Biography

Major General in the American Revolutionary War and lifelong friend of George Washington. He was born in France, and married Anastasie Adrienne de Noailles in 1774. In 1777 he sailed to the United States where he fought in the Revolutionary War. On July 31, 1777 he was was appointed major-general. He was involved in a scheme to conquer Canada, but that scheme was quickly abandoned once France made an alliance with the United States in 1778. He was injured at the Battle of Brandywine. In 1787 he became a member of the assembly of notables in France. In 1789, he became commander-in-chief of the national guard. In 1791 he commanded the army during France's war with Austria. During the French Revolution he fled to Belgium where he was imprisoned by Austrians. In 1800, he returned to France. In 1818, he was elected to the chamber of deputies. In 1824, on the invitation of President Monroe, he visited the United States. He died in 1834 in France.