Le Marquis de Lafayette: Un héros de la Révolution américaine

"The Marquis de Lafayette: A hero of the American Revolution"

In this blog (and in blogs to come) I will talk about different historical figures that you will encounter when you visit Colonial Williamsburg. I will start with one of my favorite historical figures, The Marquis de Lafayette.  He really was a hero of the American Revolution. Sadly, his name and his story have not been remembered as much as other figures, but he played a pivotal role in our American Revolution.

The Marquis de Lafayette
Photo from Google Images

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, (AKA The Marquis de Lafayette) was born on September 6, 1757 to a noble French family who had a family history of many French soldiers. His father was killed in the Battle of Minden when he was only 2 years old on August 1, 1759 and his mother and grandfather died in 1770, leaving him an inhertiance of a large sum of money. He married Anastasie Adrienne de Noailles on April 11, 1774. After their marriage, the Marquis' father-in-law gave him a rank of captain of a regiment stationed in Metz.

The Marquis de Lafayette first heard of the American Cause at a dinner where he had met the Duke of Gloucester. He heard about the Declaration of Independence, and the people fighting for their freedom. These words inspired him, and he wanted to fight for the American Cause not just for the freedom of one country, but for the freedom of man.

Even after being ordered not to go by King Louis XVI, the Marquis still planned to go to America. He purchased a ship called La Victoire and set off with his crew to America. The trip took 8 weeks, and during that time, the Marquis practiced learning English. He landed in Georgetown, South Carolina on June of 1777 where he was given a rather... ehem, warm welcome? Not quite. For you see, the people of South Carolina tried to kill the Marquis because they thought he was an Englishmen. Of course, after they found out that the Marquis was indeed NOT an Englishmen and that he was there to help fight for their cause, they welcomed him.

The Marquis de Lafayette then traveled through the colonies to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he offered his assistance to Congress. They did not accept him at first. But after the Marquis de Lafayette told Congress that he would serve as a volunteer at his own expense, Congress gave him a rank of major-general on July 31, 1777. The Marquis de Lafayette was only 19 years old at this time.

The Marquis de Lafayette became a member of George Washington's staff. He also became a trusted aid and a lifelong friend of General George Washington. With the Marquis without a father, and Washington without a son, they had developed a father/son relationship. (Side Note: The Marquis named his son after George Washington)

Photo from ushistory.org

The Marquis fought in the Battle of Brandywine where he got shot in the leg that ended up keeping him from fighting for 2 months. He was cared for at the Moravian Brethren at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He rejoined the army after he recovered and on November 25, 1777 the Marquis with 300 men defeated a force of Hessians. The Marquis de Lafayette then spent the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. The Marquis de Lafayette continued to serve under the command of General George Washington. 

George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette
Photo from Google Images

In 1779, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to France and was sent to the Hotel de Noailles where he was exiled for over a week before he would be allowed to return to the court. (Remember, the Marquis did not obey his King's orders) But after his exile "sentence" he was praised for his valiant and noble efforts fighting in the American Revolution by King Louis XVI.

The Marquis de Lafayette worked with the French Government and finally persuaded them to send the needed supplies and French troops to America. The Marquis himself even purchased, with his own money, a large sum of supplies for the American troops. The Marquis de Lafayette then returned to America in 1780.

In 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette was sent to Virginia where he ultimately cornered Lord Cornwallis in Yorktown. George Washington and many other forces came down to aid the Marquis de Lafayette. Surrounded by the French Navy by sea, and a combination of American and French soldiers on land, Lord Cornwallis could do nothing but surrender. He surrendered on October 19, 1781.

The Marquis de Lafayette portrayed by Mark Schneider
at Colonial Williamsburg

The Marquis de Lafayette returned back to France where he ultimately gets sent to prison during the French Revolution by the Jacobins. The Marquis had tried to escape, but was captured by the Austrians and spent over five years in prison. In 1797, Napoleon released the Marquis from prison.

Lafayette St. in Williamsburg, Virginia

The Marquis de Lafayette returned to America in 1824. He was treated like a hero during his stay. He became the first honorary member of the United States, and is the only foreigner to have the most towns named after him; not to mention the countless amounts of streets and parks named after him in many places throughout the United States.

The Marquis de Lafayette died on May 20, 1834, and is buried at Picpus Cemetery in Paris, France. He is buried in both French and American soil. (he had taken soil from Bunker Hill to be buried with him) An American Flag flies next to his grave every day. When American troops had arrived in France during WWI, they cried out "Lafayette, we are here!"

The Marquis de Lafayette's burial site
Photo from Google Images

The Marquis de Lafayette is truly a hero of the American Revolution. Yes, he is not the only hero, but he played an important role during our fight for independence. Without him and his noble efforts, we may not have been successful. The Marquis de Lafayette came to America despite orders not to go because he believed in the cause in which we were fighting for. Everyone should know this man's story, for without him, we may not be able to call ourselves a free and independent nation. To the Marquis de Lafayette, we thank you for your service, and for believing in our cause. You are indeed, a true hero.