MATTHIAS ALEXIS ROCHE DE FERMOY.
Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy, born in the West Indies in 1737, was the thirty-fourth on the list of Continental brigadier-generals, his commission bearing date the 5th of November, 1776. On coming to this country and offering his services to Congress, Fermoy represented himself to be a colonel of engineers in the French army. While serving under Washington in the Trenton and Princeton campaigns, he was ordered on the 1st of January, 1777, to hold an advanced post on Mile Run, beyond Maidenhead, now Lawrenceville. That same night, however, leaving his command, he returned to Trenton,—a breach of discipline that under the circumstances was most reprehensible. Ordered North to join the army under Gates, by direction of Congress, and notwithstanding a protest from Washington, he was placed in command of Fort Independence, opposite Fort Ticonderoga. When St. Clair found it necessary to abandon the latter post, Fermoy, in defiance of the express orders of the commanding officer, set fire to his quarters on Mount Independence at two o’clock on the morning of the 6th of July, 1777, thus revealing to Burgoyne St. Clair’s retreat, which otherwise would have been accomplished in safety. In December, he applied for promotion to the rank of major-general,—a request which Congress refused. Displeased at this action, Fermoy requested permission to resign, which was granted on the 31st of January, 1778, Congress at the same time appropriating $800 to pay his debts and enable him to return to the West Indies.