Jean-Marie de Villeneuve Cillart facts for kids
Jean-Marie de Villeneuve Cillart was a French Navy officer who played a role in the American Revolutionary War, also known as the War of American Independence. He was part of important naval missions during this time.
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Jean-Marie de Villeneuve Cillart was born into a noble family in France. His father was a captain in the army, and two of his brothers, Étienne-François de Cillart de Villeneuve and Armand-François Cillart de Suville, also joined the French Navy.
Cillart began his naval career as a Garde-Marine on 19 March 1756. This was a starting rank for young officers learning about naval service. He worked hard and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 October 1773. Later, he became a Captain on 4 April 1780.
Service in the American Revolutionary War
Captain Cillart commanded a 32-gun warship called the Surveillante. This ship was a type of fast warship known as a frigate.
Joining Ternay's Squadron
The Surveillante was part of a special naval group called the Expédition Particulière. This group was led by Admiral Charles-Henri-Louis d'Arsac de Ternay. It included 7 large warships (called ships of the line), 3 frigates, and 36 transport ships carrying soldiers and supplies.
The Surveillante was at the front of this group. It arrived in Boston, America, on 11 June 1780. From then on, the Surveillante was part of Admiral Ternay's squadron. Cillart, with his flag on the Surveillante, was in charge of a group of frigates. This group also included the Amazone and the Hermione.
Cillart and his ship took part in the Battle of Cape Henry on 16 March 1781. This was an important naval battle during the war.
On 5 June 1781, while the Surveillante was sailing from America to Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), it met a 48-gun British frigate called HMS Ulysses. The British ship chased the Surveillante. Around 9:30 PM, the Ulysses caught up, and a battle began. After about two and a half hours of fighting, both ships stopped the engagement.
Bringing News of Victory
After the important Siege of Yorktown in October 1781, the Surveillante had a special mission. It carried Gontaut de Lauzun back to France. He was bringing the exciting news of the American and French victory at Yorktown. The Surveillante arrived in Brest, France, on 15 November.
Later Life and Death
Jean-Marie de Villeneuve Cillart continued his service. Sadly, he was killed during the Battle of Quibéron in July 1795. Two of his nephews, Étienne Cillart de Villeneuve and Armand Cillart de Villeneuve, also died with him in this battle.
