Thomas Conway's Cabal
Thomas Conway was a Frenchman who came to America and was appointed a Major General in the Continental Army.
Conway is most famous for an attempt to oust George Washington as Commander-in-Chief during a cabal which bears his name.
Thomas Conway
Thomas Conway may have been born in Ireland, but he was raised and educated in France.
When he became an adult, Conway joined France’s military where he excelled and achieved the rank of Colonel.
When Silas Deane arrived in town looking for assistance with the Revolutionary War, Conway saw an opportunity to get ahead.
Thomas agree to fight with the rebels, though it appears his intentions were not completely altruistic. Conway expected this service to provide him with an opportunity to rise in the ranks of the French Army when he returned home.
Major General
When Conway arrived in the United States, the Continental Congress decided to appoint him as a Brigadier General.
Although he served honorably in the New Jersey Campaign, he earned the distrust of General Washington.
Shortly thereafter, Conway lobbied for a promotion to Major General. Washington opposed this as there were American Generals who had served longer and were more deserving.
Congress ignored the Commander-in-Chief and elevated Conway to one of the highest ranks in the Continental Army. Additionally, he replaced Philippe Coudray as Inspector General.
The Cabal
During the first half of the Revolutionary War, Washington only had limited success in the field.
Other Generals, such as Horatio Gates, we seen as better leaders by many Founders.
Thomas Conway became one of the growing group of Washington critics and wrote a letter to Gates telling him so.
Unfortunately for Conway, the man he asked to deliver the note, James Wilkinson, messed up and gave it to Lord Sterling.
Sterling, a big fan of Washington, passed it to the Commander-in-Chief.
Shot in the Mouth
Washington sent a letter to Conway, confronting him about the criticisms.
Thomas sheepishly backed down from his position.
Shortly thereafter, Conway was challenged to a duel by John Cadwalader.
Cadwalader shot Conway in the mouth.
Thomas immediately resigned from the Continental Army and returned to France.
Governor of India
When Conway rejoined the French Army he was appointed as a Major General.
King Louis XVI sent him to India to act as Governor of France’s colonies in the area.
After his stint as Governor, Conway defended the Royal Family during the French Revolution.
Thomas was almost executed during the Reign of Terror but was able to escape to England.
Curiously, this is where Conway seems to disappear from the historical record.
Legend has it he returned to Ireland where he died in poverty, but his actual resting place is not known.
Do you want to learn about other FRENCH FOUNDERS?
Great!
Enjoy these articles:
The Marquis de Lafayette - The French American Revolutionary
Louis Duportail Engineers the American Revolution
Recruiting Canada - Fleury Mesplet’s French Canadian American Revolution
If you want to read more about the Conway Cabal, do I have the book for you…
‘Cabal!’ is by Mark Edward Lender (who I was fortunate enough to meet last summer) and gives a detailed look at this event as well as its importance in Revolutionary history.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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