Im a Research Services librarian here at the society of the cincinnati and i am so pleased to be able to speak to you today about these three magnificent items we have on the table here today all involving the french experience during the american war. War wouldtionary never have seen such a swift conclusion were it not for the arrival at newport, rhode island of the french army in 1780. The collaboration of french and American Leadership on land and at sea after the arrival of rochambeaus forces led to the surrender of cornwallis at yorktown. A landmarkear was year in augmenting the societys collections documenting the french experience in the american war. In particular, two narratives shine the light on the impression of american soldiers on the french. We also have a bonus item on display today that was not mentioned in the description, a map showing the french and cannons and the defenses at newport here it the map is part of our Robert CharlesLawrence Ferguson collection here at the library. Narratives was purchased with a gift from a private foundation. The dylan narrative was the gift was another gift. It was published in paris in 1782 and it shows in detail the landscape of newport, rhode island after the armys arrival. The map not only shows major roads, but also fortification, the and kidmans of each regiment, and the placement of the french fleet to protect the harbor. Bywould have been occupied British Forces from december 1776 through october 1779. Many of the tods inhabitants fled during the first deportation of troops. Those who remained were obliged to compete with their occupiers for supplies and shelter. 1778, there was a collaboration on an attempt to retake newport. This operation is reflected on the map. You will all have a chance to come up and take a closer look. Thecartographer notes defense destroyed by sullivan and the carcasses of ships sunk by the british when they learned of the approach. After the arrival of henry clinton, the troops in newport were sent to the southern colonies. By october 1779, the army was preparing to depart newport. The presence of the british army devastated the town. When the french arrived in 1780, the town people were wary of their new occupiers. In his narrative describing the french campaign, an original we havehe society a portrait miniature of him in our museum collection, he commented on the armys arrival. He says the inhabitants were feel full watching us fearful establishing watching us establish ourselves in their town. To realize began that they did not distinguish between what concerned as and the odious slander of the english. The french worked to regain gain the americans trust. Once assured of their goodwill, the citizens of newport accepted the new encampment. The french improved newports is. Defenses. The newly arrived french officer describes the towns geography and excellent natural defenses. The whole southern section of rhode island is nothing but marshy pools, hills, and boulders. Consequently, it is easy to defend against an enemy who would be surprised when disembarking. In the interior of the island, there are several excellent positions for a small army. The southeast part of the island is a bottleneck and since it is not possible to land there except in several parties, one would never reach brenton point. It is here in this kind of code that the town of newport is situated sheltered by two islands. Islands. He also talked about new construction made north of newport to fortify the town. This manuscript is one of two narratives acquired this past year by french officers who witnessed the yorktown campaign. After arriving in july 1780, the French Forces remained at newport for a year before beginning their marched south. During this time, french officers had ample time to explore the country here at the narratives provide the very personal perspectives of highly skilled aristocratic officers accustomed to a certain way of life and a certain way of conducting warfare. Example five he experienced french officer they came to america. Avenue rn in avignon in 1745. To lieutenant in the same regiment rose to lieutenant in the same regiment. He became part of the staff of the corps of engineers in the army of rochambeau. He became a marshall during the french revolution, but he was suspected of antirevolutionary activity and was obliged to retire. In 1803. N wasillo dollin born in 1854. 1750 four. He became captain by 1777. He was made colonel before departing for america. He took command of a Third Regiment despite having lost part of his arm in a hunting accident when he returned to france. He became mayor under napoleon and was honored with a military order. An honor and retired the same year. He died in paris in 1837. His journal covers the period from november 1783 the start of the yorktown siege. Though he begins his narrative in connecticut, he would have been and cant and camped newport. In he took advantage of his yearlong interval before the march 2 yorktown. From january 15 1781 until may 25 when i arrived in lebanon, connecticut, i wasnt a single week in one place. I crossed new england, the continent, new york, the jerseys, pennsylvania, maryland, and virginia. He rejoined the army at the end of june. At the moment, it was not clear where the army was headed. He says the entire army was ignorant of the mission. Some said we were going to cross the north river, reaching the jerseys and then south to capture staten island. As the army passed through new jersey, it became clear the goal is yorktown. Route where the they traveled by sea to annapolis after pennsylvania. In his journal, the other general kept a record of the trip across the atlantic from france to america and documented the arrival at newport and subsequent march the yorktown. The journal does not mention the siege at yorktown, the picks up again as the french troops march northward in 1782. His style is more technical. He records the weather during a crossing from france, describing the fortifications at newport and discussing military logistics. As witness to a series of momentous events, these two gentlemen in report of the important figures of the day, including george washington. In januarywashington 1781 and he accompanied him on a trip to west point. Mr. Washington fulfilled mr. Irely the idea washington fulfilled entirely the idea i had had of him. His great character and soul are apparent in his features. I recognize without difficulty the general out of 1000 officers of his army. He was one of the most handsome men i had ever seen in my life, but it was a kind of beauty that came more from his soul than his physique. His manner was noble and easy, hardly any discomfort or little but, speaking with force. His voice is soft but not without majesty. Was not so kind in describing martha washington. Minutes later, madame washington she seemed to me much older than her husband. Never had, i think, her and agreeable figure but in marriage, she brought a large fortune to her husband. Describesl washingtons arrival. The french rendered him all , the highest military tribute in france. American women also feature prominently in the narratives. His wife appeared to be highly educated. Its these personal observations of his that are really quite striking because of how technical he was. On describes his encounters with women in taverns using an old french word that i think means to aggressively flirt. This. E been told of i made my propositions. They were at first neither rejected or accepted. I put more effort into my yesests and finally got the. Seems seems to have tried this several times. I promise to try this as often as i have occasion to. The general was not immune to the appearance of american women. He wrote we found at Breakneck Hill in connecticut a Young Country girl possessing a perfect resemblance to the queen. The agrarian lifestyle fascinated clean. E agrarian queen the agrarian lifestyle fascinated the french officers. Aalso saw america as an rustic utopia. The authors made detailed observations on the quality of the land. Notes of the different crops cultivated during the journey, the same crops everywhere at brooks bridge, turkish week, andcco, and some other some other kind of wheat i couldnt translate. This country produces wheat, and a little ride rye saffron. Wrote that it could be compared to the best beautiful part of normandy. Opulence found in the houses. He noticed a change in the diet and appearance of the inhabitants. Food changed. We were obliged to live on corn as were our horses. Kernels. Ade bread with the generals possessed a pallor. Haller the orders to march were given in june 1782. By july 9, the army had reached the potomac. The 20th, we reached georgetown. The road is nice but the creek of four miles is difficult when the tide is in. He crossed the potomac at this town over masons island. Towards town is built on the side of the mountain. The town is beginning to grow. The camp was about a mile from the town. Immediateas in the vicinity of the Current Location of the societys headquarters. , youu head down p street will see the bridge which has been renamed. Im not sure how long it has been there. It would have been right in this area. Baltimore, heh alludes to the global context of the war, referring war. Becauses a neighborhood canadians transplanted by the english live there. There is also a catholic chapel. Roshambos forces had returned to rhode island. The general went back to france in 1783. The details are fuzzy or with fuzzier with dillon. That is my presentation. I would love to take any questions that you have and see if i can provide the answers. Afterwards, you are more than welcome to come up and take a look at these wonderful items. Yes. By caribbean, do we mean rachel yes. In 1780. Ot to newport do you happen to know whether there was much american privateering out of that port when the english left . Rachel not to my knowledge, but i am not positive. Yes. You have english translations of both works . Rachel we are working on it for both of those. We are incredibly lucky to have the manuscript. We do have french transcriptions for them right now. We are slowly working our way on getting translations. Rachel is the translator. Ini believe the general was fleet. Ts distangs i believe i included him in my book. I didnt make the connection until now. Rachel the one missing the r was dillon actually. Its very difficult to track down the military service of some of these french guys. The sources in the states are limited. I would be interested to see what more you find. One of the best sources is the society of the cincinnati french members. Rachel definitely. [indiscernible] does any of the diaries mention the we Alexander Lou napoleons chief of staff . He participated in the campaign. He was mentioned, a probably only would have been in passing. The person mentioned the most in is a friendarrative of his with whom he traveled up and down during that year. But i dont think he is mentioned. Yes. Is there any political content to these narratives . Rachel it depends. Because they are so personal, it is more they talk more about social issues. In this get into it presentation, but for example, dillon does talk about pillaging loyalists. He at first is horrified by what is going on. Thinking inis home some way that he is going to stop what is going on and all he finds in their is a stripped home with a mother protecting her children. Everything ke i think he was really struck by that. In the other narrative, to be perfectly honest, he does make some comments about africanamericans. Did i thinkllon have an eight who was africanamerican. Aid your translation is as beautiful as your pronunciation of french, we have something to look forward to. Rachel thanks. I am very curious about that one. Is the looting being done by french or american soldiers . Rachel by french as far as i could understand. Sometimes the narratives are vague. What i could understand, it was the legion, his comrades in arms. [indiscernible] i dont number now. I can definitely look and see. ,hat was about the extent of it maybe a paragraph or two in each. Yes. I am curious to learn more about dillon. He was irish . Rachel he was. It was a little difficult to find out more information about the family in general. Emigrate from did dublin, ireland. There were Four Brothers and they all fought in the same regiment in the legion. From what i was reading. Unfortunately, that is about the extent of what i know on him. Be more. There would it would be interesting to read more about this irish migration to france because they were not the only ones. For thee emigrate just opportunity to enlist . Rachel it was his parents. I know his father was a prominent either businessman or banker in dublin and they emigrated. It was the colony of england at the time and a lot of irish people did not like being controlled by the english. In your research, were you able to determine what the extent of haitians who were picked up by the french and brought here as combatants . Rachel no. I didnt look into that at all. Sorry. Yes. I know there are other french officers who had an opportunity to be in washingtons presence often at headquarters. I am curious if the quote you mentioned is the sole reference to washington or if there are descriptions of his headquarters. Rachel they have a meal together, one or two. I cant remember anything about specifics about headquarters. We can definitely talk afterwards and see and look at the manuscript for more details. He does go on he talks in great length about the trip to west point and back and how much he wants to impress washington. At one point, they come across this frozen river and are trying to figure out how to get to the boldlyide and dillon jumped into the river even though its january. Washington was disapproving of that i think. Remember, he almost froze to death in 1753 crossing a frozen river near pittsburgh. Rachel exactly. Yes. Grexit you mentioned that some of the diaries mention women, american women. In newport, a lot of the officers appreciated the beauty of newport women, but also their andgence, intelligence. Did you find any references to newport women in these diaries . Rachel actually, no not in these two. , hehe other one i mentioned does mention he talks about thenewport women, during british occupation, would have had to have stayed inside, especially in the evenings for fear of being accosted by british troops. Now that the french were here, they had no they didnt have to fear that at all. It wouldnt be involuntary. [laughter] rachel exactly. Great. You are more than welcome to, and we can talk more about it up here and take a look at these fine items. Thank you all for coming. [applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] you are watching American History tv. 48 hours of programming on American History every weekend on cspan3. Follow us on twitter at cspan history for information on our schedule of upcoming programs and to keep up with the latest history news. Congress campus for audiovisual conservation preserves and provides access to the library upon vast collection of films, television programs, radio broadcast, and sound recordings. American history tv visited the campus to learn about the earliest Public Affairs films, including u. S. President , the spanishamerican war, world war i, and the first ever political ad created in 1912. This is the earliest videotape in our collection. It comes from may 1958. It is a two inch quadra plex tape. This is the inauguration of Color Television in washington dc. Theceremony was hosted by president of a