The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-28
Two Notable Letters-Inferesftnv Cor
respondence from GeneraI Washing
ton and the Marquis he La Fay cite.
NDu First Published.

Nnu First Published.
fCoresponderre of the Courier-Journal.l
| LEXINGTON. kY.. May W.-Relic of other
duyS now and then turn up. all exciting in
tercSt. and the interest is always proportion
ate TO tho date and Importance Of the sou
yenir. have been permitted 10 make copies
of couple Of letters possessing no small de-
gree OF interest; and deeming them. per-
haps, worthy of publication. l send them to
you. They are letters written by George
Washington and the Marquis De La Fayette
tu Brigadier General Woodtord, OF the Revo-
lutionary forces-the former congr.tu'ating
him upon his promotion 10 a geneiacy, aud
urging bis acceptance of the position. The
original letters are now in the possession OF
Or. Joseph Lane OF Pine Grove. in Clark
county. whose wife is descendant of the
Woodlord family.
The following is the copy OF
GENERAL wAsHINGToS's LETTER
.s. MoRk1sTowN. Sd March. lI77.
Dear s;ir.-By some resolves of Congress
just come to my hands | find. rs hoped aud
expected. your name in tue new appoint
mrnt of Erigadiers, but perceive at the same
time that yuu were named after Muhlei-
burg and Weldcu- the reason assigned for
this, you h.ring resigned your former rank
in the service ni the Continent.
You NAV we'll rcCollcrt. my dear sir. that
strongly advised you against that resigua
ton. | now as strongly recommend your
acceptance of the present appointment. YOU
may feel somewhat hurt in having two
officers placed before YOU Though perhaps
never to command you) who once were in
tcrlur to you in point of rank; but remem-
Der that this is Il consequence of your own
act. and consider what Il stake we are con-
tending for. Trtling particulars should have
no Influence upon 1; mau'S conduct in such
Il cause and ut such Il time Is this. Ii
smaller matters do not Yield to greater-il
trifleS iight as air in comparison TO what we
arc contendiu. for can withdraw or with
hold gentlemen from service when our all
j., at take and Il single cast of the die may
turn the tables. what are we tn cXpcct? II
| i not u corulilun contest we are engaged in.
Anything valuable to us depends upon
speedy and vigorous eXertion. consider
twice, therefore, before you refuse. In case
| Of acceptance. which I wish and expect |
have to desire that you will repair immedi-
| ately to headquarters. is general officers are
| exceedingly wanting to assist in the ar
|
let me hear from you Is speedily aS possible.
| With great sincerity and truth.
| ! nm. dear sir. your most obt Scrvt.
&. WAsHINGroH.
| Rrigadier-Genpral ltOOdJord. .-.t
| In Caroline county, Va. ..
GENERAL LA FAYErTLS LITTER.
| The letter from La Fdyettc is as follows
| You will perceive it wa> written mouth
later than the one just given: ...
CAMP NEAR VALLEY FoRGF,l
| April l3. III. !
| Dear Sir.-Mv answer to your fricndl,
favor will 30 very far to join you, and (as
we have been much separated hy clrrIim
stances since | have had the pleasure TO set
YOU. My northern expedition is thrown
down. and indeed don't understand how
men OF note. coming from the spot. colll'
think that enterprise OF any possibility will
such means Il, We had collected there; or, t.
speak better, with no means at all. no"
lind myself in the camp, and very INPATIENT,
II expect the opening OF the campaign.
hope, nv dear sir, that you wi! write MI
from time To time. and ] will he extremely
happy To hear that ,:Our health Is III Il brlfc
.tltc. III feel The greater pleasure II t,lA
health uf yours permit you To JON IL, AMI l.
enjoy very heartily the advantage oil seem:
won >tr,,ng and healthy in our camp. hops
Won viii hurry as much as you can the coming
of our BOYS; it is most time for them to b'
usotllly employed. and it would DO mtIcl
better even II they persisted with Toot
clothes. You know rObberics VIII be com
United before those clothes kept hy TIT
States can get 10 camp. j wished at icas
for the article of shirts, as 1t Is the most in
uortaut point for the health of the soldiers
particularly in summer time. win erca
PLEASURE | hear YOUR affair is settled rs yol
had desired it to be. Many good regulation
are promised by Congress, but uOth'ng don'
vet. ! wished the amy could beupon suci
a footing as to give due dignity to the noble
condition Of a soldier wished, at least, il
would be more honorable and advantagrou
than il is for our officers to get aContlIHnta
commission. #.a
| Conferences about exchanges are attended,
with ~ many difficulties and aims oT derrp
tion on tie British side that it will be lInpos
.iblc 60 agree in anything. 1tcy wan
nothing Eut to bring us to some ruinoiis ol
shameful purpose. and | believe we bavt
nothing to do with that people but WITH
arms i'm our bands. III make myself plea
| sure to let YOU know any interesting event
in this quarter; aud with the most sincere
affection aud highest regard, l lave. t'it
honor To be, dear sir. yolIr most obed'rh'
servant The VI. DE- la FAYErrE.
Bri-atiirr.Grnrral FoOdtrrd.
| AT Spotsvlyania county, Va.
! General Woodiord, who was gallant oil
ccr, suffered the fate Of many other bFt',
soldiers of the Revolution, was taken PR
>onrr, and died in prison from sickness anc
starvation.
"TRuTu STRANGER THAN FICTION -