The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03265 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1780 |
| Title | Richard Varick to Dirck Romeyn relating recent events in the American Revolution |
| Date | 24 September 1780 |
| Author | Varick, Richard (1753-1831) |
| Recipient | Romeyn, Dirck |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. Says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss Luzerne called it "the most glorious action of the prest Age between such unequal numbers." Also says Gates in his flight "rode 190 or 200 miles in 1 1/2 days." Varick hopes Gates will "have justice exercised upon him." Gates was soon replaced as commander of the Southern forces. Also discusses possible assistance from French navy. The letter was written from "Head Quarters Robinsons House," a mansion located just across the river from West Point. It served as Benedict Arnold's residence while in command of West Point. It had been confiscated from prominent loyalist Beverly Robinson. The day before this letter was written Arnold became aware that he was suspected of treason, and fled the Robinson House. Though aware of all this, and deeply upset by Arnold's actions, Varick makes no mention whatsoever of these events. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Global History and Civics France Continental Army Battle Battle of Camden Bravery Corruption and Scandal Military Law Navy |
| People | Varick, Richard (1753-1831) Romeyn, Dirck (1744-1804) Gates, Horatio (cb. 1727-1806) Lafayette, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834) La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de (1741-1791) Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de (1725-1807) Smallwood, William (1732-1792) Ternay, Charles Louis d'Arsac, Chevalier de (1722-1780) |
| Place written | Garrison, New York |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Richard Varick served as commissary general of musters, aide de camp to Benedict Arnold, and George Washington's private secretary. Later became mayor of New York City. Dirck Romeyn was a prominent pastor on the American side during the revolution, and later helped found Union College is Schenectady, New York. Anne-César chevalier de La Luzerne was the French minister to the American colonies. Just before Benedict Arnold defected he asked Luzerne for a loan, but was rejected. Charles-Henri-Louis d’Arsac de Ternay was a French rear admiral who served as the senior naval officer under Rochambeau during the American Revolution. Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeure Rochambeau commanded the French army that assisted the American forces during the Revolution. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |