Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-20
The Daughter Of the Count DoGrassc.

We noticed in our issue Of Friday, the death,
In New York, of Madame De Pau, youngest
daughter of the Count DeGrasse. Since the
appearance OF that article we have been called
on by Mr.. Babcock, of this city, who informed
us Of q tact in reference to the family of that
great man, and their unfortunate history, of
which we were not advised before. lie stated
that two other daughters came with Madame
DePau, the Mademoiselle Sivie DeGrasse, to
Charleston, and that both were buried in the
graveyard of st. Mary's Chapel on Hasel
street. Upon further examination, we found
that such was indeed the fact. In the further
part OF that enclosure there is tomb with
marble slab upon it, bearing the following in
scnption:
Underneath lie inferred the bodies Of Mile
Amelie Maxine Resale DeGrasse, died 23d of
August, 1899, and Of Mile Melonie Vironque
Maxine DeGrasse, died Sept. 10, 1895
daughters Of the late James Joseph Paul,
Count DeGrasse, Marquis De Tilley, of the
former Counts of Province, Sovereign Prince
of Antilles, Lieut.. General of the Naval Ar
mics Of his Most Christian Majesty, Comman-
der of the Royal Order Of st. Louis, and a
member of the Sons Of Cincinnati"
This inscription is surmounted by coat-of-
arms, and has under it the Roman cross
The facts connected with the history of this
great man are certainly interesting. 1t will be
remembered that he was in command Of the
French feet which cooperated with the CONT
mental army in the capture Of Yorktown, and
at the gloomiest period Of our revolutionary
struggle he contributed, from his private for
tune, the sum Of one hundred thousand dollars
to assist in supporting the American army.
Shortly after this his misfortunes commenced
Sailing to the West Indies, he was met by Adj
miral Rodney, in charge of the English fleet
and throwing his ships in the order Of battle,
he was made the victim of naval mannuvre
which had never before been practiced. In
stead of presenting a similar line of battle, Ad-
miral Rodney took advantage of favorable
wind, and bore, with his whole force, down up
on the centre of his line, and, cutting it in two
continued to play upon the discovered parts
with a tremendous execution, which soon ter
minated the fortunes Of the day against the
gallant French, who, under other circumstances
would have endured the contest to the last ex-
tremity. The gallant Count never recovered
from the modification Of this defeat, but died
soon after. His family were compelled to fly
to this country upon the breaking out of the
French revolutions and the three sisters are
remembered by persons still alive in Charles.
ton. They were chiefly supported by an an
nuity Of one thousand dollars each, granted to
them BY the Government Of the United States,
but lived in considerable comfort and sur
rounded themselves with highly intelligent
and refined society. The two daughters, we
believe fell victims to the yellow fever, which
prevailed, to some extent, in Charleston in
1899, and Mademoisele Silvie, then married to
Mons. DePau, soon followed her husband to
the wider field for his commercial fortunes in
New York Charleston Standard.