The Path to History

The Path to History. Morristown National Historical Park. , On August 28, 1781, 5500 French troops under the command of General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau marched on the road before you on their way to Yorktown, Virginia. They had spent the previous night in Whippany, New Jersey. After passing through Morristown, they camped at Bullion’s Tavern in present-day Bernards Township. General George Washington’s Continental Army took a different route, slightly southeast, and spent the night of August 28th in nearby Chatham., The Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail follows the routes used in 1781 and 1782 by the American and French forces to travel to and from the successful siege of Yorktown, Virginia. In a decisive victory, they captured the British Army under General Charles Cornwallis, who surrendered on October 19, 1781. This network of roads and water trails travels over 700 miles through nine states and the District of Columbia., Take this Revolutionary Route and explore historic sites and communities that once hosted Revolutionary War soldiers. Learn the stories of people who helped pave the way to victory and an independent United States., For more information about this National Historic Trail, visit: www.nps.gov/waro, < Sidebar: > , A Powerful Partnership , George Washington: 1732 – 1799 , Congress chose George Washington to command the Continental Army in 1775. His strategic insight and leadership culminated in American independence. After the war, Washington resigned his military command. He became the first President of the United States in 1789., Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau: 1725 – 1807 , The French nobleman and distinguished officer was appointed commander of the French Army sent to America in 1780 to fight the British. After success there, he continued his military career until 1792. Arrested in 1794 during the French Revolution, he was released later that year and retired to his estates.