Louis Augustin de Monteclerc
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Louis Augustin de Monteclerc (La Rongère, Maine, 1727 – 25 March 1784)[1] was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.
Monteclerc joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine in 1743.
Monteclerc was promoted to Lieutenant in 1757. He served on Éveillé, in Conflans' squadron, during the Seven Years' War.[1]
Monteclerc was promoted to Captain in 1772.[1] In 1777, he commanded the 64-gun Bizarre. [1][2] Navy Minister Sartine had chosen her to be one of the six ships held ready for immediate departure at all times.[3][Note 1]
In 1779, he commanded a division comprising the 64-gun Solitaire and the frigates Inconstante and Surveillante, and led an expedition to hunt down privateers. The division returned to Brest on 4 May 1779 with 400 prisoners.[1] Later that year, Solitaire was attached to a squadron under Orvilliers.[1][4]
In late 1779, Monteclerc was appointed vice-Director of naval constructions in Brest, and he was promoted to Director on 1 January 1780.[1] That same year, he commanded the 74-gun Hector, departing on 1 September and returning on 31 December.[1]
Monteclerc was promoted to Brigadier in 1781.[1] Later that year, he was given command of the 74-gun Diadème in the squadron under De Grasse.[5] He was wounded in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781, [1][6] and took part in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782.[7][8]
Monteclerc was acquitted from all accusations in the inquiry that followed the battle.[9] He then served under Vaudreuil before retiring in 1783.[1]