Evening star., 1917-09-09

operate with the forces Of the United
States.
Now that his own country was IN
war. Lafayette asked permission 81
his services to his king. Congress oon-
sented and directed the American u,in>
lister at the court of Versailles to order
to be made a sword with proper devices
of the United States. Lafayette re-
mained in his own country through tho
year 1879. commanding the kings own
regiment of dragons, stationed during
the year In various parts of the king
dom His efforts were unceasing in
urging the employment of both land
and naval forces in aid of the Arnerf-
can cause. He returned to America,
and in 1880, with means wholly made
quate. was charged with the defense OF
the territory of Virginia
John Adams states that the troops
placed under his command for the ds"
fense of Virginia were chiefly taeen
from the eastern regiments. unseaeoneA
diced against it.
The troops were ragged. without
shoes and unfit to march. However.
not dismayed, Lafayette set about get
nish materials. and arranged - loan.
giving his personal credit to secure II.
and the women Of Baltimore made up
the materials for the soldiers. Today
en- are working for the allied cause in
France. giving their time and money
both at home and abroad.
Lafayette's brilliant military eI-
ploits in 1871 in Virginia. and in in
dependent command he attempted in
conjunction with the French feet to
surprise the traitor Arnold, who. with
a division OF British troops. was ravish-
ing the state. were fruitless owing to
the lateness of arrival of the feet.
The last vital struggle Of the war
was at Yorktown. where the efforts or
Lafayette for American independence
were crowned with success. II was
here that the boy of whom Corn
wallis had ever spoken disdainfully
kept up the fighting and skirmishing
until the British general, with his army
increased to 5000 men, went into win
ter quarters at Yorktown. Lafayette,
who had been the directing mind Of
the environment OF Corvallis. was
allowed to consummate his own plan
and daily saw the tightening embrace
of the besieging army. The surren-
der of CORVALLIS took place on Oc.
tober 10. 1871, and the Anal treaty OF
peace was signed in 1888.
Lafayette was on the board before
which Andre was tried and convicted
as spy. He was one Of the commits
sioners who treated with and pacified
the Pennsylvania line when. worn with
privations, starving. unclothed, un-
paid and writhing under the neglect of
Congress. they mutinied. For Ave years
he shared the vicissitudes OF fortune with
the badly fed. badly clothed army from the
day of his rallying the troops at Brandy
wine TO the storming of the redoubt at
Yorktown. Immediately after the
capitulation of Yorktown he asked and
obtained leave to visit his family and
country.
He returned to America in August
1884, where he remained FIVE months.
visiting different parts Of the country
and spending some time with WASH
ington at Mount Vernon.
He came to America in 1924 for his
farewell visit to the land and people
he had SO faithfully served and to
whom he had given the sincerest af-
fection Of his generous heart. He was
entertained everywhere with distinc-
ton and consideration, leaving many
souvenirs OF his visit.