Jean Philippe Goujon de Grondel facts for kids
Jean Philippe Goujon de Grondel (born November 27, 1714, in Saverne, Alsace; died November 29, 1807, in Salins, France) was a French general. He lived a long life, serving his country for many years.
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Early Life and Military Service
Jean Philippe Goujon de Grondel started his military career as a young officer. He was sent to Louisiana, which was a French territory in North America at the time. There, he showed great bravery during wars against the Chickasaw people. In 1736, he was even wounded in the battle of Ackia.
After getting married in 1741, he continued to work on military missions. He also took part in important talks with Native American groups. By 1750, he became a captain of the Swiss grenadiers, a special group of soldiers, in Louisiana. For his good service, he received the Cross of St. Louis award in 1753.
Challenges and Return to France
In 1758, Grondel decided to settle down as a planter in New Orleans. However, the very next year, he had a big disagreement with the governor, named Kerlerec. The governor accused him of not following orders. Because of this, Grondel was put in prison for three years. In 1762, he was sent back to France to face a trial.
In 1765, he was briefly held in the Bastille, a famous French prison, but only for two weeks. His trial finally ended in 1769, and the court decided he was innocent. Soon after, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.
Later Career and the French Revolution
After Louisiana became part of Spain, Grondel was given a new important role. In 1772, he was put in charge of the naval base at Lorient, a port city in France. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming a brigadier-general in 1788.
During the French Revolution in 1792, many people were suspected of being against the new government. Grondel was accused of being an aristocrat (a person from a noble family) and was put in prison. However, he was released after only a few days. Almost immediately after his release, the people of Nemours chose him to be the commanding general of their city's National Guard. He served in this role until the next year. He even helped stop a riot in the town by showing courage and leadership. For his actions, the city leaders thanked him.
Retirement and Death
In 1796, Jean Philippe Goujon de Grondel retired from military service. He moved to Salins, a town near Montereau-Fault-Yonne. He lived there until he passed away in 1807, at the age of 93.
