Saint-Simon

Saint-Simon. 1781 Siege of Yorktown. , “…announce the landing of three thousand French troops under the Marquis [de Saint-Simon] at Burrels Ferry.... They... will... proceed with flat bottom boats and the others where they will again land at James Island their troops this morning.” , Brigadier General Anthony Wayne to the Marquis de Lafayette, September 2, 1781, 1 oCK AM, On September 2, 1781, a flotilla of transports sailed up the James River, bringing the first French troops to Virginia during the American Revolutionary War. These 3,200 soldiers were under the command of Major General Claude Anne de Rouvroy, Marquis de Saint-Simon and included the regiments of Touraine, Gâtinais and Agenois. They had sailed from French-controlled Santo Domingo in the Caribbean., Saint-Simon placed his troops under the command of the American general Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. With the combined American and French forces, Lafayette was confident that he could contain Cornwallis at Yorktown while waiting for General George Washington's arrival with more American troops and a French army commanded by General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau. By late September, over 17,600 American and French forces were in Williamsburg, ready to begin a siege against Cornwallis at Yorktown., At the start of the siege, Saint-Simon was ill but demanded that he be carried on a stretcher to lead his troops. He was later wounded by British grapeshot. Washington wrote a commendation to him and his troops for their contributions at Yorktown: "The division which you command... executed their debarkation and junction with the American troops, with a promptness and security which were essential ... The military ardour and perfect discipline for which they have been conspicuous... during... the Siege, and your measures,... have secured you the esteem of this country....", (captions) , Claude-Anne de Rouvroy, Marquis de Saint-Simon as depicted in John Trumball's painting The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, 19 October 1781. The entire painting is shown at Tour Stop C on the Yorktown Battlefield Tour Road. Courtesy Architect of the Capitol, The Gâtinais regiment was seasoned in siege warfare; having participated in the 1779 Siege of Savannah and the 1781 Spanish siege against the British at Pensacola, Florida. Charles Lefferts, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society, French troops arrived at Burwell's Ferry a short distance from here. From A Plan of the entrance of Chesapeak [sic] Bay, with James and York Rivers; wherein are shewn the respective positions (in the beginning of October) 1 of the British Army commanded by Lord Cornwallis, at Gloucester and York in Virginia; 2. of the American and French forces under General Washington, 3, and the French fleet under Count de Grasse. By an officer., London, published by Wm. Faden, Charing Cross, Novr. 26th 1781. Courtesy of the Library of Congres