The Seward gateway and the Alaska evening post. [volume] (Seward, Alaska) 1917-1918, 1917-10-27


Lafayette on joining the army att
Washington's headquarters, was very
much surprised by what he saw. In
stead of a wcll-cquippcd and disci-
piucd army with reathcr-uimmcd
hats and bright colorcd racings, as
those of European cncampmcnos, with
marching and countcr-mmching with
the exaclness and grace Of a minuot,
ne saw a small army of eleven thou
sand men, poorly clad and woefully
lacking in knowledge of military tao
ties. But Lafayette saw only the
bright side Of things. The pitirul con-
dition awakened only sympathy i'm his
heart, and from his thorough training
he could see that they had i'm them the
markings Of fine soldiers, and that they
were being led by Jealous officers.
When General Washington took occa-
sion to speak rather alphabetically Of
the deficiencies Of his army, saying
that Lafayette must feel the differ
euce between these unframed soldiers
and those at home, Lafayette COURT
ous)y replied that he had come to
America to learn not to teach. This
answer pleased Washington and La-
raycttc became q favoritc with the
whole army
The Battle of Brandywue" was the
first battle in which Lafayette took
part 1t was the most disastrous de-
feat Of the Revolution Hearing that
a large and finely equipped English
army had landed at the head Of the
Chesapeake bay Washington placed
his forces i'm form to receive the at
tack at the Birmingham meeting
house near Chad's ford on Brandy
Wine creek. Seeing that the retreat
was rapidly becoming a panic, Lafa-
ycttc Ieapcd from his horse and rush
ed among the frantic men, cndeavor
ing to rcorganize them and make
stand, but the odds were TOO great and
it was impossible. At the height OF
the confusion a musket ball struck
Lafayettc's left leg just below the
knee. He was helped to romomt his
horse and insisted on remaining with
the troops until the loss Of blood made
him too weak to go further Finally
Washington came up and insisted on
Lafayette giving himself into the
hands Of the surgeons. AT midnight
Washington wrote a Glitter to congress
in which he praised the bravery of the
young French soldier.
Lafayette might now have return
ed to France with honors, but to do
so would have been deserving our
cause, and ne preferred to stay and
share whatever fate might befalI the
rest at Valley Forge.
While here the good news came that
a treaty of commerce and alliance had
been signed between France and the
United States of America. Along with
this France loaned us $l5,OOO,OOO, sent
six ships and 5000 men of the regu-
lar infantry. This caused a joy be-
yond description to fill the hearts of
the Colonists, because it assured the
permanence of the United States as
Nation. The war with England would
still be continued, but France was our
ally now and that inspired our SOL
diers greatly. A national salute of
thirteen cannon was given, a thanks
giving sermon was preached, and
fine dinner was given to the officers.
Lafayette took part with great hon
or in the battles Of Monmouth and
Yorktown. Three days after the sur
render of CORVALLIS Lafayette left fol
home, where the hero of the new world
became a hero of the old. Balls were
given in his honor; he was presented
with crown of lawels at the opera,
and the king made him a Field Mar