General Rochambeau

⚜️ Upon our arrival in Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 1780, it was my earnest desire to establish regular communication with His Excellency, General Washington. The combined operations of our armies would require considerable prior planning & coordination. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ During our first several months in the United States, our ability to meet face-to-face was limited. However, once our armies united in the summer of 1781, regular meetings between General Washington, myself & our respective staff members became commonplace.

⚜️ Due to my limited knowledge of the English language, I relied heavily of the linguistic skills of my staff members, many of whom spoke English well. At the head of this group was my Aide-de-Camp, the Count von Fersen, upon whom I called regularly to assist with translation & interpretation.

⚜️ I continued to improve my English language skills during our time in North America, as well as after my return to France. This knowledge proved very useful in my continued service to my King & country.

⚜️ In October 1781, after the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, I was pleased to review the British defenses there, from the previously British side of the line. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ During this review, I was assisted by the gracious Lieutenant Fairfax, of the the British Crown’s 33rd Regiment of Foot, who lent me his fine optics to better appreciate the British fortifications.

⚜️ Within our camp, the 33rd RoF had a well-deserved reputation as a hard fighting, professional organization. Though brief, my staff & I enjoyed the time we spent together with these fine gentlemen in the days following Yorktown the siege.

⚜️ Little did I know that, only a few years later, I would be reunited with several of these gentlemen during a visit to London. During my stay there, a group of them received me at a generous & warmhearted reception, where we renewed our friendships as military professionals.

⚜️ We were pleased to receive the visit of His Excellency, Governor Dunmore, & Lady Charlotte Stewart Murray, Countess of Dunmore, at this year’s Colonial Heritage Festival. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ Having served as Governor of the Virginia & New York colonies, the Fourth Earl of Dunmore was a highly experienced administrator of the former British colonies in North America.

⚜️ The combined insight & wit of the Earl & his Lady rendered them some of the most enjoyed guests we received. We shall not soon forget their warmth, congeniality & beautifully timed lightheartedness. We look forward to renewing their acquaintances at our next meeting.

⚜️ I was pleased to renew my acquaintance with the esteemed diplomat, His Excellency, Mr. Adams, at this year’s Colonial Heritage Festival. A fierce advocate for the cause of American independence, he worked tirelessly to achieve that end. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ Mr. Adams played a central role in the design, negotiation & implementation of the commercial & military alliances between the United States & the Kingdom of France. In so doing, he helped pave the way for French aide to the former American colonies.

⚜️ Following the allied victory over the British at Yorktown, VA, Mr. Adams played a key role in negotiating the terms of the Treaty of Paris, working to achieve the best possible outcome for America’s interests.

⚜️ Several Americans worked with Louis XVI’s government to facilitate French assistance to the American War of Independence, & to ensure it remained sovereign once the war had been won. Visit us at next year’s Colonial Heritage Festival to learn more about the diplomatic relations between France & the United States during the 1770s & 80s. Rendez-vous 2-5 July 2027 at Scera Park in Orem, UT.

⚜️ On behalf of the French Expeditionary Corps, I was honoured to present His Excellency, Docteur Franklin with a commemorative coin of his own design: a silver LIBERTAS AMERICANA.

⚜️ Following the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781, then-Ambassadeur Franklin created the LIBERTAS AMERICANA coin to honour the Franco-American alliance. Struck in limited number, the coins were packed with historical symbols depicting the United States’ fight for self determination.

⚜️ The historical figures on the coin’s obverse & reverse provide powerful & poignant representations of the alliance between our two great nations. It was our pleasure to explain the deep meaning of these figures as they relate to the American War of Independence.

⚜️ Our presentation schedule for next year is not yet fixed. We do, however, plan to return to the 2027 iteration of the Colonial Heritage Festival, scheduled over the July 4 weekend. We hope to see you there. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ The French Expeditionary Corps was honoured to share the story of France’s contributions to American independence with our many guests at this year’s Colonial Heritage Festival.

⚜️ This year’s event, highlighting the 250th anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence, was unique in many ways. During our daily, noontime public lecture at the Faneuil Hall venue, our guests were able to meet and interact with additional members of my staff.

⚜️ We all count ourselves fortunate to promote a better understanding of French contributions to the cause of American self determination. We hope to see our many guests again at next year’s Colonial Heritage Festival, scheduled over the July 4 weekend, 2027. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ Just a few more days remaining until we open the French Expeditionary Corps Headquarters tent to guests at this year’s Colonial Heritage Festival.

⚜️ Come meet the Comte de Rochambeau & members of his staff to learn about the various ways in which the Kingdom of France supported the American War of Independence from the British Empire. Rendez-vous 2-4 July 2026 at Scera Park, in Orem, UT. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ The Expédition Particulière - or the French Expeditionary Corps of 1780 - was composed of a diverse group of individuals. An entity of the Kingdom of France, its composition reflected the larger French empire & its alliances.

⚜️ Among its ranks were nationals of many European countries, of varied demographic, linguistic & cultural groups, some aristocratic, and others, not. At this year’s Colonial Heritage Festival, we will offer our guests the opportunity to learn more about some of these individuals.

⚜️ In addition to the Comte de Rochambeau, visitors this year will have the opportunity to meet & converse with the Marquis the Laval, commander of the Régiment de Bourbonnais, Colonel Desandrouins, the Expedition’s Chief of Engineers, & Count Axel von Fersen, Aide-de-Camp to Rochambeau.

⚜️ This year, some of our guests may also have the chance to make the acquaintance of Mme la Comtesse de Rochambeau - whose husband & only son served with the French Expeditionary Corps. Madame la Comtesse will also be accompanied by some of her close associates.

⚜️ Come see us at the French Expeditionary Corps headquarters tent to learn more about the why the Kingdom of France felt compelled to support the American cause for independence from Great Britain. Rendez-vous 2-4 July 2026 at Scera Park, in Orem, UT. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ After disembarking the French Expeditionary Corps in Newport, RI in July 1780, my staff & I began work on the series of monumental tasks required to achieve combat readiness. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ We did not reach full strength for several months after our arrival, since many of our personnel had fallen ill during the Atlantic crossing, & required months of medical care & convalescence.

⚜️ My staff soon set about resolving complex supply & logistical issues, including securing food for our constituent regiments, as well acquiring the large number of wheeled vehicles, draft animals & teamsters we would need to move overland to assist the Continental Army.

⚜️ Throughout this process, we worked with various provisioning agents, as well as prominent citizens of Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut to obtain the needed supplies & equipment.

⚜️ As our campaigns progressed, & as we travelled from state to state, we continued to work closely with several key civilians to provide for our material needs.

⚜️ We often paid in specie, &, as a result, we experienced little issue finding parties willing to transact with us. Once united with the cash-strapped Continental Army, however, we were forced to alter our payment methods so as to ensure that our allies were also able to secure their needed supplies.

⚜️ Come visit the French Expeditionary Corps headquarters tent to learn more about the fascinating supply, financial & logistical challenges faced by the allied armies as they worked to defeat British hegemony in North America. Rendez-vous 2-4 July 2026 at Scera Park, in Orem, UT.

⚜️ This year’s Colonial Heritage Festival will soon be upon us. Don’t miss this event of special significance: we are told that it will be the largest commemoration of this era, held west of the MIssissippi River. 🇺🇸🏳️🇪🇸🇬🇧🇱🇺🇫🇷

⚜️ An assemblage of talented first-person reenactors & skilled historical interpreters are looking forward to sharing their unique insights & perspectives on this fascinating period. Artisans & trades folk, political figures & civil servants, & military personalities - each representing loyalist or revolutionary view points - will all converse with you gladly.

⚜️ During your visit, come see us at the French Expeditionary Corps headquarters tent to learn more about the why the Kingdom of France felt compelled to support the American cause for independence from Great Britain. Rendez-vous 2-4 July 2026 at Scera Park, in Orem, UT.