Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-21


sacrifices the young marquis had al
ready made, completely won the
hearts of Congress. A resolution was
passed July 81, 1777, accepting his
service and declaring that, in con-
sideration of his zeal, illustrious FAM
lily and connections he should have
the rank and commission of a major
general of the United States.
The very next day he was intro
duced to Washington, who was i'm
mediately won by the young mans
engaging character. The general re-
ceived the youth without delay into
his own military family, to the great
joy of the guest, and thus began a
friendship notable in the history of
great men, and which continued with
singular devotion till the farewell of
death.
1t was impracticable to place La
Fayette Immediately at the head of a
fighting force. 1t would have been
unjust to American officers, who had
nobly led their men during the two
years of hardship already endured.
But at the battle of Brandywine, in
our own State, he so distinguished
himself by gallant fighting as to win
unusual praise. He was also severely
wounded in the leg as he was fear
lessly trying to rally some retreating
soldiers. Washington promptly re-
ported the splendid conduct of his
friend to the Congress. and in a warm
and dignified appeal set forth the ad-
vantages to the service of placing so
worthy and earnest a friend of the
patriot cause in immediate leadership
of its soldiery, and closed by a recon-
mendation that his commission as
general he made more than honorary
alone. Congress Immediately respond |
ed by giving the marquis the COM
mand of a division of troops, making |
him thereby the happiest man in
America, and with good reason.
Just twenty years old, an enthusiast
tic friend of popular liberty in whose
battles he had just poured out his
own blood, eager for honorable fame,
the acknowledged favorite and friend
of the greatest of patriot generals on
earth, he was already honored with
rank and authority of the foremost
worth He had won a place among
the worlds immortals, and yet boy
in years. What his friends had count
ed folly, and the state disloyalty, he
had justified as valor and glorified
with fame.
: Circumstances did not favor La
Fayette with remarkable occasions
for military renown during the Amer
lean Revolution, but whatever respon-
sbilities he did assume were ably sus-
tanned. He proved discreet and eff
cient commander on every field where
he fought. His conduct at the battle
of Monmouth in 1878 was so heroic
that Congress by special vote acknowl
edged it with gratitude. The mastery
withdrawal of his little army at Bar
rem Hill, when almost surrounded by
hostile force several times as large
as his own, called out the unqualified
praise of Washington, who was a wit
ness to the gallant transaction. He
was equally valuable as a wise arbitra-
tor of the jealousies that occasionally |
threatened the good relations between
French and American officers in the
field.
When at last France entered into
an actual alliance with the American
Colonies, both for purposes of COM
merce and war, and on February z,
1878, war against England was de-
clared, Lafayette felt it wise to return
to his native land for purposes of con-
sultation. Washington heartily ap-
proved, realizing the great value to
the American cause of an advocacy
at court from one so devoted to its
success, so fully informed as to its
merits and prospects and so esteemed |
among the influential classes of the
nation. The young ambassador, for
such he really proved, was occupied
with his mission about six months, he
was immensely active and did much
to create enthusiasm for the American
cause and to persuade the government |
to an unqualified support of the war.
He was met with universal affection
and became the popular hero.
Franklin wrote to Congress in |
March, 1873: 1.-The Marquis de La
dyCllOI WIN, illS stay III |
France, has been extremely jealous |
on all occasions, returns again to fight |
for us. He is infinitely esteemed and
beloved here, and 1 am persuaded will |
do everything in his power to merit |
continuance of the same affection |
from America"
When Lafayette came back, Con-
gress passed a special resolution of
welcome. He was Immediately placed |
in charge of the defense of Virginia. |
He retained this important command |
till October, 1881, performing its diff |
cult duties with consummate skill, |
doing all it was possible to do with |
the means at his command on the wit !
ness of no less a parsonage than
Washington himself. He shared in
the perls and honors of the siege of
Yorktown, contributing an important
part to this, the crowning success of
the Revolutionary War.
Lafayette is one of the great figures
of American history, a Frenchman by
birth and an American in ideals. His
services remain a debt unpaid.