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Victory, Out of Providence
By Lt Col P
Concluding my visit to Newport and following up on last night's post on General Greene, I think it's a fascinating coincidence that the French forces which formed the backbone of the siege at Yorktown sallied forth from Newport and Providence. Indeed, they sailed and marched probably within sight of Greene's home.
This site has a great day-by-day look at Rochambeau's movement from Rhode Island to Virginia, a prodigious undertaking, from 18 June to 26 September 1781. (See here for more information on the French naval officer, Comte De Grasse, whose fleet defeated the British at the mouth of the Chesapeake and sealed Cornwallis's fate. Who knew that De Grasse was a Knight of Malta?)
What amazes me is that in an age of slow and uncertain communications, Washington and his subordinates and allies were able to draw together the far-flung campaign threads, and arrive by turns at the decisive place and time. Dare we say that Providence played more than one role here?
BTW, on a modern note, I recommend the Coddington Brewing Company in Middletown.
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Next month the French DAR and SAR societies
will have a weeklong celebration of the 1783 Treaty of Paris with receptions, banquets, visits to the statues of Rochambeau, de Grasse, Washington and to the grave of Lafaytte and much more. About 70 American SAR/DAR members will participate and I am happy to be among them. Nice to know there are still some strong ties between us. Membership in SAR/DAR is open to descendents of those who fought in or otherwise supported the American Revolution.