A Forgotten French Hero: Admiral de Grasse & the American War of Independence

François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, at Battle of the Chesapeake, 1781, commissioned by King Louis Philippe I for historical museum of Versailles in 1842, Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse, artist, 1843 (courtesy of Palace of Versailles).

François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, Marquis of Grasse-Tilly SMOM (13 September 1722 – 14 January 1788) was a career French officer who achieved the rank of admiral. He is best known for his command of the French fleet at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781 in the last year of the American Revolutionary War. It led directly to the British surrender at Yorktown and helped gain the rebels' victory, and for successfully fighting barbary pirates.

After this action, de Grasse returned with his fleet to the Caribbean. In 1782 British Admiral Rodney decisively defeated and captured de Grasse at the Battle of the Saintes. De Grasse was widely criticised for his loss in that battle. On his return to France in 1784, he blamed his captains for the defeat. A court martial exonerated all of his captains, effectively ending his naval career.

 

Information above provided by Wikipedia.

 

According to a survey conducted by the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia in 2009, 83 percent of adult Americans did not have a basic understanding of the American Revolution. Fast forward fifteen years to 2024 and ask yourself this: has that 83 percent gone down at all? It is the humble opinion of this historian that more Americans now do not have a basic understanding of the American Revolution compared to 2009. All Americans should know the basic facts about how the greatest country in the world came into existence. So let's dive in, shall we?

The American Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, was sparked by growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, represented by the British crown. Although the American Revolution began on April 19, 1775, with the “shot heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord, revolt against British colonial rule began years before war was formally declared. By the summer of 1776, the Patriots were waging a full-scale insurrection against Great Britain and King George III for their independence & the rights due every citizen. When France entered the American Revolution on the side of the Patriots in February 1778, the conflict went from what had essentially been a civil war to a world war. Through France, Spain indirectly supported the new United States and Dutch merchants in the Netherlands sold war materials to the Patriots.

France was America's first international ally, and their partnership during the Revolutionary War helped the United States to achieve its independence. Between 1778 and 1782 the French provided supplies, arms and ammunition, uniforms, and, most importantly, troops and naval support to the beleaguered Continental Army. The French navy transported reinforcements, fought off a British fleet, and protected Washington’s forces in Virginia. French assistance was also crucial in securing the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.

For those who are aware that France helped the United States during the American Revolutionary War, you may be familiar with the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution who served the Continental Army with distinction, providing tactical leadership while securing vital resources from France. LaFayette, who was held in high esteem by George Washington himself, even named his newly born son Georges Washington de Lafayette in honor of the American revolutionary and future first President of the United States in 1779.

Throughout our land, LaFayette has been perpetuated by no less than seven monuments, his name has been given to a college, highways, streets, buildings, theaters, and whatnot, and rightfully so. However, there is another French hero of the American Revolution who deserves to be recognized. While French Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul de Grasse's name has been scarcely a memory in the United States & unknown even to most people in France, strong naval support from de Grasse’s fleet was essential during the American Revolution. No ordi­nary type of naval officer but one of wide experience in actual battle, as well as an accomplished strategist and tactician, Admiral de Grasse prevented the British navy from reinforcing Yorktown during the Siege of Yorktown in September 1781, which ultimately led to British surrender and the end of the American War of Independence.

 

Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul de Grasse's story, hidden history that has remained long forgotten, is the story of a French naval hero who played a significant role in the American Revolution & a small underdeveloped nation determined to be free from the greatest military force of its time.

 

For the rest of de Grasse's story, please check out the audio link provided for EPISODE THIRTY-ONE of our podcast, Hidden History: An Odyssey Through Time

 

LISTEN NOW: A Forgotten French Hero: Admiral de Grasse & the American War of Independence

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Images and Documents

French warship Ville de Paris in 1764 in Rochefort, Southwestern France. This was Admiral De Grasse's flagship years later.

This rare map stylistically depicts the effective blockade of the Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet commanded by the Comte de Grasse in 1781 (courtesy of Library of Congress).

Map of the Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (courtesy of George Washington's Mount Vernon).

A representation of the sea fight, on the 5th of September 1781, between Rear Admiral Graves and the Count de Grasse. (courtesy of Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

The Battle of the Saints, 12 April 1782, surrender of the 'Ville de Paris', the Comte de Grasse's flagship, Thomas Whitcombe, artist, 1783 (courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London).

The Comte de Grasse, the French admiral, resigning his sword to Admiral Rodney, after being defeated by that gallant commander in the West Indies, on April 12th 1782, (created c. 1785) (courtesy of Library of Congress).

Comte de Grasse, full-length portrait, wearing uniform with hat, holding sword, standing, facing left, against studio backdrop showing ships during battle, August 1782 (courtesy of Library of Congress).

Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse, published by John Harris, London, 1782 (courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum).

Line engraving of Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse by Birrell after Miller, from John Andrews' History of the War with America…, London, 1785-86 (courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command).

Tomb of Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul, Comte de Grasse, Marquis of Grasse-Tilly, in the Church of Saint-Roch, Paris, France.

An 1820 portrait by John Trumbull, the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis on October 19, 1781. This portrait depicts the British surrendering to Benjamin Lincoln flanked by French troops on the left and Continental Army troops on the right (courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol).

U.S. postage stamp, issued October 19, 1931, honoring Comte de Rochambeau, George Washington, and Comte de Grasse, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the victory at the siege of Yorktown in 1781 (courtesy of National Postal Museum).

Statue of Admiral De Grasse in the Place de la Tour of Le Bar-sur-Loup, the French village where he was born and grew up.

Monument at Cape Henry Memorial of Admiral De Grasse, maintained by the Colonial National Historical Park of the National Park Service, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974), left (commissioned 1978, decommissioned 1998), and French destroyer DE GRASSE (D-612) underway in Atlantic Ocean, October 21, 1981. Both vessels were named in honor of French Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul de Grasse (courtesy of National Archives).

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History in Under 3 Minutes | The American Revolution Explained

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For those of you who enjoy sticking with dates and facts, here's a timeline of the American Revolutionary War:

How crucial were the French to helping colonists win the American Revolution? The decision by Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier (better known as the Marquis de Lafayette) to leave France and enlist with George Washington’s forces is well-known to many. But Lafayette was only a prelude to massive French support, the forerunner of a deep relationship that proved vital to the revolution’s success.

Here are five ways the French helped Americans win their freedom:

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Donna Mendoza
3 months ago

That was very interesting john, great job