The Campaign of 1781 - Lafayette's Maneuvers

In the campaign of 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette marched through the Wilderness to rendezvous with Brig. Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne. On 3 June 1781, Lafayette's army camped south of the Wilderness Bridge across Wilderness Run from Ellwood. The next day, Lafayette reconnoitered Ely’s Ford while the army crossed Germanna Ford to reach Culpeper Church. Afterward Lafayette marching south, recrossed the Rapidan River. During his Grand American Tour, Lafayette retraced his campaign and visited the Wilderness twice. In November 1824, Lafayette attended a reception at the Wilderness Tavern, and in August 1825 he breakfasted at Ellwood. NOTE ON EVIDENCE: A letter from Lafayette to Anthony Wayne dated 4 June 1781 was written from Ely’s Ford. A letter from aide-de-camp William Constable to Thomas Drew dated 4 June says: “We will cross at Ely’s Ford today to join Wayne.” Three pension applications (from 1832, 1833, and 1846) indicate that the army crossed at Ely's Ford. Meanwhile, a map titled "Campagne en Virginie du Major Général M'is de LaFayette," produced by a French officer shortly after the war, indicates that the army crossed at Germanna Ford, as does one pension application from 1833.