Rochambeau

Rochambeau. The French in Hampton, 1781-82. , After the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781, a large contingent of French troops under the command of the Comte de Rochambeau took up winter quarters in Hampton. They were called Lauzun's Legion, a force of volunteer soldiers of many nationalities, including German Hessians and Polish Hussars, led by the flamboyant Duc de Lauzun. During the French "occupation" of Hampton, the Elizabeth City County Courthouse at King and Court streets was used as a hospital. Judges were given permission to hold court elsewhere "while the court house is occupied by troops of our allies as a hospital.", There had been a French presence in Hampton before the siege of Yorktown. After arriving at the Virginia Capes in August 1781, Comte de Grasse, the admiral who sealed the British fate by blockading the Chesapeake Bay, placed batteries at Old Point Comfort to solidify his position., The appearance of so many foreign soldiers, along with their corps of officers, surely enlivened the life of the small seaport. They were considered Rochambeau's most troublesome and colorful soldiers, who spoke many languages but, by tradition, cursed in Hungarian. By one account, 20 percent of Lauzun's officers were involved in duels during that winter. From modern excavations, buttons fromt he uniforms of several French soldiers have been unearthed., After the victory, Lauzun's Legion remained in Hampton until February 1782 when another French force, a battalion of the Saintonge Regiment, arrived and took its place. Not all of the Frenchmen returned home. Records show that ten of them died in Hampton, at least five at the hospital. Some may have been buried at the St. John's Church Cemetery, which adjoined the courthouse.