The Real Story of the American Revolution 

Developing the The Washington-Rochambeau
Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail

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Topics here: What is the W3R? | Physical / Social | National Trail
The W3R-US site has Historical Events of, Research Reports on, and Touring the W3R

Latest Changes: 07Sep05 - drop aerial view link / 07Dec15 - simplify structure / 08Feb17 - move W3R material off-site /


Washington

Portraits are details in Auguste Couder's
painting of the Siege at Yorktown
(Versailles museum gallery)


Rochambeau

What is the W3R? 

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) refers to the series of campsites, the pathways travelled, the activities and events along the way, and the social, military, political, and economic consequences of the French troops under French General (and Count) Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau as they landed in Newport RI, wintered over there, marched to join Washington's Continental Army units outside New York City, explored options for an attack there, then marched together to Yorktown VA where they trapped, (with critical suport from a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse) besieged, and accepted the surrender of a British army under Cornwallis, then marched north to Boston MA, where they embarked for further battles in the Caribbean.

The National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association -- better known as the W3R-US -- is a consortium of many local, state, and national organizations. Since 1999 it has been working to support the U.S. Congress' initiative to develop, fund research, and designate the nine-state Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail.

The Physical and Social Basis for W3R 

The W3R involves dozens of campsites, hundreds of miles of roads, historical roadside markers, innumerable dinners, parties, and celebrations, several major skirmishes, several attempted robberies, hundreds (thousands?) of brief romances, considerable sharp dealing by merchants and quartermasters, many successful and many frustrated attempts at communication, changing perceptions of the French by Americans and of Americans by the French, recognition by many ethnic groups (Irish, German, Dutch, French) in the United States that their relatives in Europe supported the American pursuit of liberty and independence with troops and ships and material support.

The personal nature of the interaction between Rochambeau's troops (and support personnel) with American military personnel and merchants provided Americans of non-British descent -- who had little representation in the political structure at that time -- with validation of their place in American society and hope for a more inclusive future as co-equal citizens.

Designation as a National Historic Trail 

The National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) supports the U.S. Congress' initiative to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail, which will educate the public on
  • the three-year presence of the French Expeditionary Force in the U.S.

  • the march south of the allied armies to the climactic battle at Yorktown under the joint leadership of Generals Washington and Rochambeau, and

  • their triumphant return north.

A W3R Word Game: Find and circle words related to the W3R

Questions? Contact .