Twentieth Camp at Baltimore. 24 July - 24 August 1782. During its month-long encampment here the army's positions were more extended than during the brief stop in Baltimore in September 1781; cf. Nos. 80 and 81. This time the camp stretched southward from a point near present Franklin and Paca Streets (left of map) to a point near Hanover and Lee Streets. The steam west of the camp (shown at bottom of map) flowing into Ridgeley's Cove was the Chatsworth Run, now lost beneath city pavements. Lauzun's Legion is shown in an advanced position on another height, in the vicinity of the present "old" Roman Catholic Cathedral (designed by Latrobe, dedicated in 1821).

When the army reached Baltimore, its subsequent destination was not generally known, though it was a matter of much specualtion among all the ranks. The decision to march north to join the Americans on the Hudson had been made at a conference between Rochambeau and Washington in Philadelphia, 19 July (cf. Clermont-Crèvecœur's journal, n. 155), and was subsequently confirmed in Washington's letter to Rochambeau, 16 August 1782 (Writings of GW, XXV, 26-28). "I am of opinion," Washington wrote from his headquarters at Newburgh, "that no good consequences can result from your remaining at Baltimore, but that many advantages may attend your marching forward and forming a junction with this Army."

When the army marched north—the First Division on 24 August—Rochambeau left behind the detachments under La Valette and Chazelles that had been transported there from Virginia, as well as a hospital. They remained until May 1783, when they returned directly to France. Thus several hundred French soldiers were in Baltimore for nine month or so longer.