Dec/Jan 1783 Vol 40 Issue 12
America's French Hero: 
Marquis de Lafayette
By Timothy J.

_____The American people have fought courageously, struggling for independence with the help of a gallant Frenchman who led many soldiers into the battlefields. His full name is Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier Lafayette, but to most of us, he is simply Major General Lafayette.

_____Born in 1757 into France's highest nobility, Lafayette lived among those of the French royal family for most of his life. Although he is wealthy, he is not one to look down upon those who are not as fortunate. He has a great interest in the bourgeoisie and has done much for the Americans and the French. At the young age of two, his father was killed in the Battle of Minden and at thirteen, his mother passed away, leaving him a vast inheritance of lands and wealth. He studied at the Military Academy in Versailles and became a captain in the French cavalry. Soon after at 16, he received the title of marquis and married Adrienne de Noailles, daughter of one the most influencial families in France. However, he chose to give up everything when he learned of the American colonies' revolution. He left his family and wealth behind, and went against the will of his father-in-law and king. He bought a ship and left France with about a dozen fellow French army officers to help the American revolutionaries fight against England.

_____During the time he was in our country, he made a tremendous contribution to our army and country. He offered to serve without pay, and Congress gave him the rank of major general on George Washington's staff. Since then, Washington has become a close friend and a father figure to this young general. Lafayette proved in a few short months that he was a wise advisor and a good officer. He quickly gained the trust and respect of many and Washington placed many responsibilities upon him, despite his inexperience at the start of the war.

_____September 11, 1777 was the first day he encountered the British on the battlefield. At Brandywine Creek near Philadephia, he led his army under Washington into battle against the British commander William Howe and his troops. 1,000 American casualties and 576 British casualties resulted from this confrontation and Lafayette came away wounded as well as many others. An American retreat was necessary and the British were able to occupy Philadelphia on Sept. 26. Although the Americans suffered a loss, respect for Lafayette grew as more Americans found out about his selfless devotion to the American cause. The blood he shed at Brandywine Creek for the nation whose language he barely spoke cemented his place in the hearts of countless men, women, and children.

_____ Lafayette then went on to lead troops in the battles of Barren Hill and Monmouth and in the Rhode Island campaign. When he returned in 1779 to France which had declared war on Britain, he was welcomed and he encouraged France to send aid to the Americans. Currently, he is back in France assisting in the negotiations between our country and France. He has become a hero in "two worlds."