USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 11
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
State an impress that is yet undimmed and have bequeathed to us, their co- religionists, a record of which we are justly proud. Their route from New- port to the Hudson abound in memories that are ineffaceable. Wherever they passed they became the idols of the populace and were everywhere acclaimed the noble champions of American liberty.
The first Frenchman to offer his services to the Continental Congress was the youthful, generous and chivalrous Marquis de Lafayette, then nineteen years of age. Congress at first refused liis tender, but finally bestowed upon Lafayette the rank and commission of a Major-General in the army of the United States. Having served with distinction in the Virginia and Rhode Island campaigns, he returned to France impressed with the purpose of secur- ing aid from his sovereign, Louis XVI. His plea for reinforcements was successful. In consequence of his intervention a French fleet carrying 6,000 soldiers under the command of Admiral de Ternay1 and the Count de Rochambeau arrived at Newport on July 10, 1780. They came at a time when the army and finances of the Colonies were in a deplorable condition, and were received with unbounded enthusiasm. By order of the French government the new reinforcements were placed under the command of General Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.
After his arrival, Count de Rochambeau, as the commander of the French land forces, sought an interview with General Waslington, but military duties prevented a meeting until September 20th. The allied commanders met at Hartford.
Rochambeau set out for the rendezvous on the 17th, with Admiral De Ternay as traveling companion. As the admiral was afflicted with the gout, they made the journey in a carriage. On the evening of the 17th, when near Windham, the conveyance broke down, and they were unable to proceed. Rochambeau sent one of his aides, de Fersen, in search of a blacksmith to make the necessary repairs. The aide found one about a mile from the scene of the accident, but so ill that he declared he would not work at night if he received a liat full of guineas. Undaunted by the refusal, botlı Rochambeau and De Ternay-the latter with difficulty-went to the smith, and importuned him to repair their carriage. They informed him that Washiington was about to arrive at Hartford to confer with thein, but that the conference would not take place if the carriage were not repaired. It was a pressing argument and prevailed. "You are not deceivers," said the smith. "I have read in the Connecticut Journal that Washington is expected to confer with you, and I recognize that this is in the public service. Your carriage will be ready at six o'clock in the morning."
1 Charles Louis D'Arsac de Ternay was born in 1722. He died in December, 1781, at Newport. The Conn. Courant of December 22, 1781, contained the following notice :
NEWPORT. Buried in Trinity Churchyard, His Excellency Charles Louis de Ternay, Knight of St. John of Jerusalem, late Governor of the Islands of France and Bourbon, and Chief Commander of the French Squadron in the American Seas. His talents, zeal, and distinguished services have merited him the confidence and favor of his government and country.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
On their return journey another accident befell their carriage almost at the same place. Appealed to again for aid, the smith said : "Well, you wish me to work at night again?" Rochambeau informed him that the English Admiral Rodney had arrived with a naval force three times as large as their own, and therefore, it was necessary for them to press on in order to oppose his operations. "But," interposed the loquacious disciple of Vulcan, " what will your six vessels do against the twenty ships of the English? At any rate, you are a brave people. You shall have your carriage at five o'clock in the inorning. But, without wishing to know your secrets, tell ine, were you pleased with Washington and he with you ?" 1
At this conference Washington was accompanied by General Lafayette and General Knox, while with Rochambeau were Admiral de Ternay, Gen- eral Chastellux and the aides-de-camp, Count de Fersen, Marquis de Damnas and M. Dumas,2 and his son, the Viscount de Rochambeau.
The execution of the plans then agreed upon depended upon the arrival of a second division of French troops or in an increase of the naval forces. It was also decided to despatch an envoy to France to solicit new reinforcements from the ministry ; and for this mission the Viscount de Rochambeau, son of the commander, was chosen.
The meeting-place of the French and American generals is thus de- scribed. Speaking of Lafayette's departure fromn Bennet's hotel, on the occasion of his visit to Hartford, in 1824, a writer says : " 3
"On this very spot where stood his carriage, General Washington first met General Rochambeau, after his arrival from France to aid in the cause of the Revolution. Here Washington and several other American officers first shook hands, in the presence of Lafayette, with the officers of the French army. This place, too, was in front of the mansion (Col. Wadsworth's, now the Athenaeum ").
1 " Les Francais En Amerique, 1777-1783." Balch.
2 Count de Fersen's account of this conference is thus detailed in a letter to his father, dated October 16, 1780 : "I was about fifteen days ago at Hartford, forty leagues distant from here (Newport) with M. de Rochambeau. We were only six, the Admiral, his Chief of Engineers, his son, the Viscount de Rochambeau, and three aids-de-camp, of whoni I was one. He had an interview there with Washington. M. de Rochambeau sent me in advance to announce his arrival, and I had time to see this man, illustrious, if not unique in our century. His handsome and majestic, while, at the same time, mild and open countenance perfectly reflects his moral qualities ; he looks the hero; he is very cold ; speaks little, but is courteous and frank. A shade of sadness overshadows his countenance, whichi is not unbecoming, and gives him an interesting air. His suite was more numerous than ours. The Marquis de Lafayette, General Knox, Chief of Artillery, M. de Gouvion, a Frenchman, Chief of Engineers and six aids-de camp accompanied him. . .. As there is no traveling by posting in this country, every one must journey with his own horses, and nearly always on horseback, because of the bad roads. However, every body was in carriages, except our two aids-de camp. We were three days making the journey. General Washington as many. .. . The two Generals and the Admiral were closeted together the whole of the day we passed at Hartford. The Marquis de Lafayette was called in as an interpreter, as Washington does not either speak French or understand it. They separated mutually pleased with each other-at least they say so."
3 " An Account of the Tour of General Lafayette through the United States in 1824-25" (Hartford: Silas Andrus & Son, 1855.)
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The plans arranged at this conference were frustrated by the treason of Arnold. At the very hour in which Washington and Rochambeau were engaged in council to promote the cause of the Revolution, an American officer, born of the soil, was conspiring with the enemy to betray his country.
Rochambeau's main army, numbering about 4000 men, remained at Newport. To determine upon a plan of campaign a second conference was arranged between Washington and his French ally. This meeting was held on May 21, 1781, at the "Webb house," in Wethersfield.1 Rochambeau was accompanied by General Chastellux, and Washington by General Knox and General Du Portail.2 We quote a few entries from Washington's diary, con- taining this conference. His headquarters were at New Windsor, on the Hudson :
"May 18th. Set out this day for the interview at Wethersfield, with the Count de Rochambeau and Admiral Barras. Reached Morgan's Tavern, forty-three miles from Fishkill Landing, after dining at Colonel Vanderberg's.
" Igth. Breakfasted at Litchfield, dined at Farmington, and lodged at Wethersfield, at the house of Joseph Webb.
"20th. Had a good deal of private conversation with Governor Trumbull, who gave it to me as his opinion that if any important offensive operations should be undertaken, he had little doubt of our obtaining men and provisions adequate to our wants. In this Colonel Wadsworth and others concurred.
"May 21st. Count de Rochambeau, with the Chevalier Chastellux, arrived about noon. The appearance of the British fleet under Admiral Arbuthnot, off Block Island, prevented attendance of Count de Barras.
" 22d. Fixed, with Count de Rochambeau, the plan of the campaign.
'23d. Count de Rochambeau set out on his return to Newport, while I prepared and forwarded dispatches to the Governors of the four New England States, calling on them, in earnest and pointed terms, to complete their Continental battalions for the campaign, at least, if not for three years or the war," etc.3
At the May session, 1781, the General Assembly appropriated 6500 to defray the expense "to be incurred in quartering General Washington, General Knox, General Duportail, Count de Rochambeau, Count de Barras, and the Chevalier de Chastellux, and their suites, in Wethersfield."
On his arrival at Hartford on the 21st, Rochambeau was met by Wash- ington and his retinue and escorted to Wethersfield. According to tradition, the meeting occurred near what was the east end of the State House, now the site of the Post Office building. Rochambeau came from the ferry up
1 The Webb house at Wethersfield is still standing. It was the common resting- place for American officers and gentlemen of distinction in their passage through Con- necticut, and was known among them, from the generous courtesy of its occupants, as " Hospitality Hall." Its chief interest to the historical student is derived from its liav- ing been the spot elected for the conference held between Washington and Rochiam- beau." " Mag. of American Hist., June, 1880."
2 Du Portail was a French officer holding a commission in the American army. Other French officers serving with the Continental forces were Lieutenant-Colonel Gimat and Major Galvan. Gimat was wounded at Yorktown1.
3 In Washington's private account appears this item :
" May. To the Expence of a journey to Wethersfield, for the purpose of an inter- view with the French Genrl & Admnl, specie expended in this trip, £35. 18s."
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Market street, while Washington rode up Main street from his headquarters at Colonel Wadsworth's. 1
It was agreed at the Conference that the French forces should effect a junction with the American army on the Hudson as soon as circumstances would permit.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MARCH THROUGH CONNECTICUT.
R OCHAMBEAU left Hartford for Newport on the 23d. On the 9th of June, the army began its march westward. Arrived at Providence on the 11th, they rested there until the 18th, when they started on their march across what the Abbé Robin calls "The Province of Connecticut." The following are the names of the principal officers with the regiments that passed through the State : 2
Lieutenant-general, COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.
Aides-de-Camp-Count de Fersen, Marquis de Vauban, Marquis de Damas, Cheva- lier de Lameth, M. Dumas, De Lauberdière, Baron de Clozen. Marechaux-de-Camp- Major-general Baron de Viomenil, Major-general Marquis de St. Simon, Major-general Viscount de Viomenil, Major-general Chevalier de Chastellux.
M. DE CHOISY, Brigadier-general.
Intendant-M. de Tarlè. Quartermaster-general-M. de Béville. Commissary-gen- eral-Claude Blanchard. Medical Department-M. de Coste, Physician-in-chief : M. Robillard, Surgeon-in-chief ; M. de Mars, Superintendent of Hospitals. Engineers- Colonel Desandrouins, Lieutenant-colonel de Querenet, Major de Palys and nine line officers.
ARTILLERY. 1
Colonel Commandant d'Aboville, Adjutant Manduit. Director of the Park, M. Nadal. Rank and file, 600.
CAVALRY.
Lauzun's Legion (or Volunteers)-Duke de Lauzun, Count Arthur Dillon.3 Rank and file, 600.
INFANTRY.
BRIGADE BOURBONNOIS .- Regiment Bourbonnois-Colonel Marquis de Laval, Second- colonel Viscount de Rochambeau, Lieutenant colonel de Bressolles, Major de Gambs. Rank and file, 900.
Regiment Royal Deuxponts-Colonel Count de Deuxponts, Second-colonel Count Guillaume de Deuxponts, Lieutenant colonel Baron d'Ezbeck, Major Desprez. Rank and file, 900.
BRIGADE SOISSONOIS .- Regiment Soissonois-Colonel Marquis de St. Maime, Second colonel Vicomte de Noailles, Lieutenant-colonel d'Anselme, Major d'Espeyron. Rank and file, 900.
1 Memorial Hist. of Hartford Co., Vol. I., p. 298.
2 This roster of French officers is taken from the lists printed in the Mag. of Am. Hist., Vol. III., No. 7, and by Blanchard in his "Journal."
3 Count Dillon was the second in command at the siege of Savannah, October 4-9,
1779. He brought with him from France his own Irish regiment.
.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Regiment Saintogne-Colonel Marquis de Custine, Second-colonel Count de Charlus, Lieutenant-colonel de la Vatelle, Major M. Fleury. Rank and file, 900.1
The army left Providence in the following order, which was observed until their departure from Newtown, when, instead of marching in regiments, the army marched in brigades : On the 18th (June) the Bourbonnois (Count de Rochambeau and General Chastellux); the 19th, the Royal Deux-Ponts (Baron de Viomenil); the 20th, the Soissonois (Count de Viomenil); the 21st, the Saintonge (M. de Custine). The regiments followed one another at inter- vals of a day's march, or at a distance of about fifteen miles.
The first camp after leaving Providence was at Waterman's Tavern, which was reached on the evening of the 18th. The second encampment, and the first in Connecticut, was at Plainfield on the 19th ; the third at Wind- ham on the 20th ; the fourth at Bolton on the 21st ; the fifth at Hartford, the Bourbonnois on the 22d, the Deux-Ponts on the 23d, the Soissonois on the 24tl1, and the Saintonge on the 25th. The regiments rested two days each, leaving Hartford in the same order on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th, respectively. The advance regiment inade its sixth camp at Farmington on the 25th. June 26th saw them at Baron's Tavern near Southington, since known as French Hill. On the 27th, they camped at Breakneck in Middle- bury, and on the 28th at Newtown, where the army rested until July Ist. It was Rochambeau's intention to remain here till the 2d, but urgent orders from Washington caused him to liasten towards the Hudson. At Newtown the Bourbonnois and the Royal Deux-Ponts united, as did also the Soisson- ois and the Saintonge. In this order both brigades set out on July Ist for Bridgebury (Ridgebury), which they reached that evening. This was the last camp in Connecticut of Rochambeau's divisions on this inarch. At this point the army was diverted from the route originally planned on account of information received from General Washington. It was the intention to continue westward to Crompond and thence to King's Ferry on the Hudson, but instead, Rochambeau turned southward from Ridgebury and reached his eleventh camp at Bedford, New York, on July 2d, where he was joined by the legion of the Duke de Lauzun. The march was continued until July 7th, when a junction with the American forces was effected at Phillipsburg.
An eye-witness described Rochambeau's army as it marched across the State as "magnificent in appearance, superb in discipline." They conducted themselves as became brave soldiers of His Christian Majesty, the King of France. They committed no acts of forage, but paid liberally for the sup-
1 The following regiments were not in Connecticut, but were engaged at Yorktown under Rochambeau. They were brought from the West Indies by St. Simon in De Grasse's fleet :
BRIGADE AGENOIS.
Regiment Agenois-Colonel Marquis d'Audechamp, Lieutenant-colonel Chevalier de Cadignau, Major Pandin de Beauregard. Rank and file, 1000.
Regiment Gatenois-Colonel Marquis de Rostaing, Licutenant-colonel de L'Estrade, Major de Tourville. Rank and file, 1000.
Regiment Touraine (not brigaded)-Colonel Vicomte de Pondeux, Lieutenant-colo- nel de Montlezuu, Major Menonville. Rank and file, 1000.
II-6
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
plies furnished them; indeed, their liberality became a household word. They carried 2,500,000 livres for Washington's poorly paid troops, besides all abundance of silver money for their own requirements. Wherever they halted for the day, they were cordially received by officials appointed by the governor and escorted to suitable sites for encampment. During the march fifteen soldiers deserted-ten at Windham 1 and five at Newtown 2-not a large number, when we consider that they were marching in the hottest season of the year in a foreign land and under great difficulties. There was no rest save what was imperatively necessary, and the army, as a body, responded nobly to the demands made upon them. A contemporary chronicler who accompanied Rochambeau says: "It is impossible (for the army) to march better than it has done the entire distance, or to show greater willingness; it is true that Messieurs de Custine and the Viscount de Noailles set the example by march- ing the entire distance on foot at the head of their regiments." 3
At Bolton an incident occurred which furnished a subject of conversation for some time. Count de Rochambeau was the guest of the Congregational minister, the Rev. George Colton, "six feet three inches," but according to another authority, "six feet seven inches in height." He had been married twice, but had no children. To secure an heir to his fortune he offered to adopt the child of a grenadier, whose wife accompanied him, and to bestow upon the mother for herself thirty Louis in money; but she resolutely refused.
The camp at Hartford was pitched on a field north of the house of the late Nathaniel Warren, on Silver Lane.4 Rochambeau's headquarters was at the residence of Elisha Pitkins, Esq. The other officers were domiciled at Joseph Goodwin's, Sr., at the Warren house, south of the Hockanum bridge, and at other public and private houses. The old meeting-house near Elisha Pitkin's residence was used as an hospital. The officials of the town were lavish in their attentions to their French guests. To facilitate their trans- portation across the Connecticut river a number of scows, which served as bridges, were pressed into service. Silver Lane takes its name from the large number of kegs. that were opened here to pay the troops. The soldiers spent their money freely, among the boys for errands and among the women for sewing and mending uniforms, and for cakes, pies and other delicacies.
Tradition has been very busy with stories of this encampment; of their cattle-roasts in the ineadows and the barrels of soup made in Elisha Pitkin's yard ; of the frolicsome dancing parties in Ashael Robert's orchard near Silver Lane ; of the "Belle-Bonne " (Beautiful and Good) apples-a name given by the French to the fruit of a tree in this orchard. Tradition tells us also that the French officers paid a visit of courtesy to some English prisoners confined at South Windsor, and were served by Governor Franklin with sour punches,
1 Nine from the Soissonois and one from the Royal Deux-Ponts.
2 From the Bourbonnois.
The Soissonois and Saintonge. 00
+ Many of the details given here of the Hartford encampment are drawn from Trum- bull's Memorial History of Hartford Co., and from East Hartford: Its History and Traditions, both admirable works.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
whose sweet and sour ingredients were so pleasantly blended as to draw from the French the name "one grand contradiction."
The stay of the army in Hartford, though of brief duration,1 was charac- terized by cordiality and generosity, by culture and good-breeding. Prejudice against Catholics was in a measure dispelled, and otherwise the beneficial effects of their visit were visible for many years after. That this friendly feeling did not pass away with the objects of it, but became inore firmly cemented, is evident from the felicitations forwarded by the State of Connec- ticut to the King of France on the birth of his son, the Dauphin. His Majesty's thanks were conveyed to the people of the State through the Min- ister of France to the United States, the Chevalier De La Luzerne.
PHILADELPHIA, January 10, 1783. To his Excellency the Governor of the State of Connecticut :
SIR :- His Majesty has been informed of the marks of joy which the State of Con- necticut has shewn on the occasion of the birth of the Monsigneur the Dauphin. He . views with a great deal of satisfaction the part that the citizens of your State have taken in this happy event. The King orders me to testify his sensibility on this subject, and at the same time charges me to assure the citizens and inhabitants of the State of Con- necticut of his attention, and of the particular interest which he shall always take in their prosperity.
I have the honor to be, with respectful attachment, your Excellency's very obedient humble servant, LE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.
Leaving Hartford the army passed through Farinington, Southington (Baron's Tavern) and Waterbury to their eighth encampment at Breakneck Hill. They were delayed in Southington on account of freshets, which neces- sitated the repairing of a bridge which had become dangerous for travel. At Waterbury they made a fine impression. "It was on or about June 2Ist (it was June 27th) that the French army under General Rochambeau inarched through Waterbury on its way to meet Washington's army near King's Bridge. What welcome travelers the bonny Frenchmen must have proved themselves as they journeyed on, for they paid all their expenses in hard money, commit- ting no depredations, and treating the inhabitants with great civility and pro- priety. The officers wore coats of white broadcloth trimmed with green, white under-dress, and hats with two corners instead of three (like the cocked hats worn by American officers)."2 They marched two and two, and when the liead of the columnn liad disappeared beyond the hill at Captain George Nichols' residence, the other extremity had not come in sight on West Side Hill.3
The army experienced great difficulty in reaching Breakneck in Middle- bury. The roads were steep and very roughi, so that the artillery was consid-
1 On the day preceding the regiment's departure from Hartford, an officer wrote: "I went to see a charming spot called Weathersfield, four miles from East Hartford. It would be impossible to find prettier houses and a more beautiful view. I went up into the steeple of the church and saw the richest country I had yet seen in America. From this spot you can see for fifty miles around."-Baron du Bourg.
2 Hist. of Waterbury, Price & Lee Company-1896. Vol. I , p. 453.
3 Bronson's Hist. of Waterbury, 1858.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
erably delayed. The diarist, before quoted, says : "Breakneck is the English for Casse-cou;1 it well deserves the name from its difficult approach. The village is frightful and without resources." Rochambeau and his suite lodged at Israel Bronson's tavern, while the troops pitched their camp about a mile north of the church. While here the troops baked and washed to such an extent that all the wells of the neighborhood were drawn dry. To supply the deficiency all the men in the vicinity with their conveyances were em- ployed to bring water from Hop Brook.2
Marching to Newtown the army passed through Woodbury. Their halt there is thus described by the distinguished historian of the town : "During this year (1781), the French armny, under General Lafayette,3 passed through this town on their journey south to join General Washington in his operations against Cornwallis. They came through White Deer Rocks, where they were obliged to cut away trees and remove stones in order to transport their heavy baggage through the defile. The army encamped for the night in town in such companies as suited their convenience, and when they pitched their tents they extended all the way from Middle Quarter to White Oak, a distance of three miles. That part which encamped near the house then occupied by David Sherman, and since by the late Gideon Sherman, ate for him, with his consent, twelve bushels of apples, as is related, and drank seven or eight bar- rels of new cider at his mill. During the evening they had a dance in which sonie of the Woodbury damsels joined with the polite French officers in their gay uniforms, while others looked on. Multitudes of the inhabitants pressed about the tents of those patriotic foreigners, who had come so far to fight the battle of freedom for a suffering people, and destined to act so distinguished a part in bringing the long and bloody contest to a close. Lafayette,4 with his chief officers, lodged at the house of Hon. Daniel Sherman, and was waited on by all the principal inen of the town." 5
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