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nordleuchten · 2 years

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24 Days of La Fayette: December 19th - Jean-Joseph Soubadère de Gimat

With the end of this little series fast approaching, we now have the time to guide our attention towards the more prominent men among La Fayette’s aide-de-camps. Jean-Joseph Soubadère de Gimat, later the Chevalier de Gimat was one of La Fayette’s earliest and most trusted aide-de-camps. In fact, without Gimat, La Fayette’s little adventure in America might have taken a grisly turn early on.

Gimat was born in 1747 (or maybe as early as 1743) in Gascony into a family of military merits. He joined the French Army in the 1760’ as an Ensign in the Viennois Regiment.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 18-19.

Gimat was one of the men that accompanied La Fayette onboard La Victoire to America. Silas Dean promised him the rank of Major (commission dated December 1, 1776.) Their travel to America had been rather uneventful for Gimat and when La Victoire anchored some miles north of Charleston, Gimat accompanied La Fayette and eight other officers and servants that travelled on land to Charleston and nine of these men, Gimat included, travelled then from Charleston to Philadelphia. While travelling to Philadelphia, Gimat became ill, potentially with a fever but more likely with dysentery. He stayed behind in Petersburg in Virginian until he was well again and could rejoin the rest of the group.

Congress at first was very, very reluctant to grant La Fayette his rank as Major General or indeed any rank to any of these French officers. Things turned out alright for most if these men in the end, thanks to no small part to La Fayette’s relentlessness. Gimat was eventually made an aide-de-camp to La Fayette with the promised rank or Major.

Gimat distinguishes himself for the first time during the Battle of Brandywine. He was with La Fayette when La Fayette set out to organize the retreat of the American troops – but I let our Marquis tell the story:

(…) and it was whilst M. de Lafayette was rallying the troops that a ball passed through his leg; -- at that moment all those remaining on the field gave way. M. de Lafayette was indebted to Gimat, his aide-de-camp, for the happiness of getting upon his horse.

Marquis de La Fayette, Memoirs, Correspondences and Manuscripts of General Lafayette, Vol. 1, Craighead and Allen, New York, 1837, p. 23.

After giving first aide on the battlefield, Gimat was at La Fayette’s side during his convalescence. La Fayette wrote to his wife Adrienne on October 1, 1777:

Among the French officers, all of whom have shown interest in my welfare, I have M. de Gimat as an aide-de-camp. Both before and since the battle he has followed me like a shadow and has shown every proof of devotion to me. So, dearest, you may be at ease on this matter now and in the future.

La Fayette also used this episode of forced inactivity to apply to Washington not only for an active command for himself but also for commissions for Edmund Brice (another one of his aide-de-camps that I have already covered) and Gimat. Washington was at a total loss what to do with La Fayette and so he wrote to his friend and member of the Continental Congress Benjamin Harrison on August 19, 1777:

If I did not misunderstand what you, or some other Member of Congress said to me respecting the appointment of the Marquis de Le Fiatte, he has misceived the design of his appointment, or Congress did not understand the extent of his views, for certain it is, If I understand him, that he does not conceive his Commission is merely honorary; but given with a view to command a division of this Army. True, he has said that he is young, & inexperienced, but at the same time has always accompanied it with a hint, that so soon as I shall think him fit for the Command of a division, he shall be ready to enter upon the duties of it; & in the mean time, has offer'd his service for a smaller Command, to which I may add, that he has actually applied to me (by direction he says from Mr. Hancock) for Commissions for his Two Aid de Camps.

The efforts of La Fayette did not stop there. He also wrote to Henry Laurens on the matter on December 18, 1777:

Let me speack not to the president of Congress but to my friend about a matter which concerns me very much. Monsieur le Chevalier de Gimat my first aid de camp is a man of birth, education, and merit. He came over vith the desire of being in my family and never asked neither desired any monney since the begining of this expedition. He is now captain of infanterye in the french service not captain by commission or retreat but captain in a rgt. where he has done two campaigns of war. Do'nt you think that if that gentleman schould ask here the commission of lieutenant colonel following the army he would not obtain it? Tho his being in my family prevents his advancement-what is your opinion about the matter? Must I apply to the president of Congress? All what I wrait here is entirely unknown to Mr. de Gimat who never spoke to me a word of it.

While La Fayette lobbying for his aide-de-camps, subordinate officers or fellow Frenchman was far from novel, Gimat’s case is different. He was one of the few persons that had not approach La Fayette and asked to be thought of. La Fayette took the initiative here. And while our Marquis had to put in a bit of work, few men in America could resist La Fayette’s puppy-eyes. Gimat was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel in February of 1778.

In his new position he accompanied La Fayette on his doomed expedition to Canada in February and March of 1778. He was also with La Fayette in Rhode Island in the Summer of 1778 when a joined attack by the newly arrived French and American troops were planned. La Fayette wrote to the Comte d’Estaing on July 30, 1778:

My letter is in the hands of M. de Gimat, who will also have the honor of delivering this one to you. He is a captain in the infantry of the Viennois regiment, a lieutanant colonel in the Continental army, my aide-de-camp, and my friend, upon whom you may rely in all matters with complete assurance. His merit, patriotism, and honesty match all the praises I can give them. I am so sure of the care M. de Gimat will take of my letter in every circumstance that I shall spare you the trouble of deciphering anything beyond my own handwriting. (…) There are certain things that you would perhaps find too long to write in cipher but that you could tell to M. de Gimat, upon whom you may well rely. That is an assurance I shall not give you lightly.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, p. 122-125.

La Fayette’s trust in Gimat was absolute. We see in this example, that he did not deciphere his letter to d’Estaing, something that he habitually did, because he had not the shadow of a doubt that Gimat would safely deliver the letter. He often told the people he was corresponding with, that they could be completely open with Gimat and that they could tell absolutely everything that they otherwise would have told La Fayette. Gimat was also entrusted with arranging certain things on La Fayette’s behalf – and there was not a single time that Gimat betrayed or broke the trust placed in him.

After already obtaining the commission as a Lieutenant Colonel, La Fayette set out to further advance Gimat’s standing. He wrote to the President of Congress on October 27, 1778:

Mons. de Gimat an old soldier in the french Service, who has made the war in Germany, who came here upon very disinterested principles, has been with me ever since I have the honor to serve the United States. He was first a commissioned Major, and after the first Campaign a Commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. Had he come two years ago with all the circumstances which Speack in his favor, he would have been made at once a It. clel. in the line — but he did choose to be my aid de camp. Was I to draw Comparisons I would Say that Mr. de Vienne to whom in every point Nature or talents may give Mr. de Gimat is fully equal, and some times superior, has been made a colonel at his arrival without having Seen so much service abroad, and any in this country.

The request was granted and was commissioned a brevet colonel on November 3, 1778 and two days later he received a certificate of his honourable service. Since Gimat desired to return to France for some time, he was also granted leave and Congress covered the expanses of his travels to and from France. He sailed on the Alliance and during the voyage was made aware of a plot between some senior officers to ruin the career and reputation of the Alliance’s Captain, Landais. La Fayette had been of the issue for some time but after things became more heated, he instructed Gimat to change out the Officers of the Alliance.

He returned with La Fayette onboard L’Hermione to America in March of 1780 and was given command of a battalion in the Brigade of Brigadier General Poor. The General Order from August 1, 1780 read:

Massachusetts 1st & 2nd brigades [to furnish] 8 [Companies in] 1 [battalion Commanded by] Colo. Sheppard [and] Major Trescott[.Massachusetts] 3d & 4th [brigades to furnish] 8 [Companies in] 1 [battalion Commanded by] Colo. Gimat [and] Major Keith. (…) The third and fourth Massachusetts brigades give two Subs. a Surgeon Mate and two Serjeants for the regiments to be commanded by Colonel Gimat.

“General Orders, 1 August 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 27, 5 July–27 August 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 384–387.] (12/19/2022)

Gimat’s Battalion was under the overall command of La Fayette and he himself wrote to the Prince de Poix on September 3, 1780:

I have a very pleasing command composed of about 2,000 light infantry drawn from the regiments, as are the grenadiers and chasseurs in Europe, and led by two brigadiers under me; 100 riflemen who are a kind of half-savage infantry; and a legion of 300 men, half infantry and half cavalry. These 2,400 men form a flying camp always in advance and independent of the main army, to which is added on occasion detachments of infantry and dragoons drawn from the army and always the militia of the region we are in. My own light infantry division is excellent; I gave a battalion to Gimat and ardently wish it had something to do. I give you these details because I know they interest you.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 4, April 1, 1781–December 23, 1781, Cornell University Press, 1981, p. 164-167.

Gimat served under La Fayette all throughout the Virginia campaign and La Fayette was very careful in making sure that Gimat was not transferred away from him. However, not everybody in the army was pleased by the appointment, especially when the appointment was renewed for the next season. The matter was so displeasing to some, that no less than seven field officers threatened to resign. Alexander Hamilton wrote to George Washington on May 2, 1781:

I know less of the motives of dissatisfaction in the cases of Col Gimat and Major Galvan; but I have understood, that it is founded on their being appointed in the light corps for two successive campaigns. (…) Major Galvan, I am told, will probably be relieved. Col Gimat will be then the only brevet officer remaining in command. Your Excellency is the best judge of the proper limits, and there can be no doubt, that the rights of particular officers ought to give place to the general good and tranquillity of the service.

“From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 May 1781],” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 636–638.] (12/19/2022)

Being aware of the lingering dissatisfaction and knowing that Gimat might be relieved from his command, La Fayette had written to George Washington on April 12, 1781:

As to Clel. Gimat and Major Galvan, Now that their fate is Going to Be decided in a way which Cannot But Affect their feelings and Reputation, I think Myself obliged to Submit to Your Excellency an observation which for fear of Appearing Partial I Had Hitherto Omitted. I will therefore Confidentially Impart to you that Major Galvan is very Unpopular among the officers, while Colonel Gimat is particularly Beloved. Complaints Have often Been made to me against the one, while the other Has Ever Received from the officers under His Command the Most flattering testimonies of affection, and I may go so far as to Say that the Recalling of Clel. Gimat will Be very disagreable to His BataiIlon. This I Mention to Your Excellency, No that I think the Sentiments of the officers Must Induce you to Recall Major Galvan, a Measure which I would Be far from Advising, But Because this opposition Being perhaps owing to the partiality of the officers for or against private persons, and this Circumstance Being of a Very serious Nature for these two Gentlemen, I thought it My duty Not to withdraw Any Particulars from Your Excellency's knowledge.

Washington replied that it would be difficult to keep Gimat, all the while relieving Galvan, as much as he wished to be able to do so. In the end however, Gimat retained his position. It was therefor that he participated in the Battle of Yorktown. It fell to La Fayette to coordinate the American attack on redoubt number 10. He chose Gimat to be in command, ignoring the pleas of Alexander Hamilton to be named commander of the attack. Hamilton was deeply unsatisfied with this decision and turned to Washington. Washington overruled La Fayette’s decision and placed Hamilton in command, based on Hamilton’s seniority (and him being American.) La Fayette was not too happy with the decision, especially with Hamilton going over his head, but the affair was settled and he had to accept it.

Gimat participated nonetheless in the attack on the redoubt and was wounded in the assault. He was shot in the foot, but the injury was relatively minor and no bone was struck. Hamilton reported to La Fayette on October 15, 1781:

I have the honor to render you an account of the corps under my command in your attack of last night, upon the redoubt on the left of the enemy's lines. Agreeable to your orders we advanced in two columns with unloaded arms-the right composed of Lt. Col. Gimat's batalion and my own commanded by Major Fish-the left of a detachment commanded by Lt. Col. Laurens, destined to take the enemy in reverse, and intercept their retreat. The column on the right was preceded by a van guard of twenty men led by Lt. Mansfield-and a detachment of sappers and miners, commanded by Capt. Gilliland for the purpose of removing obstructions. (…) The rapidity and immediate success of the assault are the best comment on the behaviour of the troops. Lt. Col. Laurens distinguished himself by an exact and vigorous execution of his part of the plan, by entering the enemy's work with his corps among the foremost, and making prisoner the commanding officer of the redoubt. Lt. Col. Gimat's batalion which formed the van of the right attack and which fell under my immediate observation encouraged by the decisive and animated example of their leader advanced with an ardor and resolution superior to every obstacle. (…) Our killed and wounded you will perceive by the inclosed return. I sensibly felt at a critical period the loss of the assistance of Lt. Col. Gimat, who received a musket ball in his foot, which obliged him to retire from the field. Capt. Bets of Lauzen's corps, Capt. Hunt and Lt. Mansfield of Gimats were wounded with the bayonet in gallantly entering the work. Capt. Lt. Kirkpatrick of the corps of sappers and miners received a wound in the ditch.

La Fayette made sure to praise Gimat in front of Washington and everybody else.

Gimat recovered and returned to France in February of 1782 but only resigned his commission on November 3, 1783. By the spring of 1782, he had been advanced to the rank of Colonel in the French army and had been given command of the Regiment de Martinique stationed at Fort Royal in Martinique. On July 12, 1784 he wrote to George Washington from Martinique – and yes, Gimat was one of the few of La Fayette’s French aide-de-camps that became fluent in English.

Dear General

I embrace with the highest pleasure the opportunity of my friend comte de Kersaint commanding a small fleet bounding to cheaseapeak bay, to present the hommages of my heart to your Exellency and to renew the respectful attachement which has devoted for ever to you. I Wished most ardently to follow comte de Kersaint for enjoing the happiness of paying a visit to you dear general, to offer you my best thanks for all the Kindness I have So often experienced from you, and to See once more my Brothers Soldiers of america, the remembrance of them being always very precious to me and will be the Same as long as I live. it is to you dear general and to the honor of having Served under the Standards of the american army that I am indebted of my promotions in our french army, the last flaters me above all I can express it and I like very much of repeating to Your, Exellency, that I feel better then I can’t explain it here the acknowledgment that I owe to your Kindess & that I Shall be jaloux at any time and in all the circumstances you would be pleased to preserve them to me.

in the last letters I received from paris it was repported the marquis de la fayette intended to go again to america it was given to me by the duc de Castries as a certainty, I wish he would pay a visit to the west indias in going to america and get Leave from the governor of martinico to attend him in his voyages trough a contry where he will meet with So many friends and the first of all your Excelency.

if I can be any ways Serviesable to you dear general, here or elsewhere I beg you will command me—being most Sincerely & affectionately with a respectful attachement your very humble and obedient Servant

Gimat.

Colonel du regt de la martinique

Give me leave to beg of you to present my best compliments to mistress Washington.

“To George Washington from Gimat, 12 July 1784,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, vol. 1, 1 January 1784 – 17 July 1784, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1992, pp. 498–499.] (12/19/2022)

At the start of the French Revolution in 1789 he was made the Gouvenour of St. Lucia, a post that he would occupy until early June of 1792 when he was disposed for his sympathies towards the Royal Family. He again wrote to Washington on May 8, 1792:

The remembrance of the kindness which your Excellency shewed me when I had the honor of serving under your orders, gives me great hope that one of my friends, a man of rare and distinguished merit, will obtain your good will & deserve Your esteem, during the stay which he proposes to make in North America, whether he goes for the re-establishment of his health, which cannot support the warm climate of the Antilles—the temperate climate of the north will re-establish it without a doubt. Permit me, Sir, likewise to beg your attention for a young man, Mr de Courville, whose parents are my particular friends in this Colony.

I pray your Excellency to pardon the liberty which I have taken in recommending to you M.[,] Made Raphel and M. de Courville, to whom I am very much attached. Their intention is to fix themselves in the State of Maryland where the rigour of the climate during the winter is more supportable to an inhabitant of the Antilles, than it would be more to the North.

I perceive that I shall myself shortly have need of the same Climate. It is in that happy country where I have passed the most pleasant days of my life that I hope to restore my health which has been much injured in the scorching county which I inhabit.

If I should be so happy as to be able to render any service to your Excellency, whether in my own Government, or in the other french Antilles, you ought to be persuaded of the lively pleasure which I should take in convincing you of my zeal in doing whatever might be agreeable to you, and of the respectful sentiments with which I have the honour to be Your Excellency’s Most humble & most Obedt Servt

“To George Washington from Gimat, 18 May 1792,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 10, 1 March 1792 – 15 August 1792, ed. Robert F. Haggard and Mark A. Mastromarino. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2002, pp. 394–395.] (12/19/2022)

Gimat was absolutely serious with his intention to come to America and on November 7, 1793, Alexander Hamilton reported to Otho H. Williams:

Mr Delaporte of Baltimore has communicated to me, that about Twelve months ago, he received some Furniture and wearing apparel belonging to Mr. Gimat, late Governor of St Lucia; upon the entry of which at the Custom house, he gave his Bond, with condition to be cancelled, in case Mr Gimat should arrive within a Twelve month, and take the oath of his intended residence in the United States, as required by law.

As the time is said to be nearly expired, and Mr Gimat is still expected, I would request that proceedings upon the Bond may be suspended till further information shall be received on the subject; [unless there are circumstances not known to me which induce you to think a contrary course requisite.]

“From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 November 1793,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 15, June 1793 – January 1794, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969, p. 392.] (12/19/2022)

Jean-Joseph Soubadère de Gimat would never return to America. He died in June of 1793 when he led a corps of roughly 1000 émigré soldiers in retaking Martinique.

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