Overview
General Louis L. Duportail was a distinguished military engineer and a key figure in the American Revolutionary War. Born in France in 1743, Duportail joined the French Royal Corps of Engineers at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional talents. In 1777, he received a commission from the Continental Congress to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Continental Army.
Duportail made significant contributions to the American cause during the Revolutionary War. He played a crucial role in fortifying several key strategic locations, including the crucial defenses at West Point. His expertise in engineering and fortifications greatly enhanced the American forces’ defensive capabilities, proving instrumental in their success against the British. Duportail’s commitment to the American cause was further demonstrated by his efforts to train and educate American engineers, laying the foundation for a skilled engineering corps that would serve the nation for years to come. General Louis L. Duportail’s invaluable contributions in the field of military engineering and his unwavering dedication to the American cause have rightfully earned him a prominent place in the history of the Revolutionary War.
Memoirs and Papers
Search Founders Online for Duportail correspondence
https://founders.archives.gov
Biographies
Desmarais, Norman. Washington’s Engineer: Louis Duportail and the Creation of an Army Corps. Lanham, MD: Prometheus Books, 2021.
Kite, Elizabeth S. General Louis Lebegue Duportail, Commandant of Engineers in the Continental Army, 1777-1783. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1933.
Researching the American Revolution 