Armand Le Gardeur de Tilly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Armand Le Gardeur de Tilly
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| Born | 14 January 1733  Rochefort |
| Died | 1 January 1812 (aged 78) Champagne |
| Occupation | Naval officer |
| Rank | vice admiral |
Armand Le Gardeur de Tilly was a brave French Navy officer. He was born in Rochefort, France, on January 14, 1733, and passed away near Champagne on January 1, 1812. He played an important role in the American Revolutionary War, also known as the War of American Independence.
Contents
Armand Le Gardeur de Tilly was the first son in a family with a strong naval background. His father was also a Navy captain.
Armand began his naval career at a young age. He joined the French Navy as a Garde-Marine on July 6, 1750. A Garde-Marine was a young officer cadet, learning the ropes of naval service.
Rising Through the Ranks
He worked hard and steadily moved up in rank.
- On May 1, 1763, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
- Later, on October 24, 1778, he became a Captain.
Key Battles and Achievements
Captain Le Gardeur de Tilly was known for his bravery and skill in battle.
Capturing HMS Minerva
In 1778, Captain Le Gardeur de Tilly commanded the French frigate Concorde. On August 21, his ship faced the British frigate HMS Minerva. After a fierce fight, the Concorde successfully captured the British ship. Sadly, his younger brother, who was also an officer on the Concorde, was killed during this battle. This victory was so important that the French Navy Minister ordered a painting to celebrate it.
Wounded in Action
On February 18, 1779, the Concorde had another intense battle. It fought a 32-gun British frigate for three hours. The ships eventually separated, but Le Gardeur de Tilly was wounded during the fight.
Leading a Squadron
In early 1781, Le Gardeur de Tilly was given command of a group of ships, called a division. This group included:
- The 64-gun ship Éveillé
- The frigates Gentille and Surveillante
- The cutter Guêpe
On February 19, 1781, his squadron encountered a British convoy (a group of ships traveling together). They managed to capture the 44-gun ship HMS Romulus and eight transport ships. They burned four of the transport ships and sent the others to Yorktown. HMS Romulus was then taken into service by the French Navy.
Le Gardeur de Tilly also participated in two very important naval battles:
- The Battle of Cape Henry on March 16, 1781.
- The Battle of the Saintes on April 12, 1782.
Retirement and Later Life
Le Gardeur de Tilly retired from the Navy in 1792. He had achieved the high rank of Vice-Admiral.
During a difficult time in French history known as the Reign of Terror, many people faced challenges. Le Gardeur de Tilly was held in prison for a period. However, he was released when the political situation changed during the Thermidorian Reaction. He lived until January 1, 1812.
