Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Letter: Arrival of Rochambeau's army in Newport, RI, Manuscript #MS 2007.6, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 2007.

Historical Information

Rochambeau landed at Newport, Rhode Island, on July 10, but was held there inactive for a year, owing to his reluctance to abandon the French fleet blockaded by the British in Narragansett Bay. At last, in July 1781, Rochambeau's force finally left Rhode Island, marching across Connecticut to join Washington on the Hudson River at Dobbs Ferry, New York. There then followed the celebrated march of the combined forces and the siege of Yorktown. On September 22, they combined with the Marquis de Lafayette's troops and forced Lord Cornwallis to surrender on October 19.

Scope and Content

Letter dating to early July 1780. Unidentified correspondent reports the latest developments in British-occupied New York City. This document provided significant intelligence to Washington's army based in New Jersey. The account reports upon the arrival of Rochambeau and thousands of French troops that would figure prominently in the 1781 siege of Yorktown.

Arrangement

1 item.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Arbuthnot, Marriott, 1711?-1794.
• Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807.

Corporate Names:

• France. Armée.

Geographical Names:

• United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783.