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Louis-René Levassor de Latouche Tréville
Louis-René Levassor de Latouche Tréville
Letter by Latouche-Tréville
Letter by Latouche-Tréville

Louis-René Levassor de Latouche Tréville (June 3, 1745 – August 19, 1804) was a French admiral and a hero of the American Revolutionary War and of the Napoleonic wars. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Year 1745 ( MDCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions

Contents

Early life

Latouche Tréville was born in Rochefort-sur-mer, in a family of sailors. At the age of 13, he joined the Gardes-Marines ("Naval Guards"), and took part in numerous naval fights during the Seven Years' War. The Seven Years' War (1756&ndash1763 involved all of the major European powers of the period causing 900000 to 1400000 deaths He took part to his first fight in 1759 aboard the Dragon, under his own father's orders, and served abord the Louise and the Intrépide, the Tonnant in 1762, the Garonne in 1763, the Hardi and the Bricole in 1765. Intrépide was a 74-gun Third-rate Ship of the line of the French navy A number of ships of the French Navy have born the name Tonnant ("Thundering"

In September 1768, aged 23, he was promoted to enseigne de vaisseau. The rank Insignia of the French Navy ( French: Marine Nationale) are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets Under pressure from his family, he quit the Navy to become a cavalry officer, ranking captain in April 1769, and serving as an aid to the governors of Martinique and Saint-Domingue in 1770 and 1771. Martinique is an Island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, having a land area of 1128 km² Saint-Domingue was a French Colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola from 1659 to 1804 when it became the independent nation of

In 1772, he came joined back the Navy as "capitaine de brûlot". He served in Rochefort between 1773 and 1776.

American Revolution

In 1776, he transferred ammunition from France to the United States of America. In May 1777, he was promoted to lieutenant de vaisseau and was granted the command of the corvette the Rossignol, which was used to escort convoys. The rank Insignia of the French Navy ( French: Marine Nationale) are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets A corvette is a small maneuverable lightly armed Warship, originally smaller than a Frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft, although many He captured two English privateers and three merchantmen.

In January 1780, a commanding officer of the frigate Hermione at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, he ferried General La Fayette. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" He took part in the American campaign under command of Des Touches, winning several fights, notably against the Isis (June 1780). He was promoted to capitaine de vaisseau in June 1781.

On July 21, along with the frigate Astrée (under La Pérouse), he attacked an English convoy near the coasts of New Scotland; the escort ships Jack and Thorn were captured, along with three merchantmen, and brought back to Boston. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Jean François de Galaup comte de La Pérouse (23 August 1741&ndash1788? was a French Navy officer and Explorer whose expedition vanished in Oceania. New Scotland may refer to the historical name for Nova Scotia, or its colonies New Scotland Harwich Chatham-Kent Ontario, in Canada He also took part to the battle of Yorktown. The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington

Latouche-Tréville was granted command of the vessel Aigle which, along with the Gloire, ferried funding and equipment for the fleet of Admiral Vaudreil. ships of the French Navy have born the name Aigle ("eagle" honouring the bird of prey as well as the symbol of the First French Empire: On September 5, 1782, he sunk the English vessel Hector, but ran aground in the mouth of the Delaware river, and was captured by an English division on the 12th. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. Year 1782 ( MDCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He was liberated when the peace was signed in 1783.

In 1784, he succeeded d'Entrecasteaux as a vice-director of the Harbours and arsenals. Antoine Raymond Joseph de Bruni D'Entrecasteaux (1739&ndash 21 July, 1793) was a French navigator who explored the Australian coast in 1792 while seeking In 1786 he became Inspector General of the gunner, and in 1787, chancellor of the Duke of Orléans. In 1788, he added "Tréville" to his name, becoming "Latouche-Tréville".

French Revolution

At the beginning of the French Revolution, in 1789, Latouche Tréville was a deputy of the Second Estate (the nobility) and a member of the National Constituent Assembly, taking a liberal posture and contributing to the foundation of the Republic. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an The Estates of the realm were the broad divisions of society usually distinguishing Nobility, Clergy, and Commoners recognized in the Middle Ages The National Constituent Assembly (Assemblée nationale constituante was formed from the National Assembly on 9 July 1789, during the first stages of the

In September 1791, after Louis XVI approved of the Constitution, the National Constituent Assembly was disbanded, and Latouche-Tréville took the command of the vessel Languedoc and of a four-vessel division which he ferried from Brest to Toulon. Louis XVI ( 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793) Louis-Auguste de France, ruled as King of France and Navarre Brest (bʁɛst in French, in Breton) is a city in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France. Toulon ( Provençal Occitan: Tolon in classical norm or Touloun in Mistralian norm is a city in southern France and a large He joined contre-amiral Truguet and supported the operation of the Army of Italy. Laurent Truguet ( 10 January 1752, Toulon - 1839 Toulon was a French admiral The French Revolutionary Wars continued from 1795, with the French in an increasingly strong position as members of the First Coalition made separate peaces He also took part to the attack against Sardinia in October 1792, which turned out to be a failure when the expeditionary corps, landed on February 14, was put in disarray by the Sards. Sardinia (sɑrˈdɪnɪə Sardegna Sardigna or Sardinnya is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily) Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Latouche-Tréville and Truguet then set sail for Toulon.

In January 1793, he was promoted to counter-admiral. On January 1, war broke out with England, and Latouche-Tréville began designing plans for an invasion of England. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC On March 28, his plan for a landing, notably suggesting the building of a specialised fleet of light troop transport ships, was adopted. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.

In March, he was granted command of the Naval Army of Brest. As soon as he took his position, he was reported by some subordinates as a nobility. He was arrested in September as a "suspect", at the height of the Terror. Saint justjpg|thumbnail|200px| Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just]] The Reign of Terror' (5 September 1793 &ndash 28 July 1794 or simply The Terror (la Terreur was He spent one year in the Force prison, and was freed only after the fall of Robespierre. Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre (maksimiljɛ̃ fʁɑ̃swa maʁi izidɔʁ də ʁɔbɛspjɛʁ ( 6 May 1758 – 28 July 1794)

Under the Directoire, he was rehabilitated and regained his rank in December 1795, but was offered no position, and went to Montargis. The Executive Directory ( Directoire exécutif) was a body of 5 single-male Directors that held executive power in France following He was desperate enough so that, in 1799, he ran an announcement in the Moniteur newspaper, asking for a position as privateer.

Napoleonic Era

Nelson fails against the flottilla of Latouche Tréville near Boulogne - August 15, 1801
Nelson fails against the flottilla of Latouche Tréville near Boulogne - August 15, 1801

In 1801, Bonaparte gave the command of a fleet in Brest to Latouche-Tréville. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. Interested by the plans for the invasion of England, Bonaparte and Minister Forfait gave him the command of a flotilla in Boulogne. Boulogne-sur-Mer ( Bonen in Dutch is a City in Northern France. In this position, on August 4 and August 15, 1801, Latouche-Tréville repelled the attacks of Admiral Nelson; The English lost 6 ships sunk, one captured, 44 dead (including Parker, aid to Nelson), 126 wounded and 3 prisoners; the French lost one captured ship, 8 killed, 12 missing and 34 wounded. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British

On October 30, 1801, with the Treaty of Amiens, Latouche-Tréville was given command of the fleet of Rochefort, which carried part of the leading 23000 men of the Army of Rhine for the expedition against rebel black slaves in Saint-Domingue, under Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse. Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday The Treaty of Amiens temporarily ended the hostilities between France and the United Kingdom during the French Revolutionary Wars. Saint-Domingue was a French Colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola from 1659 to 1804 when it became the independent nation of Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse (May 29 1750 - July 24 1812 was a French Admiral. Arriving the first at Saint-Domingue, he and general Boudet captured Port-au-Prince and Léogane. PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince Léogâne (Leyogàn is the name of both a coastal city and an Arrondissement in Ouest Department, Haïti. Latouche-Tréville managed to obtain the peaceful surrender of general Laplume, while, in the South, General Leclerc forced Toussaint L'Ouverture and Christophe to submit. Charles Victor Emmanuel Leclerc ( Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France, March 17, 1772 - Saint Domingue, November 2, François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture

With Villaret de Joyeuse's departure in April 1802, Latouche-Tréville stayed in Saint-Domingue with 4 ships-of-the-line, 9 frigates and 5 corvettes. Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse (May 29 1750 - July 24 1812 was a French Admiral. After the restoration of slavery, on May 20, 1802, a new rebellion broke out, which overwhelmed the yellow fever-stricken army of General Leclerc. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 1802 ( MDCCCII) was a Common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Latouche-Tréville defended the harbours in the South, giving the Western part to Admiral Willaumez. After the English entered the war, and before Rochambeau and his army were captured, Latouche-Tréville obtained a right of free crossing due to his poor health and returned to France in October 1803.

He was made a vice-Admiral in December 1803, taking command of the fleet of Mediterranean Sea. He put his flag on the Bucentaure, regularly repelling the forces of Nelson which blockaded the harbour. For the Venetian vessel see Bucentaur.

A new plan for the invasion of England was set up, with 2500 ships and gunships. Napoleon would count upon Latouche-Tréville, who would then command the fleet supposed to hold the English Channel during the landing.

Admiral Latouche-Tréville died of sickness on August 19, 1804, aged 59, aboard the Bucentaure which he refused to leave. Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a For the Venetian vessel see Bucentaur. "An admiral is all but too happy dying under the flag of his vessel", he said.

He would be replaced by Admiral Villeneuve. Pierre-Charles-Jean-Baptiste-Silvestre de Villeneuve ( 31 December 1763 &ndash 22 April 1806) was a French naval officer during the

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