The Savannah morning news., 1902-05-21


The visit of the distinguished rep
resentatives of the French government
who have come TO this country, on the
first-class battle ship Gaulois, to take
part in the Rochambeau monument
ceremonies in Washington next Satur-
day, ought to reawaken American in
terest in the history and exploits of the
gallant French officer who did so much
to aid the colonists in throwing off the
yoke of Great Britain. And beyond
that, the visit and the ceremonies
should serve to strengthen the bonds of
traditional friendship that have for
so long a time existed between France
and the United States.
Almost any school child Of a dozen
years can give a very fair explana-
ton of who Lafayette was and what
he did for the struggling Americans;
hut how many of them, or of adults,
either, can tell who the Comte de
Rochambeau was and what services he
performed in aid of Washington? And
yet Rochambeau was one of the most
conspicuous figures in one of the most
important battles of the Revolution,
the battle of Yorktown. Without his
aid that battle might have been lost
to the Americans-or rather to the al
lies, for Rochambeau had 1000 French
troops to Washington's 5000 Ameri-
cans-with disastrous consequences to
the hopes of the colonials. And after
yorktown, Rochambeau came South
where he assisted Gen. Greene in
manner that would have made him
famous even if his services farther
North had been less brilliant.
Not only did Rochambeau give his
personal services in the field, where
his military genius was of highest
value, but he opened his purse to the
struggling Americans at a time when
they were sorely in need of financial
assistance. At one time be advanced
$4,000 in gold to pay Northern
troops that had refused to march fur
Their south than a point in MARYLAND
unless they received what Washington
called "a douceur Of a little hard
money" Rochambeau landed in this
country in 1880, in the month of July.
He remained and fought with the col
onlais until January, 1888, the year of
the peace, when he returned to his own
country. Congress gave him a vote of
thanks, and upon his arrival in France
he was honored with the baton of a
field marshal. Later Congress pro-
Vided that a monument to his memory
should be erected in Washington. IT
is that provision that is now carried
out, after years of delay.
Jean Baptiste Donation de Rocham-
beau, second son of a military father
OF large fortune, was educated for the
priesthood. The death of both father
and elder brother however. left him
he1r to the title and estate of the
father, and he at once chose a mill
tary career. He had served thirty
elght years in the French army and
reached the grade of lieutenant general
when he was selected by Louis XVI to
command the army destined to serve
against England in America. His
wealth and position as a nobleman
aided him in recruiting his troops. and
he sailed with 5000 men. These were
transported in five ships, which land
ed in Rhode Island in July, 1850. That
winter was spent in discipHning the
troops, after which followed his brill
liant campaigns. He became the close
personal friend of Washington, Greene
and other American commanders, and
felt warm and sincere friendship for
the colonies he had so materiHy assist
ed. He died full of years and honors in
1907.