Example 1777 World Events

Lafayette Joins Contin

TOC

On July 31 st , 1777 , 19-year-old French aristocrat, Marquis de Lafayette accepts a commission in the Continental Army. Earlier, King Louis XVI feared angering Britain and prohibited Lafayette’s departure to America. The British ambassador to the French court demanded the seizure of Lafayette’s ship, which resulted in Lafayette’s arrest. Lafayette managed to escape, set sail and elude two British ships. After his safe arrival in South Carolina, Lafayette traveled to Philadelphia, expecting to be General George Washington’s second -in- command. Lafayette’s youth made Congress reluctant to promote him, but his willingness to volunteer without pay won their respect and he was commissioned as a Major-General. He was shot in the calf at the Battle of Brandywine. Refusing treatment he managed to organize a successful retreat. He also fought at the battles of Barren Hill, Monmouth & Rhode Island. Following the formal treaty of alliance with France in 1778 he asked to return to France. Franklin reported from Paris that Lafayette was an excellent advocate for American at the French court. He returned to America and in 1781 fought in the siege of Yorktown. He named his only son George Washington.