Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-22
LAFAYETTE.
Ills Career and Character.

in revivipg the memory OF the men of the
American Revolution. The story of La
fayette has in it something of romance
there was something of chivalry in his char.
acter, of which the world had hardly such
an example since the days of knight Grant
ry; and the young Frenchman's intimate
and affectionate relation to Washington has
won for him place in the American heart.
There were other distinguished foreigners
serving in the America Army-Kosciusko
DeKalb, Steuben, and the ill-starred Lee
but Lafayette has easily remained first in
national recollection. The champion Of re.
publcanism, he came Of the buest blood of
the French aristocracy. His father was a
soldier who died in battle at the age Of rs.
Lafayette, by a marriage at l6 with the
granddaughter of the duke of Noailles,
strengthened his connection with tho French
aristocracY. He seems to have been waiting
for an opportunity Of distinguishing himself,
for he no sooner heard OF the revolt. of the
American colonies than he resolved to offer
to them his sword. 1t is to be observed
that he did this at time when our fortunes
were at their worst, when New York had
been occupied by the British, and the Amer.
leans had retreated through New Jersey.
He was compelled to escape from France,
and came equally against the command OF
the King and the warm protestatiOns Of his
family. Accompanied by III officers, he
sailed in his own vessel, DeKalb among
them, and landed on the 25th of April,
III, near Georgetown, S. q. He was en-.
Enthusiastically received at Charleston, and
proceeding to Philadelphia, he was well
coined with equal warmth by Congress,
which resolved as follows Whereas, the
Marquis de Lafayette, out Of his great zeal
for the cause Of liberty in which the United
States are engaged has left his family and
connections and at his own expense come
over to offer his services to the United
States, without pension or particular allow
ance, and is anxious to risk his life in our
cause Resolved, that his services be ac-
cepted, and that in consideration of his
zeal, llustrious family and connections, he
have the rank and commission Of Major
General in the army Of the United States "
His commission bore date July 81, 1777,
and he was then hardly 20 years old. He
had before sent in the following note "Af-
ter many sacrifices have right to ask two
favors Ono is, to serve, at my own expense !;
the other, to commence by serving as vol
unteer." Lafayette first saw Washington at
a public dinner where a number of members
Of Congress we're present, and he said that
he Immediately knew the American leader
"by his commanding air and person." Ir-
wing says: "When the party was breaking
up, Washington took him aside, compliment.
ed him in gracious manner on his disinter.
ested zeal and the generosity Of his conduct
and invited him to make headquarters his
home Il cannot promise you the luxuries
of court said he, but as you have be.
come an American soldier, you will, doubt,
less, accommodate yourself to the fare of al
American army" In his Memoirs, Lafay.
cite describes review OF the American
army which he witnessed about this time
eleven thousand men, he said, "but toll
erably armed, and still worse clad. presented
a singular spectacle. In this parti-colored
and often naked state the best dresses were
hunting shirts Of brown linen. Their tactic:
we're equally irregular They were arranged
without regard to size, excepting that the
smallest men were the front rank; with al
this, they were good.looking soldiers, con
Quoted by jealous officers" Washington
professed to be q little ashamed of hi.
troops, and said so to Lafayette. awe
ought TO feel embarrassed in presenting cur
selves before an officer just from the French
army" ut is to learn, and not to instruct
that came here" answered Lafayette.
Lafayette, however, seems TO have at frs
/ Fnia cd ha NJ la
ment. He expected to command division
Of the army. Washington went to Con
gress for instructions, which do not appear
to have been given to him definitely. La,
fayette first saw service at Brandywine, Sept
IL, being there attached to Washington
staff as volunteer. During tho battle he
threw himself from his horse and was en-.
deavoriug to rally his men, when he wal
shot through the leg with n musket ball, and
was assisted into the saddle by his abide.
camp. lie had been so ardently engaged
that he was unconscious of his wound unit
his aid told him that the blood was running
from his boot 1t was two months before
his wound permitted him to rejon the army
His conduct upon this occasion seems t
have won the confidence of Congress, fol
Washington was informed "that it was
highly agreeable to Congress that the Mar
quis de Lafayette be appointed to the com
mand of division of the army"
Before he had quite recovered from hi,
wound received at Brandywne ho accom-
panied Gen. Greene as a volunteer in his ex
petition into the Jerseys where he was en-
gagged in skirmish with Cornwallis's out
posts "The Marquis IS determined to bC
in the way Of danger" wrote Greene.
The differences between the Board of War
of which Gates was the head, aad the Com.
mander-in-chief, led to the appointment o
Lafayette to the command of projected
expedition to Canada. In this Washington
was not consulted, the first intimation re
ceived by him Of this appointment being il
the letter Of Lafayette himself, who was in
dignant at the slight offered to his beloved
chief, who, however, advised him to accep
the command. For three months Lafayette
waited for the means Of carrying forward Tn,
, invasion, and then received orders from Con
gress to join the army at Valley Forge. Oh
the 18th Of May, l77S, he was sent By
Washington from Valley Forge to BarreI
Hill, where, with 2, 100 men aud pieces o
cannon, he posted himself. Clinton dis
patched Gen. Grant with 5000 men to sur
, prise him. Although, through the negleo
OF his outposts, Lafayette was surprised ani
. found himself nearly surrounded he brought
the Americans with their artillery safely
across the Sohuykill back TO Valley Forge