Yorktown French Memorial

The French Army forces provided the bulk of manpower for the siege. The French troops were a novelty to Americans. “Rochambeau and his staff entered [Philadelphia] at the head of the troops and were much acclaimed by the inhabitants, who could never have imagined that the French troops could be so handsome,” wrote Baron Ludwig von Closen, aide-de-camp to General Rochambeau. “All the gilded contingent was drawn up between the lancers and the hussars of Lauzun’s legion to salute with all the grace possible the Congress, which was stationed with the president at its head, on the balcony of the hall of Congress.”