Another piece of American Revolution history has been added to Mount Vernon Estate. Visitors can now appraise themselves of the long march from the first president's estate to Yorktown where the definitive battle for American independence took place.
Known as the "Washington-Rochambeau Route to Victory," it was undertaken by Washington and one of his most devoted allies, French General Jean Baptiste Rochambeau. A new explanatory sign, describing the details of that event, was dedicated last Friday by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Kate Waller Barrett Chapter.
"We think this is the perfect spot for this commemorative marker. George Washington was extremely close with his French allies throughout the American Revolution," said Dennis Pogue, assistant director, Mount Vernon Estate.
Joining Pogue and DAR Regent Ruth W. Smith for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Jean-Pierre Allex-Lyoudi, France's Consul General in Washington, and Commander Louis-Dominique Despretz, the embassy's Assistant Defense Attache, as well as a contingent of DAR members.
The marker, paid for by DAR fundraising, is situated on Route 235 just beyond the Mount Vernon Circle. It depicts the route followed by Washington and Rochambeau and gives details of various actions taking place at the time leading up to the Yorktown confrontation with the British.