One French Grave Honors All Who Died Here 

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At 9 AM on Saturday September 30, 2006, some forty people gathered in the cemetary
surrounding Old Swedes Church (Trinity Episcopal Church) in Wilmington, Delaware,
to commemorate the contributions of Dr. Joseph Eugene Phillipe Capelle
to the independence of the United States and to his adopted state of Delaware.
In honoring this individual, about whom we know a modest amount, we honor by extension
all members of the French Expeditionary Force who aided the cause of U.S. independence.

The Fifes and Drums of the Delaware Militia provided a prelude for the proceedings.

Capt. Joseph Cheesman (Ralph Nelson) introduced the speakers.
The Rev. Richard Stazesky gave the invocation and benediction.

Richard Sheryka (of Rhode Island), fifer for the Bourbonaisse Regiment,
played several classical French army tunes which are still known today.

Charles Allmond, a Mason and a descendant of a patriot, spoke about
Dr. Capelle's activities in the army and the Masons.

Dr. Janice Tildon-Burton, presiden of the Medical Society of Delaware, spoke about
Dr. Capelle's medical work and being a founder of the Medical Society of Delaware.

Thirteen historical and lineage societies provided flowers as a token of their
esteem and gratitude for the contributions of Dr. Capelle as an example
of the thousands of individuals in the French military who spent years of their
lives in support of the U.S. struggle for independence, many of them remaining here.

The duc de Lauzun (Ron Roberts) was colonel-proprieter of Lauzun's Legion,
the French Army regiment in which Dr. Capelle served as assistant suregeon.
He noted the importance of ceremonies to remind the public of our history.

General Rochambeau led the French Expeditionary Force, of which Lauzun's Legion
was a part. He spoke of the difficulty his officers faced in being away from home
and family for over two years, and noted that the French revolution brought new challenges.

A Tribute to French Soldiers of the American Revolution

Wiley Blevins, as a soldier of the Delaware Continental Regiment
showed what members this ceremonial unit of the National Guard
-- now being reconstituted and re-outfitted -- will look like.

Richard Sheryka (of Rhode Island), fifer for the Bourbonaisse Regiment,
which camped on this site 225 years ago this month,
played tunes used to pace the steps of several French regiments.

Col. Claude Blanchard, Commissar de Guerre (Dr. Robert Selig) [see Sept 29 for summary]

The French Ambassador, Jean-David Levitte [see Sept 29 for summary]

Revolutionary War Encampment and 18^th Century Market

A woodland fortification that is easy to construct.

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