A Timeline Marking Rochambeau’s March

By Kendra Bobowick

“America’s March to Yorktown” is an organized event gaining momentum locally as June and July approach.

The march, “a commemoration of the brave patriots who accompanied Rochambeau’s troops from Newport to Yorktown,” according to the flyer, will march through Newtown at the end of June. Intending to travel Rochambeau’s course as closely as possible is co-organizer Richard Swartwout. He and others will travel from Rhode Island to New York, following the French military’s route.

He said, “We’ll start the foot movement on June 18, and on the days they marched we’ll move, and on the days when they rested, we’ll stop.”

He intends to duplicate the march that brought Count de Rochambeau’s troops to the aid of General George Washington, and eventually defeated Lord Cornwallis.

“The thrust of the exercise is to recreate [the march],” he said. “We’ll march on the same days and on the same roads.”

Answering the question of Count de Rochambeau’s significance in American history, Newtown historian Dan Cruson agrees that his involvement was critical to the colonist’s successful battle for independence. Although historians’ opinions vary, Mr Cruson believes that “the French tipped the balance, that was key. It broke the resolve and the will of the British” as colonists fought to free themselves from England. (See related story.)

Along the route of original roads traveled by Rochambeau, the movement will march through Newtown and camp in Monroe, Mr Swartwout said. On Thursday, June 29, and Friday, June 30, “The Army is in Camp” in Monroe, rather than Newtown, as the event website states. Visit Marchtoyorktown.org for a full schedule and directions of the march path through surrounding towns.

Although camping elsewhere, soldiers will march through town on those dates and Mr Swartwout will pause to join in a ceremony to be held at Hawley School on June 29 at 4 pm, he said.

Mr Cruson will be unveiling a plaque — one of many completed by artist David Wagner as part of his series attributed to Count de Rochambeau’s March.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) member Pat Hubert also plans to attend, she said.

Ms Hubert — whose mother also had a strong interest in the past — said she has a lifelong interest in her background linking her to the Revolutionary War, and has already begun to celebrate Rochambeau’s travels through Connecticut. She recently joined a 225th anniversary celebration of Count Rochambeau’s march held in Danbury.

Other local events will pay tribute to the Frenchman’s assistance to General Washington. Along with America’s March to Yorktown, “A March to Victory Weekend” will see activity on June 15 at the green in Waterbury that will include an unveiling of a Rochambeau commemorative marker at 5 pm in Waterbury accompanied by the Mattatuck Drum Band, the country’s oldest marching band.

During the weekend of June 17 and 18, “March to Victory” in Southbury will have full battle demonstrations. Events throughout both days will include reenactments, demonstrations, exhibits, camps, dancing, vendors, carriage rides, and cannon salutes. Full details are outlined at southburybattle.com.

“This is going to be the biggest thing in New England,” Ms Hubert said.

Mr Cruson explained that these upcoming events have dual meanings.

“There are reenactors commemorating the march by doing it,” he said. “And there are also commemorations honoring Rochambeau.”

The Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring America’s March to Yorktown, while individual towns will sponsor Rochambeau recognitions such as the Southbury events.

In Newtown, the Rochambeau plaque unveiling will be at on June 29 at 4 pm. Ms Hubert and Mr Swartwout intend to join the ceremony, which also invites local officials and the public.