Chastellux's Travels in North-America

Book excerpt: "Francois Jean De Beauvoir, Marquis De Chastellux was born in Paris, France in 1734. He joined the French Army as a Second Lieutenant at the age of 13 and rose through the ranks during the Seven Years' War. Chastellux came to be as famous for his literary work, with his publication of a book on philosophy in 1772, as he was for his military exploits. When the French expeditionary forces assigned to the Revolutionary Continental Army set sail for America in 1779, he was one of the three major generals sent with General Rochambeau. They arrived in America and took part in the victorious Yorktown campaign. Invaluable to the Continental Army commanders for his command of the English language, Chastellux remained in America until returning to France in early 1783. Travels in North America is an account of Chastellux's travels between campaigns, including a journey through Virginia in April 1782. Translated from the French by an English gentleman, who resided in America at the period, with notes by the translator. The book also includes a biographical sketch of the author, letters from Gen. Washington to the Marquis de Chastellux, and notes and corrections by the American editor. This first American impression is a reprint of Grieve's translation, published in London in 1787, in a ""consolidated and economical form"" (from the Preface)."