Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-03-06
prepared for the EVENING CArITAL.)
BARON de KALB.
Paper No. ]


ment to Baron de KaIb and its erec-
ton 10 cur midst should recall to as
the history Of that distinguished sol
der. His name is closely associated
with the Revolutionary history OF
our country. Of Maryland and Of An
nspoIis. To theColoDies striving for In
dependence, de Kalb's heroic devotion
and untiring aid were invaluable, W bile
it revived the spirits of the patriots
with the thought. that foreigners too
appreciated the justice of the cause,
Of initial act toward the mother
country. To Maryland de Kalb was
particularly attached The sons OF
Maryland were bis followers through
out the great struggle; him they
claimed for their leader and 10 the dar.
kest hours of the war relied upon his
ability and zeal. To Annapolis be-
longs the honor Of being among the
6rst to receive the distinguished
stranger upon bis arrivalin the counl
try, and to this city belongs the hon
or of statue to commemorate hA
name. OF the birth aud ancestry bf
de Kalb, until recent years, notI ing
was certainly known, aud histofans
and biographers in want Of dAa to
the coDtrary, consigned him to the
family Of a German noble ofthe name
de Kalb. Investigation however re-
Gently conducted by Fred'kKnapp. has
completely cleared up the mystery Of
bis parentage aud corrected the man
faults Of former historians John
Kalb was given to the world not as has
been hitherto supposed by the lordly
castle OF a German baron, but by the
humble cottage of . Franconian peas
ant He was born at Huettendorf,
. village then belonging to the Mar
graviais Of Bayrenth. new nBavaria.
the 29th Of June. 1921. Ills father,
John Leonard Kalb aud his mother
were Of good yeoman stock He had
two brothers and sister, none OF
whom arose to position, aud whose
descendants still are happy in their
humble station. John passed bis early
years at home and bad obtained but
meagre education when at sixteen
years be left his fathers house to seek
his fortune as q soldier. For six
years our hero disappears from his
tory but reappeafs in l743 on the
scene as Jean De Kalb. lieutenant in
the regiment Loewendal Of French in
fantry. How be assumed this rank
and title. posserity viii never know the
cause of his doing so is easily learn
cd. Indeed bis assumption Of title
not belonging to him il not at all
surprising in view of the fact that
none of the armies OF that day admit
ted the claims Of . commoner to pro-
motion. and The holding OF a commits
sion Ia the army few years later
VAS restricted 10 those who had at
least four noble ancestors. Thus bad
Kslb, an ambitious spirited young
soldier. adopted the best and perhaps
only means calculated to raise him
from the restrictions v hich bis hum
bic birth imposed. By assuming
lhe name Baron Jean de Kalb, the
young peasant removed II blow the
letters that bouud him. with . word IN.
locked the door which aud bad would
aeclnde him from the world, and open-
cd . nay to renown. II was bis good
fortune 70 receive his military train
Ing ID tbs school Of Marshal SAKE. the
grsalest captain ID Europe Of his
day, whom Frederick -the-Great had
dubbed uProfess0r Of European gen
erals His military skill and per-
sonal courage brought de KaIb 70 The
'front.' and promotions allowed rapid
u H served = adintanl and major