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French Navy officer of the War of American Independence From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louis Guillaume de Parscau du Plessix (Saint-Malo, 1725 — 1786) was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence, earning membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. [1]
Louis Guillaume de Parscau du Plessix | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 1725 Saint-Malo, France |
| Died | 1786 |
| Service | French Navy |
| Rank | Seven Years' War |
| Battles / wars | Seven Years' War War of American Independence |
Parscau was born to the family of a navy Ensign. He joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine in 1743.[1]
During the Seven Years' War, Parscau served on the 64-gun Brillant under Conflans.[1] Parscau was promoted to Lieutenant in 1756.[1]
In 1762, Parscau had a son, Hervé Louis Joseph Marie de Parscau du Plessix.[Note 1]
Parscau was promoted to Captain in 1772.[1] In 1777, he commanded the 64-gun Roland in Brest.[3][4][5] Navy Minister Sartine had chosen her to be one of the six ships held ready for immediate departure at all times.[6][Note 2]
In 1779, he was flag captain to Orvilliers on the 110-gun Bretagne.[7]
In 1780, he was given command of the 74-gun Intrépide in the squadron under Guichen.[1][8][9] He took part in the Battle of Martinique on 17 April 1780,[10] and in an expedition against British interests in Florida. He took part in the Siege of Pensacola in May 1781.[11] On 22 July 1781, as the squadron was anchored at Cap français, a barrel of local rum caught fire, and Intrépide exploded.[12][13][14] De Grasse wrote that Parscau was not to be blamed for the incident, and requested he be given a new command.[12]
Parscau was then given command of the 80-gun Languedoc.[14] He took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781, as flag captain to Monteil, commander of the French rear.[1][15]
After the battle, Parscau ferried Lauzun back to France and brought the news of the outcome of the battle.[2]
Parscau was promoted to Brigadier in 1782, [1] and commanded the 74-gun Guerrier in the fleet under Córdova.[2][16][17]
Parscau was promoted to Chef d'Escadre in 1784.[1]
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