Page 60 - ASM Book 9/2020

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• JULY 27 - AMERICAN ACTION: Marquis de Lafayette, 19-year old French aristocrat, arrived in Philadelphia and volunteered to serve in the Continental Army without pay.
• AUGUST 16 - AMERICAN ACTION: Vermont militiamen aided by Massachusetts troops defeated a detachment of 800 German Hessians at the Battle of Bennington.
• SEPTEMBER 11 - AMERICAN ACTION: In the Battle of Brandywine, Washington’s main Army of 10,500 men were forced to retreat toward Philadelphia by General Howe’s troops. Both sides suffered heavy losses.
• SEPTEMBER 26 - BRITISH ACTION: British forces occupied Philadelphia. AMERICAN ACTION: Congress relocated to York, Pennsylvania.
“ Liberty
now has a country.”
-Marquis de Lafayette
Lafayette Became Washington’s Confidant
Because the Marquis de Lafayette became captivated by the American Revolution, he traveled to America with the goal to volunteer his services to the Americans without pay. Recognizing that his wealth and French connections might benefit America’s fight for independence, Congress commissioned him a major general on July 31, 1777.
History reports that Lafayette used his own money to pay for his staffs’ salaries, uniforms and muskets.
Although he had never seen battle, Lafayette experienced his first action at the Battle of Brandywine. He later commanded Continental troops at Valley Forge and chased British General Charles Cornwallis’ army across Virginia and into Yorktown. He was one of three division commanders during the Siege of Yorktown.
Lafayette and Washington remained close after the war. Because of his relationship, Lafayette named his only son George Washington Lafayette.
A
19-year old French aristocrat became a major general on George Washington’s staff as well as the son Washington never had.