Washington's Engineer Norman Desmarais (best e book reader .TXT) 📖

suspend the Chain three feet below the surface of the Water—because as the greatest number of the Shot, bound when they strike the water—there would be so many ineffectual in respect to it—besides, the matter would be very easily executed—by placing the floats above instead of below the Chain—and having another Chain made fast at each end to the great one, and carried above the floats—by these means the great Chain may be supported at the depth which is just suitable—if a Shot should carry away the Chain, by which the great one is made fast to the floats—the whole mischief that would result, would be that place would douse a few feet more.

There are so many accidents by which an iron Chain may be broken, that it would be prudent to have a stout cable in reserve, to supply its place, in part for a time.

Every thing which I have explained being finished—1800 men will render us completely masters of the River; and put us out of reach of the enemy’s enterprises—at least, the resistence that may be made will allow ample time for the arrival of succours, however remote the Army may be.

The following is the distribution of these Troops as nearly as can be judged—

In Fort [Arnold]

700

Willis Redout

200

Fort Putnam

400

Small work above Fort Putnam

100

For the works on the Island or Peninsula on the left-hand shore

400

1800

At the present moment, if we except the batteries against Ships—the works are not in a state of defence—but a little time would be sufficient for completing fort Putnam; which is the most important—the Redouts on the Island on the left hand shore—are likewise objects of the first attention.

His Excellency had ordered me to give him an account of the expenses arising from all these works to the present time—it is not in my power to present anything on this subject, not having seen Col. Kosciusko, who alone is possessed of these facts—I am going to write to him for this purpose.

I was likewise at New Windsor—The River appears to me very wide in this part for a defense of Chevaux de Frise besides the Chevaux de frise themselves appear to me to be very weak—I can with difficulty persuade myself that a Ship would be much embarrassed by them—and indeed until West Point is completed—I do not think we should occupy ourselves about New Windsor—I shall therefore forbear adding any thing farther relative to it.17

Chevaux-de-frise supplemented the great chain. They consisted of large coffers made of pine logs lined with planking. Long, heavy poles with iron-tipped spikes projected out of the coffers at a 45° angle. The coffers were floated to strategic positions in the river, filled with rocks, and sunk. The spiked logs, hidden two or three feet below the water’s surface at low tide, punctured or damaged the hulls of ships striking them. This type of chevaux-de-frise was also used in the Delaware River to protect Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the author.

Washington replied on September 19, 1778,

Fort Clinton West Point 19th September 1778

Sir I have perused the memorial which you delivered relative to the defence of the North River at this place—and upon a view of them highly approve what you have offered upon the subject—Col. Kosciusko who was charged by Congress with the direction of the forts and batteries—has already made such a progress in the constructions of them as wd. render any alteration in the general plan a work of too much time—the favorable testimony which you have given of Col. Kosciousko’s abilities prevents uneasiness on this head—but whatever amendments subordinate to the general disposition that occur as proper to be made, you will be pleased to point out to Col. Kosciusko that they may be carried into execution.

The works proposed on the peninsula not being subject to the above mentioned inconvenience, you will desire Col. Kosciousko to show you his plan for approbation before he proceeds to the construction—or have them traced in the first instance conformably to your own ideas.18

After returning from the Highlands in September, General Duportail explained to the commander in chief that unless very strongly urged by Congress, he and his companions would return at the expiration of the present campaign, as their leave of absence would expire the first of February, and that if Duportail did not receive a “certain prospect of his being employed in a manner useful to the States and honorable to himself,”19 then he would return to France. Duportail was also anxious that Congress take action with respect to his and his companions’ pay and appointments. Washington wrote Congress,

Headquarters, Fredericksburgh Novemr. 16, 1778

Sir,

By the time this reaches you General Du Portail will probably be at Philadelphia. One part of his business is to prosecute the directions given him, sometime since, for forming a defence of the River Delaware, to be submitted to Congress, what may be their views and wishes with respect to his further continuance in America and that of the three other gentlemen attached to him. He informs me that the furlough, he obtained from the Court of France expires in February next, and that unless there is a certain prospect of his being employed hereafter, in a manner useful to the States and honorable to himself, he intends immediately to return.—He therefore wishes some explicit ideas to be realized on the subject. He is also anxious that something definite should be done, with respect to the pay and other appointments both of himself and of the other gentlemen with him; which have been hitherto undecided and have left them in an uncertain and disagreeable situation; added to this he is desirous to have some arrangement fixed for the rules and manner of service in his department.

He delivered me some days since a memorial intended for Congress and which I have now the honor to inclose, containing his ideas on a general system of fortification for these States and which he requests me to accompany with my