Fourteenth Camp at Colchester. 16-19 July 1782. Ten miles from the previous camp at Dumfries. The town of Colchester, near the mouth of Occoquan Creek (east of present U.S. Route 1), was already in a state of decline when the French army camped nearby. Verger (p. 159) describes it as "almost deserted." The infantry was ferried across the Occoquan, but the artiller was obliged to use a ford 4 miles upstream. The road to the for ( chemin du gué) is indicated on the map. Chastellux describes a meeting here with General Daniel Morgan: "I was then at Colchester, where the first division of the troops had just arrived, after having crossed in boats a small river that flows near this town. The baggage train and the artillery had taken another route to reach a rather difficult ford. General Morgan met the baggage train when it was engaged in a narrow gorge, and finding that the wagoners were not managing very well, he stopped and showed them how they should drive their wagons. After having put everything in order, he called at my quarters and had dinner with me. The simplicity of his bearing and the nobility of his manners reminded me of those ancient Gallic or Germanic chiefs, who, when at peace with the Romans, came to visit them and offer assistance. He expressed great attachment to the French nation, and great admiration for the fine appearance of our troops. . . ." Chastellux (4), II, 581.

Thirteenth Camp at Dumfries. 15-18 July 1782. Ten miles from the previous camp at Peyton's Tavern. Dumfries, county seat of Prince William County, on Quantico Creek (the stream shown here), was once a flourishing port; it was later eclipsed in this respect by Alexandria.