The French forces in America, 1780-1783

"This book is an attempt to resurrect a brief, vital presence in our nation's history--that of the 12,000 men of the French army and navy who came in July 1780 to participate in the War of Independence. They came without great fanfare and they campaigned in the role of subordinates; the last of them departed unobtrusively three years later"--Pref.