Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Plains Rd. near Lovers Ln., Windham, Connecticut |
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| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| Built | 1781 |
| MPS | Rochambeau's Army in Connecticut, 1780-1782 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001680 |
| Added to NRHP | January 8, 2003 |
The Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army is a special historical spot in Windham, Connecticut. It's located near Plains Road and Lovers Lane, right by the Shetucket River. This place was once a temporary home for the French Army in the summer of 1781.
The French soldiers were led by General Rochambeau. They were on an important journey from Providence, Rhode Island to the New York City area. This march was a key part of the American Revolutionary War, where France helped the American colonists fight for independence.
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A Historic Stop for Rochambeau's Army
During the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), France became an important ally to the American colonists. They sent soldiers, ships, and supplies to help the Americans gain freedom from British rule. General Rochambeau led the French ground forces.
In 1781, Rochambeau's army began a long march from Rhode Island. Their goal was to join forces with General George Washington's American army near New York. This joint effort would lead to the decisive Battle of Yorktown later that year. The Fourth Camp was one of many stops along this long journey.
The French Army's March
Rochambeau's army didn't march all at once. Instead, they moved in four main groups, called divisions. These divisions included the Bourbonnais, Royal Deux-Ponts, Soissonnais, and Saintonge. Each division stopped at the Fourth Camp on a different night.
The Bourbonnais division arrived first on June 21, 1781. Then, on successive nights, the other divisions followed. This way, the army could spread out their impact on local resources. It also made it easier to manage such a large number of soldiers and their equipment.
Life at the Camp
Even though it was a military camp, it seems the soldiers found some comfort in Windham. One of Rochambeau's helpers described Windham as a "charming market town." He also noted that there were "many pretty women" and that they "passed the afternoon very agreeably."
About the camp itself, he wrote: "A mile away is a beautiful river (the Shetucket) with a fine wooden bridge. We camped on its banks very comfortably, though hardly militarily." This suggests that while it was a military stop, it might have felt more relaxed than a typical battlefield camp. Soldiers would have set up tents, cooked meals, and rested before continuing their march.
Why This Camp Matters
The Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army is an important historical site. It shows us where the French and American forces came together during the Revolutionary War. This camp was officially recognized for its historical value in 2003. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Other camps used by Rochambeau's army are also recognized. For example, the next camp to the west is known as the Fifth Camp of Rochambeau's Infantry. When the army returned in 1782, their 47th camp site was in a different part of Windham. These sites help us trace the path of this important army. They remind us of the teamwork that led to American independence.
