The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-09-23

General GRAY. on the night of the 18th OF
MAY, marched with seven thousand men anu
by skilful movement got into the Wiarquls
rear, while another detachment was aaVan-
cling to his front The Marquis fortunately
gained intelligence of their approach ana "
a prompt decision effected his retreat anu ,e-
crossed the river in season to defeat inc ac
sign the enemy. Had they succeeuea' ~
must not only have proved fatal to the Niaf-
quis and his detachment, but placed inc re-
mainder osour army in SITUATION ol go 80
hazard. In August 1913, the Margins -
paired 20 Rhode Island to assist II tn: cNpe-
tlition under Major Gen sullivan, IN cohlunc,
ton with the French fleet, and he received
the particular appreciation and applause y
Congress, for his judicious and highly impor-
tant services.
In January, 1779, the Marquis embarked at
Boston. on 4 VOYAGE to France, and was sub
iectcd to imminent danger from a conspiracy
among the sailors, a great part OF whom "ctc
British. He returned in May, 1850, bllhSlhB
the joyful Intelligence that a french hcte
and army would soon arrive on our Coast
Through his great zeal tor the cause OF ,l.c
L. States, he cxemcd his influence with h,s
government, no longer fearful OF giving OF,
fence to the English, 70 afford money anu
troops and other important sliccoufs. ilc
wl soon put at the head ct selecc corps VI
light infantry for the service OF Inc calilpaish'
This afforded him new opportunity iof the
displaying of his munihcenee. Represented
to every officer under his command an GIG
giant sword and his soldiers were clothed ~
uniform principally at his expense. ne IN,
fused into this corps spirit ei piidc, ana
emulation, viewing it as one iorhed ata mo
dclled according to his own wlshes' ansl a.
deserving his highest confidence. Hc!
were Tie pride of his heart and ne the 1901 OF
their regard; constantly painting Tor an
opportunity Of accomplishing some signal
achcS ement worthy Of his and their eharac-
ter. This corps was pronounced cquai 70
any that would be produced i'll any country.
In December, 1880, he marched with ono
Thousand two hundred light infantry Tor H.
giiia, to countcract the devastations OF AZ
mold and Phillips. He made a forced march
of two hundred miles, and prevented len.
Philips possessing himself OF Richmond, and
secured the stores of that place. At one pc
riod, there was not single pair OF shoes m
his whole command, and such was ms zeal
and generous spirit, and such was the confi-
dencc and respect of the people, that he was
enabled to borrow of the merchants OF iialti-
more 200o glneas on his own credit, with
which he purshased shoes and other neces-
sary articles for his troops The Marquis
was employed in watching the motions oi
Lord Corilwallis in Virginia, with an inferior
force and in this artuous duty he displayed
tie Judgment, skill and prudence Of a veteran,
with tle ardour of youth. In shirmlsh
near jamestown, not man in the whole de-
tachment was more exposed, and one oi ms
horses was killed.
Lord Cornwalis, having encamped near
jamestown the Marquis la FaYettc sent
Gen. Wayne with the Pennsylvania troops, to
tal.e their station small distance from the
British army and watch their motion. hc
two advanced parties were soon engaged !;
and Gcnara Wayne, drove that o. the cnc-
my back to their lines, and without stopping
there, attacked the whole British arms
drawn up in order of battle, and charged
them with bayonets. Ehc action was e%-
tremcly severe for the little time it lasted,
but the dislroportion Of numbers was 50
great that the enemy was on the point OF sur
rounding out troops, when the Marquis arriv-
ed in person lust time enough to order 4 re-
treat, by which they were rescued from
their hazardous situation, after suffering con-
siderable loss.
Cen Henry Lee in, his Memoirs Of the
| War in the Southern States, eulogizes the
character and conduct Of La fayettc, when
compelled to fly before the British com
rnander, ii tho following language.
/ II this period Of gloom, of disorder and
Of peril, la Fn"ctte was collected and undis-
maved With zeal, with courage, and witil
sagacity, he discharged his arduous duties
\ and throughout his difficult retreat was never
! brought even to array but once in order OF
battle lnyigorating our councils by his
prec@pts; dispelling our dispondrncy b. lis
I eXamby; and enc )uragins his traopsto iub-
I nit 10 their many priyations, by the cheer
/ fulncss with which he participated in their
~auts--hc impaired the energy Of his OWE
mind to the country, and Infused his high
toned spirit into the army"
Great eneomiums were passed on the Mar
quis for his humanity and goodness in isitins
and daaministering tothc rclicFof the wounded
soldiers. Lord Cornwal!is having received
Il reinforcement, WAS 50 confident ef success
against Lis Young Antagonist that he inpru-
dcutly sad i'll letter which was interccp-
ted, :. he bov cQ14ot eacaheme," He plann-
cd The surprise of the Marquis while on the
same side Of James river with himself, but ii
this he was batIlcl by means ofa spy, whom
the Marquis sent into the cncmy's camp tt
obtain some necessary Intelligence. \ com
bination Of talents and skill defeated all the
energies ofphvsical power. During the siegc
Of Lord Colnwallis at Yorktown, the Mar.
qli, WAS among the most active and intrep;t
Of the general officers, and he commanded !
detachment d orr light infantry, which sue