When you arrive at Springfield you will put yourself under the order of Major Gen. Lincoln, or any other your superior officers commanding at that place. You will also, if occasion should require it, alter the above route agreeably to orders from either Major General Lincoln or the quarter-master-general.

You will be particularly careful to collect all your men that are in proper condition to march, and will use your best endeavors to prevent desertion.

Given at King's Bridge this 25th day of August, 1781.

Geo. "Washington.

At the battle of Yorktown, in Virginia, CoL Van Cortlandt appears to have served on picket guard : for his conduct on this occasion he was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General. To his care the commanderin-chief entrusted 700 British and Hessian prisoners of war, which he conducted in safety to Fredericksburg. During the spring of 1782 his camp on the Flat Fields was visited by General and Lady Washington."

Upon the suspension of hostilities Gen. Van Cortlandt retired to the Manor House at Croton ; he was afterwards chosen one of the commissioners of forfeitures, and represented for sixteen years this district in Congress, declining re-election in 181 1. Gen. Van Cortlandt accompanied the Marquis de La Fayette in his tour of the United States in 1824. The general died at his house on the Croton November 21st, 1 83 1, and with him expired the entail. By his will he bequeathed to his brother, Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, 600 acres ; to his three sisters, Anne Van Rensselaer, Cornelia Beekman, and Catharine Van Wyck, 200 acres each ; and his western lands to his nephew, the late Philip G. Van Wyck of Sing Sing. The latter gentleman afterwards inherited his mother's portion consisting of 200 acres on north lot No. 1, south of the Croton, together with 112 acres north of that river.