The American Society of Le Souvenir Français Inc.
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
|
|
A dedication ceremony honoring the memory of:
Major Pierre du Rousseau, Chevalier de Fayolle,
French Frigate L’Hermione, Aide de Camp de Lafayette
and
2nd Lt. Augustin Benjamin Lavilmarais
French Frigate L’Hermione, Auxiliary Officer
at Trinity Churchyard
Corner of Spring and Church Streets, Newport, RI
September 10, 2021 at 2:00PM
Under the Auspices of:
National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO)
And the generous support of:
American Friends of Lafayette, Inc.
Federation of French War Veterans
National Washington-Rochambeau
Revolutionary Route Association (W3R-US)
Newport Historical Society
The Kane Wallace Foundation
The Museum of the American Revolution
Trinity Church
The American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc.
PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies
Chuck Schwam
Chief Officer Operating, American Friends of Lafayette
Keynote Speaker
Monsieur Arnaud Mentré
Consul Général de France à Boston
Invocation
Rev. Canon Timothy WATT
Rector, Trinity Church
Remarks
Johnny Carawan,
Trail Administrator
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
Nick Benson
Owner & Creative Director, The John Stevens Shop
Tom Lauer
Chair Emeritus Board of Trustees American Battlefield Trust
Lt. Col. Abad
Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander
Lt.Cmdr.(H) Thierry Chaunu,
President, American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc.
Dedication
Mr. Arnaud Mentré, Consul Général de France in Boston
Mr. Roger Begin, Honorary Consul of France in Providence
French Honor Guard, Federation of French War Veterans, led by Alain Dupuis, president
Fanion du Souvenir Français, by Yves de Ternay, Board Member and Treasurer, American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc.
Marc Somnolet, Association des Cadres de Réserve Français aux Etats-Unis (ACREFEU - Association of French Army Reserve Officers), and President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, New York
Will King, Society of Honor Guard / Tomb of Unknown Soldier
LCL(Ret) USAF, Jari Villanueva, Bugler
New slate markers carved by Nick Benson of Newport’s John Stevens Shop.
The ceremony will begin with National Anthems of France and the United States, and conclude with a 21-gun salute by the Newport Artillery Company and the playing of "Taps" and "Aux Morts"
RECEPTION:
There will be a reception afterwards at the Old Colony House (built circa 1741) at Washington Square, immediately following the ceremony, a five minutes walk through historic Newport.
646-732-1822
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN NEWPORT
During the weekend of September 11-12, 2021, the Newport Historical Society is pleased to announce a special weekend of programming and events featuring The French in 1780 Newport (Lafayette was there from July 24th to August 5th, 1780).
The French in 1780 Newport
September 11-12, 11am-4pm
The Newport Historical Society will host dozens of costumed living historians to portray scenarios that illustrate what life was like during this turning point in history. Programming will take place at three NHS’s properties: the Colony House, located at the top of Washington Square, which will represent a French army hospital just as it was during the French occupation; the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, 17 Broadway, will showcase a local family as they prepare to host a French soldier as well as a ladies’ tea and discussions about French fashions; and the Great Friends Meeting House, 21 Farewell Street, where 18th century residents will highlight how this new occupation impacts their lives. Several living historians will interpret specific figures from the 18th century French army who were in Newport including the Marquis de Lafayette, officers from the Soissonais regiment, and a representative from the Regiment Royal Deux-Ponts.
The First Oval Office Project in Newport, Rhode Island
September 11-12, 11am-4pm
Join staff from Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution for a weekend of living history on the lawn of the Great Friends Meeting House. Meet costumed historical interpreters and explore hand-made replicas of the sleeping and baggage tents that were part of General George Washington's mobile headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Learn more about how the real sleeping and office tent, displayed at the Museum, was used as Washington’s command center during the war and about the guards and "military family" that made Washington's life on campaign possible.
“On the eve of America’s semiquincentennial, these Revolutionary programs share our country’s history while highlighting stories about the origins of the Franco-American alliance,” explains Johnny Carawan, Trail Administrator for WARO. “We are also excited to highlight Newport’s substantial contributions to the American Revolution, while helping the public make personal connections to the Trail,” said Carawan.
More information regarding the "French Festivities" can be found here:
Please see details regarding the French Navy Officers, the Church and other interesting information here:
Note: Driving normally takes 3 ½ hours from Manhattan. Hotels are still available in Newport, R.I. for that weekend, however we recommend to make a booking reservation now.
|
|
Major Pierre du ROUSSEAU, Chevalier de FAYOLLE (1746-1780)
As a liaison officer, he had served several years as a captain in the French army when he left for the United States with Lafayette on the Victoire in 1777. Not receiving a commission from Congress, Fayolle volunteered with Vice Admiral d’Estaing’s squadron in Rhode Island in 1778 before returning to France.
He returned to the United States with Lafayette in 1780 on the Hermione which arrived in Boston on April 28, 1780. He accompanied General Lafayette by land to Morristown, New Jersey, and Philadelphia to inform General George Washington and Congress that a French Expeditionary Force was on the way to aid the Insurgents.
Unfortunately, the chevalier de Fayolle died in an accident on June 8, 1780 in the harbor of Newport, and was interred in Trinity Church cemetery.
No indication exists as to the exact location of his burial site. A grave marker will be placed next to Admiral de Ternay's tombstone.
The Connecticut Journal (New Haven) for 22 June 1780 printed an item dated 10 June at Newport that described Fayolle as a “Major in the French service,” who “died very suddenly last Thursday, as he was going off from the south part of this Island to the frigate Hermione; a Gentleman of a most amiable character, and whose death is greatly lamented by all his acquaintance.”
|
|
2LT Augustin Benjamin LAVILMARAIS (1733-1780)
Also appearing in some registers as Lieutenant de La Villemarais, this Navy Officer served as a lieutenant auxiliary officer on board the French Navy frigate l'Hermione.
He was wounded during a naval battle against the British Navy frigate IRIS (see account of the battle below) while on the ship's forecastle, by a "grapeshot" in the thigh.
He died of his wounds on July 18, 1780 in Newport. He was buried on July 22 in the cemetery of Trinity Church.
No indication exists as to the exact location of his burial site. A grave marker will be placed next to Admiral de Ternay's tombstone.
The two grave markers will be provided by the John Stevens Shop. Founded in 1705, the John Stevens Shop is a stone carving business in Newport, Rhode Island and is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the United States.
|
|
THE FRENCH IN NEWPORT, R.I. |
|
Plan of the stationing of Rochambeau's troops and Ternay's squadron at Newport, R.I. in 1780. The Hermione (red arrow) appears between the French Navy frigates La Surveillante and the Amazone.
"Defense plan of New-Port in Isle Rhode (North America) by the King's squadron under the orders of Admiral Ch. de Ternay, Head of the Naval Armies Squadron, Knight of Saint Jean de Jerusalem as well as the position and camp of the French Army under the orders of Monsieur le Comte de Rochambeau, Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, Lieutenant General of His Majesty's Armies in 1780. ”
By Mullon, lieutenant in the auxiliary French Navy Frigate Hermione.
|
|
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FRENCH FRIGATE L'HERMIONE:
Built in 1779 and designed to be extremely agile and fast due to its then-revolutionary copper sheathing, this French Navy fregate carried the Marquis de Lafayette and his entourage back to America with (then still secret) news for General George Washington that King Louis XVI was sending regiments of the French Army under the command of Rochambeau to come to the aid the Insurgents. The frigate took part in several battles against the British Navy, including the Battle of the Capes which enabled the final victory in Yorktown.
|
|
Courtesy U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Sandberg. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), right, provides a warm welcome to the French tall ship replica the Hermione in the vicinity of the Battle of Virginia Capes off the east coast of the United States. The original Hermione brought French Gen. Marquis de Lafayette to America in 1780 to inform General Washington that a French army was headed for the United States to assist in the war effort.
|
|
On May 4, 1780, the Captain of Hermione, Louis-René Latouche-Tréville, received on board the principal members of the Massachusetts State Council as well as personalities such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock (future first governor of Massachusetts).
Latouche-Tréville proposed to the Council to make the frigate available to fight the privateers or English frigates likely to harass the local maritime trade.
The Hermione sailed from Boston on May 14 for Penobscot Bay in search of two enemy ships, and approached the English positions at Castine. On her return, she stopped at Portsmouth (then the capital of the state of New Hampshire) on May 19 before returning to Boston two days later.
The Hermione set sail again on May 29, 1780, this time south. In the days that followed, she captured two English merchant ships: the English brig Thomas with a cargo of butter, candles and soap on June 2 south of Nantucket, then the salt laden Rewrery on June 6 south of Long Island.
On June 7, 1780, the French frigate fought the British frigate Iris off Long Island and suffered significant damage. During the one-and-a-half-hour fight, the Hermione fired 260 cannon shots, 140 scree shots and 1,280 rifle and blunderbuss shots.
Ten men were killed, and 37 wounded including the commander and his second. Two of the injured died of their wounds in the days that followed, including Lt. Lavilmarais, interred in Newport, R.I.
On July 4, 1780, the Hermione was decked out and Captain Latouche-Tréville ordered 13 cannons to fire a round of 3 shots each to celebrate the 4 years of the Declaration of Independence of the 13 United States of America.
|
|
• To honor and preserve the memory of French soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives for freedom, and who are interred in the United States,
• To promote the appreciation for French culture and heritage in the United States, and the ideals that unite our two nations.
• To strengthen the historic long-standing bonds of friendship since 1778 between the American and French peoples, and to this end: erect or maintain memorials and monuments and encourage historical research, public presentations and publications in the media.
Le Souvenir Français, a national association under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, was born in 1872 in occupied Alsace-Lorraine, and was founded in 1887 in Paris by Professor Xavier Niessen. The association has more than 300,000 members in France and in more than 45 countries.
In the United States, the American Society of Le Souvenir Français (Souvenir Français USA) has been represented since the First World War by a General Delegate, among whom were Dr Jules Pierre, MM. Bruno Kaiser, Colonel Roger Cestac, Christian Bickert, Mathieu Petitjean, and Jean Lachaud. The association is presided since November 2020 by CF(H) Thierry Chaunu, Lt Cdr.(H), French Navy.
The American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation established in 1993 in NY.
|
|
About the American Friends of Lafayette
The American Friends of Lafayette is an organization aware of the ideals of this great French visionary leader, the inspirational quality of his remarkable career, his contributions to our own struggle for liberty, and his ceaseless efforts to forge an eternal bond of friendship between the United States and France.
The goal of The American Friends of Lafayette is to foster and promote this traditional friendship by way of continual research into the history that began with the American War for Independence and includes any documents and discoveries past and present that shed more light on the life of the Marquis.
Members assist in reaching our goals by attending annual meetings, hosting lectures, donating books, erecting statues, attending the annual Yorktown Victory Celebration and related events and much more.
The Gazette is published twice per year. It is a scholarly publication, with lighthearted articles sprinkled in as well. Amazingly enough, the Gazette routinely surpasses 100 pages in size.
About the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Trail
The Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO) originates in Newport and is a 680-mile National Historic Trail administered by the National Park Service, which includes the land and water corridors that follow the routes taken by American and French armies under the commands of General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau to and from the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War. The trail traverses nine states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, plus the District of Columbia. For more information visit: www.nps.gov/waro
About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information,
About Newport Historical Society
Since 1854, the Newport Historical Society has collected and preserved the artifacts, photographs, documents, publications, and genealogical records that relate to the history of Newport County, to make these materials readily available for both research and enjoyment, and to act as a resource center for the education of the public about the history of Newport County, so that knowledge of the past may contribute to a fuller understanding of the present. For more information please visit www.NewportHistory.org
About Trinity Church
Trinity Episcopal Church, built in 1726 by master-builder Richard Munday and based on Georgian designs by Sir Christopher Wren, was the earliest Anglican parish in Rhode Island (1698). The bell tower, built in 1769, stands at 150 feet and leans slightly to the north. Restored in 1986, the interior has the original center aisle, triple-tiered wine glass pulpit. The pipe organ was a gift of Rev’d Dr. George Berkeley in 1733. The church’s first organist, Charles Theodore Pachelbel, assembled its 508 pipes. Individually decorated box pews reflect early owner’s tastes and three English stained-glass windows and two important Tiffany windows date from c.1900. Trinity Church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975.
|
|
Did you know that a portion of every purchase you make on Amazon can benefit American Society of Le Souvenir Francais Inc, at no cost to you?
Simply go to: smile.amazon.com, designate American Society of Le Souvenir Francais Inc. as your beneficiary, and shop away!
|
|
Help us implement several historic commemorative projects celebrating the 243-year-old Franco-American friendship and alliance!
Contact: Thierry Chaunu, Président
132 East 43rd Street #341 The Chrysler Building New York, NY 10017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
