Philippe Charles Tronson du Coudray facts for kids

Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray (born September 8, 1738 – died September 11, 1777) was a French army officer. He chose to join the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Early Life in France

Philippe du Coudray was born in Reims, France. He joined the French military and became an expert in artillery. Artillery means large guns like cannons.

He had good connections with the French royal family. He even taught military skills to Charles X, who later became king.

Du Coudray was a big supporter of the Gribeauval system for cannons. This was a new way to make and use artillery. He used it during the Seven Years' War.

Joining the American Revolution

A French Artillery Expert

By 1775, du Coudray was a high-ranking officer in the French army. He was a chef de brigade and an adjutant general. This meant he helped manage the army.

He was a top expert in French artillery. He wrote books about gunpowder and how to use metals for cannons.

Recruited by America

In 1776, an American diplomat named Silas Deane came to France. He wanted to find skilled military people, especially engineers, to help the American colonies.

Deane was very impressed by du Coudray. He thought du Coudray was the best engineer in the French army.

Deane offered du Coudray a job in the Continental Army. He would be a major general and lead all of America's artillery and engineering teams. Du Coudray was also supposed to find more engineers in France and send 200 French cannons to America.

Secret Plans and a Bold Move

The way du Coudray recruited people worried the French government. They wanted to help America secretly. So, du Coudray was told to stay in France.

But he didn't listen. He secretly left France and arrived in North America in May 1777.

A Controversial Rank

Silas Deane had actually promised du Coudray a higher rank than he was allowed to. But the Continental Congress felt they had to keep the promise. So, du Coudray became a major general.

Many American generals were upset that foreigners were given such high ranks. Henry Knox, who was in charge of the Continental Army's artillery, was especially angry. He didn't like that du Coudray would outrank him. Knox even threatened to quit.

To make Knox happy, and to avoid problems with another French engineer, Louis Lebègue Duportail, du Coudray was given a different job. In August 1777, he became the "Inspector General of Ordnance and Military Manufactories". This meant he would check on weapons and how they were made.

Working on Defenses

Du Coudray wasn't very popular because of how he got his rank. His proud attitude didn't help either.

At first, he was asked to check the defenses around Philadelphia. He suggested improving Red Bank (where Fort Mercer was) and changing Fort Billingsport. He thought Fort Mifflin was not important.

General George Washington disagreed. He chose Fort Mifflin as the main defense point. Du Coudray wisely changed his mind and agreed to work at Fort Mifflin. However, he kept trying to convince Congress to change their minds. This made improvements to all the forts happen very slowly.

Death

On September 11, 1777, du Coudray was riding his horse across a floating bridge over the Schuylkill River. Suddenly, his horse got scared and jumped into the river.

Du Coudray was wearing spurs and got tangled up. He drowned.

His funeral was held at St. Mary's Church in Philadelphia. Many members of Congress attended. He was buried in the church yard, but the exact spot is not known.