His LAFAYETTE was the most precious gift of France to the cause of American liberty. He was the connecting link between the most ancient kingdom of Europe and the new-born republic of the New World. Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roch Yves Gilbert Motier de La Fayette was born on the 6th of September, 1757, in the Château de Chavagnac, in the province of Auvergne, France, about four hundred miles from Paris. He sprang from an ancient and noble family. father, a chevalier of the Order of St. Louis, and a colonel in the French grenadiers, having fallen in the battle of Minden a few months before his birth, his training fell entirely to the care of his mother, a woman of excellent qualities and rare attainments. Entering the College of Louis le Grand, in Paris, at the age of twelve, he showed assiduity in his studies. His mother died in 1770, and by the death of his grandfather, shortly after, he became the possessor of an immense fortune. At the age of fifteen he became a page to the unfortunate Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. then enrolled in the king's musketeers. He was Precocious in everything, at the age of seventeen he married the Comtesse de Noailles, daughter of the Duke d'Ayen, a lady of virtue and courage. In 1776, while he was stationed on military duty in the citadel of Metz, he heard the first news of America's struggle for independence. It was at an entertainment given by the Marshal de Broglie to the Duke of Gloucester, brother of the King of England. There was even a suggestion of the possibility of the duke's becoming the ruler of America. But the report of the bold American effort for liberty struck the keynote to Lafayette's fiery ardor. He disclosed his determination of going to America to his colonel, the Comte de Broglie, but received from him the strongest opposition. His family and his wife's family also resisted the movement. Lafayette, not for a moment disheartened, laid open his plans to the veteran Baron de Kalb, who had some years before been sent as a secret agent of the French Minister Choiseul to ascertain the feelings of the American colonists to the mother country. De Kalb introduced him to Silas Deane, the agent sent out by the American Congress to negotiate with the French government. A mutual agreement was made, and Lafayette left him with the promise of a commission as major-general in the forces of the United States. Lafayette then bought a ship at Bordeaux to carry him to America. Finding it impossible to sail from a French port, as he had not obtained the king's permission to leave the French service, he sent his ship to Pasajes, in Spain, intending there to embark. On arriving at that town, his firmness was put to the severest test. Letters from his family implored him to remain. He was reproached for his want of parental care, and taunted for faithlessness to his young wife. King Louis XVI. signified his highest displeasure at these rash movements. By his orders Lafayette was brought back to Bordeaux, but the young nobleman's soul was inflamed with an unquenchable ardor for fame and liberty, and he again crossed the Spanish frontier in the disguise of a postboy. Lafayette and the Baron de Kalb set sail on the "Victory," on April 20th, 1777. The voyage was long and tedious. After two months they sighted the American shores, and landed at Winyaw Bay, sixty miles northeast of Charleston, on the 14th of June, 1777. It so chanced that they had reached a Huguenot settlement, and thus were able at once to communicate freely their remarkable errand. At Charleston the Marquis met General Moultrie, and was so delighted with that soldier's gallant defence of the fort on Sullivan's Island, that he gave him arms and accoutrements for one hundred men. Lafayette spent a month in his journey by land to Philadelphia, and presented himself before Congress, then in session. To his surprise that body refused to carry out his contract with Deane. Seizing a pen he at once wrote to Congress the following note: "After the sacrifices I have made, I have a right to exact two favors-one is, to serve at my own expense; the other is, to serve as a volunteer.” This epistle had its effect; on the 31st of July, 1777, Congress appointed him major-general in the army of the United States. On the first of August the Marquis was presented to Washington, who at once received him with great kindness. The commander-in-chief bade him consider the headquarters as his home, and complimented him on the noble spirit he had shown, and the sacrifices he had made in favor of the American cause. Lafayette fondly attached himself to Washington, and became in truth his adopted son. Their mutual respect and confidence were never marred by jealousy or disagreement. On the 11th of September, 1777, the American forces in the battle of Brandywine had to give way before the British army marching to occupy Philadelphia. Lafayette proved his courage in this disastrous fight and kept his place in the front of the battle, until near its close a ball from the enemy wounded him in the leg, and he fainted from loss of blood. He was conveyed by water the next day to Philadelphia, while the army moved forward by land. From thence he was taken to Bethlehem, where his wound was attended to by the Moravian sisters. He was nursed by them for six weeks; but before his wound was sufficiently healed to permit him to wear a boot, he joined an expedition fitting out under General Greene to operate in New Jersey. Lafayette successfully routed a band of Hessians near Gloucester. After the engagement he was highly complimented by General Greene for the skill and bravery he displayed. In December, 1777, Lafayette was appointed to the command of a division in the Continental army. He was at once placed over the division of Virginian troops, lately led by General Stevens. The American forces were encamped north of Philadelphia at Whitemarsh, now known as Fort Washington, awaiting the assault of Sir William Howe and Lord Cornwallis. But Howe, after some skirmishing, marched back to Philadelphia without having effected a battle. Soon after, Washington broke up his encampment, and the Marquis |