The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-06
His father, King Edward III, watch

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lish, and the prince was hard pressed
and in danger Of capture. Once he
was so surrounded by his foes that the
Earl Of Warwick sent messenger in
haste to the king, asking that assist
ance be given the prince.
"Is my son killed p asked the king
as the messenger rode up.
''No, sir" The king heaved sigh
Of relief.
SIS he wounded ?"
"No, sir
SIS he thrown to the ground p
"No, but he is hard pressed and
needs your aid
''Then, if it is only that, I shall
give him no help. Ihave set my heart
on his proving himself brave knight
and I am resolved that the victory
shall be due to his own valor.
Ten years later, in a subsequent
campaign in Normandy, this same
Black Prince achieved another splen-
did triumph at the battle Of Ploiters.
where he defeated and captured the
French monarch, John, and his son,
Philip, lad Of IA. King John had
with him his four sons, Charles, Louis,
John and Philip. The three elder
boys were posted at different parts Of
the field, 7hile Philip, the youngest,
followed his father, who plunged into
the thickest Of the fight, where he
was soon in great danger of being
taken. The little prince fought at his
side, endeavoring to ward off the blows
that were aimed at his father, while
above the din Of battle he could be
heard calling on him to guard right or
left, as his quick eye saw from what
quarter he was threatened. John was
finally forced to yield, though not un-
til he was abandoned by every one but
Philip.
There is no more romantic figure in
history than that Of Marquis de La
fayette, who gave mis- sword and cour-
age to the cause of American liberty.
The French king had endeavored in
vain to keep the young soldier at
home, his friends and relatives had
tried to restrain him, but all to no
avail, for he purchased shipin which
to escape from France, his king and
his ever-solicitous friends and family.
He was an exceedingly rash youth
from all accounts, for he did not hesi-
tate to freely express his sympathy
for the American people while dining
at the British ambassadors as we'll as
his determination to aid them, if pos
sible, in their struggle for liberty.
The British ambassador was so i'm
pressed by the young enthusiast and
the use he might be to the enemies of
his country that he demanded his ar
rest of the French government and the
seizure Of his ship, which lay at an
chor in the harbor at Bordeaux.
Lafayette avoided arrest, reaching
Bordeaux ahead Of the royal warrant
OBTAINING his ship, and put to sea.
Wher he landed in America he was
coolly met. Congress was in great
need Of money, and there we're many
native officers who desired the rank the
gay young Frenchman had come so far
to claim.
Lafayette had not crossed the At
lantic for nothing, however; money
and rank were secondary consider
ations with him. He declared his
willingness to serve as volunteer, in
any capacity and without pay. Con-
gress was 80 much impressed by this
that on July 81, 1777, resolution
vas passed accepting his tender of
services, and General Washington,
who had been greatly attracted by his
ardor, made him a member Of his
military family
The battle Of Brandywine afforded
Lafayette the longed-for opportunity
to distinguish himself, which he did
to such god purpose that congress
gave him the command Of division.
So that before he was 20 he was ac-
tually a general.
But the day of the boy soldier did not
cease with the age of chivalry and ro-
nance. Many Of our generals who are
leading our armies in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the Philippines began their careers
st the time of the civil war as boy SOL
diers, too, and were doubtless quite
as brave and gallant as any.of their
predecessors.
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