Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army

The Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army is a historic military camp site near Plains Road and Lovers Lane on the banks of the Shetucket River in Windham, Connecticut.[2] It was here that the French Army encamped in the summer of 1781 under the command of Rochambeau on their march from Providence, Rhode Island to rendezvous with the Continental Army under General George Washington. Four divisions passed through, each one day apart.[3]: E3  One of Rochambeau's aides described Windham at the time as "a charming market town, where, incidentally, there were many pretty women at whose homes we passed the afternoon very agreeably." Of the camp site, he wrote, "A mile away is a beautiful river (the Shetucket) with a fine wooden bridge. We camped on its banks very comfortably, though hardly militarily."[4]

Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army
Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army is located in Connecticut
Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army
Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army is located in the United States
Fourth Camp of Rochambeau's Army
LocationPlains Rd. near Lovers Ln., Windham, Connecticut
Coordinates41°42′0″N 72°10′52″W / 41.70000°N 72.18111°W / 41.70000; -72.18111
Area16 acres (6.5 ha)
Built1781
MPSRochambeau's Army in Connecticut, 1780-1782 MPS
NRHP reference No.02001680[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 8, 2003

The camp site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.[1] The next campsite to the west is also NRHP-listed as Fifth Camp of Rochambeau's Infantry. On the army's return trip in 1782, its 47th camp site (also NRHP-listed) was at a different location in Windham.[3]: E4  The site is one of multiple properties whose possible listing on the National Register was covered in a 2001 study.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Supplemental Destination Guide Signs" (PDF). State of Connecticut. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
  3. ^ a b c Bruce Clouette and Mary Harper (October 22, 2001). "National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation: Rochambeau's Army in Connecticut, 1780-1782 MPS" (PDF). National Park Service.
  4. ^ "THE WASHINGTON - ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 1781-1782" (PDF). Hudson River Valley Institute. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
 
NPS map of the W3R Route