#general rochambeau did get a statue in newport (i didn't know that) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

clove-pinks · 1 year

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I saw @joachimnapoleon’s post wishing French Marshal of the Empire Louis-Alexandre Berthier a happy birthday today (born 20 November 1753), and immediately zoomed in on his participation in the American Revolutionary War under General Rochambeau.

Rochambeau?? Does that mean... he was in Rhode Island?? (FYI my home state where I’m from, for those just tuning in at home)

And yes! Yes he was in Rhode Island!!

Detail of Plan de la position de l'armée françoise autour de Newport et du mouillage de l'escadre dans la rade de cette ville, 1780. (Library of Congress)

Although an author for the map isn’t listed on the LOC, a Rhode Island history site attributes it to Berthier based on “similarities in style and technique with other known Berthier maps and because Colonel Desandroüins was Berthier’s commanding officer.” (omg he drew Easton’s Beach)

I also found an interesting (if somewhat embarrassing) article in the Journal of the American Revolution: Why Newport, Rhode Island, Scorned the French. Basically we were very rude and hostile to General Rochambeau and his entourage because a) the French are CATHOLICS, b) Newport was a hotbed of Loyalists, c) Newport people are just jerks tbh, d) strange fears that the French eat babies?!

#louis-alexandre berthier #american revolution #amrev #rhode island #new england #comte de rochambeau #general rochambeau did get a statue in newport (i didn't know that)#i'm from bristol not newport #who can afford to go to newport #us history #napoleon's marshals

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