Washington's Engineer by Norman Desmarais

Author:Norman Desmarais [Desmarais, Norman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus
Published: 2020-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Head Quarters, Peekskill 6th Augt. 1780

Sir,

Col. Kosciusko having permission to join the southern army—Major Villefranche has directions to repair to West Point and take upon him the superintendence of the Works. You will, I am persuaded, find this Gentleman fully acquainted with his Business, and I doubt not but he will give general satisfaction to those with whom he will be immediately concerned in the execution of the Works.

I am etc.

Go. WASHINGTON.

There are many letters, reports, and so on in the handwriting of Major Villefranche in the Washington Papers and from the generals immediately over him that show the painstaking attention to detail that characterizes his work. Finely drawn maps of the region (published by Justin Winsor in his history) also remain, testifying to his skill and knowledge of technique.

When the army moved south at the end of August 1781, Villefranche hoped to be allowed to go also. Instead, he was sent west into the Indian country to rebuild the defenses near Fort Herkimer. When he learned that the officers who took part in the siege of Yorktown were getting promotions in rank, he must also have expected a promotion. General Heath wrote to the commander in chief about him on February 21, 1782,

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