Timeline Illustrating French World-Wide
Involvement in the American War for Independence
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1775
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- Dec '75 French secret envoy meets with American 'Secret Committee of Correspondence' in Philadelphia to determine patriots' intention and needs.
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1776
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- Apr '76, Silas Deane sent to Paris to obtain military supplies and skilled military engineers for the Continental Army.
- Apr '76, King Louis XVI decides to assist American revolted and launches vast French navy refitting.
- Jun '76, Hortalez Cie. received million livres from French Covernment, and another million from Spain, via the French Minister.
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1777
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- Feb, Duportail, one of the first of many French volunteers, joined the Continental Army. He became the �Father of the American Army Corps of Engineers'.
- By Sep. '77, Hortalez Cie. (Beaumarchais) already shipped 5 million livres worth of cargo to America.
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1778
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- 6 Feb, French-American alliance treaty signed in Paris.
- 4 May, French treaty recognizing American independence ratified by US Congress.
- 17 Jun, first naval engagement of the war between French and British.
- 11 Jul-31 Aug, D'Estaing's unsuccessful naval operations at New York and at Newport.
- 27 Jun, naval battle off Ile d'Ouessant [Ushant] -- indecisive engagement between Fr. and Br. (La Manche) proves new French Royal navy capacity to challenge the British navy.
- 7 Sep, Fr. capture Dominica (WI).
- 14 Sep, Br. capture St. Pierre-et-Miquelon Ils. (N. Atlantic).
- 1 Oct, Br. capture Pondichery (India).
- 13 Dec, Br. capture St. Lucia (WI).
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1779
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- January, Fr. capture St. Louis (Senegal). [Lauzun and Vaudreuil's expedition had departed France in December 1778]
- 1 May, Fr. unsuccessful raid on Jersey Ils. (La Manche).
- 18 Jun, Fr. capture St. Vincent (WI).
- 4 Jul, Fr. capture Grenada (WI).
- 23 Sep-20 Oct, D'Estaing and American unsuccessful siege of Savannah (GA).
- 23 Sep, Fr. troops at naval battle of Flambourgh Head (La Manche) -- (Bonhomme Richard vs HMS Serapis).
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1780
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- 21 Feb-12 May, Fr. military engineers at unsuccessful defense of Charleston (SC).
- 17 Apr, 15 & 19 May, Br. and Fr. engage in naval battles off Martinique (WI).
- 11 Jul, Rochambeau's corps arrived at Newport (RI).
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1781
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- 5 Jan, Fr. unsuccessful raind on Jersey Ils. (La Manche).
[During the year, British capture Dutch possessions in WI, South America, Ceylon and India.]
- 16 Mar, Br. & Fr. naval battle of the Chesapeake Bay (1st 'Battle of the Virginia Capes').
- 16 May, Br & Fr. naval battle of Porto Praya, Cape Verde islands.
- 10-12 May, Fr. raid on St. Lucia (WI).
- 26 May, Spanish and Fr. capture Pensacola (Flordia).
- 4 Jun, Fr. capture Tobago (WI).
- 12 Jul, Fr. raid Tory fort at Loyd Neck, Long Island (NY).
- 5 Sep, Br. & Fr. naval battle off the Chesapeake Bay (2nd 'Battle of the Virginia Capes').
- 28 Sep-19 Oct, Am. & Fr. siege of Yorktown (VA).
- 26 Nov, Fr. capture St. Eustatius (WI).
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1782
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- 6 Jan-5 Feb, Fr. & Sp. capture Ft. St. Philip at Mahon, Minorca.
- 22 Jan, Fr recapture Dutch colonies of Surinam.
- 13 Feb, Fr. capture St. Kitts (WI).
- 18 Feb. Br. & Fr. naval battle off Madras (India).
- 20 Feb, Fr. capture Nevis (WI).
- 22 Feb, Fr. capture Monserrat (WI).
- 12 Apr, at Saints (WI), Br. disperse large Fr. naval force enroute to attack Jamaica.
- 6 Jul, Br. & Fr. naval battle off Negapatan (India).
- Jul through Mar, Sp. & Fr. unsuccessful siege and blockade of Gibraltar.
- 25-30 Aug, Fr. besiege and capture Trincomalee (Ceylon).
- 8-31 Aug, Fr. capture and destroy Fort Prince of Wales, York factory and Severn in Hudson Bay (Canada).
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1783
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- Mar-Jul, Fr. participate in capture of Voloze, Bednor (3 May); Onor, siete of Mangalore from 6 May to Jul (India).
- 20 Jun, Br. & Fr. naval battle off Cuddelore (India).
- 13-29 Jun, Fr. repulse Br. at Cuddelore (India).
- 3 Sep, Peace Treaty signed in Paris.
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