Lieutenant General Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary French armies under Washington from July 10, 1780 to January 11, 1783, wrote to Congress, “We are your brothers. We shall conduct ourselves as such with you. We shall fight against our enemies at your side as one and the same nation.” In June 1781, General Rochambeau and 6000 French forces under his command camped here, then continued their march through Connecticut to join General Washington and the American troops in successfully defeating the British at the Battle of Yorktown. The French forces camped here again in November 1782 after helping in the fight for independence. General Count de Rochambeau was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, formed by General Washington and his officers in 1783 to perpetuate their fellowship.

Photo: Internet Archive

Photo: Charles Fenno Jacobs (courtesy of the Library of Congress)

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick