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The key role of the “ Royal forges of Guerigny ” in the American war 

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The Battle of Chesapeake completes the isolation of the English army entrenched at Yorktown (1781) 

US Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Wikimedia Commons

The United States War of Independence, or American War of Independence, opposed the Thirteen North American colonies to the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1775 to 1783.  

 

The rebellious American settlers were called by the British "Insurgents" or "Patriots". The American War of Independence was one of the processes of the American Revolution that allowed the United States to gain independence and build republican institutions. It was a milestone in the history of the country and, in turn, of Canada, with the forced expulsion of 50,000 loyalists to the British crown to this country, which at that time included a population with a large French-speaking majority (about 90,000 Francophones based mainly in Quebec). From 1777 on, the war led to the intervention of other European powers, including France under La Fayette. 

 

France first became involved in the American War of Independence by providing equipment and aid to the insurgents. It then officially declared its commitment in 1778. The French support, on both sea and land and the backing of its allies, contributed to the American victory, particularly at the Battle of Yorktown, and resulted in the Treaty of Paris of 1783. This treaty recognized the independence of the United States of America, which had been declared on 4 July 1776 by the Continental Congress. More than 70,000 Loyalists were forced  to leave the country after the war: most of them went to Canada, Great Britain or the British Caribbean colonies.

GUERIGNY FORGES IN AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

 

In 1781, from April to September, the French fleet cruised the West Indies, keeping the British fleet away from the American coast. At the request of Generals Washington and La Fayette, Admiral de Grasse,  leading the French fleet, sailed to Chesapeake Bay on 5 September 1781, bringing the necessary reinforcements for the attack on Yorktown by the "insurgents". This intervention was crucial and determined the victory of the young United States over the British Empire, as evidenced by letters from Washington to de Grasse (French Institute of Washington 1931). The fleet entrusted to de Grasse consisted of 48 vessels equipped in Brest in a record time of two months. At that time the Forges de la Chaussade, whose main factory was located in Guérigny, was the most important supplier of iron parts for the Navy, such as anchors, mast collars, armor plates, cannon balls ... (Download The key role of the “ Royal forges of Guerigny ” in the American war - French and english).

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Download the entire document (French & English) detailing the crucial role of Guérigny in the War of Independence of the United States of America

Letter from Georges Washington, 1st President of the United States of America to Admiral le Comte de Grasse, Chief of the French fleet ...

To his Excellency Count de Grasse 

 

Heed Quarters 15th May 1783

« Sir: I have been most agreeably surprised and gratified by the receipt of your Excellency:s Letter of the 28th of January fast - which Ihad the pleasure to obtain a few days ago- 

 

The friendship which I had the Happiness to contrect with 'vou my Dear General,at our Operations in Virginia, has never been ebeted in my Mind, and will remain a pleasing & constant Companion of my future Lite- 

 

Whether I shall have it in my power to renew my Affection for your Excellency by embracing you in Europe, I cannot at present declare - But should I ever have the heppiness of meeting you again, either in Europe or America, you may be assured, I should place the Event among the most fortunate Circumsterices of my Life- 

 

You will permit meto return.vou my warmest & most sincere Congratulations on the happy Termination of the War-an Event most favorable to America, and most glorious to the generosity & Disinterested Bravery of your Nation; by whose kind Intervention, the United States have been led by the Hand, to independence & a Station among the Nations Midst the many obligations this Country is under to the Gentlemen of the french Army & Navy, who have barn so noble à Shere in our Establishment, the Part you have acted in this great Drama, will be deeply recorded in the Minds of her Sons, in Characters of indelibte Gratitude & Veneretion-

 

« ... I am with the most perfect Affection, and with Sentiments of the highest Esteem & Attechment 

 

My Dear General 

Your most Obedtent & most humble Serv » 

 

G. Washington                                                                  Traduction en français

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