The fleet arrived at the mouth of the Delaware River, north of Baltimore, on 8 July and pursued several enemy ships.

On 11 August 1778, César was separated from the squadron by a violent storm at the time when they were about to engage in a battle with the forces of Richard Howe.

After Estaing's failure to support the Siege of Savannah in October 1779, César returned to France with the other ships that had arrived on America in 1778 in order to be refitted and to recruit new crew.

On 5 September 1781 César was present at the decisive battle of the Chesapeake, which completed the encirclement of the British forces at Yorktown.

In 1782, still with De Grasse's fleet, César sailed to the West Indies and in January took part in the Battle of Saint Kitts.