The American Society of Le Souvenir Français Inc.
Monthly Bulletin - Vol. 1. No 7 - August 2021
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PART III OF A SERIES:
ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROCHAMBEAU'S ARMY
FROM NEW YORK to PHILADEPHIA:
240th anniversary, August 1781-2021
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The French "Soissonnais" Regiment Being Reviewed in Philadelphia by General Washington and Congress, 1781
c. 1916 by Artist/Maker Charles MacKubin Lefferts (1873 - 1923) New York Historical Society Museum
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FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, 1781,
THE FRENCH EXPEDITIONARY CORPS, 6,038 STRONG, MARCHED FROM NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND TO YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA
AFTER JOINING THE CONTINENTAL ARMY THE ALLIED FORCES CROSSED NEW JERSEY ENROUTE TO YORKTOWN - AUGUST 1781
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A LONG MARCH TO VICTORY and AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
IN THIS THIRD PART OF A SERIES, WE COMMEMORATE
ENCAMPMENTS #14 TO #27 OF THE FRENCH ARMY
IN NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY, UNTIL THE PARADE
IN FRONT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
PHILADELPHIA, SEPT 3 1781
We wish to acknowledge and express our gratitude for the work done by the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association Inc. (W3R) and the National Park Service (WARO), and in particular Dr. Robert A. Selig who has conducted years of research and has published countless academic papers, as well as Serge Gabriel, member of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français, who gathered many materials on this crucial episode of the Revolutionary War.
Summary of last month bulletin:
Last month we documented the march throughout Connecticut to the monthlong encampment next to the Continental Army in Phillipsburgh, NY. This month we will narrate stories from the 14th to the 27h camp, culminating in the parade in front of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia at the beginning of September, 1781.
We left if off at the ODELL House, situated in Hartsdale, 30 miles North from Manhattan, where Rochambeau had his headquarters and where he and General Washington took the decision to swiftly march to Yorktown, entrap General Cornwallis there with an incoming French Navy fleet under Admiral de Grasse, and leave behind British General Clinton in New York, until it was too late for him to realize what was happening and catch up.
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Lauzun's legion of hussars were very active throughout the entire campaign |
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Marker, Lauzun’s Legion, “colorful characters” White Plains, NY
In the midst of busy White Plains, on Tibbits Park, North Broadway and Main Street, markers indicate the camp of "Lauzun's Legion".
The origin of the "Légion de Lauzun" date back in September 1, 1778 when naval minister Gabriel de Sartine created the French Navy’s Foreign Volunteer Corps composed of eight mixed legions to participate in the war against Great Britain. "Ownership" status had been granted to Armand Louis de Gontaut, duc de Lauzun.
The corps comprised three legions, each consisting of four companies of grenadiers, chasseurs and fusiliers, plus artillery, cavalry and pioneer detachments. The corps was recruited primarily from German, Polish and Irish mercenaries. On March 5, 1780 : The 2ème Légion des Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine changed its name to the 2ème Légion des Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun, or the "Légion de Lauzun". This unit was present in the United States of America from July 1780 to May 1783.
Excerpts from historical marker:
“Lauzun’s Legion also provided colorful characters. Led by Armand-Louis de Gontaut, the duc de Lauzun, the Legion’s soldiers spoke eight different languages, but swore only in Hungarian.”
“...All I recollect of the Duke de Luzerne consists in these particulars…that he was very polite, had a handsome person, wore moustaches, was liberal with money, and resided at a house (below) where John Norton now lives”...
“The Legion’s commanding officer, the duc de Lauzun, chose the John Falconer House as his headquarters to be close to his men encamped on Chatterton Hill. The house was located on “the Village Street”, now North Broadway opposite today’s Main Street.”
A skirmish against the British garrison in today's Bronx
On July 21, 1781, accompanied by Americans under the command of General Lincoln, Lauzun is ordered to take Fort Knyphausen, near Morrisiana-Kingsbridge (now around West 179th and 180th Streets in the Bronx).
This action is described by Lauzun: "I should have to march all night, to attack them before daybreak; he (Washington) added to my regiment one of American dragoons (2nd Continental Dragoons), some companies of light horse, and some battalions of American light infantry. He had dispatched by another road, about 6 miles to our right, General Lincoln, with a corps of 3,000 men, to surprise Fort Kniphausen, from which I was to cut off all support. He was not to show himself until my attack was under way"....
"He amused himself by firing at a little post which had not seen him, and roused the whole of the corps that I was to surprise. It retired into the fort, made a sortie against General Lincoln, who was beaten, and would have been cut off from the rest of the army, had I not come promptly to his rescue. Although my troops were thoroughly worn out, I advanced upon the English; I charged their cavalry, and my infantry exchanged fire with theirs."
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Source: Uniforms of the American War of Independence. A series of 24 collector cards. Illustration by R. J. Marrion. Fellow of The Company of Military Historians of America. Victoria Gallery, London, England. 1992.
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Marker “French Hill”
16th & 38th Camp of the French Army, Yorktown Heights, NY
August 21-22, 1781
at French Hill School, 2051 Baldwin Road, Yorktown Heights NY 10598
This marker was designed by a local teacher, Mr. C. DiPasquale's, and students in his Living History Class.
Excerpts from Historical Marker:
1781: …“On August 21st, 1781, The French forces under Comte de Rochambeau camped at and in the surrounding area of Hunt's Tavern (Route 202 corner of Hallocks Mill Rd) on their way to fight the British at Yorktown, Virginia. They set up headquarters at the tavern and camped in the surrounding area where you are standing now. On August 22nd, they marched from Crompound (Yorktown) to Verplank and then crossed the Hudson River at King's Ferry….
1782: …“The French Army returned to Crompound on September 23rd, and camped until October 21st. The Soissonnais troops camped from French Hill southwest from this spot to the power lines. They would make French Hill and Crompound their longest encampment on their return march in 1782”.
“…Without their help the Continental Army could not have defeated the British and secured the independence of the United States of America. For their aid and help we will always be truly grateful.”
“This sign created by Mr. C. DiPasquale's Living History Class: Joe Cavallo, Brandon Habal, Luke Metzner, Chris Price & Corey Solow. 2007-08. With support provided by: The Yorktown Historical Society, Assemblyman Greg Ball & Yorktown Central School District. Erected 2008 by the Living History Class, Yorktown Historical Society, Yorktown Central School District.”
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Old St Peter’s Church and Old Cemetery is a historic Episcopal church and cemetery in Van Cortlandtville, NY. The church was built in 1766 and served as a military hospital during 1781–1782. The cemetery includes graves of eight French soldiers from Rochambeau's army, who died in the hospital. |
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Grave Marker of 8 French soldiers
Oregon Rd. and Locust Ave.,
Van Cortlandtville, New York 10576
• Inside the cemetery, a grave marker honors the 8 French soldiers:
WE REMEMBER THESE FRENCH SOLDIERS WHO GAVE
THEIR LIVES FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE
IN OUR OLD ST PETER’S BUILDING
YEARS 1781 - 1782
Lieutenant de Mauvis Jean Bonnair
Jean Joseph Paquais Alexis Labrue
Joseph Duguin Georges Mochl
Claude-Pierre Dumageot Philippe Mortagne
• In partnership with the Federation of French War Veterans, we are planning later this Fall a ceremony on site to honor these gallant Officers and Soldiers who died for the cause of freedom. Stay tuned for more details.
The Chevalier De Mauvis, 1st Lieutenant, born in Poitiers, died on
September 26, 1782, at Peekskill (Régiment de Soissonnais)
Jean-Joseph Paquay, born in Guise (Laon), 1757, died Sept. 2, 1781 at Peekskill Hospital. (Régiment de Soissonnais)
Joseph Duguin (1), born in Pluduno (Saint-Brieuc, Brittany), 1778, died Sept. 23, 1782 in Peekskill. (Régiment d'Auxonne, ex Royal-Artillerie)
(1) Or Duguet
Jean Bonnair, born in Northable (Lyon), 1744, S. March 22, 1778, died September 1, 1781, in America (2). (Régiment de Saintonge)
(2) Regimental Controls give the date Oct. 31, 1781, "to Phiskil" (Fishkill or Peekskill?)
Pierre Dumageot, born in Magnicourt (Picardie), 1754, S. 2 Jul.
1776, died Oct. 4, 1782 in Peekskill. (Régiment d'Auxonne, ex Royal-Artillerie)
Alexis Labrue (3), born in Grange-le-Bourg (Comté), 1761, S. 6 Dec.
1779, died Oct. 6, 1782 in Peekskill. (Régiment d'Auxonne, ex Royal-Artillerie)
(3) Or Le Bru.
Georges Mochl, né à Kerweiller-en-Alsace, died 29 sept. 1782, in Peekskill. (Régiment du Royal-Deux-Ponts).
Philippe Mortagne (4), born in Armancourt (or Vernancourt near Joinville?), died in Peekskill (or at Crampton hospital) on 28 or 29 sept. 1782. (Régiment d'Auxonne, ex Royal-Artillerie)
(4) Ou Montagne
Source: Dawson Warrington
Journal de la Société des Américanistes. Tome 28 n°1, 1936. pp. 1-154
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A Marker is along the road outside of the stone wall and reads:
"OLD CEMETERY
Dates to 1752, many
Revolutionary War Patriots
Here include 8 French
Soldiers and John Pallow
A captor of Major Andre"
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Marker “A crucial crossing”
17th Camp of the French Army, Verplanck, NY
August 2-25, 1781
Battlefield Road, Stony Point, NY
• Excerpts from Marker:
“…From August 2-25, 1781, 1,200 American troops under Washington and approximately 4,500 French troops under Rochambeau crossed from Verplanck and landed on the shore below you on their way to Yorktown, Virginia.
Heavy artillery and provisions wagons (including travelling forges, ammunition chests, and officers’ baggage) crossed on the ferry boats and barges the army used during the war years. Oxen and horses pulled these wagon trains south from the ferry landing along roadways and made their way to the Ramapo Pass.
Soldiers walked great distances and often carried heavy loads. When French forces made their return trip to New England following the allied victory at Yorktown, they again crossed at King’s Ferry in mid-September of 1782. The ferry continued to operate through the early 20th century.”
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Plaque in ceramic created by Artist Jean Lareuse.
The inauguration of the plaque took place on May 23, 1998.
The necessary funds were raised by friends of the artist.
Photos courtesy of Caroline Lareuse, Board Member.
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Memorial Plaque, French Army’s 24th campsite
55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
(In front of the Princeton Battle Monument, One Monument Drive)
• The late Senator of the French Living Abroad Professor André Maman and Bertrand Châtel, Président of the Committee Washington/Rochambeau Route of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français, asked renowned French Catalan artist Jean Lareuse to create a marker to commemorate the 24th encampment of the French Army in Princeton (August 31 - September 1st, 1781).
The map is a copy of Berthier’s drawing of the site. Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815) was the cartographer of all of Gen. Rochambeau’s encampments during the American Revolution, and later became Emperor Napoléon's legendary Chief of Staff.
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27th Camp of the French Army, Philadelphia, PA
Parade in front of Congress
September 3-6, 1781
Along the Schuylkill river, Market Street
• The First Brigade of Rochambeau’s infantry leaves its camp at Red Lion Tavern on September 3, 1781, marches into Philadelphia, parades before Congress, and marches to its twenty-seventh camp since departure from their first camp in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 18, 1781, along the Schuykill on either side of Market Street. The Second Brigade of Rochambeau’s infantry leaves its camp in Trenton and crosses the Delaware River to its camp at the Red Lion Inn. It will parade before Congress through Philadelphia the next day.
The streets were crowded with locals, observed Jean-François Louis de Clermont-Crèvecoeur (1752-1824), 1st Lieutenant in the Auxonne artillery regiment, who were "absolutely amazed to see such a fine army"..."The prejudices the English had aroused in them against our country were soon dispelled, for they saw superb men".
The army passed Independence Hall before "the President and the Honorable [sic] Congress of the United States...The President was covered [wore a hat], his Excellency General Washington...[and] the Count de Rochambeau...stood on his left hand, uncovered [not wearing their hats]...The orders of his most Christian Majesty [Louis XVI] are to pay the same honors to the President of Congress as to the Field Marshall of France and a Prince of the Blood, and to Congress the same as to himself".
• On September 5, 1781, the Soissonnais regiment went through its parade maneuvers on the Commons outside the city in the presence of the president of the Continental Congress, the minister from France, and the Comte de Rochambeau, commander of French forces in America.
Marie François Joseph Maxime, Baron Cromot du Bourg (1756–1836), one of Rochambeau's aide-de-camp, described the Soissonnais' colorful coats with rose-colored facings "and their grenadier caps with white-and-rose-colored feathers, which struck with astonishment the beauties of the city".
• Commissaire des Guerres Claude Blanchard wrote about the manoeuvers of September 5th: “During the day, the regiment of Soissonnais had manoeuvred before a crowd of the inhabitants, who seemed to admire the fine appearance of the soldiery and their discipline. The tories could not avoid agreeing to it, but they said that it was a regiment recruited in England. The English had described us to the Americans as pygmies.”
On September 8, 1781, the Pennsylvania Packet told of the onlookers' "gratitude to the brave, noble, and virtuous prince, who so happily governs the French nation"....
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Our next Bulletin in September will cover the news of Admiral De Grasse victory at the "Battle of the Capes" on September 5, 1781 over the British Navy, and his arrival in the Chesapeake, and the ensuing encampments through Maryland and Virgina to Williamsburg and the start of the siege of Cornwallis in Yorktown. |
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Washington (right) and Rochambeau (left) met at the ODELL House, 425 Ridge Rd, Hartsdale, NY 10530, on August 14, 1781, to devise the strategy taht would lead them to victory in Yorktown.
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You are cordially invited to ODELL HOUSE COLONIAL DAY event
on September 18th, noon to 5:00PM at
287 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, NY10530
We are pleased to expand our collaboration in a meaningful way with The Friends of ODELL House - Rochambeau, in order to raise interest among New Yorkers for this crucial period of US history that took place right in their vicinity. We will inform you in the coming months of the concrete steps we are taking together.
• Located a few miles north of New York off I87 and just south of White Plains, this historic place is undergoing extensive restoration after its purchase by the City of Greenburgh (Westchester County) for conversion into a museum.
• Amazingly, the last ODELL descendant lived there until 1965 and the house had scarcely been transformed since the 1780's. Only one electrical wire, and one water pipe, with many of the rooms (and artifacts in it) intact since Rochambeau's month-long stay.
• It will host a Museum with many educational programs for schoolchildren.
TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT,
PLEASE CLICK ANYWHERE ON THE INVITATION BELOW
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NEWPORT, R.I.
Two grave markers for French Navy Officers of the French frigate Hermione:
Cpt Pierre du Rousseau Chevalier de Fayolle, aide-de-camp to Lafayette, and Lt Benjamin Auguste Lavilmarais, will be dedicated in the historic cemetery of Trinity Church, Newport, RI, on: Friday Sept. 10 at 2:00 PM.
An updated program will be sent by September 3rd.
The dedication ceremony will be held outside under COVID rules. Church Street (along the cemetery fence) will be closed to vehicle trafic and open to the general public for this important event.
The ensuing reception with refreshments at Colony House is now completely full, however there will be several events celebrating the French presence in Newport throughout the entire weekend, organized by the Historical Society and the municipality of Newport.
For more details about this Revolutionary Newport weekend, visit the institutions’ websites:
See you soon Newport!
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS OF THE VICTORY IN YORKTOWN, OCTOBER 18-19, 2021
11:00am MONDAY OCTOBER 18th "Finally Rochambeau"...
At 11:00am the American Friends of Lafayette along with les Amis de Rochambeau, the NPS, and W3R will be raising the statue of Rochambeau on the Yorktown waterfront. Joining the statues of General Washington, Admiral de Grasse, and General Lafayette, Rochambeau is the final piece of this statuary hall of fame. Descendants of Rochambeau will be in attendance along with other dignitaries anxious to recognize Rochambeau's contributions towards our independence. This is a free event and all are invited.
6:00pm MONDAY OCTOBER 18th "Yorktown Victory Dinner"...
The annual Yorktown Day Association dinner will be hosted by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and held at held at the spectacular American Revolution Museum in Yorktown. It is attended by many of the historical organizations associated with the Yorktown Victory Celebration. The cost of this dinner is $65 per person. RSVP and payment details can be found here: Yorktown Day 2021-Digital Invitation.pdf
ALL DAY TUESDAY OCTOBER 19th "Yorktown Victory Celebration"...
October 19, 2021 marks the 240th anniversary of the surrender at Yorktown. The victory will be commemorate with parades, ceremonies and patriotic exercises.
8:30am – Commemorative Ceremony at the French Cemetery, Yorktown Battlefield, sponsored by The American Friends of Lafayette and The Friends of Rochambeau.
9:10am – Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the grave of Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr., at Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, sponsored
by the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
9:10am – Commemorative Ceremony at the French Memorial honoring the French and American Alliance, sponsored by the French
Wars Veterans Association in Washington, DC.
10:30am – Yorktown Day Parade
11:15am – Patriotic Exercises and Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Monument to Alliance and Victory, Yorktown.
More details will follow in next month's Bulletin.
We invite you to join and support these wonderful associations:
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OUR MISSIONS:
• To preserve the memory of the French soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives for freedom, and who are buried in the United States.
• To honor French Citizens who did great deeds in the United States, or with a strong connection with the United States,
• To promote esteem for French military heritage in the United States,
• To strengthen the long-standing traditional bonds of friendship 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 French 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 (H) Lt Cdr., French Navy.
The American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation established in 1993 in NY.
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OUR PAST MONTHLY BULLETINS
July Bulletin – On the footsteps of Rochambeau (Part 2 – Connecticut & New York)
June Bulletin – On the footsteps of Rochambeau (Part 1 – Connecticut)
May Bulletin honoring the WWII French aviators who died in the United States
April Bulletin celebrating the annual commemoration of “French Alliance Day” in Valley Forge, PA
March newsletter honoring two French Navy officers from Rochambeau’s army buried in Newport, RI.
February Bulletin honoring Eugene Bullard, America's first Black Fighter Pilot:
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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!
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Help us implement several historic commemorative projects celebrating the 243-year-old Franco-American friendship and alliance!
The American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc. is a registered NY State non-profit corporation and has full IRS tax exempt 501(c)3 status. All donations are tax deductible.
pt 501c3 status. All donations are tax deductibl
Contact: Thierry Chaunu, Président
132 East 43rd Street #341 The Chrysler Building New York, NY 10017
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