Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-22
BARON DE KALB.

attained q HlSh reputation III ihihe~'
service, and was knight Of the order
of military merit, and brigadier gen
eral in the armies of France. He &C
companied the Marquis de La Fayette
to this country, and having proffered
his services to Congress, he was ap-
pointed to the Office Of major-general
He repaired to the main army, in which
he served at the head of the Maryland
division, very much respected.
Possessing stout frame, with ex-
cellent health, no officer was more able
to encounter the tolls of war. Mode.
rate in mental powers, as in literary &C
quirements, he excelled chiefly in prac-
tical knowledge of men and things,
gained during life by close and accu-
rate investigation Of the cause ard ef-
fects Of passing events.
No man was better qualified for the
interchangeable was sober, drinking
water only: abstemious to excess: living
on bread, sometimes with beef soup, at
other times with cold beef; industrious
it being his constant habit to rise at
FIVE in the morning, light his candle,
devote himself to writing, which was
never intermitted during the day, but
when interrupted by his short meals,
or by attention to his official duty; and
profoundly secret.
No man surpassed this gentleman in
simplicity and condescension; which
gave to his department cast Of a'ni-
bility extremely ingratlatlng, exciting
confidence and esteem.
At the battle of Camden, in South
Carolina, the Baron de Kalb command
ed the right wing of the American ar
nv. At the commencement of the
action the great body Of the militia
who formed the left wing of the army,
on being charged with fixed bayonets
by the British infantry, threw down
their arms, und >~;.I, si,e u.,".ot Prcci-
pitation fled from the field. In this
battle the Americans suffered severe
defeat and loss. The continental troops,
who formed the right wing OF the ar
my, inferior as they were in numbers
to the British, stood their ground, and
maintained the conflict with great re-
solution. Never did men acquit them
selves better. The Americans lost the
whole of their artillery, eight field pie
ces unwards of two hundred Wagons,
and the greater part Of their baggage
The royal army fought with great bra
very, but their victory was in great
measure owing to their superiority in
cavalry, and the precipitate retreat oil
the American militia.
De Kalb, sustaining by his splendid
example the courageous efforts oil our
inferior force, in his last resolute at
tempt to seize victory, received eleven
wounds, and was made prisoner. His
lingering life was rescued from lmme-
diate death by the brave interpositIon
of lieutenan, colonel du Buysson, one
of his aid-decamps, who embraced the
prostrate general, received into his own
BODY the bayonets pointed at his friend
Che, alier de Buysson rushed through
the clashing bayonets, and stretching
his arms over the body OF the fallen
hero, exclaimed "save the Baron dc
Kalb !" The British officers interpos
ed and prevented his immediate de-
struction; but he survived the action
but few hours. To British officer
who kindly condoIed with him in his
misfortune, he replied, 81 thank you
for your generous sympathy, but ! ale
the death always prayed for; the death
of a soldier fighting for the rights o.
map."
The heroic veteran, though treated
with every attention, survived but
few days. Never were the last moments
of a soldier better employed. He die
tated letter to Gen. Smallwood, who
succeeded to the command Of his di'
vision, breathing in every word his SIN
cere and ardent affection for his ON
GERS and soldiers, expressing his admi
ration of their late noble, though un
successful stand; rcciting the euiog!
which their bravery had extorted from
the enemy; together with the hvel,
delight such testimony OF their value
had excited in his own mind, then no
| yering on the shadowy confines OF lie
Feeling the pressure OF death, NJ
stretched out his quivering hand TO nj
| friend and aid-de.camp Chevalier d
Buysson, proud ofhis generouswound::
he breathed his last benedictions on nj
faithful brave division.
General Washington, many years al
fer on visit to Camden, enqulred 10
the grave Of De Kalb. After lookin
on it awhile, with countenance MARI
ed with thought, he breathed Dee
sigh. and exclaimed, so there hes IN
brave De Kalb; the generous strange
who came from a foreign land to fisl
our battles, and to water with his 0ioo