Lot 116
[Revolutionary War] Charles-Hector, Comte d'Estaing -- 1779 Order Given as He Embarks for Savannah (1729-94) Commander of the first French fleet sent in support of the American colonists during the American Revolution. Autograph document signed "D'Estaing" one page, in French, 5 x 7½", on board the ship The Languedoc, Aug. 15, 1779. D'Estaing gives his titles: Charles Henry Comte D'Estaing Vice-Admiral of France, Lieutenant General of the Armies of the King, Chevalier of the Orders [of the King], Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Forces in the Leeward Islands. As he prepares to sail from Grenada for what would prove to be an unsuccessful attempt to retake Savanah, Georgia from the British, d'Estaing appoints Mr. Saint Laurent, marine guard stationed on the ship Le Marveillais, as Ensign. After being unsuccessful in his attempts to blockade British Admiral Richard Howe in New York Bay, and failing to engage the British fleet near Newport, Rhode Island because of a storm, d'Estaing managed to capture Grenada. He was seriously wounded in the attack on Savannah and was forced to return to France. He became commander of the National Guard at Versailles and was made Admiral in 1792, but was arrested and guillotined during the Terror after having testified for Marie Antoinette. Estimate Value $750 - UP
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| Realized $450 |
