Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807

Count Rochambeau was Commander of the French troops during the American Revolution.

From the description of LS, 1782 May 17 : Williamsburgh, to [General Washington?]. (Copley Press, J S Copley Library). WorldCat record id: 13880974

Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (July 1, 1725 – May 10, 1807) was a French aristocrat, soldier, and a Marshal of France who participated in the American revolution.

From the guide to the Rochambeau Speech in Williamsburg, 1782 June 23, (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

French general.

From the description of Letter (part autograph) signed : Newport, to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1780 July 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270656056

French army officer.

From the description of Collection relating to the comte de Rochambeau, 1780-1782. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449571

From the description of Papers of Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1777-1794. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71068424

French patriot and army officer.

From the description of Papers of Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1781-1782. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79455538

Rochambeau was the commander of the French Army forces in America during the United States Revolutionary War.

From the description of [Letter] 1781 Apr. 14, Newport [to] Sir / Le cte de Rochambeau. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 320955558

Soldier.

From the description of Letter, 1782 February 9, Williamsburgh, [Va.], to Governor [Benjamin] Harrison. (University of Toledo). WorldCat record id: 13658847

Commander-in-chief of the French army in America.

From the description of Papers of Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau 1777-1794. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061315

Biographical Note

• 1725, July 1: Born in Vendôme, France
• 1730 - 1740 : Attended Collège de Vendôme, the Jesuit school at Blois, and the military academy in Paris, France (later called the Ecole St.-Cyr)
• 1740 - 1748 : Served in the war of the Austrian Succession
• 1743: Promoted to captain
• 1747: Appointed colonel of the Régiment de la Marche Wounded at the battle of Laufeld
• 1748: Fought in the battle of Maastricht
• 1749: Married Jeanne Thérèse Tellez ďAcosta
• 1749 - 1755 : Lived chiefly in retirement at Vendômois
• 1756: Led his regiment in the Minorcan campaign Appointed brigadier general and a Chevalier of St.Louis
• 1756 - 1763 : Served in the Seven Years’ War
• 1757: Appointed major general on the duc de Richelieu’s staff
• 1759: Appointed to command the Régiment ďAuvergne
• 1760: Wounded at the battle of Clostercamp Promoted to maréchal de camp Appointed inspector general of infantry
• 1771: Awarded the Grand Croix of the Order of St. Louis
• 1776: Appointed governor of Villefranche-en-Roussillon
• 1780: Ordered by the King to head an expeditionary force to aid the American colonists Sailed for America with four regiments; arrived in Rhode Island and placed his army at the disposal of General George Washington
• 1781: Joined his army with the Continental Army under General George Washington Besieged Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., aiding in gaining his surrender
• 1783: Returned to France
• 1784: Became commander of the military district at Calais France Founded the French chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati (disbanded in 1792)
• 1789: Participated in the Second Assembly of Notables Appointed commander of the district of Alsace
• 1791: Created marshal of France
• 1792 - 1794 : Imprisoned during the Reign of Terror
• 1804: Awarded Legion of Honor by Napoleon
• 1807: Died, chateau de Rochambeau, Thoré-la-Rochette, near Vendôme, France

From the guide to the Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, Papers, 1777-1794, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)