SOME OF THE MAIN PLAYERS IN THE FRENCH ALLIANCE L-R, top:
Washington 16x20/Giclée 11x14 $180 Rochambeau 16x20/Giclée 11x14 $180 DeViomenil 16x20/Giclée 11x14 $180
L-R, bottom: Chastelleux 16x20
DeGrasse 16x20/Giclée 11x14 $180 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island FIRST ANCHORAGE 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 This depicts the first anchorage by the
French fleet under Admiral DeTarney, which was carrying all of General Rochambeau's troops. After 77 days crossing from Brest, France, several encounters with British warships around Chesapeake Bay, and
skirting the coast north in very heavy fog, the 54-ship convoy anchored off Martha's Vineyard and secured the services of three pilots who could navigate the Bay and Newport harbor. DeTarney's fleet
consisted of seven ships of the line, three frigates, a supply transport, which served as a hospital ship, and thirty-two transports, which carried the bulk of Rochambeau's army numbering near 5,000. The
crossing left over 800 sick among the land troops, and some 1,500 in the fleet. Most were down with scurvy. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island DISEMBARKING JULY 11, 1778 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 Four days after the
arrival of the fleet at Newport on July 11, all of Rochambeau's troops left the ships and set up camp in and around Newport. Most stayed in tents and later in homes they repaired after the British occupation
in 1778. The troops were complemented by a contingent of American troops under the command of General Heath, who had been so ordered by General Washington. Troops from Massachusetts and Rhode Island made up
the force, although it is doubtful that many troops were raised. The Rhode Island Regiment is mentioned in many French journals as being among the best troops in the American Army. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island BRITISH PANIC ON THE SAKONNET JULY 12, 1778 36x48 Giclée 14.5x19.3 $180 On
July 12, 1778, as part of the Battle of Rhode Island, Pierre Andre de Suffren de Saint Topez, a French Admiral who would later become a brilliant naval commander, sailed two French frigates into the Sakonnet
River and threw the British fleet into a panic. Six British ships ran aground, and went up in smoke, flame and exploding powder. Thus the British were trapped by Suffren and were forced to suffer severe
losses. Although the Battle of Rhode Island was thought not to be successful as the British were not driven out of Newport, a number of actions, including Suffren's bold strike into the Sakonnet, did produce
significant results in the war effort against the British. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE BATTLE OF RHODE ISLAND AUGUST 28, 1778 36x48 Sold to Private Party
Giclée 18.65x14.5 $180 This painting, entitled "Desperate Valor," shows
the newly formed regiment in action against the Anspach Regiment in the Newport/Portsmouth area on August 28, 1778. This regiment turned back three attempts of the British to break their line. The delay
allowed General Sullivan to escape to the mainland while these troops defended and held off the British advance. The biographer for General Sullivan recorded their action by this entry: "The black troops
under Col. Christopher Green displayed desperate valor by holding off three attempts by Hussein troops to break their line." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island BRILLIANTLY ILLUMINATED JULY 1780 36x48 Giclée 19.25x14.5 $180 In July of 1780,
a few days after the arrival of the French Fleet in Newport, the Selectmen of the town issued candles to the residents so that all the houses and churches of Newport might be illuminated as a welcome to the
French. This brilliant display was repeated in March of 1781 during Washington's visit to Newport. According to The Mercury,
the local newspaper of the time, both the town and the fleet were "brilliantly illuminated." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE QUESTION AUGUST 28, 1780 36x48 Giclée 19.25x14.5 $180 On August 28, 1780 and a
month after the French army had settled into camp around Newport, a delegation of Oneida Indians from upstate New York visited General Rochambeau at Newport. They were received with much distinction. They
asked to hear Mass, after which they were entertained by Rochambeau and given dinner. During the entertainment, one of the chiefs asked a question that the general could not answer: "How is it that the King
of France, our father, sends his troops to protect the Americans against the King of England, their father?" |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island OVERVIEW OF ENCAMPMENTS AT PROVIDENCE JUNE 1781 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 This
overview shows the original French engineering map of the layout of the three French encampments around Providence in June of 1781 as the army prepared to move south. The aerial view shows the same
encampment, but in a clearer view than the French map, allowing the site to be located along various roads and streets in present-day Providence. The flags in the upper right corner represent each regiment
involved. Providence was the main camp in which all the French units were encamped in three separate areas as shown. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE GRAND PARADE IN PROVIDENCE 36x60 Sold to Former Governor Bruce Sundlun
Giclée 20x11.9 $180 A day before departure south, the French and American
forces held a parade through the streets of Providence. Shown here is the American unit of the First Rhode Island being reviewed by General Rochambeau atop his horse. His aide-de-camp, the Baron Ludwig Von
Closen, also mounted, recorded in his journal that none of the American units could compare to the spit and polish of the French army except the First Rhode Island, "and that regiment, which is three
quarters negro and the rest native american, is the best dressed, the best under arms, and the most precise in its maneuvers." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island OVERVIEW OF FIRST ENCAMPMENT AT WATERMAN'S TAVERN 36x48 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 This
overview shows the first encampment of the French army in Scituate, Rhode Island along the Plainfield Pike. The distance from the main camp was 18 miles. The Tavern still stands today in that section of
Scituate known as Pottersville. The camp was located directly across the street from the Tavern and was occupied for four days. As one regiment would leave for the next camp in Plainfield, another would take
its place until the fourth regiment left. Most of the officers, including Rochambeau, stayed at the tavern with the majority of the foot soldiers pitching tents for the one-night stay. This camp was reused
on the army's return in 1783 once the conflict with England was over. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island WATERMAN'S TAVERN 36x48 Giclée 19.2x14.5 $180 This was the first stop for the
French army after leaving the Providence encampment. The scene shows army units preparing to leave while the tavern keeper and his wife bid farewell to Rochambeau. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island TRAIN OF ARTILLERY ON ROUTE 14 36x48 Giclée 19.25x14.5 $180 Each of the four
regiments had a train of artillery comprised of about a dozen cannon of various sizes. This was a part of the total of nearly fifty pieces for the whole army. The artillery shown here is arriving in the
early morning at one of the encampments. It always arrived either very late or very early in the morning because of very bad roads and breakdown of the gun carriages. In addition to the soldiers who operated
the guns, it carried about fifteen members of foresters and engineers who cut branches, downed trees, and filled potholes. Every few miles the axles had to be packed with grease, mostly lard, for lubrication.
|
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE LEGEND OF BISCUIT HILL 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 One of the many fascinating
stories connected with the movement of Rochambeau's 5,000 troops were events, encounters, and adventures that occurred aside from the great battles that took place. Along a section of Route 14 near what is
called Rice City, one of the 300 wagons which moved supplies and equipment broke down, breaking an axle and dumping its contents all over the road. As the area was suffering its third year of drought and
flour was in short supply, the French soldiers allowed nearby townspeople to collect most of the spilled biscuits that had been baked at Providence the day before. The area was henceforth called "Biscuit
Hill," and a country lane nearby is still called Biscuit Hill Road. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut OVERVIEW OF SECOND CAMP AT PLAINFIELD 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 This overview
shows the second French camp at Plainfield, fifteen miles from Waterman's Tavern in Scituate. The roads were very bad and full of boulders and holes, with breakdowns frequent, delaying arrival by many hours.
When the troops arrived in Plainfield they were cheered by townspeople, and in the evening the French band played various tunes, to which everyone danced. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut THE MEETING AT FERRY CROSSING 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 This scene, although
happening along the Connecticut River in East Hartford, shows a detachment of mounted troops of the first Rhode Island. The group provided escort for the Marquis de Chastelleux, a Major General under General
Rochambeau. His diary entry reads as follows, "the fifth I did not set out until eleven, although I had a thirty mile journey to Lebanon. At the ferry crossing I met a detachment of the first Rhode Island
regiment, the same corps we had with us all last summer, but have since been recruited and clothed. The majority of the enlisted men are Negroes or mulattos, but they are strong, robust men and those I saw
made a very good appearance. I had fine weather all day and got to Lebanon at sunset." Not only were these troops black, but they were mounted, a factor not before mentioned in any text. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut THE SCOTLAND INCIDENT SEPTEMBER 21, 1780 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 Washington
arrived at the conference in Weathersfield on the 21st of September and was late. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have made the journey on horseback; but Admiral DeTernay was sick and a coach had been
provided for his convenience. A broken axle in Scotland, Connecticut necessitated a wheelwright; but when one was finally located, he turned out to be suffering from fever. The wheelwright stated that he
would not leave his bed for a hatful of Guineas. With the help of Admiral DeTernay, Fersen convinced the shivering wheelwright to change his mind. The axle was repaired and the French party reached the
conference without further mishap. However, on the way home, the axle broke again and again the village smithy had to be summoned from his bed. The white house seen in the background is the birthplace of
Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence. This house still stands today along the same route over which Rochambeau's army marched. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut SQUIRREL HUNT JANUARY 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 The Marquis de
Chastelleux (in red cape) and the Duke de Luzon return from a squirrel hunt in Lebanon, Connecticut. The building in the background is the Redwood House, which served as the headquarters for Luzon's legion
during the winter of 1781. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE FRENCH FLEET AT NEWPORT SPRING 1781 30x48 Giclée 30x12 $250 A view of the
town of Newport and the arrangement of the combined French fleet in the spring of 1781, just prior to the army's march south to Yorktown. It was in position in and around Newport Harbor covering cannon, on
shore and on ship, at all entry points to the bay. Admiral De Turney died on December 11, 1780 and was eventually replaced by Admiral DeBarras. This shows the combined French fleet in late spring of 1781,
when additional vessels joined the fleet. Seen in the foreground are the land emplacements of cannon facing the channel. The view, looking north and east, shows Newport as it appeared at the time, with some
of these same buildings -- the churches and Newport Tower -- still standing today. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island LITTLE REST MARCH 6, 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 This scene shows the
arrival of General Washington at Little Rest, or Kingston, Rhode Island on the 6th of March, 1781 to meet with General Rochambeau at Newport. At Little Rest was a detachment of French mounted troops called
"Hussars" who were part of the mounted division under the Duke de Luzon stationed at Lebanon, Connecticut. This unit was part of the relay team set up between Rochambeau and Luzun for communications, eight
in number and placed out about every twenty miles for that purpose. Washington stayed the night at Kingston and arrived at Newport the next day. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island NAVAL WELCOME MARCH 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 After spending the night
at Little Rest, Washington is welcomed aboard the 80-gun flagship of the French fleet by the Duc de Bourgogne. Washington tours the great ship, greeting the French officers and enlisted men in their best
dress uniforms. Meanwhile, with flags and banners waving, the entire squadron fires broadsides in Washington's honor. The combined cannon fire was so great and so continuous that, according to a Newport
resident, "the earth trembled, and the bay seemed to be on fire." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island ARRIVAL AT NEWPORT MARCH 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 Washington came
ashore and was greeted by Rochambeau's land troops, standing several ranks deep on each side of the street all the way to the Colony House. As Washington passed by on his mile-long trek to the Colony House,
cannon from the ships kept up a continuous salute and the troops came to attention, rank by rank. At the steps of the Colony House, he was greeted by Rochambeau and escorted to the Vernon House, where he
would stay for nearly a week. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE GREAT BALL 36x48 Giclée 19.4x14.5 $180 On the evening of Washington's arrival,
a great ball was held in his honor at Mrs. Crowley's Assembly Hall. The hall had been decorated with regimental flags, dress swords and pistols, and a civilian orchestra had been hired to provide music for
the event. Soon after the ball was underway, Rochambeau expressed great displeasure in their musical abilities and promptly fired the entire ensemble. He called for any officers who could play an instrument
to come forward, took up the conductor's baton, and conducted the group well into the night. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island REVIEW OF THE FRENCH FLEET 36x48 Giclée 14.5x19.6 $180 Washington and Rochambeau
review the passing of the French fleet from the East Passage in Newport in March 1781. The fleet returned three weeks later after having engaged the English fleets. They suffered 80 killed and 120 wounded.
|
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut DIFFICULT DUTY APRIL 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.1x14.5 $180 The first Frenchman to
die for desertion were Corporals Christopher Hand and Joseph Frank, executed by firing squad in Lebanon, Connecticut in late April of 1781. It is mentioned in several reports that one of the soldiers
overstayed his leave in the arms of a local girl. The name of the girl is also mentioned; but records indicate she did not come from Lebanon. It is also said that a petition to pardon him was sent to Gen.
Rochambeau at Newport some 60 miles away, and that he granted the pardon; but by the time word reached Lebanon, the soldier had already been shot. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
New York DEATH OF COL. CHRISTOPHER GREENE MAY 14, 1781 36x48 Sold to Hudson River Valley
Institute at Marist College as part of Dr. Frank P. Bumpus Collection Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 In the early morning hours of May 14, 1781, a Tory unit operating in Westchester County under the command of Col. DeLancy was under orders to take Col. Greene dead or
alive. With 60 horse and 200 troops, they assaulted Greene's camp and the house being used as headquarters. Before Greene could dress and leave his bedroom, he was cut to pieces by the Tory forces. Greene's
Black Regiment put up fierce resistance, but were unable to prevent the Tory Loyalists from taking the mortally-wounded Greene on the road back to their headquarters. The Black Regiment pursued and, in what
was later called the Battle of Pine Bridge in Croton, NY, managed to wrest Greene back from the Loyalists. The Black Regiment suffered 44 killed or wounded during the battle. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut LEAVING LEBANON JUNE 21, 1781 30x36 Giclée 12.5x20 $180 Lauzun's Legion was the
only horse unit under the army of General Rochambeau to serve in America, and arrived with the fleet in July 1780 at Newport. It consisted of 230 mounted Huzzars and 300 light infantry troops. Due to the
lack of forage for the horses in and around Newport, arrangements were made to have the Legion spend the winter of 1780-81 in Lebanon, Connecticut, some 60 miles from Newport. They left Newport on November
10, 1780 for Lebanon. Upon their arrival, barracks were constructed and the troops settled in for the winter. Lauzun, a French nobleman, called Lebanon "The Siberia of North America" and preferred
the atmosphere and activities around Newport. The Legion moved out in force on June 21m 1781 and would join the main army in Phillipsburg, New York on July 2, 1781. It took part in the defeat of British
forces at Yorktown on October 17, 1781.Many local stories are connected with the Legion's stay in Lebanon. One observation was made by Mary Williams, second daughter of Governor Trumbull, two weeks before
their departure. She wrote, "Oh, how glad and how thankful I shall be when they are gone, for never was I so sick of any people in my life. Joy go long with them and wish never to see another French man
in my life and best of them are nothing but pride and vanity." It was recently determined that the mounted troops wore the red pants of the First Division, not the yellow as shown. This change is
reflected in the "Sabre au Clair" painting.
|
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Rhode Island THE SILVER SPOON JULY 1781 36x30 Giclée 14.5x19.5 $180 Sometime in early July of
1781, General Rochambeau gave Sara Bowen, wife of the late Lt. Governor of Rhode Island, a silver serving spoon manufactured in England. The gift was in appreciation for allowing the General and his staff to
utilize the residence as his Providence headquarters. Many of the French officers and Gen. Washington spent several nights there at different times. It was the very place Rochambeau bid farewell to his
troops in December of 1782 before returning to France. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
New York FIRST AMPHIBIOUS OPERATION AGAINST THE ENGLISH JULY 12, 1781 36x48 Sold to
Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College as part of Dr. Frank P. Bumpus Collection Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 On July 12, 1781 some 500 troops, originally left with the fleet at Newport as the main army began its march south, took part in the first actual contact with
British forces at Fort Franklin on Lloyd's Point in Huntington, Long Island, New York. The force was to burn supplies stored there, as defenders were thought to be few. However, the fort was heavily armed
and a number of cannon started to shell the French units preparing for the assault. Although the French far outnumbered the British, it was decided only to make a token exchange and then withdraw. It appears
it was to be a feint, in that Washington's plan was to convince the British in New York that the combined French-American forces would next strike there. Washington and Rochambeau were already in the process
of moving south to eventually engage Cornwallis at Yorktown. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania ROCHAMBEAU VISITS FT. MIFFLIN ON HIS WAY TO YORKTOWN SUMMER 1781 36x48
SOLD to Ft. Mifflin Park Board of Directors Giclée 14.5x19.6 $180 A short distance south of Philadelphia, on the Delaware, was a small fort which saw much activity prior to the British taking Philadelphia. The fort held out for a
number of months, taking over 10,000 cannonballs in a 24-hour period. Rochambeau inspected the fort in the summer of 1781, just a few months prior to the victory at Yorktown. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
New Jersey MOVING ACROSS NEW JERSEY AUGUST 25, 1781 30x36 Giclée 12.9x20 $180 Shown here
is the Lauzon Legion together with the Rhode Island Regiment as they guarded Washington's 2nd Division from the Hudson south to Yorktown. It is the only time that American units and French units actually
served together in a joint operation. This occurred along present-day Route 202 in what is now Oakland, New Jersey. The house is the Van Allen House, which served as Washington's headquarters on July 14
&15 in 1777. The 2nd Division was composed of over 500 wagons of supplies needed to sustain other armies. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
New Jersey CADILLAC SPRING, MAHWAY, NJ 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 According to oral
tradition, Cadillac Spring was utilized by French and American forces during their march south to Yorktown. Water was as important as food, and only spring or well sources did not require a portion of rum to
be added before it could be consumed. All other sources did; this treated the water for possible bacteria or other diseases that might be found. Natural springs were sought out as wells ran dry before a
regiment could gain its fill. This scene shows French troops of the Bourbonnais Regiment filling canteens with water from the spring. Henrid Souffle, executive chef to Gen. Rochambeau, looking into the
spring saw a large bull frog that had been known to keep the spring clean. The French like frog legs and must have abducted the large frog, as it was never seen again after that day. The spring is still
visible today along a portion of Rt. 202 in the Rampo Valley. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
New Jersey CHATHAM OVENS, NEW JERSEY 36x48 Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 Originally built by French
engineers in 1781 at Chatham, New Jersey to create a diversion so that the American and French forces could make their way south to Yorktown while the British expected an attack on New York. Although the
ovens were used to bake bread, their essential purpose was to convey to the English that an attack was planned against New York City, and that the allies would not construct such a massive oven complex
unless an assault against New York were imminent. The ploy worked and, by the time the English heard of the movment of troops against Cornwallis, it was too late to intercept them. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Washington, DC CROSSING AT ROCK CREEK Rock Creek/Potomac Parkway 36x48 Giclée 14.5x20.5 $180
The road occupies the approximate site of the Colonial era ford used by the Baltimore Light Dagroons, the French Army under Rochambeau and the Duc de Lauzun in 1781. "Once while the French soldiers were
crossiing Rock Creek at this 'P' street ford, a wagon loaded with French specie, composed of gold and silver coins, turned over as it was going down a very steep part of the road to the ford crossing below.
Much of the gold and silver coin poured out on the open ground." The second wagon seen in the painting is starting to pitch over. Lauzun's Legion and a contingent of the 1st Rhode Island were ordered to
escort the second division by Washington. From the Columbia Historical Society, Vol 52-56, p. 129. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut SUPPLY DEPOT AT DANBURY, CT AUGUST 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 The supply
depot as it might have appeared at Danbury, Connecticut during August 1781. The depot supplied many of the needs of both Washington's troops and Rochambeau's army just prior to their move across the
Hudson River south to Yorktown, Virginia. As the British burned Danbury, leaving few structures standing, the Americans took over the Episcopal Church as a warehouse to store supplies as an affront to the
British. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Delaware ALONG THE BALTIMORE PIKE IN DELAWARE AUGUST 1781 30x36 Seen here is Lauzon's Legion camped
along the pike in Delaware. The old mill house is still standing today and the fields around the stream remain open. The availability of water for the over 220 horses was essential to any area chosen as a
camp. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Maryland ARRIVAL of THE ROYAL DEUX PONTS REGIMENT IN BALTIMORE 36x48 Giclée 19x14.5 $180
The regiment arrives in Baltimore in August of 1781. The brick building still stands and is surrounded by buildings that make up the city today. It was originally built as a Quaker meeting house and still
remains that to this day. Major General Baron de Vioménil is seen reviewing the troops as he is in charge while Gen. Rochambeau is on his way to Mt. Vernon to meet with Washington for a few days. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut THE BATTLE OF GROTON HEIGHTS SEPTEMBER 6, 1781 36x60 SOLD to City of Groton, CT
Giclée 12x22 $180 The aftermath of the attack by British troops,
led by Benedict Arnold, and the burning of New London. Col. Ledyard and his men were massacred by the British; Ledyard was run through while handing his sword in surrender to the British Commander.
Mural 12 ft. x 24 ft.
This mural is displayed in the Groton
City Hall Building in Groton, Connecticut. It is the largest work accomplished by the artist to date. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia RELAXING MOMENT SEPTEMBER 9, 1781 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 On September 9,
1781, Washington reached Mount Vernon following a six year absence. Within 24 hours he was followed by Rochambeau, Chastelleux and staff. They stayed one day and two nights. Shown here are the two generals
relaxing for a short time, soon to be on their way to Williamsburg and the victory at Yorktown. |
|
Click on image for larger view |
|
|
|
|
Virginia FIRST OFFICIAL USE OF MT. VERNON'S LARGE DINING ROOM SEPTEMBER 11, 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.6x14.5 $180 On September 11, 1781, General Rochambeau, Marquis de Chastelleux, and the necessary entourage, aides de camp and bodyguards, arrived at Mt. Vernon, spending two nights
and one day there before moving on to Williamsburg and the final battle with Cornwallis at Yorktown. The large dining room was unfinished, but was the only room big enough to accommodate the combined
parties. So a makeshift table was set up on sawhorses and planks to serve as a buffet. The ceiling and moldings were uncompleted, but the large space proved adequate to the task. Washington and Rochambeau
left for Williamsburg early the next morning. |
|
|
|
|
|
Connecticut FAITH TRUMBULL DONATES HER CAPE 36x48 Sold to Private Party Although not supported by any hard data, much like the story of Biscuit Hill in Rhode Island, oral
tradition states that one Sunday in Lebanon, Connecticut a collection was being made at church for the troops in the field who were in need of clothes, blankets and other necessities. Faith Trumbull, the
Governor's wife, donated to the cause a red cape that had been given to her by General Rochambeau. The rich garment was later cut into strips for rank markings and other needs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Connecticut CARLTON'S BRIDGE 36x48 Giclée 19.5x14.5 $180 General Rochambeau and a group of
French engineers inspect Carlton's Bridge on the Housatonic River. After a few hours rest, Clermont-Crevecoeur and his artillery marched toward Newton via Woodbury and Southbury. They crossed the Housatonic
River, called "Stratford" or "Little Stratford" by the French, "on a bridge which is remarkably constructed, in that the timber work is supported without pillars, by the thrust of intersecting arches." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
New York SOISSONNAIS REGIMENT JULY 16, 1781 36x60 Sold to Hudson River Valley Institute at
Marist College as part of Dr. Frank P. Bumpus Collection Giclée 20x12 $180 A small detachment of the Soissonnais Regiment prevented the British from landing to burn the stores at Tarrytown, New York. The Americans under Shelton arrived later.
|
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia THE SEAWELL INCIDENT OCTOBER 3, 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.7x14.5 $180 Elizabeth
Seawell Whiting, the widow of the Commissioner of the Navy (much his younger), was mentioned by both Tarleton and Lauzun in their memoirs. On October 3, 1781, when Lauzun asked her if she had seen "the
Brits" (Tarleton), she replied, "Colonel Tarleton has just left here and mentioned that he was anxious to shake hands with the French Duc." The Battle of the Hook took place a short time later on the
Gloucester side of the York River, during which Tarleton was wounded and forced to withdraw. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia SABRE AU CLAIR OCTOBER 3, 1781 36x48 Giclée 20x12.3 $180 The flanking charge of
Lauzun's Legion during The Battle of the Hook on October 3, 1781 at Gloucester Point, Virginia.It was recently determined that the mounted troops wore the red pants of the First Division, not the
yellow as shown in the "Leaving Lebanon"
scene. This change is reflected in this "Sabre au Clair" painting. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia VIRGINIA MILITIA BATTLE TARLTON OCTOBER 3, 1781 36x60 Giclée 20x12 $180 On
October 3, 1781, Lauzun's legion clashed with British forces headed by Tarlton. The battle took place across from Yorktown on the Gloucester side of the York River. After a protracted engagement, in which
the Virginia Militia were involved, the forces under Tarlton were forced to withdraw. It was a preview of the surrender of Cornwallis just 14 days later, bringing the war to an unofficial end. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia AT THE FERRY CROSSING AT GEORGETOWN, VA OCTOBER 10, 1781 36x48 Giclée 18.75x14.5 $180 On the 10th of October, 1781 Washington was on his way to visit Mt. Vernon for the first time in six years. He was followed the next day by Rochambeau, Chastelleux and
their staff. This scene shows Washington boarding the Potomac River ferry at Georgetown, Virginia with his Life Guard and French Aid-de-Camps. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
Virginia NIGHT ASSAULT BY FRENCH TROOPS OCTOBER 14, 1781 36x48 Giclée 19.7x14.5 $180 On
the night of October 14, 1781, attacks against Redoubt #9 and Redoubt #10 were ordered. The assault on Redoubt #9 was a French undertaking, with American forces assaulting Redoubt #10. The French Royal Deux
Ponts and Gatenois Regiments took on the Hessian Erbprinz Regiment. Because it was dark, and both the French and Hessian troops wore dark blue coats, many were killed by "friendly fire" as they could not be
easily identified as friend or foe. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
Virginia ASSAULT ON REDOUBT #10 OCTOBER 14, 1781 Yorktown, VA 36x48 Giclée 12.5x20 $180 Although the Rhode Island Regiment was consolidated into a single unit in May 1781, the contingent of black troops was still called the "1st Rhode Island" and
were commonly referred to as "Olney's Batallion." After dark on October 14, 1781, three days before the surrender of Cornwallis, the column moved forward in silence, muskets unloaded, bayonets
fixed, in good order. Leading were eight pioneers with axes with the forlorn hope to be first through the cleared breach. With one man per company, then Col. Gimete (French officer) with five young officers
in advance; next was Olney's Company and then the rest of the force. "When we came under the first of the abattis (logs and brush), the enemy fired a volley of musketry. The British continued to shoot,
but aimed high. The pioneers then cut through the abattis. Olney moved past them, climbed the outer wall of the Redoubt, stepped on to the parapet between the two palisades. Twelve of his men followed
closley. He called out, "Capt. Olney's company, form here." Six or eight British bayonets pushed at him. Some scaled his fingers, one pierced his thigh, another stabbed him in the abdomen
just above the hip bone. Two of his men had loaded their muskets and came to the aid of their Captain, firing at the enemy soldiers attacking him. With this the redcoats ceased their assault; some ran away,
some surrendered. The rest of the American force now entered the redoubt without opposition. The redoubt was taken in ten minutes. Lafayette praised very well known personages for their performance in the
assault, but made only a cursory reference to Olney -- a situation occuring in all wars where the wrong people get the credit. Afterward, Gimete, the French officer, visited Onley in the hospital to say that
Lafayette needed to rectify his omission; but the veteran Continental answered, "Let it go, the day is past." It was eventually brought to Washington's attention and the Rhode Island flag was
ordered to be flown above the Redoubt through to the surrender a few days later. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia AND THE GUNS FELL SILENT OCTOBER 1781 36x36 Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 In October at
Yorktown, a young British drummer boy was ordered to the parapet to beat the call for a parley. No one knows the boy's name nor where he stood when the guns fell silent as he began to beat his drum. Behind
him followed a British officer waving a white handkerchief, thus signalling, for all practical purposes, the end of the American Revolution. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
New York ARREST OF ROCHAMBEAU OCTOBER 22, 1782 36x36 Sold to Hudson River Valley Institute
at Marist College as part of Dr. Frank P. Bumpus Collection Giclée 14.5x14.5 $180 In October of 1782, while leaving King's Ferry on the Hudson, Rochambeau was approached by a local sheriff who presented a warrant for his arrest. The complaint against
Rochambeau originated when French troops under Rochambeau's command, on their way to Yorktown a year earlier, had cut wood on land belonging to an American militia captain. The sheriff explained that he was
aware of what the General had done for his country, but that he must do his duty. He then placed his hand on Rochambeau's shoulder and said, "You are my prisoner." Rochambeau, surrounded by 5,000 French
troops, replied "Take me if you can." |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut FRENCH ARMY ENCAMPMENT AT EAST HARTFORD OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1782 36x96 Giclée 32.8x12 $250 With Hartford in the distance, Rochambeau on horseback surveys all the regiments of his army. |
|
Click on image for larger view. |
|
| |
|
Paris, France SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PARIS SEPTEMBER 3, 1783 David Wagner's version of American Artist Benjamin West's
unfinished painting. LEARN MORE |
Click on image for larger view. |