PENNSYLVANIA
A Note about "Official" W3R Routes
Sept 2 -- Red Lion's Tavern (Bristol) (10 miles via Rt 13)
The American elements in the lead passed through Philadelphia
on this day. They let their distress about lack of pay be known
and demanded a month's pay before proceeding. American currency
had collapsed, so Robert Morris (Superintendant of Finances for
the Continental Congress) had to borrow $20,000 from Rochambeau
in order to pay the American troops and continue the march.
==> Also on this day the French troops that had accompanied
Admiral de Grasse's fleet began to disembark in Virginia
to support Lafayette's American forces in keeping Cornwallis
in Yorktown. In addition to the 1,800 men in de Grasse's ships'
garrisons (to provide for their defense) there were 3,300 troops
under the command of General (the marquis de) Saint-Simon:
- Régiment d'Agenais, two battallions under Comte d'Autichamp
- Régiment du Gâtinais under Marquis de Rostaing
- Régiment de Touraine under Vicomte de Poudeux
- Two companies of the Régiment d'artillerie de Metz
Saint-Simon placed himself under Lafayette's command until Rochambeau
and Vioménil arrived [ref:
Expédition Particulière (E.P.) Web site
Sept 3 -- Philadelphia (20 miles via Rt 13) The French troops,
resplendent in their regimental uniforms and crisp style, paraded
through town in two divisions on Sept 3 and 4.
Fort Mifflin is located on
Mud Island, southeast of Philadelphia. It was originally built
by the British to defend Philadelphia. At the start of the Revolution
the Americans built Fort Mercer on the opposite bank of the Delaware River
and added several lines of underwater obstructions to prevent the passage
of large warships. Small warships, row-galleys, and fire ships provided
mobile defense forces. In 1777 these held out for two months after Washington's
defeat at Brandywine and had delayed supply ships from reaching the British
troops in Philadelphia. This enabled Washington time to fortify Valley Forge
so that he could survive the winter. Rochambeau took a side trip to visit
this fort on his way to Chester PA.
"Rochambeau Visits Ft. Mifflin on His Way to Yorktown"
by
David R. Wagner
(used with the artist's permission)
Sept 5 -- At Chester (10 miles via Rt 13)
Washington received news of the British squadron continuing to New York without
having engaged de Grasse's fleet, and he danced for joy.
==> Also on this day and unknown to Washington and Rochambeau,
a naval battle was underway off the Chesapeake Capes between the fleets
under de Grasse and Hood -- who had immediately returned from New York
when he found that de Grasse had not gone there. The French inflicted serious
damage on the British, who again sailed north to New York.
Admiral de Barras' flotilla came from Newport by an easterly route farther out
to sea and did not engage the British fleet.
(See article: Battle off the Virginia Capes)
