Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month August 1781
By Compatriot Andrew Andy Stough
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR and was slightly edited by the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the CSSAR
CAROLINAS - Due to the summer rains and swollen rivers it was impossible for either main army to conduct maneuvers and both had gone into a stand down to "Rest and Recuperate" (R&R). Even if there had not been summer floods, the main armies would have had to cease operations as both the British/Tory and the American Regular Army under General Nathanael Greene were so exhausted and debilitated by malnutrition, disease and unhealed wounds that they could no longer function. The guerilla forces of Generals Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, and Francis Marion were still active patrolling river crossings to spot any movement by the British. General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, Captain Robert Kirkwood and to an extent Colonel William Washington’s cavalry were also scouting and guarding against any moves of the enemy. Yet, there comes a time when even the strongest must stop and rest and on August 5th, Kirkwood and Washington joined the army in the high hills for rest and recuperation while the guerilla forces remained watchful as they retired into their usual haunts safe from British interference.
As August came in the rains slowed. Some river crossings became fordable, prompting British Lt. Colonel James Stuart to move toward Greene’s encampment. Just sixteen miles away from Greene he was stopped by two still flooded rivers. On August 22nd Greene with a refreshed and augmented force broke camp and by a roundabout way went to meet Stuart. In September the two forces will meet.
WASHINGTON - George Washington’s relationship with General Rochambeau was, according to one source, expressed as an experienced French General keeping an inexperienced and overly aggressive Washington from wasting resources in an attempt to capture New York City. On the other hand Washington found him deprecating and haughty. Rochambeau claimed to be in America to assist Washington in a subordinate and supportive position. Actually he was independent and interested only in what he felt would benefit the French King. He was extraordinarily polite to Washington in their meetings and correspondence but that was only to conceal his insincerity in dealing with Washington. On the other hand, Lancaster states that it was Rochambeau who was poorly treated.
Several times when the British fleet was incapable of combat, Washington had asked that the French fleet give assistance to the army or engage an inferior British fleet. Usually, this was politely handled but nothing was done, When action was taken it was too late or in an ineffective manner.
A private letter written by Washington, critical of the French for what he saw as their reluctance to cooperate, was intercepted in transit by Clinton and made public to the embarrassment of both Washington and Rochambeau. The French general suggested that the letter may have been a forgery and claimed that he was in America only as an assistant to Washington, having been instructed by his King to assist Washington at all times and in a subordinate position. Washington accepted the responsibility of having written the letter and made an apology explaining that the letter had been private and not intended for public eyes. Rochambeau cast aside any criticism of Washington, maintaining that he felt no affront and that he would continue to assist the American forces any way that was required of him, in this manner smoothing over Washington’s gaffe. Maintaining, at least on the face of things, a show of American-French amity.
The war had gone on so long and the northern states had been without the stimulus of British occupation and foraging for so long that they had become apathetic toward any military service or other support of the war. If the British could not be dislodged from the coastal cities it was highly probable that at a peace conference these the principal cities of the new nation might become British enclaves. Washington needed a victory in the north to remind citizens that there was still a war on and that the liberties enjoyed in the past few years could be swept away if there was not support for the war in the north. Victories could be a wake up call to fight on until the final victory.
It was the first week in July before Rochambeau joined Washington with a portion of his force. Several expeditions against the forts surrounding New York were planned and engaged in, with little or no effect on either side. We see again Patriot General Benjamin Lincoln who had lost not only Charleston but an entire army, appearing again as a leader in the New York actions. On the 21st to 24th of July, Washington, Rochambeau and two other French generals surveyed the chances of success in taking New York. Considering the strength of the forts and the overwhelming strength in manpower and naval support available to British Commander-in-Chief Clinton, the decision was made to continue the blockade of New York, but to look to the South for future moves in combination with the French under Rochambeau and a fleet under Admiral Francois De Grasse coming from the West Indies. The failure to achieve any success in taking New York wasn’t wasted, 4,000 men were left for defense of the Hudson while the movement of the combined armies to the south incorporated what appeared to be a build up for an attack on Staten Island. This maneuver was so successful that it was September 2nd before Clinton learned that the main army was headed south and too far away to warn General Cornwallis to break out of his encampment at Yorktown before he would be besieged by an overwhelming force.
De Grasse was to sail on August 13th from Santo Domingo with more than 3,000 men and their equipment for the Chesapeake. He would remain until October 15th, at which time he would depart with his troops to return to Santo Domingo.
Washington received this news on August 14th as a command and acted immediately to move as many troops as possible toward Virginia to support Lafayette or to attack Charleston, whichever was the most promising. On the 17th Washington replied to de Grasse informing him that he should expect Washington and Rochambeau to meet him in the Chesapeake. On August 21st the combined French-American armies departed for the Chesapeake. Meanwhile Clinton must be prevented from realizing that such a large force was moving south and what their destination was. Once the decision was made and implementation begun every effort was made to keep the plans and destination secret from all officers except the two principals and their most trusted and necessary staff officers.
VIRGINIA – British General Charles Earl Cornwallis was comfortable in Yorktown. He felt secure, depending on Britain’s control of the sea to guarantee him reinforcement and supply as well as fast communication with Commander-in-Chief Sir Henry Clinton. On the landside he believed that Lafayette did not have the forces to dispossess him or to keep him from leaving Yorktown at will.
De Grasse arrived at the Chesapeake on August 30st and on August 31st his fleet lay at anchor in Hampton Roads.
References: Christopher Ward's "The War of the Revolution"; Bruce Lancaster's "The American Revolution"; Dan Higginbotham’s "The War of American Independence";Arthur Meier Schlesinger's "The Almanac of American History"; James Thomas Flexner's "George Washington, The Indispensable Man"; Encyclopedia Britannica; "The Revolutionary Years".
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