Fifth Camp of Rochambeau's Infantry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fifth Camp of Rochambeau's Infantry
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bolton Heritage Farm, Bolton, Connecticut |
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| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Built | 1781 |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000446 |
| Added to NRHP | April 30, 2001 |
The Fifth Camp of Rochambeau's Infantry is a special historical place in Bolton, Connecticut. It's also known as Site 12-25. This site was a temporary camp for the French army led by General Rochambeau during the American Revolution. The army was on its way to the Hudson River and then to Yorktown, Virginia. This march was a very important part of winning the war.
The French army used this camp for four nights in a row, from June 22nd to June 25th, 1781. Four different parts of Rochambeau's army, called divisions, stayed here. These were the Bourbonnais, the Royal Deux-Ponts, the Soissonnais, and the Saintonge divisions. While they were here, the French soldiers often played music and danced with local people on Bolton Green.
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Rochambeau's Army Camp
A Stop on the Way to Victory
The Fifth Camp was an important stop on the long journey of Rochambeau's army. They were marching to join forces with General George Washington's American army. Together, they planned to fight the British.
The road leading to this camp was very difficult. It was described as "frightful," meaning it was in very bad condition. Because of the poor roads, the supply wagons for the Bourbonnais division were delayed. This meant that these soldiers had to sleep without their tents for a night.
About one mile before the Fifth Camp, the army passed another important stop called March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Bailey Road. Before that, they passed March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Hutchinson Road. Both of these places are also listed as historic sites.
What We Found There
The Fifth Camp site covers about 13 acres of land. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
Historians and archaeologists study this site because it can tell us a lot about the past. The area still looks much like it did in 1781. Stone walls mark the same field lines that French engineers drew on their maps.
Many interesting things have been found at the camp site. These include buttons from the soldiers' uniforms, musket balls (bullets for their guns), old coins, and even a lead bar. Finding these items helps us understand what life was like for the soldiers and what they used every day.
Why This Site Matters
The items found at the Fifth Camp help us learn more about the American Revolution. They show us how the French army lived and traveled. This site is like a puzzle, and each artifact is a piece that helps us understand the bigger picture of history.
The Return Journey
When Rochambeau's army marched back in 1782, they did not use the Fifth Camp again. Instead, their 46th camp site was in a different part of what is now Andover, Connecticut. At that time, Andover was part of Bolton.
