Jean-Baptiste Ternant (388)

Jean Baptiste Charles de Ternant (12 December 1751–15 November 1833) was a military officer, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1780. Born in Damvillers, France, Ternant began his military career in the French Army Corps of Engineers (1771). He joined the French troops who arrived in America in 1778 to assist in the war for independence, and General George Washington appointed Ternant Lieutenant Colonel on the staff of Major General Friedrich von Steuben. He assisted Major General Robert Howe in defending Savannah from the British (1778), fought in the battle of Stono Ferry (1779), and the siege of Charleston (1780). He then went to Havannah, Cuba, in an unsuccessful attempt to secure Spanish naval aid, and upon his return to Charlestown, the British took him prisoner. After his parole and exchange, Ternant rejoined American forces in 1782 as inspector of the Southern Army. He later returned to Europe and served as a cavalry officer in the army of the Dutch Republic (1784), before he rejoined the French Army (1788), and became French Minister to the United States (1791-1793). Supposedly, Napoleon offered him a Generalship, which Ternant declined. He died in Paris.