The Yorktown Campaign and Its Significance in the History of French-American Friendship

In October 1781, the Franco-American victory at Yorktown sealed the independence of the United States.

It was the culmination of France’s formidable political and military effort to erase the humiliation of its defeat in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), while also reclaiming its central position among the great European powers. This emblematic and historic victory over the world’s finest army was achieved thanks to the resolute and decisive commitment of the French expeditionary force under the command of two exceptional and visionary general officers: General Rochambeau, Count of Rochambeau, for the land forces, and Admiral de Grasse, Count of Grasse, for the Royal Navy.

Rochambeau, Washington, and de Grasse coordinated their efforts to lead the British army to occupy the Yorktown position. On land, the allies carried out a deception maneuver to make the British believe they were preparing an assault on New York before turning toward Yorktown. At sea, de Grasse achieved the feat of defeating the Royal Navy. These key moments in the War of Independence, which celebrates its 250th anniversary, marked the beginning of a strong and durable French-American friendship.

General Vincent de Kytspotter tells the epic story of this crucial campaign in great detail, bringing it to life in his book Yorktown, octobre 1781. La Victoire franco-américaine qui a consacré l’indépendance des Etats-Unis, published this year by Perrin in France.

The conversation will be followed by a Q&A and a book signing at Albertine Books.

Participants

Major General (ret.) Vincent de Kytspotter is an Armored Cavalry officer by trade. He holds a PhD in Political Sciences from Pantheon-Assas Paris University. During his 37 years’ service, he followed a classic military career with operational deployments in armored combat units and assignments in Strategic Operational and International Relations HQs in Paris. He was posted 9 years in the United States, both in Military Attaché and Adviser positions to the United States and to the United Nations.

Samuel Watson is professor of history at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he has taught since 1999.  He is the author of two award-winning books, Jackson’s Sword and Peacekeepers and Conquerors, on the U.S. Army on the frontiers of the United States between 1810 and 1846, volume editor for The West Point History of Warfare, co-editor of The West Point History of the American Revolution and The West Point History of the Civil War, and editor of The Oxford Handbook of American Military History (2026).  He had led or helped lead five cadet and student staff rides in Normandy and the Meuse-Argonne.

Robert M. Donaldson is a technology lawyer and the Secretary of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut. The Society was founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army; its French branch counted Lafayette, Rochambeau and de Grasse among its members. He is a member of the Board of Managers of Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, and is also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars and The Mayflower Society.