In
The Patriot:
Major Jean Villeneuve is loosely based on the French and German officers who
volunteered to fight for the American cause. The main inspirations for Villeneuve
were probably the Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben. The Marquis never
fought in the South, but he did skirmish against Lt.
General Charles Cornwallisin Virginia and he was present at the Siege
and Surrender at Yorktown.
Baron von Steuben was at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778 and trained General
George Washington's Continental forces. Villeneuve arrives in the South
to train the men, although he spends more time training the militia.
