Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse Biography

Birth of Francois-Joseph De Grasse

Serves under Louis Guillouet, comte dOrvilliers at the 1st Battle of Ushant from July 23 to 27

Joins the fleet of Count dEstaing in the Caribbean and distinguished himself in the battles of Dominica and Saint Lucia

Joins the fleet of Count dEstaing in the Caribbean and distinguished himself in the battles of Dominica and Saint Lucia

Joins the fleet of Count dEstaing in the Caribbean and distinguished himself in the Battle of Tobago

Contributes to the capture of Grenada

Contributes to the capture of Grenada

Defeats the British enabling 16,000 Continental & Allied troops to besiege Yorktown

Defeats the British enabling 16,000 Continental & Allied troops to besiege Yorktown

Defeats the British enabling 16,000 Continental & Allied troops to besiege Yorktown

Lands a French Fleet in Chesapeake Bay

Defeats the British fleet in the Battle of the Chesapeake, draws away the British forces and blockades the coast until Lord Cornwallis surrenders, ensuring the independence of the United States of America

A major defeat for the British, since it prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing or evacuating the blockaded forces of General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, as a result, Cornwallis surrendered his army after the Siege of Yorktown

Crucial naval Battle near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay between a British fleet led by Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Graves and a French fleet led by Rear Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, the Comte de Grasse.

On 13 September de Grasse broke away from the British and returned to the Chesapeake, where de Barras had arrived, Graves returned to New York to organize a larger relief effort; this did not sail until 19 October, two days after Cornwallis surrendered.

The British leave the sea near Chesapeake to the French & Graves returns to New York

Loses control of the Caribbean to the British

Death of Francois-Joseph De Grasse