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Item 22: Publication of the Map for Yorktown, created by Gilbert Chinard et al., (Removed to Grey Print Box #4) , 1781

 Item — Box: 15, Folder: 77

Publication of the Map for Yorktown, created by Gilbert Chinard et al., (Removed to Grey Print Box #4) , 1781

Dates

  • Created: 1781

Creator

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Map/Publication

General Condition:

Fair.; vinegar smell. The interior sheets don’t seem to have any damage thanks to the outer cover. The cover isn’t in awful condition, but is a bit worn by creases and small fraying along the outermost edge

Measurements:

15 in. x 10 ⅛ in. (Folder Closed); 20 ¼ in. x 15 in. (Folder Open); 18 ¾ in. x 13 ¾ in. (Map)

Title:

A Map of Yorktown

Description:

It is a printed reproduction of the original map created by Joachim du Perron, 1756-1814, depicting Yorktown from 1781, reprinted in 1942 by the Princetown University Library with added notes from Gilbert Chinard, 1881-1972, Robert G. Albion, 1896-1983, and Lloyd A. Brown, 1907-1966. The interior begins with a small note of the significance of Yorktown in the context of the American Revolution from a French perspective. After this note, it discusses the background of the original map as a whole, including its owner at the time of printing, who had allowed this document to be made from the original. Given the nature of the document and its background, the acknowledgements introduce the authors of the sections that discuss Joachim du Perron, his life, and his making of the map based on their own specialties in history. The acknowledgements end with more from those who provided for this printing, whether in support and ability to have it made so well or for more financial donations., and this note was all written by Julian P. Boyd, 1903-1980, the then librarian of Princeton University. Within the booklet, the map insert is a neat copy of the original work. It is written in French, the picture shown on both pages and a key noted along the right edge and labeled from A to U, divided into two parts. Each of these serves as a detailed description for the area at hand. The map itself is labeled as “THE DU PERRON MAP OF YORKTOWN AND ENVIRONS, 1781” and pictures Yorktown and modern Gloucester Point, Virginia, divided by the York River. Much of the area beyond the coastlines/main battle focuses are left in little detail or unmarked as a whole, filled in with small dots or little trees to fill in the space. The detailed areas have towns marked with even some small streets, different types of land (an example being marshes in C.) Some small boxes and other shapes mark certain landmarks, possibly camps or things of that sort. In the water, there are ships drawn in either formations or general positions. Two vessels are named, the ship - Le Caron, and the frigate - La Guadeloupe. The picture gives a view of the scene from above, and was originally handrawn by du Perron. The first of the sections is titled “JOACHIM DU PERRON, COMTE DE REVEL” and was written by Gilbert Chinard, 1881-1972. Chinard, a professor of French Literature at Princeton with a specialty in French-American ties, was a friend of Mr. Stuart W. Jackson, the owner of the du Perron works mentioned and featured in this publication. This part overview’s du Perron as a whole, ranging from the original attempt at publishing his works, including this one, to more of his life and biography. Chinard traces his birth in 1756 to his military time that did not lead to much fame or success as an infantry officer. A few specific moves and campaigns are mentioned, as well as his lack of opportunity to rise in his ranks. Mentions of things beyond this are mentioned, such as his marriage to Marie-Diane in 1789, and she would go on to give him two sons and a daughter. Du Perron retired from the military in the same year and stayed in France despite the civil and foreign struggles later on. He was said to be respected by those near him or within his lands, and passed away at home at the age of 58 in 1814. Chinard moves more onto the manuscript and maps after this life overview, explaining how it is unique given Perron’s background. This gave more insight into the life of common sailors and struggles rather than the glorious records that are more often kept and shown. Du Perron shows the dirtier side of the infantry and its treatment compared to other branches, “demanding some recognition” for those beyond the famous battles. The second section is titled “AN INFANTRYMAN’S NAVAL JOURNAL” and was written by Robert G. Albion, 1896-1983. Albion, like Chinard, worked at Princeton University at the time as an assistant dean of faculty who specialized in maritime and naval history. In this, he writes this section regarding the journal of du Perron as a dual historical source. He claims that many other works from this time can all cover military stratagem, but du Perron gives a more down to earth view and shows both triumphs and failures. Albion claims that this uniqueness makes du Perron’s work “a real treasure” among others. The final section is titled “DU PERRON AS CARTOGRAPHER” and was written by Lloyd A. Brown, 1907-1966. Brown was the Curator of Maps at the William L. Clements Library, as well as a respected figure in the cartographical world and their analysis. In his section of the document, Brown begins with a small anecdote to introduce readers to the Battle of Yorktown in the way of records, namely how much it was documented due to its scale and importance in global interactions. Following this, he discusses how du Perron is able to give a joint account of both land and naval acts during the Yorktown campaign due to his post at the time of the battles. Brown also discusses these maps from du Perron’s time here both in physical detail and contents as well as their importance at that time. These, combined with their detail in most aspects, make this document a unique resource. The family tree of the du Perron’s can be found with more biographical information for the creator. Some of the regions included are Princeton; Yorktown; New Jersey; Paris; Metz; Le Conquet; Cape Saint-Mathieu; Brittany; America; Brest; Gloucester; Vergeron; France; Moirans; Lauzun; Jamestown; Virginia; West Indies; London; Chesapeake; and Williamsburg;

Location:

York, PA

Transcription Attempt:

plan Des postes D’York et glocester pris sur Les anglais au mois d’octobre 1781 A ville d’ york. B retranchement ennemis. C ravin dont une partie etoit marais il couvrait une partie des retranchements, il y avait quelques épaulements sur le bord, pour en défendre de passage D grande et forte redoute au-delà du marais frairee palissadée avec fosse et entourée d’un double abattis d'arbres. E tranchée du régiment de touraine qui attaquait cette redoute avec 6 obusiers et y canons. F deux autres redoutés détachée que les ennemis abandonnèrent aux premier approches G ouverture de la tranchée dans un creux les américains poussèrent la droite, et les français la gauche. H ouverture de la Seconde parallèle dont les français poussèrent aussi la gauche, et les américains la droite, qu’ils joignirent aux deux redoutes ennemies I et K, qui avoient étés enlevés d’assaut 24 heures auparavant. L le vaisseau le caron et la frégatte la guadeloupe M batiments de transports ennemis. N bourgade de glocester O redoutes ennemies fraises pallissades et jointes ensembles par un rang de gros pieux de bois plants en terre le tout couvert d’un bon abattis d’arbres, en avant duquel il y avoit plusieurs petits redans P: Q poste ennemi qui nous fusilla l’ors de la fausse attaque r premier bataillon se mettant en bataille successivement, et faisent feu. Sa position du Second bataillon faisant aussi feu. T position de deux bataillons la Seconde derrière le premier, lorsque nous etion sur le point de fusilier mutuellement U colonnes de lausun, a droite, et colonne americaine a gauche

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