Washington's Engineer
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The other request appears to me to involve difficulties that will deprive me of the pleasure which, from a sense of your merit I should feel on every possible occasion of promoting your views. In the present instance the infringement of the rights of seniority in so many individuals, and the pretentions of some who have particular claims upon their country, convince me that your desires could not be accomplished but at the expence of the tranquility of the Army—I cannot forebear adding at the same time that it will always afford me the greatest pleasure at all times, to give the most particular testimony of the real talents and distinguished services of yourself and Colonel Gouvion and entreat you to be persuaded my earnest wish that you may receive those rewards from Congress which you desire, at a more convenient opportunity.
Cols. Laumoy and de Cambray will probably be released in a short time under a general exchange.55
Duportail was insistent, at least under the then present circumstances, when he had definitely made up his mind that the rank in question was due himself and Gouvion and that Congress would be persuaded to grant the request if presented tactfully. He recognized at the same time the commander in chief’s delicate situation, and he saw that the request should not come from that quarter. Duportail’s real reason for the first letter to the commander in chief was to have some tangible proof in writing of his willingness that the requested grade should be granted. Washington’s reply gave him all that was needed in this respect.
He addressed the commander in chief again on October 27,
When i am going to France it is so important for me to have here the rank of major general that i cannot easily give up the idea of getting it. it appears to be a plan of the french ministry to give to the officers who have served in this country a rank inferior to that they had here, accordingly being only a brigadier general they may very well leave me a lt. Colonel as i am now in the french army. i have many other reasons for believing that i shall not acquire any superior grade in france if i arrive there only brigadier general, yet it would be very hard for me to have lost five years, and it is for that reason that i take the liberty to write again to your Excellency about that matter. I beg leave to do as all my Countrymen have done till now, it is to try what i can myself with Congress, and i ask your Excellency to treat me as you did them not to oppose to what Congress should be disposed to do. When i do so, i do not intend to present a formal petition . . . because in case of no success i should be mortified to see their refusal inserted in the acts of Congress; but i may suggest to them what I desire. it is not improbable that the time of my services, the circumstances of my going to france, . . . the [case] of officers they asked officially to the french court . . . may dispose them to grant me and colonel gouvion what we desire. if so, then i shall see the effect of it in the army; if they do not appear dissatisfied then we shall come back; but if they appear dissatisfied we will stay in france. it will be certainly with great concern that i shall leave so an affair to which i am exceedingly attached and which i look upon as near the conclusion. but i could not bear to be disagreeable to the American army. so all what I beg of your Excellency is not to interfere in this affair. . . . if Congress requires your opinion about our demand, may not your Excellency be so good as to say something like this: that this promotion being not in the ordinary course, you have nothing to do with it, but you do not pretend to set any limits to the favours of Congress, and it should be easy for you not to compromise yourself.56
Duportail decided to write the French minister and suggest that he make the suitable intimation to some member of Congress. The letter, in French, was written near the end of October.57 He sent the minister a plan of the attack on Yorktown and explained his intention to have kept the minister frequently informed of the progress of the siege, but the engrossing nature of his work and, later, his illness prevented him from doing so. He then explained to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, much as he had done to Washington, the importance for both himself and Gouvion to have the advanced ranks before returning to France. He stated that he relied upon the minister’s kindness, of which he has had so many proofs, to say the necessary word that could not well come from himself. He planned to leave for Philadelphia in two days but would travel slowly because of his illness, and he hoped that the matter would be well underway or completed before he reached his destination. He planned to remain in Philadelphia for five or six days.
PROMOTIONS
While General Duportail felt hesitant to ask Congress for a raise in rank for himself, he had no qualms making requests for the members of his corps. He was assiduous in seeking to have all the officers of engineers receive full credit for their efforts, whether they took part in the siege of York (Yorktown) or were equally faithful to duty in less conspicuous roles. He sent the following letter to the commander in chief about the same time as he wrote the minister:
After the superb operation we have just terminated, i think it my duty in quality of Commandt. of the corps of the engineers to draw your Excellency’s attention to the officers of the corps who have had the good fortune to be employed in it and who, having served well, appear to me, at least according to the usages established in the European service, to have an indisputable right to the favors of Congress and an immediate advancement.
the first is lieut. colonel Gouvion; i cannot say enough of the bravery activity and intelligence which that officer has exhibited. all the most interesting parts of the seige having fallen to his share. he was superior engineer at the opening of the trenches, at the tracing of the second parallels, at the logement in the two redoubts that were carried etc. I think then that great marks of satisfaction can scarcely be denied this officer in the present circumstances. i regret that too great number of seniors in his line renders it impossible to sollicit for him the grade of brigadier but would it not be practical to give him that of Colonel. i know that the intention of Congress is to appoint no more of this grade. but perhaps they might make an exception in their general rule in favour of M. de Gouvion to whom it would be very important to have this grade for his advancement in france, if this however should be impossible I thinck it is just to indemnify him by the most brilliant certificate.
i ask the grade of major for m. de Rochefontaine, who has served very well during the seige. this officer has in his line a sufficient seniority as captain and besides a circumstance so brilliant and by its nature so advantageous . . . ought to be a compensation in some degree to it.58
Washington forwarded the letter to Congress and wrote to the president at the same time, enclosing the following certificate:
General Duportail, Commandant of the Corps of engineers, having specified his desire of obtaining leave to go to France for the arrangement of 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 of War reported on November 20,
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.
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PEACE