Collection of letters written by French naval officers describing their experiences during the American Revolution, 1779-1783

Collection of letters written by French naval officers describing their experiences during the American Revolution, 1779-1783

1779-1783

[31] items ; 10 -29 cm.

MSS L2015F177.3-33

Letters written by two brothers, Gabriel de Chieuses de Combaud Roquebrune (nos. 3-23; includes letters to their father from others in Martinique concernig his son, "G.B.") and Victor de Chieuses de Combaud Roquebrune (nos. 24-29) to their parents in Lorgues, Provence from various posts in the West Indies and Chesapeake, 1779-1783.
These letters describe the actions & career of two lower rank officers of the French navy during the revolutionary war, including the Battle of Grenada, 1779, the Battle of the Chesapeake, 1781 & mentions the British surrender at Yorktown, the Battle of Saint Kitts, 1782 & the Battle of the Saintes, 1782. On October 24, 1781, Gabriel writes from on board his ship in the Chesapeake: "The 19th of October our troops joined the Americans seized 6000 men of the English troops, and took charge of this little portion of terrain that they occupied in Virginia."
Also included are: a retained copy of a letter by his father to Victor, regarding an account by Gabriel relating his experiences in the Battle of the Saintes, April 1782 (no. 30); a copy of a letter by a Captain Salver to his wife describing the battle of Grenade with a list of officers killed & wounded in the battle (no. 31); one letter fragment (no. 33).
Partial red wax seal remains.
Purchased with 4 printed accounts, including Grenada & Marseille imprints, 1778 & 1779 (cataloged separately; call nos.: L2015F177.34-37)
For further detail, see case file.

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