Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps
The French were the archenemies of the British and her American colonies, particularly after the French and Indian War which was begun by George Washington. So, why did America look to the French as their principal ally in the American Revolution and why did General George Washington choose a Frenchman as his chief engineer? This biography of Louis Duportail, founder and first Commandant of the Army Corps of Engineers, begins by exploring those questions. It then explores the life of this man, who is virtually unknown in America and less known in his native France.

This is an unique biography about an overlooked, even obscure, French officer that was instrumental in the American cause for independence. As a complete biography, it covers his return to France and his service in the French army. Cementing his role in the seminal events of the era, readers will also learn of his problems under the Reign of Terror and his escape to the United States where he purchased a quite farm near Valley Forge. It concludes with his unusual death at sea and the problems of settling his estate. Duportail died in the greatest anonymity, in the greatest indifference, without earthly burial, without military honors, a dedicated monument to his glory in service to France or the United States, and without intervention of his brothers in arms to honor and recall his memory.
1135880522
Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps
The French were the archenemies of the British and her American colonies, particularly after the French and Indian War which was begun by George Washington. So, why did America look to the French as their principal ally in the American Revolution and why did General George Washington choose a Frenchman as his chief engineer? This biography of Louis Duportail, founder and first Commandant of the Army Corps of Engineers, begins by exploring those questions. It then explores the life of this man, who is virtually unknown in America and less known in his native France.

This is an unique biography about an overlooked, even obscure, French officer that was instrumental in the American cause for independence. As a complete biography, it covers his return to France and his service in the French army. Cementing his role in the seminal events of the era, readers will also learn of his problems under the Reign of Terror and his escape to the United States where he purchased a quite farm near Valley Forge. It concludes with his unusual death at sea and the problems of settling his estate. Duportail died in the greatest anonymity, in the greatest indifference, without earthly burial, without military honors, a dedicated monument to his glory in service to France or the United States, and without intervention of his brothers in arms to honor and recall his memory.
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Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps

Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps

by Norman Desmarais
Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps

Washington's Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps

by Norman Desmarais

Hardcover

$29.95 
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Overview

The French were the archenemies of the British and her American colonies, particularly after the French and Indian War which was begun by George Washington. So, why did America look to the French as their principal ally in the American Revolution and why did General George Washington choose a Frenchman as his chief engineer? This biography of Louis Duportail, founder and first Commandant of the Army Corps of Engineers, begins by exploring those questions. It then explores the life of this man, who is virtually unknown in America and less known in his native France.

This is an unique biography about an overlooked, even obscure, French officer that was instrumental in the American cause for independence. As a complete biography, it covers his return to France and his service in the French army. Cementing his role in the seminal events of the era, readers will also learn of his problems under the Reign of Terror and his escape to the United States where he purchased a quite farm near Valley Forge. It concludes with his unusual death at sea and the problems of settling his estate. Duportail died in the greatest anonymity, in the greatest indifference, without earthly burial, without military honors, a dedicated monument to his glory in service to France or the United States, and without intervention of his brothers in arms to honor and recall his memory.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781633886568
Publisher: Globe Pequot
Publication date: 03/16/2021
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 6.30(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Norman Desmarais is professor emeritus at Providence College and an active reenactor. He is a member of Le Régiment Bourbonnais, the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment and the Brigade of the American Revolution. He is the author of Guide to the American Revolutionary War series (six volumes about the war on land and seven volumes about the war at sea and overseas). He is also the editor-in-chief of The Brigade Dispatch, the journal the Brigade of the American Revolution and has translated the Gazette Françoise, the French newspaper published in Newport, RI by the French fleet that brought the Count de Rochambeau and 5800 troops to America in July 1780. It is the first known service newspaper published by an expeditionary force. He has also translated the journal of Louis François Bertrand Dupont d'Aubevoye de Lauberdière which will be published in 2019. The Count de Lauberdière was General Rochambeau’s nephew and aide-de camp.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 Early Years 1

2 Valley Forge 17

3 West Point and the Hudson 53

4 The Campaign of 1779 71

5 The Campaign of 1780: Charleston 95

6 The Corps of Engineers 109

7 Prisoners of War 139

8 The Campaign of 1781: Yorktown 151

9 Peace 185

10 American Citizen and Farmer 201

Appendix A Cargoes of Two of Beaumarchais's Ships Sent to America 211

Appendix B Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers, 1774-1893 213

Notes 215

Glossary 245

Works Cited 251

Bibliographic Essay 257

Index 263

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