St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-07-06
Lafayette.

lt hdl'lIlS l't l4dllNtllt WIS Il
son of one of the oldest houses of the
French nobility. one of his ancestors
being Il marshal of France. diStin-
guished for his military prowess. He
was born at the Chateau du Chavag-
nae, in Auvergne, France, September
q, l757. He was educated at the Col
lege du PlcsSiS. Paris married ut the
early age of sixteen noble lady still
younger than himself. and soon enter
ed the French Guards. His sympathy
with the American colonies in their
bold declaration of independence led
him to seek the acquaintance of the
American agents in Paris, Franklin.
Deane and Lee, and at the darkest pc
riOd of our revolutionary war, he an
nOunced to them his intention to go to
America and offer his services and
sword to the cause of American liberty.
He ut once purchased and fitted out II
ship with his own funds. and. narrow
ly escaping arrest, and against the or
derS of his king and protests of rela-
tives and friends, except his wife who
shared his enthusiasm, sailed from
Spanish port, accompanied by Baron
de Kalb, and other officers. They ar
llN''l at Nudl lNNiOil- % -. AIlll -.
III, and Lafayette at once offered
himself Il volunteer. to Congress. His
action produced a very great sensation
both in Europe and America, and it
still stands as one of the most impOr-
tant incidents of the revolution. Con-
gress gave him Il commission as Il ma
jor-gcneral. He became the warm
friend of Washington, and though not
yet twenty, soon showed his ability to
command. He fought and was wound
ed IN the leg at the battle of Brandy
wine; and when his wound healed he
was appointed to the command of Il
division: distinguished himself ut the
battle of Monmouth. and was thanked
by Congress for his gallantry. War
having broken out between France and
England, Lafayette, who still retained
his commission i'll the French army,
obtained leave of absence and sailed
for home, in January, I779. He was
enthusiastically received by the French
people, and after Il years stay, in which
he obtained important assistance in
men and money from the French gov
ernment, for the American cause. he
returned to this country, resumed com
mand in our army, and participated in
the campaign against CORVALLIS, "with
IL vigor, discretion and success, which,"
says Mr.. Everett, "savcd the state of
Virginia, and proved himself endowed
with the highest qualities of general
ship"
Having driven the British into York
town, he held CORVALLIS there till the
arrival of Washington and Rucham-
beau, and for his services, especially in
the siege of Yorktown, when he head
ed one of the assailing columns, he was
publicly thanked by Washington, the
day after the surrender of CORVALLIS,
and again later by Congress. Our rev
olutionary contest thus virtually end
ed, he returned to France, and IL letter
from him to Congress, first announced
the signing of the treaty of peace ut
Paris. He returned to this country for
Il short visit in 1854. when he was re-
ceived with remarkable demonstrations
of respect and affection. Returning to
Europe he at once took leading posi-
tiOn as "a member of the Chamber of
NOtables and champion of the liberal
movement i'll France. 1t was upon his
demand that the States General was
cOmvOked, and after the fall of the Bas-
tile, he was made commander In-chief
| of the National Guards of Paris, which
became the controlling power of the
country. 1t was at his suggestion that
the tricolOr was adopted as the French
| flag. So great was his influence at this
| time of turmoil, that it has been said of
| him that ''hiS history for il period, be
came the history of France and his
power was always exercised on the side
of moderation, humanity and constitu-
tional liberty. His courage. ut the
head of IA body of his guards. during
| the dreadful tumultS of October } and
q, 1859, saved the lives of the King
Louis XVI. and Queen Marie Antoin-
cite from the infuriatcd mob which had
| taken possession of the palace of Yer
saillcs. After the adoption of the con
StItution, Lafayette was among the
first to take the oath of support to it i'll
| the name of the nation: and then re-
| signing the command of the National
| Guards, he retired to his estates. In
| the war with Austria, in 1892, Lafay-
cite commanded French army on the
frontier, and fought and won the bat
ties of Phlllippeville, Maubeuge and
| FlOTennes. But he had won the hatred
of the JacObins by his moderation, and
he was denounced as traitor, his i'm
mense hereditary fortune was confis-
Gated and he fled to Germany, only to
he captured by the Austrians and i'm
prisOned in the castle of Olmutz. His
devoted wife obtained leave to share
his captivity and never recovered from
its effects. After an attempt to escape
which almost succeeded by the aid OF
two American friends, and after the
United States and Great Britain had
interceded for his release, he was al