Washington could not give those men preference to others of the same rank who had been longer in captivity without deviating from an order of Congress and an established rule of exchange, so he asked Congress for advice on the matter.8

  Although Washington was hurrying southward to join in the Yorktown campaign, he wrote to Abraham Skinner, the commissary general of prisoners, who replied,

  Elizabethtown, Sept. 3rd 1781

  Sir

  In obedience to your Excellency’s commands I have obtained the release of all our Privates in the hands of the Enemy. I am this day to confer with the British Commissary on the subject of your letter of the 28th ulto. relative to the exchange of General Burgoyne for our officers, and shall immediately report to you my proceedings on my return from Staten Island, the place appointed for our meeting. I am, with the highest respect your Excellency’s etc.

  Abm. SKINNER, Commisy. Genl of Pris.9

  The privates were all exchanged, but it was not easy to satisfy both sides regarding the officers. The Board of War received and considered General Washington’s letter on September 24, 1781, addressing the exchange of Colonel Laumoy and Lieutenant Colonel Cambray. They observed that

  the same obstacles which have occurred to the Commander-in-Chief create difficulties with us of so important a nature that unless we were pointedly ascertained that the services of these gentlemen are so absolutely necessary for the operations of the war, that they could not be dispensed with, we could not undertake to recommend a measure which deranges the system of exchanges and causes infinite jealousies in the minds of the officers who conceive themselves retained in captivity by any preferences. On this consideration we beg leave to return the letter of Colonel Pinckney as connected with this subject, leaving Congress to judge of the reasons he has mentioned, which will at least serve to show the grounds we have to believe much uneasiness will be created by the exchange of Colonel Laumoy and Lieutenant Colonel Cambray would derange the system of exchanges and cause infinite jealousies. . . . Preferences have been given heretofore to foreign officers on principles of policy and if Congress should be of opinion that such principles should prevail on this occasion, they will be pleased to direct General Duportail’s request in favor of these gentlemen to be complied with. We cannot but add in favor of these Gentlemen, that we are convinced of their abilities, and join with General Duportail in opinion that their abilities, with the local experience they have added to their professional knowledge cannot be more usefully employed than in a Southern enterprise.10

  The impatience of these officers to find themselves free to take part in the siege of Yorktown, then underway, had to be controlled. There were long, dreary months of inaction still before them. Finding himself unable to be of any service to the American cause, Lieutenant Colonel Cambray petitioned Congress early in October for leave to go to France on a short furlough in order to arrange his affairs that had been seriously compromised by his captivity and the fact that he had not received any pay from Congress. He also asked that his account be settled. The following resolution was submitted on October 26, 1781: “Lt. Col. Cambray desires to go to Europe on account of his destitute situation in regard to money, and as he is a very deserving officer—that his accounts be settled by the comptroller.”11

  JACOB SCHREIBER

  Captain Schreiber also petitioned for permission to return to Europe awaiting exchange but on condition that Congress would settle his account “in specie” because American paper had no value in Europe. He said, “[T]he same principle that made me enter the service still pushes me through all the hardships and dangers of its continuance, and nothing but the mere impossibility of continuing it would make me leave it.”12

  Captain Schreiber’s petition was submitted on August 6, 1781. The Board of War reported on his case on November 12:

  [F]rom General Lincoln’s warrant it will appear that Mr. Schreiber resigned his commission of a Lieutenant of artillery in order to undertake the duties of an engineer with the rank of Captain. It appears to the Board to be but just that Mr. S. should receive the pay, having done the duty of an engineer, and therefore we give him a warrant for six months pay as a prisoner captivated at Charlestown.13

  The report then goes on to say that because he desires it, there is no reason preventing him from going to Europe, especially as his services are not really necessary to the corps; therefore, it was ordered that the comptroller cause accounts forthwith to be settled.

  Captain Schreiber had not expected such a result from his petition. He had not wished to resign from the corps. It seems also that General Duportail, to whom he appealed for advice and who was then preparing to sail for Europe, regretted very much the action of Congress. Duportail, therefore, wrote a letter, in which he said, “[H]aving had in Charlestown the opportunity of knowing the zeal and intelligence of Capt. Schreiber I think it my duty to inform Congress that I should be very sorry to loose this officer. . . . it would be very advantageous if Congress would give him the assistance he asks at this moment and keep him in the service of the United States.”14

  Captain Schreiber sent Duportail’s letter with an appeal from the recent decision of Congress. The matter was taken up November 23, 1781, and a resolution proposed that the request be granted and that he be allowed to retain his “rank and appointments.”15 It was “negatived,” however, by Congress. Captain Schreiber’s position remained that of a prisoner with no further opportunity of serving in the army of the United States. He seems not to have been exchanged until near the end of the war, in 1782.

  The accounts of Cambray were likewise ordered settled by the comptroller, as he is comprehended in the resolve of Congress prescribing the “mode of settling accounts of officers not belonging to any state. . . . He is entitled to three months pay as an officer captivated at Charlestown and this will put him on a footing with other officers captivated there so far as present exigencies will permit. It is sad to contemplate the hard lot of these prisoners, especially of the foreign officers, so far removed from any help from home.”16

  The names of Laumoy, Cambray, and Schreiber, with those of fourteen American officers, were attached to a petition addressed to the president of Congress, dated March 6, 1782:

  [A]fter our arrival here from Carolina in July last, Congress ordered . . . that we should be supplied with wood until further orders—The end of December [it was] ordered that no wood should be given us but at the end of every month money to pay for some. End of January given only half allowance—end of February both wood and money refused. Now we are told the Sec. of Finance refuses both. This is “punishing us for our misfortunes,” and as the resolutions of July and August have not been repealed, and as such unjust regulations cannot be approved by Congress, we have presumed Sir, through you to state the matter.

  The records of Congress show that the petition was read in Congress on March 6 and “ordered to lie,” which means no further notice was taken of the appeal.17

  Finally, in August, through the instrumentality of the Comte de Rochambeau, Colonel Laumoy was exchanged, as documented in the following letter:

  New York August 1st 1782

  Sir,

  Your Excellency’s proposal in your letter of the 17th July last, to make up the ballance of Forty four in the exchange of Colonel de Laumoy for Majors Green and Timpany, out of the remaining convalescent prisoners sent from Gloster to New York in February last, I think reasonable and readily consent to it, and the more freely, as it will finish, to your Excellency’s observation, the exchange of our land officers by the Count de Grasse’s fleet.18

  COLONEL LAUMOY’S EXCHANGE

  Colonel Laumoy received the happy news of his release through the French minister. He immediately wrote to General Washington,

  philadelphia August the 14th 1782 10 o’clock A.M.

  Dear General

  His Exc
ellency the Minister of France has just informed me that the Count de Rochambeau had effected my Exchange, and that he was sending to your Excellency the papers relative to it. I should upon their intelligence only have set off immediately to join your Excellency’s Head Quarters, but as the Count’s aid is going to you in an hour hence and is to be back again in a very few days I’ll wait till his return and for your Excellency’s orders, upon receiving of which I’ll set off without delay. I have to assure your Excellency that my gratitude for the share you had in this is equal to the very Respectful Consideration with which I have the Honor to be

  Your Excellency’s etc.

  LAUMOY.19

  Two weeks later, the commander in chief sent for Colonel Laumoy to join the army at Newburg:

  Head Quarters, Newburg Aug. 28th 1782

  Sir,

  The army is about to take a position in the field; it is my wish you would attend it yourself as Chief Engineer, and take one other officer of that Corps with you—The remainder of the Gentlemen belonging to it, in this Department, you will be pleased to order to West Point, to assist Major Villefranche in superintending and carrying into execution the works now erecting at that Garrison and its dependencies.20

  Lieutenant Colonel Cambray had not the good fortune to be included in the exchange. He wrote to General Washington on August 12, asking whether, because it was out of his power to be serviceable to the army, he could not employ the time in being serviceable to himself. He included in his letter some testimonials in his possession and asked for one from Washington, who replied,