September 10-12, 1781
In preparation for the Yorktown campaign, Washington and Rochambeau stopped at Mount Vernon.
While marching their troops from New York to Virginia in preparation for the Yorktown campaign, Washington and Rochambeau stopped briefly at Mount Vernon with their military aides.
Washington, who had not been home since the beginning of the war in 1775, rode ahead of the others and arrived on September 9, 1781. Rochambeau reached Mount Vernon the following evening.
Jonathan Trumbull, one of Washington’s aides, was quite impressed by their reception, writing on September 11 that he found at Mount Vernon an “elegant seat and situation, great appearance of opulence and real exhibitions of hospitality and princely entertainment.”
During their stay, both generals wrote multiple letters concerning schedules and logistics for the rest of the march toward Yorktown. The group departed early on the morning on September 12. Five weeks later, the British surrendered to Washington and Rochambeau in one of the most decisive victories of the American Revolution.
French Visitors to Mount Vernon
Both during and after Washington's life, Mount Vernon has hosted a litany of French notables.
Explore the Visitors