Chevalier Prud’homme de Borre, a French general of thirty-five years’
service in Europe, was appointed brigadier-general in the Continental
army on the 11th of April, 1777. His commission was dated Dec. 1, 1776,
in accordance with a compact made with him in France by the American
commissioner. In July, De Borre captured a Tory under circumstances
which warranted, in his judgment, the prisoner’s immediate trial
and execution,--a summary proceeding, for which he was severely and
justly reprehended by Washington. In August, he commanded a brigade
in Sullivan’s attack on Staten Island, and in September took part in
the battle of Brandywine. In this engagement De Borre claimed the post
of honor, on the right wing of the army; Sullivan would not yield
this to him, and when De Borre pertinaciously insisted on taking
it, the former made a long and circuitous march for the purpose of
outreaching him. This manœuvre did not succeed; and as a consequence,
Sullivan’s brigade was not formed for action when the battle began.
De Borre’s brigade was the first to give way before the British, and
much of the ill fortune of that day was owing to this occurrence. His
insubordination being made the subject of a Congressional inquiry, he
took offence and resigned his commission on the 14th of September,
1777, and soon returned to France.