Gouvion, Jean-Baptiste de (1747-1792)

French officer in the Continental army. Commissioned first lieutenant of engineers (1771).

Went to the United States as a major in the corps of engineers (1777). Served as Lafayette’s aide-de-camp (c. 1781). Breveted colonel, and obtained leave to return to France (November 1781).

Sent to the United States to inform Washington of Lafayette’s plans in the event of a continuation of the war (November 1782).

Sent back to France by Washington (June 1783). Honorably retired from service (November 1783). Chevalier de Saint-Louis (1784).

Born in Toul (Meurthe-et-Moiselle).