French General Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, and thousands of French ground and naval forces arrived in Newport in July 1780 to assist the Americans in the War for Independence. After wintering in Newport, Rochambeau's troops marched through Connecticut to join General George Washington's Continental Army just over the New York border. The combined forces moved down the eastern seaboard and confronted Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis and the British army in Yorktown, Virginia. After a prolonged siege, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781, virtually ending the war and ensuring American independence. The French route south through Connecticut ran from June 19 to July 2, 1781, and the return north from October 23 to November 9, 1782. Southington became a town in 1779 during the American Revolution, and its first town meetings dealt with supporting the American cause by providing bonuses for residents who enlisted in the Continental Army and arranging support for dependents of enlistees. Out of a town-wide population of about 1,500, 138 men served in the military forces during the Revolution. Some Southington residents served as minutemen, committed to arming themselves on short notice to defend against British attacks, and they were called to defend both Danbury and New Haven. After several years of sacrifice and discouraging news, local residents were inspired and encouraged by some 4,700 French troops with artillery and wagon trains marching through town on the way to join General George Washington in what is today White Plains, New York.

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick