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Phillippe du Coudray
Philippe du Coudray was a French General who served during the Revolutionary War.
du Coudray served as an artillery specialist for the French Army during he mid 18th century. du Coudray never saw action during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) but still had an impact. du Coudray was the leading voice in convincing the French Government to purchase lighter materials for making the guns and cannons. Lighters materials for the guns didn't mean they were made cheap, it was lighter for sodleirs to carry but still happened to have same distance in range that the heavier guns had. du Coudray would be promoted to general.
In 1776, Congress sent Silas Deane to France to speak to the French Government. Benjamin Franklin had already convinced the French Government to join in the American cause by because of fear of retaliation from the British Army, they agreed to provide weapons but not soldiers so they can stay silent in case America loses. Deane would convince du Coudray that if he was able to provide 200 French cannons and as many soldiers as he could, he would be made a Major General in the Continental Army. du Coudray would go against French orders and set sail for America with Cannons and soldiers.
In May of 1777, du Coudray arrived in America. Congress did not like the deal Deane had made with du Coudray but chose to pronounce him Major General of the Artillery and Engineering Corps in the Continental Army. This would make many generals angry because they didn't feel a foreign soldier should be made general in the army and felt du Coudray didn't earn his spot as Major General. Major General Henry Knox, outraged, went to congress threatening to resign if action was taken. Congress would soon take away the Major General title but still allow him to design the artillery and defenses at different forts.
In Sep, 1777, shortly after hearing of his new role and only 6 months after arriving in America, du Coudray was riding his horse in Philadelphia when he had an accident. du Coudray was riding on a bridge over the Schuyikill River when he fell off the horse and into the river. du Coudray would drown in the river. du Coudray was still listed as a Major General, so he was buried that way but never got to accomplish anything during the war like he wanted to. He is buried at St Marys Churchyard in Philadelphia, Pa.
Phillippe du Coudray
Philippe du Coudray was a French General who served during the Revolutionary War.
du Coudray served as an artillery specialist for the French Army during he mid 18th century. du Coudray never saw action during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) but still had an impact. du Coudray was the leading voice in convincing the French Government to purchase lighter materials for making the guns and cannons. Lighters materials for the guns didn't mean they were made cheap, it was lighter for sodleirs to carry but still happened to have same distance in range that the heavier guns had. du Coudray would be promoted to general.
In 1776, Congress sent Silas Deane to France to speak to the French Government. Benjamin Franklin had already convinced the French Government to join in the American cause by because of fear of retaliation from the British Army, they agreed to provide weapons but not soldiers so they can stay silent in case America loses. Deane would convince du Coudray that if he was able to provide 200 French cannons and as many soldiers as he could, he would be made a Major General in the Continental Army. du Coudray would go against French orders and set sail for America with Cannons and soldiers.
In May of 1777, du Coudray arrived in America. Congress did not like the deal Deane had made with du Coudray but chose to pronounce him Major General of the Artillery and Engineering Corps in the Continental Army. This would make many generals angry because they didn't feel a foreign soldier should be made general in the army and felt du Coudray didn't earn his spot as Major General. Major General Henry Knox, outraged, went to congress threatening to resign if action was taken. Congress would soon take away the Major General title but still allow him to design the artillery and defenses at different forts.
In Sep, 1777, shortly after hearing of his new role and only 6 months after arriving in America, du Coudray was riding his horse in Philadelphia when he had an accident. du Coudray was riding on a bridge over the Schuyikill River when he fell off the horse and into the river. du Coudray would drown in the river. du Coudray was still listed as a Major General, so he was buried that way but never got to accomplish anything during the war like he wanted to. He is buried at St Marys Churchyard in Philadelphia, Pa.