CHEVALIER PRUD’HOMME DE BORRE.
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.