The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-07-12
BARON DE KALB,

among the enthusiastic foreigners who
generously espoused our cause At an early
period of the revolution, and Joined the
American army, few are entitled to more
grateful recollections by the present and
future generations, than the Baron de
halo. He was by birth a German, aud
had attained reputation iu the military
service; he was Knight of the Order of
Merit, and Brigadier- General in the ar.
mics of France. He accompanied the
Marquis de Lafayette to this country and
Profered his services to Congress, which
were accepted; and in September, I777.
he was appointed to the Office of Major.
General: His aims aud deeds were of
| high order; he lsbOred for the liberty of
all who were oppressed. He did not es
TEEN rank but for the sake of performing
greater uses TO mankind. He was sec.
ond IN command in our Southern army,
under Major General Gates, when
arrangements were making for the battle
OF Camden which proved so disastrous
TO our army, in August, 178O), and eau
uoned oates against a general action
But Gales said, "Lord CORVALLIS will not
dare to look Us in the face" Aud when
an officer, who was present, said, 81
wonder where We shall dine to morrow"
''Dlne, sir, replied Gates, 'why at Cam
den, to be sure: would not give penny
to be insured beefsteak in Camden to-
morrow with Lord CORVALLIS at my
table,
Baron de Kalb was decidedly opposed
to the proceedings of Gates and foretold
the ruin that would ensue, and expressed
a preseutiment that il would be his fate to
fall in the battle.
In council of war, while the suemy
was approaching the baron advised that
the Amy should fall back and take good
position. but this was refused by Gates
who Infatuated that it originated from
fear.
De Kalb instantly placed himself at the
head of his command on foot, and replied
himself, "Well, sir, few hours, perhaps,
will prove who are brave"
The conflict had scarcely comm enced,
when the militia under Cries broke and
fed leaving their guns behing. He imme-
diately pursued, as be said, to bring them
back, but he continued his flight till be
reached Charlotte, eighty miles from the
field of battle.
DS 1AulD at lLO uCd0 Vi q lew AuuQF6Q
Continental troops, commended with the
whole British army for more than an hour;
hundreds of brave men had fallen around
this hero when he was overpowered, hay
ing received clean bayonet wounds.
At the enlreaty of his aid, Chevalier de
Buysson, the British officer interposed,
and prevented his immediate destruction;
but be survived the action only a few
hours. To British officer, who kindly
condoled with him on his misfortune, he
replied, 81 flank you for your generous
sympathy, but l die the death have
always prayed for-ths death of soldier,
fighting for the rights of man; and though
fight no more in this world, trust
l may still be of some service in the cause
of freedom"
General Washington, many years after, |
visited the grave of De Kalb, and after |
looking upon it for awhile, he exclaimed. |
80 there lies the brave De Kalb, the |
generous stranger who came from dis
tant land to fight our battles, aud TO wa
ter with his blood the tree of liberty"
Congress ordered him a monument, |
but it was never erected, though the Cit |
izens Of Camden, after waiting a long
time, enclosed his grave, and placed on it
a handsome marble, with an epitaph des-
criptiYe of his virtues and services.