The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-24
SATURDAY EVENING. MAY "a, 1902

1t was In the fall of 1850 that Rocham-
beau arrived at Newport, escorted by a
feet under the command of De Ternay,
and landed from his transports an army
OF 5000 men. This was supposed to be
the, advance guard OF the allies, for tie
whole force promised was $4,000 men. But
the others never got away from the coast
OF France. The English learned their
purpose and kept large fleet in the vicin-
ity OF Bre1t to head off any attempt. The
colonial generals had been apprised of the
coming OF Rochambeau and were on the
lookout for him. He was met by scouting
SHIPS and escorted in safety to the land
ing. The French general was not i'm
pressed by the welcome he received at
first and wrote home to the secretary of
war complaining OF the coldness of the
people. But he later altered his impress
slons. BY the time the troops had been
landed. which required two days, the peo-
pie Of Newport arranged a rousing well
come and the new arrivals were left no
room to complain az to their lack of hos
pitality.
Two months elapsed between the land
ing Of Rocha mbeau at Newport and his
meeting with tas general commanding
the colonial forces. Historians have diff
Tered as to the cause, but 1t is generally
agreed that 1t was due to a mutual mis-
understanding as to what each might be
expected to do under the circumstances.
The Frenchman felt that a greater
amount OF cordiality might have been
shown him by General Washington and
the latter was thinking more about the
labor to be done than he was Of the nice
courtesies to be observed toward the
commander of the allies. And right here
came up a most interesting question, and
one which has puzzled historians since
Rochambeau was ordered by King Louis
to place himself and army under command
Of Washington, and in the actions later
this is what he did. But under the laws
OF France the king could not order his
general to serve under any one less than
mareschal of France. It is claimed
that the fleet Of DEstaing or that OF De
Iernay did, In fact, bring General Wash
ington commission as mareschal and
that 1t was as such officer that Rocham-
beau submitted himself to Washington's
command Later, when peace prevailed
and the subject was brought UP as a po-
lttlcal issue, Washington made quail.
ned denial that he held a commission
from the French king, and 1t Is stated
That no such commission was discovered
among his papers. But, In spite Of all
this, 1t Is still contended by some Of the
most eminent historians that Washington
was mareschal Of France and as such
commanded the French allies.
The tri1ing misunderstanding between
Washington and Rochambeau was adj
justed after two months delay by the
sending Of Count Fersen to WASHINGTON
to bear the compliments Of the French
commander and to inquire as to Washing
| tons plans. Those were explained, with
| the result that the two armies spent the
| winter In preparation for the next years
campaign. The soldiers occupied the
works which had been thrown up by the
British and later abandoned, and pro-
ceeded to strengthen them by mounting
the cannon from the ships. These old
pieces OF brass ordnance, which at this
day would doubtless appear very crude
and archaic, were the cause of delight and
! wonder to the colonial troops and the
people Of Newport, and they later proved
| OF practical value in the Investment of
| Yorktown.
The greatest need of the colonial cause
at this time was money, and the most i'm
portant incident of this winter was the
heroic and successful mission Of Colonel
Rochambeau, son Of General Count >Ro-
chambeau, who had accompanied his ia
Their to America and who served under him
all through the campaign. The colonel i'm
dertcok to run the blockade maintained
by the British and to convey dispatches to
Paris urging the need for sending money
and more troops at once. Young Rocham-
beau committed the dispatches to memory.
intending, If in danger Of capture, to throw
away the documents and. If successful in
making his escape, to go on and deliver
/ them by, word of mouth Then he took
ship In small schooner. and. under es-
cort Of two other vessels which went
along for blind, he set sail in a bowling
hurricane. Hie ship succeeded in passing
the blockaders, but he was discovered and
all three were closely pursued. His ship
was dismasted, but the enemy had by this
time been distanced and had turned atten-
tion to the other vessels So young Ro-
chambeau pressed on in crippled state and
with jury sails succeeded in making the
French coast. He saw the king, and when
he returned early in the spring OF 1881,
1t was with 100000 Of treasure, which in
our currency would be about 81 zoo, 600.
The silver was safely landed at Boston,
and it's arrival was the most cheering news
that had csme to General Washington for
many months. The need for funds had
been so great that at times, the soldiers
seemed on the verge of mutiny. and when
the northern recruits were started on the
march south In the summer of 1881 and be-
fore the return of young Rochambeau,
Washington found 1t expedient to solicit a
| loan from Count Rochambeau. who thus
aided the cause from his private purse,
aud the soldiers were paid in silver In
view Of the fact that they had seen little
for weeks but colonial "shinplaster," the
t2ecie was very acceptable to them, and
they took up the march into Virginia In
| better spirits .g ,