September 11-12, 1781
Major General François Jean de Beauvoir, Marquis de Chastellux traveled to Mount Vernon as an aide to Rochambeau during the march to Yorktown. He arrived a day later than the others on September 11. During the war, Chastellux served as an important liaison between Washington and Rochambeau because of his strong knowledge of the English language. He and Washington developed a close friendship, writing deeply personal letters to one another throughout later years. In 1786, Chastellux published his travel journal of North America, Voyages de M. le Marquis de Chastellux dans l’Amérique Septentrionale. He sent a copy to Washington, who also obtained an English version for his library.