File GR 1 VN 7 « mémoires, plans, cartes sur les opérations de la guerre d’Amérique* (1776-1781) (old Archives du Génie 15-1-7, No. 34)
Château de Vincennes
Table of Contents
The file contains a copy of the description of defenses around Newport (undated) titled “Memoire sur la Ville de Newport en Rhode-Island avec la description de ses environs, des Ouvrages de Campagne Construite pour sa defense et celle de sa rade, et enfin de ceux qu’on pourroit y ajouter” by Colonel Jean Nicholas Desandrouins and the map that goes along with it.
In his letter from Newport dated 8 September 1780, Guillaume Querenet de La Combe referenced the “Memoire sur la Ville de Newport.” The “Memoire” is not transcribed here since there exists a different version with the same main text but lengthy notes in the left-hand margin, also written by Colonel Desandrouins, in GR 1 VM 209, which is transcribed and translated instead.
Also included in this file are 10 letters written by engineers from the United States between 13 August 1780 and 10 February 1783. Only the letters written from locations in Rhode Island and/or with information relevant for the stay and work of French engineers in Rhode Island are transcribed.
There is no envelope that would indicate the recipient of any of these letters, which were most likely addressed to the French Secretary of War.
Alexandre Marie Eleonor of Saint-Mauris, comte de Montbarrey (20 April 1732- 5 May 1796), held the office from 27 September 1777 to 15 December 1780.
Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes (29 December 1719 – 13 February 1787), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, briefly served as Secretary of State for War for the week from 15 December to 23 December 1780.
He was succeeded by Philippe Henri, marquis de Ségur (20 January 1724 – 3 October 1801), was Secretary of State for War under King Louis XV and later King Louis XVI from 23 December 1780 to 27 August 1787.
All letters carry the number 34 with a subscript number running from 1 to 10. They are transcribed here in the order in which they are in the file.
Orthography and grammar of the original are maintained throughout as much as possible.
English translations are integrated into the transcripts in cursive following each paragraph.
Letter identified as No 341 in a different handwriting. Above that number is written Guerre d’Amerique followed by m[onsieur] d’opterre
Newport, Rhode-island, 13 aout 1780
Monsieur,
Peu de jours aprés notre débarquemens ici j’ai eû l’honneur de vous Ecrire par un aviso qui devoit partir de cette Rade pour annoncer notre heureux debarquemens dans ce port ; mais a Peine eut il mis a La voile quil toucha sur une Carcasse de Batimens Echouée ci devant par les américains pour fermer une Passe, et quil coula Bas avec toutes les lettres de L’armée.
A few days after our landing here I had the honor of writing to you by an aviso [a type of ship] which was to leave this roadstead to announce our happy landing in this port; but no sooner had it set sail than it touched the wreckage of a vessel beached here in front by the Americans to close a channel, and sank to the bottom with all the letters of the army.
J’espere que celle-ci sera plus heureux et quelle pourra vous porter les assurances de mon Souvenir et de mon Respect.
I hope that this (vessel) will have more luck and that she will be able to bring you the assurances of my Remembrance and of my Respect.
Notre traversée a été très longue. Partis de Brest le 2. mai nous ne Sommes Entrees ici que le 13. juillet, des vents contraires et très violents, des calmes ; le longue circuit que nous avons fait pour aller prendre les vents alisé dans le Sud ; Enfin a Lenteur naturelle de la Marche d’un convoi ont fort allonge notre navigation.
Our crossing was very long. We left Brest on the 2nd of May but we did not enter here until the 13th of July; contrary and very violent winds, calms; the long circuit we made to catch the trade winds in the south; finally, the natural slowness of the progress of a convoy greatly lengthened our navigation.
Le 20 juin a 50 Lieues Environ au S.E. de la Bermude nous avons fait Rencontre de 5 vx anglois et une fregatte ; que lon croit être Commandes par lamiral grewe ; notre Escadre les a chasses ; les ennemies temoin le vent et ne Sont point arrives de Sorte que nous avons pu les Combattre que de très loin a lexeption d’un Seul vaisseau qui a essuie un feu très vif.
On the 20th of June, about 50 leagues [at sea a lieue could be three nautical miles or about 5.55 km] to the S.E. of Bermuda, we met five English ships and a frigate; which it is believed were commanded by Admiral Graves; our Squadron chased them; the enemies held the wind and [we] did not close enough that we were able to fight them [except] only from a very long distance with the exception of a single ship that came under very sharp fire.
(page 2)
Il etoit de Beaucoup Sous le vent et hors de Sa Ligne, deux de nos vx le Serrount de pres et Lauroient infalliblement attein Si on ne leur eut fait le Signal de diminnuer de voiles ; La Surete du convoi Exigeoit apparemens cette manœuvre mais avant quelle fut faitte toute larmée etoit persuadée que ce vaisseau ne pouvoit nous Echapper. Notre Escadre a eu je crois 5. a 6. hommes tues et 10 a 12. Blesses ; le convoi a été Spectateur de cette Rencontre a la distance denviron deux portees de Canon ; du reste nous n’avons fait d’autre prises que celle de quelques Bataux de New York et de Charlestown.
She was much to leeward and out of the line, two of our vessels pressed her closely and would infallibly have reached her if they had not been given the signal to diminish sail; the safety of the convoy apparently required this maneuver, but before it was made, the whole army was persuaded that this vessel could not escape us. Our squadron had, I believe, 5 or 6 men killed and 10 or 12 wounded; the convoy was a spectator of this encounter at the distance of about two cannon ranges; beyond that we have taken any other prizes than that of a few ships from New York and Charlestown.
On a d’abord eu dessein de Mouiller dans la baie de Chesapeack pour avoir des nouvelles du continent, en effet nous nous Sommes presenté á lentrée de cette Baie, mais à Laspect de quelques voiles ennemies on a fait Sur le champ Revirer de Bord, pour porter ici.
At first we had the intention of anchoring in the bay of Chesapeake to get news from the continent, in fact we presented ourselves at the entrance of this bay, but at the sight of some enemy sails we turned around on the spot to come here.
A notre debarquement Larmée et l’escadre avoient Beaucoup de Malades la plus part Scorbutiques ; Les Regiments de Bourbonnois et de deux ponts ont été des plus mal traites mais il y en a déjà Beaucoup de Retablis.
At our landing the army and the squadron had many sick, most of them scorbutic; the Regiments of Bourbonnois and of Deux-Ponts had been afflicted the most but there are already many restored [to health].
Tous nos Cammarades Se Sortent très bien, je n’ai eû pour mon Compte d’autre indispositton que le mal de mer qui dans les gros temps m’a fait Beaucoup souffrir. À Peine avons nous été débarques ici que Lescadre de grewes Renforcée des vaisseux ennemies qui etoient a new york, est venue nous Bloquer dans ce port et croiser pendant 13 jours presqu’a portée de Canon de la côte elle etoit composée de 20 voiles parmi les quels les Marins prétendent quil y avoit 10 vx de ligne ; cependant un transfuge de cette énorme flotte qui a Passé ici assure quelle n’en composée que de 8 vaisseaux dont un de 50 de quelques fregattes et tous le Reste de petits Batiments.
All our comrades are doing very well, I have had no other injury for myself than seasickness which in heavy weather has made me suffer a lot. Scarcely had we landed here when the squadron of Graves, reinforced by the enemy’s ships which were in New York, came to blockade us in this port and cruise for 13 days almost within cannon range of the coast; it was composed of 20 sail among which the sailors claim were 10 Ships of the Line; however, a deserter from this enormous fleet who has passed here assures us that it consistes of only eight ships, one of which is of 50 guns, a few frigates, and all the rest are small vessels.
Quoiquil En Soit durant que grewe venoit notre Escadre Bloquée dans le Port Clinton Embarquoit dans la Passe du Sound, entre longue island et
Be that as it may, while Graves held our Squadron blockaded in Port, Clinton embarked in the channel of the Sound, between Long Island and
(page 3)
le continent 8000. Hommes de Ses meilleurs troupes Sur 120 transports, tous les avis, et notamment ceux du general waginton annoncoient qu’il venoit nous attaquer. nous nous sommes disposes a le bien Recevoir tant par terre que par mer ; lescadre notre escadre Composee de 7 vx et trois fregattes devoit Sembosser a Lentrée de la passe principale, appuiant Sa gauche et Sa droite a de petites isles Sur lesquelles on a élevé des batteries.
the continent 8000. men of his best troops on 120 transports, all reports, and in particular those of General Washington, announced that he was coming to attack us. We have prepared to receive him [Clinton] well both by land and by sea; our squadron, composed of 7 Ships of the Line and three frigates, was to moor at the entrance of the main channel, resting its left and right on small islands on which batteries had been erected.
Du coté de la terre nous avons travaille avec grande diligence à Relever Et perfectionner les Retranchements faites ci devant par les anglois pour couvrier cette ville et on a mis tant d’activité dans ce travail qu’en peu de jours nos ouvrages ont été assez avancés pour pouvoir Braver lennemi, et désirer quil vint nous visitter ; mais au moment ou l’on Sattendoit a lavoir Sur les Bras Clinton a change d’avis, et il a fait dire a lamiral grewe qui pressoit l’execution du projet, qu’il avoit compté prendre les francois au dépourvu, mais qu’il apprenoit qu’ils etoient retranches, qu’ils avoient de l’artillerie postée, que leurs malades netoient pas aussi nombreux, qu’on lavoit cru, que les Milices américaines au nombre de 4 à 5000 marchoient vers Rhodeisland, et que Waginton faisoit mine de Se Rapprocher de Newyork, Bref quil abandonnoit Son projet, et en effet il a debarqué Ses troupes, est Rentré dans New York, et nous ne vimes plus lescadre anglaise.
On the land side we have worked with great diligence to raise and perfect the Entrenchments made here before by the English to work this city and so much activity has been put into this work that in a few days our works have been sufficiently advanced to be able to brave the enemy, and desire that he come to visit us; but at the moment when they were about to have it on the Arms Clinton changed his mind, and he sent word to Admiral Grewe, who was in charge of the execution of the project, that he had intended to catch the French off guard, but that he learned that they were entrenched, that they had artillery posted, that their sick were not as numerous as it was believed, that the American militia to the number of 4 to 5000 were marching towards Rhode Island, and that Washington was pretending to get closer to New York, in short that he [Clinton] was abandoning his project, and in fact landed his troops and returned to New York, we saw the English fleet no more.
Cependant nous continuons nos travaux avec Beaucoup dordre, notre général paroist douter Beaucoup fois les Projets de Mr desandrouins, nous etablions nous au tour de cette ville une ligue de défense formée par de fortes Redoutes seront liées par quelques Communications, les gorges de ces ouvrages seront très foibles pour être Reprises au Besoin.
However, we continue our work with a lot of order, our general seems to doubt many times the projects of Mr. Desandrouins, we establish ourselves around this city a line of defense formed by strong redoubts will be linked by some communications, the gorges of these works will be very weak so that they can be retaken if necessary.
Continue p. 24
Newport paroise etre destinée a nous servir durant toute la guerre de Place darmes et de dépôt général pour notre armee ; Son port l’un des plus Beaux de lenviron nous laissera la liberté d’entretenir Sur cette côte une Escadre dans tous les tems, elle y Sera Sortout necesaire Pour soutenir nos etablissement ànewport dans le Cas ou le Plus grande partie de notre armee irait dans le Continent Seconder les operations du general americain qu’il commande les chef les troupes françaises et américaines.
A notre arrivée ici larmée americaine etoit Réduite a Peu de choses, le Papier du Congrés perdoit 80 pour un de Sa pre valeur, des le jour de notre debarquement le papier n’a perdu a Boston que 60 pt un et larmee americaine Se recruite quoiqu á grand frais, on dit quelle sera 15000 ho a la fin du mois mais les Engagements netant que pour 3 et 4 mois elle ne sera pas long temps aussi nombreuse.
When we arrived here the American army was reduced to very little, the paper [currency] of Congress lost 80 per cent of its value, since the day of our landing the paper lost in Boston only 60 per cent and the American army is recruiting itself although at great expense, it is said that it will be 15000 men at the end of the month but the enlistments being only for 3 and 4 months it will not be long so numerous for a long time.
D’un autre cote il paroit certain que Clinton a 14000 ho Environ dans newyork et 3000 ou 4000 a charlestown ; daprés cela si notre 2de division, dont nous navons aucune nouvelle, narrive pas Bientôt, je crains fon que nous ne Sortions pas de Rhodeisland cette année, et que nous y restions Sur la deffensive.
On the other hand, it seems certain that Clinton has about 14000 men in New York and 3000 or 4000 in Charlestown; after that, if our 2nd Division, of which we have no news, does not arrive soon, I fear that we will not leave Rhode Island this year, and that we will remain there on the defensive.
Cependant la présence de notre petite armée a la porte de newyorck empêchera du moins les anglais de tenter cette année une nouvelle Expedition Sur le continent ce qu’ils n’auroient pas manque de faire.
However, the presence of our little army at the door of Newyorck will at least prevent the English from attempting a new expedition to the continent this year, which they would not have failed to do.
Tous les Partisans de la liberté ont temoigne ici la plus grande satisfaction des Secours que la France vient de leur Envoier, des illuminations et des fêtes publiques ont marqué l’époque de notre arrivée, cependant cette ville est une de celles ou il y a le plus de tories mais cette faction quoi que Nombreuse n’a aucune activité elle est absolument passive et dans le fait tout est Soumis En Amérique aux ordres du Congrés, aussi Bien que les anglais aient des forces très considerables dans ce Continent ; a laide des Secours qui apparencent nous arriverons d’europpe et de Characonia ( ?) qui paroise setablir entre nous et les américains, il paroise que nous finirons par obliger nos ennemis à Evacuer ce Continent.
All the Partisans of Liberty have testified here the greatest satisfaction of the Succors that France has just sent them, illuminations and public festivities have marked the time of our arrival, however this city of the one where most are Tories, but this faction, although numerous, has no activity, it is absolutely passive and in fact everything in America is subject to the orders of Congress, which is just as well since the English have very considerable forces in this continent; with the help of the assistance that seem to have arrived from Europe and from Characonia (?) which seems to be establishing itself between us and the Americans, it seems that we will end up forcing our enemies to evacuate this Continent.
Tous les Comestibles a lexception de la viande de Boucherie Sont ici fort cher, le poids Se vend 12 a 13s La Livre, mais le Roi le donne a 5s aux officiers de l’armée, le cidre de la plus medicre qualité vent 9 et 10s la Bouteille &c, quant au vin et aux autres denrées d’europpe le peu qu il y en a n’a point de prix.
All edibles except butcher’s meat are very expensive here, the weight is sold at 12 to 13 sous per pound, but the King gives it to the officers of the army for 5s, cider of the most mediocre quality for 9 and 10s a bottle, and as for wine and other European foodstuffs, the little that there is no price. [i.e. you do not have enough money to buy them]
Vous avés Sans doute appris, Monsieur, que Mr du portal notre Cammarade a été fait prisonnier à Charlestown, j’ignore Sil est Encore à newyorck.
You have no doubt heard, Monsieur, that Monsieur du Portail, our comrade, has been taken prisoner in Charlestown, I do not know if he is still in New Yorck.
La Presente Sont peut-être peu Lisible, mais j’espère, Monsieur, que vous excuserés lorsque vous Scaurés que je vous Ecris En plein air et En Suivant des ouvrages que nous ne quittons point du Matin ou Soir, et ce depuis le jour de notre debarquement.
The present is perhaps difficult to read, but I hope, Monsieur, that you excuse it when you know that I write to you in the open air and in [earth] works that we do not leave morning or evening and this since the day of our landing.
Je prend la liberté de vous prier de faire parvenir l’inclure a Son adresse, j’éspere que vous trouveres bon que j’en cese quelque fois de (the previous four words are Illeg and/or very difficult to decipher) à lavenire et que je Saisic le peu doccasion que nous auvons ici pour vous assurer de la Reconnaissance et du Respect avec lesquels j’ai lhonneur d’être
I take the liberty of asking you to send the enclosed [note] to its address, I hope that you will find it good that I will sometimes cease from (?) in future and that I take the little opportunity that we shall have here to assure you of the Gratitude and Respect with which I have the honor to be
Monsieur,
votre très humble et très obeissant
Serviteur
D’Opterre
J’adress la presente au consul francois Resident
à Boston qui nous a promis de faire passer nos Lettres En France.
I am addressing this letter to the Resident French Consul
to Boston, who has promised to send our Letters to France.
The letter identified as No 342 also has the handwritten note “Crublier d’opterre” under the date line.
À NewPort de Rhode island 8. 7bre. 1780
Monsieur,
Peû de jours aprés notre arrivée ici j’ai eû lhonneur de vous faire part de notre debarquement En cette isle et des principaux Evénements de notre Navigation &c. &c.
A few days after our arrival here I had the honor to inform you of our landing/debarkation on this island and of the principal events of our navigation &c. &c.
That letter was lost because it had been on a vessel that ran over a wreck sunk by the British and foundered. Hence, he recounts the story of traveling to Rhode Island and the first few weeks there once more. The letter follows closely the letter he wrote from Newport on 13 August 1780 which is transcribed above.
He begins with an account of the transatlantic journey of 71 days, the encounter with British vessels, that the Royal Navy had been blocking the entrance to the harbor of Newport and how French forces were busy throwing up defensive works as soon as they arrived but without any detail as to where those works were built –
je ne vous detaillerai pas d’advantage, Monsieur, ces dispositions de déffense parce que je presume que mon Chef a La feront connoitre plus particulierement.
I will not break down to you further, Sir, these provisions of defense because I presume that my Chief will make them known in more detail.
This is a reference to the “Memoire sur la Ville de Newport en Rhode-Island avec la description de ses environs, des Ouvrages de Campagne Construite pour sa defense et celle de sa rade, et enfin de ceux qu’on pourroit y ajouter” by Colonel Jean Nicholas Desandrouins in GR 1 VM 209, which is transcribed and translated as part of this project.
Notre général á Recu il y a quelques jours une Espece de députation de 19 guerriers Sauvages de eux nations différentes, l’une des oneida qui habitent aux Environs d’Albani prés l’Hudson ; l’autre des frontieres du Canada ; ils ont temoigne a notre général qu’ils etoient toujours affectionés à la france dont ils etoient ci davant les alliés ; en éffet depuis la guerre d’amerique ils ne Se Sont point armés les faveurs des anglais ; notre général les a fait des presens, les a Bien Regalé, leur a Montré notre armée dans son plus Brillant appareil, et L’on mettra probablement leurs dispositions á profit Si L’occasion Se presenté D’operer a portée de chéz eux.
Our general received a few days ago a kind of deputation of 19 Indian warriors from different nations, one of them Oneida who live in the vicinity of Albany near the Hudson; the other of [warriots from] the frontiers of Canada; they testified to our general that they were still affectionate to France, of which they were formerly allies; in fact, since the American war, they have not armed themselves with the favor of the English; our general has made them presents, has regaled them, has shown them our army in its most brilliant apparel, and their dispositions will probably be put to good use if the opportunity presents itself to operate within reach of them.
In conclusion he informs the minister that he wrote to Duportail – no response yet – and encloses a letter to his wife with the request of forwarding it to her.
J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec Respect et Reconnaissance,
Monsieur,
Votre très humble Et très
Obeissant Serviteur
Crublier D’opterre, Capt au
Corps du génie
The letter identified as No 343 has the hand-written note “m Querenet” under the date line.
A neuport capitale de Rhodjsland le 8e 7bre 1780
Monsieur
J’avois Saisi la premiere occasion qui s’etoit presentée pour me Rappeller a L’Honneur de votre Souvenir …
I had seized the first opportunity that presented itself to recall myself to the honor of your memory … but his first letter also went down, just like d’Opterre’s.
The background of a Royal Navy fleet blocking the port, that Clinton had wanted to come but changed his mind, that the French have been working incessantly to place Newport into a position where they can defend themselves is virtually identical with d’Opterre. Unfortunately ..
Je n’ai pas l’honneur de vous adresser aucun detail particulier sur notre position et sur les travaux que nous y faisons exécuter. Mr Desandroüins est ou Sera jncessemment a meme D’envoyer Le plan et les mémoires Les plus circonstanciés.
I do not have the honor to send you any particular details about our position and the work we are having carried out there. Mr. Desandroüins is or will incessantly be in a position to send the most detailed plan and memoirs.
He has been in the service since the War in Germany (Seven Years War) and since 1768 fought in Corsica and other places and asks for promotion to colonel.
J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec le plus Respectueux
attachment
Monsieur
votre très humble
et très obeissant
Serviteur
Querenet
The letter identified as No 344 has the handwritten note “Le chevr de Palys” under the date line.
A Newport Le 10 8bre 1780
Monsieur
Le traitement Laissé à Mr Plancher, par le dernier arrangement a ce sujet, ne suffisant par pour Sa Subsistence dans ce pais cy, … the salary/wages allowed M Plancher in the last arrangements are not sufficient for his subsistence in this country.
Then he asked the treasurer to pay Plancher the pay he would receive if he were in Europe but the treasurer, Monsieur de Serily, says he can’t do that. Plancher can’t live on150 livres per month, those « ne Sont Point assés pour vivre Dans un pais ou tout Se paye quatre ou Cinq fois plus cher que sa valeur En Europe – are not enough to live in a country where everything costs four or five times more than its price in Europe. »
J’ai l’honneur d’Etre
Monsieur
Votre très humble
Et très obeissant serviteur
Le Chevr de Palys
Henry Dominique Marius de Palys
The letter identified as No 346 has the handwritten note “M Infamy (?) Remercier” under the date line.
Providence le 17 Juin 1781
Monseigneur
J’ai l’honneur de vous rendre compte que M de Bouan Lieutenant au Corps-Royal de Génie, arrivé à Boston avec le convoi conduit par le Sagittaire nous a joint ici le 14 de ce mois en fort bonne santé.
I have the honor to inform you that M. de Bouan, Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Engineers, arrived in Boston with the convoy led by the [frigate] Sagittaire, and joined us here on the 14th of this month in very good health.
- le Cte De Rochambeau faisant marcher Son armée par quatre Division pour aller joindre celle du Gl Washington m’a destine, a la premiere, Mrs de Palys et Querenet a la Seconde, Mres D’opterre et Turpin a la troisième, Mrs Doyre, Garavaques et Bouan a la quatrième M. De Plancher est reste detache a Newport Sous les ordres de M. de Choisy.
- le Cte De Rochambeau, who is marching his army in four divisions to join that of General Washington, has assigned me to the first, Mrs. de Palys and Querenet to the second, Mrs. D’opterre and Turpin to the third, Mrs. Doyre, Garavaques and Bpuoan to the fourth. M. de Plancher remaines detached in Newport under the orders of M. de Choisy.
Je suis avec un très profond respect
Monseigneur
Votre très humble et très
Obeissant Serviteur
Desandrouins , Coll
The letter identified as No 347 has the handwritten note “m Desandroüins” under the date line.
A Williamsburg en Virginie le 24 Janvier 1782
Desandroüins informs the Minister [of War?] that Bouan will depart of the Hermione for France for reasons of health. He takes the opportunity to remind the minister of the fatigue of the long marches and of the siege of Yorktown and asks for more engineers. And even though he was unable to participate actively in the siege of Yorktown due to a wound – he does not say what it was but it was not caused by a gunshot – he hopes he will not be forgotten when the King hands out rewards for the successful completion of the siege.
The letter identified as No 348 has the handwritten note “m Desandroüins” under the date line.
Au Camp de Crompond le 20. Octobre 1782
Desandroüins found out that the artillery officers in Rochambeau’s army get better pay and allowances than engineer officers of equal rank and asks the Minister of War to correct that injustice.
The letter identified as No 345 has the handwritten note “m Desandroüins” under the date line.
A Neuport dans l’isle de Rhode-Island le 10 Novbre 1780
Asks that the engineers be paid the wages they would receive in France. Asks for more engineers, esp. Bouan who had remained behind in Brest sick.
The letter identified as No 349 has the handwritten note “m Desandroüins” under the date line.
A Providence le 28 Novbre 1782
Complains that the campaign of 1782 was nothing but exhausting marches and now they are ready to embark on the fleet of Admiral Vaudreuil, part of which is in Boston and part in Portsmouth, for the West Indies. Encloses an Etat d’embarquement to show who sails on which vessel but that list is not in the file. Querenet and Garavaque received permission from Rochambeau to return to France. Also encloses a list with requests for pensions and promotions.
Je suis avec respect
Monsieur
Votre trés humble et très
Obeissant Serviteur
Desandroüins
The letter identified as No 3410 has the handwritten note “m Desandroüins” and “re. naufrage du batiment sur le quel il etait” under the date line.
A Porto-Cabello Sur la Cote de Caraque le 14 fevrier 1783
Desandroüins informs the Minister of War of the wreck of La Bourgogne near Pointe d’Ubero or Cap Ribero” on the coast of Coro in northern Venezuela on the night of 3-4 February 1783. Ten officers and about 150 NCOs and r&f lost their lives. This letter from Porto Cabello is reproduced in Rice and Brown, vol. 1, between pp. 92/93. Desandroüins lost all of his belongings, including his journal of the American War. Fragments of the journal which survived the shipwreck are published in Charles Nicholas, Le Maréchal de Camp Desandrouins (Verdun, 1887), pp. 341-368.
