Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat was a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War under Marquis de Lafayette. He rose to the rank of major in the American military and fought at the Battle of Brandywine and Siege of Yorktown. After the war he served as governor of Saint Lucia.
Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1743 or 1747 |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France United States |
Branch |  Royal French Army Continental Army |
Service years | 1761–1776, 1782–1793 (France) 1776–1782 (US) |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel (US) Colonel (France) |
Conflicts | |
Early life
Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat was born in Gascony in 1747 as the son of a French military officer. He became an ensign in the Guyenne Regiment in 1761. He did not receive promotions often and only rose to the rank of first lieutenant in 1776.[1]
American Revolution
Gimat and Louis Saint Ange Morel, chevalier de la Colombe were aides to Marquis de Lafayette. On 19 August 1777, the three men went to George Washington's headquarters north of Philadelphia.[2] Gimat was present at the Battle of Brandywine and aided Lafayette after he was wounded during the battle.[3] Lafayette expanded his staff to 20 French officers, including Gimat.[4] Gimat was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[5]
Washington ordered Lafayette on 20 February 1781 to reassemble his infantry division and capture Benedict Arnold in Virginia.[5] Gimat was placed in charge of a battalion.[6] Silas Deane promoted Gimat to the rank of major[7] in the American military.[1]
Gimat was wounded in the foot at the Siege of Yorktown.[7][8] He was initially tasked with leading the assault on Redoubt 10, but Washington replaced him with Alexander Hamilton.[1] He returned to France in 1782.[7] He was discharged from the American military in November 1783.[1]
Later life
Due to Gimat's service in the American military he was promoted to the rank of colonel in France. He was placed in charge of a regiment in Martinique.[1] Gimat served as the governor of Saint Lucia.[9]