An officer goes into debt to arm his troops

The Marquis de La Rouërie procured in 1781 the equipment necessary for his American legion by going into debt with his own funds. Fearing the slowness of the French government, he borrowed fifty thousand francs at five percent interest in his own name. This sum was used to acquire notably one hundred leather saddles, one hundred and fifty hussar sabers and three hundred and twenty copper helmets.